Classroom of the Elite Named Top Paperback Light Novel of 2022 by Japanese Industry Professionals
2022 is coming to a close and with it Takarajimasha’s yearly book rankings are starting to roll out, beginning with the series that topped the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! (This Light Novel is Amazing!) list. The rankings are voted on by publishing industry professionals, as well as other entertainment professionals and students.
Topping the Bunko (Paperback) category is Shogo Kinugasa’s Classroom of the Elite light novel, published by Media Factory on their MF Bunko J imprint. The top book in the Tankobon/Novel category is Miya Kazuki’s Ascendance of a Bookworm published by TO Books. In the General New Works category, Taiga Shiki’s Watashi wa Anata no Namida ni Naritai published by Shogakukan’s Gagaga imprint topped the list.
The difference between bunko and tankobon are both the size of the book, as well as how they are published. Bunko books are usually published as books first while tankobon are usually published in a magazine or online first and then published as physical books. Ascendance of a Bookworm for example was first published on the Shosetsuka ni Naro self-publishing website.
The first-place winners are released publicly while the rest of the rankings are held exclusively within the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! mook that came out today in Japan. The mook also includes a special feature and interviews on the Sword Art Online franchise.
Sources: Press Release, LN-News
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Daryl Harding is a Senior Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs the YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.
