I read a TON of books, but I also love anime and manga.
And although Dragon Ball Z was my first introduction to anime (unless you count Pokemon and potentially YuGiOh, I'll have to ask my mom about that one), Naruto came next and also got me into manga.
So I always think to myself: "What books should I read if I like Naruto?", "What book series are similar to Naruto?, and "What novels should I read if I like Naruto" - being that most searched will recommend similar manga instead of US Novels.
Well, I devoured tons of books now and decided it make sense if I spread the word on all these awesome series and books so others can enjoy them as well.
I also included a runner up section of some alternative options that don't necessarily fit the specific genre we see filling up the main list of books to read if you like anime, which should give you guys some really great options overall.
Let me know what you think and be sure to add your own favorites in the comment section below!
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THE TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NON-AMERICAN NOVEL MENTION: LIGHT NOVELS
Specific Recommendations:
The Naruto Light Novels
Start Reading [Amazon Links]:
First things first: this would not be a fair list of books to read if you like anime if I didn't start by mentioning light novels as a whole.
A light novel is a style of Japanese novel targeting teenagers and young adults. These novels contain mostly illustrations in anime or manga style. They are usually published in bunkobon size (A6 – 105 x 148mm). Light novels are not very long. The length is comparable to a novella in US publishing terms.
That said, I have done my own searching for novel formatted anime-style books and Light Novels weren't the solution for me (Though the specific Naruto Light Novels ARE very good; the style of light novels is just not what I was looking for).
I LOVE manga, but I also love reading novels, and I wanted something in between, and Light Novels were not what I was looking for.
I have read all of the Light Novels I linked to above, and I loved some of them, but not because they were a perfect format of novel and anime - mainly because I already loved the world building that was done in the manga, anime or both and then got a deeper dive into the characters as a whole (in some ways).
That said, I have found a couple that almost hit the mark for me, but still ultimately prefer other options that I list below and would normally just grab manga if I had to choose between manga or a light novel.
Anime Workout Databases at SHJ:
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NUMBER FIVE: THE THRONE OF GLASS SERIES
Is This A Series: Yes
# of Books In Series: 7
Series Name: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Mass
Start Reading:
Amazon
Coming in first among the top books to read if you like Naruto is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass.
I'm bringing the Throne Of Glass series in first, which is a wildly popular YA series, because I know it deserves a spot, but also realize it definitely won't be for everyone.
This series is far less shonen manga style and pretty much the epitome of a young adult book - though it does follow the progression of an assassin named Celaena Sardothien that many readers will (and already do) love.
This one comes in for readers 14-17 so it would be a great pick up for some fans of Naruto Shippuden.
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NUMBER FOUR: SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED MAGIC
Is This A Series: Yes
# of Books In Series: 4
Series Name: Arcane Ascension
Author: Andrew Rowe
Start Reading:
Amazon
At number four on our list of books to read if you like Naruto we have Sufficiently Advanced Magic within Andrew Rowe's Arcane Ascension series.
This series has four books in it and they're ALL part of Kindle Unlimited. I repeat, all four books of the series are free with Kindle Unlimited.
Rowe started as a game designed for companies like Blizzard, Cryptic Studios and Obsidian Entertainment and now he is building worlds like the one in Arcane Ascension full time.
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NUMBER THREE: THE CHOSEN
Is This A Series: Yes
# of Books In Series: 3
Series Name: Contender
Author: Taran Matharu
Start Reading:
Amazon
Coming in within the top three books to read if you like Naruto is The Chosen, book one of The Contender Series by Taran Matharu!
I was introduced to Taran with his Summoner Series that became popular on Wattpad, which is similar to a webcomic being picked up on Webtoons and turned into a manga and/or anime like One Punch Man, Solo Leveling or Lookism.
Though this one is about Taran's Contender Series, both of his series are great progressions through a heroes journey like Naruto coming up in his own world. Though we are not dealing with shinobi in these, we do get to see plenty of other awesome journeys.
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NUMBER TWO: UNSOULED
Is This A Series: Yes
# of Books In Series: 11
Series Name: Cradle
Author: Will Wight
Start Reading:
Amazon
Coming in at number two among our top books to read if you like Naruto is Unsouled, book one of the Cradle series by my fellow Floridian Will Wight.
Wight's Cradle series is ALWAYS mentioned when any anime style conversion starts within novel format, and I would say it's the closest to Naruto-style progression if we needed some kind of comparison from anime/manga to Progression Fantasy (or just a good sales pitch for Will).
Another reason this one comes in at number two is because there are ELEVEN books in the series, giving you endless joy for what feels like an eternity, and they're ALL free with Kindle Unlimited.
Yes, ALL eleven books are free with Kindle Unlimited.
And, even if you don't have Kindle Unlimited, Will has some of the least expensive options among the list, with Unsouled starting at just $0.99...!
TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME
NUMBER ONE: TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
Is This A Series: Yes
# of Books In Series: 3
Series Name: Tristan Strong Series
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Start Reading:
Amazon
Coming in at number one among our list of the top books to read if you like Naruto is Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky!
The Tristan Strong Series, by Kwame Mbalia is presented by bestselling author of the Percy Jackson Series (which is in our runner ups section, by the way): Rick Riordan.
Triston Strong is an epic fantasy described as a middle grade American Gods!
This one is perfect for young to middle aged Naruto fans alike, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trilogy as a thirty year old nerd.
THE TOP FIVE BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LIKE ANIME & OTHER SHJ BONUSES 🙂
Do you have any favorites that didn’t make the list?
The Top Five Books To Read If You Like Naruto (Runner Ups):
- Level Up (One Up Series)
- The Red Scrolls of Magic
- The Last Magician
- The Mistborn Trilogy
- Percy Jackson or Harry Potter Series
You may be here to discuss books, but we have much more than that here at SHJ.
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And, if this was helpful, don't forget to leave a comment below.
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Your New Coach,
Mike Romaine
SHJ's Nick Fury / Master Roshi
Last updated on March 28th, 2023 at 03:14 pm
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