Action Lovers (Minimum 3.8 Rating on Novelupdates)

Action Lovers (Minimum 3.8 Rating on Novelupdates)
This list is catered towards action loving, seinen readers. If you are looking for novels with action as the main element, this is it.

Been reading novels for a long time now and I don't usually read novels below 4.0 rating on novelupdates. I have to say Korean novels fit my cup of tea the most given that characters are usually more mature and realistic. CN Novels have too much face slapping while JP novels have s*upid titles "I was just walking one day and suddenly my d1ck got bigger" and beta MCs. Do let me know if there are good JP novels out there seriously...

If you read on leviatan/zero/reaper/method scans, I think these novels will be to your liking.

I ranked the novels based on 3 criteria: (1) Action (2) Plot and (3) Writing

(1) Action: Action is reliant on the quality and quantity of the fighting scenes. For example, usage of battle skills to amplify the battle scenes or having a well thought out battle plan during a battle.

(2) Plot: Plot is heavily determined by the quality and quantity of adventures. Does not mean the story is the most logical. This is the most subjective.

(3) Writing: Writing is influenced by the author's style of writing and quality of translations. Does the author disseminate information in a clear and coherent manner for readers to digest? Are there proper links between transitions from different places or chapters.

May Contain spoilers.

#1 - 19: Good Novels
#20 & Beyond: Popular Novels that fail to meet my standards
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52 Followers
Ireadalot
Created: Apr 27th, 2020, Updated: Jul 2nd, 2021
Created Apr 27th, 2020
Updated Jul 2nd, 2021
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KR (3.9)
12 Chapters Every 133.7 Day(s) 1287 Readers 27 Reviews 11-18-2019
2021 July: A- Tier (As at Chapter 362). Personally, I dislike novels that have hunters and gates because the plot is really predictable. Awakening -> starting a guild (can be later) -> conflict with other guilds -> becoming the best in the country -> conflict with other countries -> best in the world -> conflict with entities behind the appearance of the gates.... more>>
KR (4.4)
20 Chapters Every 117.4 Day(s) 23447 Readers 466 Reviews 07-09-2019
S Tier. I absolutely love this novel. This is the only novel I rated S+ for its plot. However I have no idea why this novel fits the taste of the high standards of novelupdates reviewers who are basically trying to read a real book when they read lightnovels. Why even bother reading light novels in the first place. I do think the drama and romance is too much but idk maybe it helps to attract female readers. This novel somehow achieves a good balance between attracting readers of completely opposing genres. That's probably why it's the only popular novel in NU for this genre as compared to its counterparts.... more>>
KR (4.1)
478 Chapters Every 0.9 Day(s) 14849 Readers 192 Reviews 03-28-2024
S Tier. One of my favourite novels. Basically this dude got sent back to the past and has to fight all over again with the fate of humanity lying on his shoulders. If you like fighting, this is it for you. I have to say the first tutorial arc is S Tier even among all the S Tier novels, even better than SCOG's tutorial arc.... more>>
KR (4.2)
300 Chapters Every 1.1 Day(s) 4957 Readers 33 Reviews 03-29-2024
Excellent (11 Chapter as of review). Reincarnator #2. Storyline and style of writing is very similar to Reincarnator. I'm definitely not complaining. No drama, just my guy doing his best to save the world. Love this. Reaperscans has been on a roll.... more>>
KR (4.2)
18 Chapters Every 125.7 Day(s) 1551 Readers 20 Reviews 12-30-2020
S Tier. Absolute Master Piece. This novel does does not belong the any of the genre mentioned above. We have a young dude who acts and thinks beyond his age, currently enrolled in a military school to kill dragons with their psychic powers. Action + school life + maturity is a safe genre. A more mature novel despite the tags. Chapters are really long so it's very substantial.... more>>
KR (4.1)
186 Chapters Every 150.1 Day(s) 9644 Readers 106 Reviews 05-20-2019
S Tier Second chance novel. Basically this dude died at a certain level and somehow came back to the past to amend things. So he knows where all the cheats are at for each floor. How it differs from the other novels is that they are all stuck in these floors where they only have resting areas and they will get transported to the stage when the resting time is up, they have no freedom.... more>>
KR (4.1)
277 Chapters Every 90.8 Day(s) 15565 Readers 147 Reviews 09-10-2020
S Tier. Got compared to reincarnator a lot back in the old days when these 2 were the only ones in this genre. This novel is plagued by really inconsistent translators if not it would have achieved more readers tbh.... more>>
KR (3.6)
590 Chapters Every 28.3 Day(s) 4397 Readers 33 Reviews 04-06-2022
S Tier. (Edit #2 to A- Tier) I really like this. Came here from the manhwa so my review for the novel might be slightly overstated. Strongest Mage reincarnated into an ordinary body story. Story setting is similar to Returner's Magic is Special but I would say this is even better due to the MC being much more OP and badass.... more>>
KR (4)
336 Chapters Every 283.7 Day(s) 14690 Readers 136 Reviews 02-09-2021
S Tier. Too bad there are no more releases. Better version of Game of Divine Thrones.... more>>
KR (4.1)
267 Chapters Every 31.7 Day(s) 13213 Readers 60 Reviews 01-21-2024
A Tier. If an OP dude that can overpower everyone has a 4.2 rating on novelupdates and it's not one-punch man, you know that this novel has something backing it up. Less action compared to most of the novels mentioned above but still the mystery is worth the read.... more>>
KR (4)
370 Chapters Every 16.1 Day(s) 11295 Readers 102 Reviews 03-17-2024
A Tier (Edit #3 to S Tier). Second chance novel. Similar to the genre mentioned above but dude is a C-Class and who has to train much harder. I have to say there's too much talking in the novel totally unnecessary. And building a story on a meeting with someone else is kinda... lame. But this novel is still great just doesn't make it to S Class.... more>>
KR (4.3)
520 Chapters Every 61.7 Day(s) 22560 Readers 193 Reviews 11-24-2021
Classic novel, the mother of Korean VR novels. Very good novel given the era it was in. Grass Porridge!... more>>
KR (3.7)
45 Chapters Every 8.6 Day(s) 672 Readers 11 Reviews 02-28-2024
A Tier. Same Author as Reincarnator. Guy who is too OP for his era but doesn't go flexing around or changing the world. Good one-time read. There are tons of novels with super OP MC that just wants to laze around but they were all sh*t reads (lazy swordmaster, I reincarnated and just want to live a normal life etc), but this is good.... more>>
KR (4.3)
1 Chapters Every 2862 Day(s) 4150 Readers 141 Reviews 05-28-2016
S Tier. I sincerely implore everyone to read this forbidden masterpiece. If you haven't read this forbidden novel you haven't been on NU for long enough. You MUST read this.... more>>
KR (3.8)
39 Chapters Every 187.8 Day(s) 11665 Readers 123 Reviews 08-05-2023
A Tier. Korean VR novel. Ending was kinda rushed. Much better than Ark, Arena and many others IMO.... more>>
CN (3.9)
51 Chapters Every 485.8 Day(s) 22362 Readers 416 Reviews 02-18-2023
S Tier. The novel that many of our strict readers on NU have been wondering why is this novel so popular? This is the Bleach equivalent in the novel world, in my opinion. Strong description of fights and actions. World Building is great. If you are a tournament arc guy you will like this as well. The CN Xuanhuan trope is definitely present in this one so I would not recommend this to those who hate the Xuanhuan Action genre. C'mon it's a CN novel what do you expect.... more>>
CN (4.1)
0 Chapters Every 133.9 Day(s) 11640 Readers 159 Reviews 10-11-2018
S Tier. If you like ATG you will most probably like this as well. Lots of strong power moves, tournament arcs, exciting inheritance sites. MC is calm and composed.... more>>
CN (3.8)
0 Chapters Every 1304 Day(s) 5149 Readers 51 Reviews N/A
S Tier. Apparently the author is known for re-using his ideas in his other novels. Glad I only read this one. If you are a sucker for tournament arcs, this is it. They have 1v1s and 5v5s, kinda like Doulou Dalu type of tournament fighting.... more>>
CN (3.8)
855 Chapters Every 139.2 Day(s) 10335 Readers 143 Reviews 07-25-2018
A Tier. Same author as Against the Gods. Read quite a few CN VR novels but there was none that I liked because it was either too long with little action or there was too much face slapping and offending guilds and ks-ing game materials. If you like ATG I strongly recommend you to read this. MC is really OP in this.... more>>
KR (4.2)
21 Chapters Every 141.3 Day(s) 20860 Readers 394 Reviews 06-26-2018
Very Popular Novel. Typical MC who entered into the book he wrote so he knows what's going to happen next but there are butterfly effects. This genre is interesting really, but there is often too much drama, kinda like a webtoon style of target audience it's trying to reach. This genre is not my cup of tea but I can't say this novel is bad.... more>>
KR (3.9)
17 Chapters Every 179 Day(s) 18529 Readers 252 Reviews 02-17-2019
Would honestly not read this if not for the manhwa. Story development is not that good and the ending is thrash. Not recommended to novel and manga readers. The manhwa is better able to make the story shine. Necromancer + Gates type of novel such as this and Seoul Station's Necromancer generally fails.... more>>
CN (3.3)
20 Chapters Every 992.4 Day(s) 15158 Readers 289 Reviews 04-26-2015
At least back in the old days, when someone asks what novel is similar to ATG, MGA probably comes out in the discussion. However, there are clear differences between these two novels. MGA is more centered around raiding of tombs that isn't interesting while ATG focuses on tournaments. I haven't really read a CN Xuanhuan with Tomb raiding that is interesting (King of Gods' inheritance sites / testing zones are a different matter.) ATG also has better world building and interesting power moves. Overall, the story just isn't as exciting and intense as ATG.... more>>
JP (3.6)
111 Chapters Every 66.1 Day(s) 4140 Readers 44 Reviews 10-15-2021
I often have the impression that novels with 4.5 rating and above are good given how picky readers on NU are. However I am clearly wrong for this novel. I have to say I might have liked this novel back when I was of age 12-14. Very kiddy style just like many other JP novels. Too much emphasis on the MC being a thrash prince; super weird flex.... more>>
CN (4.5)
0 Chapters Every 3738 Day(s) 13375 Readers 183 Reviews N/A
Popular OG CN novel with 4.5 rating on NU. OG amongst the OG. One of the first Xuanhuan or the first to be completed on... more>>
KR (4.3)
0 Chapters Every 2388 Day(s) 29887 Readers 381 Reviews N/A
I just had to review on this one. Wasted my time reading this. It clearly does not deserve a 4.3 rating on NU. Nothing happens.... more>>
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Comments (8)
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  1. Valven
    Valven· May 20, 2020 11:35 PM
    Awesome and informative list. I'd like to think my tastes aren't generic at all because I jump genres a lot, but I'd definitely read these once I feel like I need some action. 
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  2. kaaliya
    kaaliya· May 12, 2020 01:00 AM

    I am surprised you didn't mention Overgeared there. (God Grid is awesome af)

    But One of the best lists I have seen on NU. Good to see that there is someone who isn't reviewing just based on the ratings. 

    EXCELLENT LIST OF LIGHT NOVELS.clear.png

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  3. Meloonseed
    Meloonseed· May 8, 2020 03:38 AM
    Personally, I like avoiding novels with Xianxia and Xuanhuan tags on them. But your taste in high rated novels that you didn't like is pretty similar to mine, so maybe I'll check them out.
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  4. danish341
    danish341· May 4, 2020 07:46 AM

    'The second coming of gluttony' has the finest content and the best translator working in it. Well, to be clear the romantic and drama genre is of course as you say, but the 'Action' is nonpareil I would say!

    It is the best one on my list of course...clear.png

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  5. Daresan
    Daresan· Jul 17, 2020 09:41 PM

    Lol Agt at n1? Cough Are you high mate? Cough

    Reply · ·
    • Bruce008
      Bruce008· Dec 3, 2020 06:16 PM
      I understand if you don't like it but see the number of comments, number of readers on every web novel site and you'll find ATG in one of the top list of not number 1. MGA is number 1 in most of the websites. But ATG is not far behind. 
      Reply · ·
  6. Anard
    Anard· Jul 9, 2020 04:02 AM

    agreed with most of your opinions except for I am the Monarch, i agree that it starts slow but it picks up later and have great kingdom and army building

    and not all the novels from  KobatoChanDaiSuki are bad eg god of cooking is good one

    Reply · ·
  7. Draakon
    Draakon· May 20, 2020 07:26 PM

     I see that you don't get what Previous Life was Sword Emperor. This Life is tr*sh Prince is a about.

    Forget about humor, it's typical japanese degradation of OP protagonist, apparently Japanese love feeling of shadenfreude way too much, the novel is not about this. I think that at this point It cab be told with high degree of confidence that this is novel about following ideals, and sacrifices on this road. MC trained by some mu*der-hobo in ideals of typical Wuxia world, he suffered by following this ideals, he started to hate this ideals of wuxia swordmaster and when he dies with regret, he abandoned them completely. And then, he lived without purpose becoming "useless" until picking new one, one, that makes use of some of his achivement in previous life. And now he tries to follow it. And other important people in this book also follow their own ideals, and ready to die for them, or even make the world burn. And then is the question, vocalized by protagonist several time, "does such ideals worth it"?

    I don't think that 12-14 old kids will get it, It's seems not everybody older get's it.

    And he doesn't go that far to hide his strenght as Lazy Swordman or tr*sh of the Count Family or dozens other of reincarnators, he simple hate the way of sword at first, and then a bit of unshure, if he shall put it all into his new ideal yet and lacks an ambition. But shall somebody he important to him come in danger, he isn't going to risk their life to hide his strenght.

    Reply · ·