Top 5 Light Novel Like Black Iron’s Glory [2025 List]

Black Iron’s Glory

Welcome to Freia. A continent perpetually torn by war. Hundreds of years ago it was ruled by Magi, people capable of magic who viewed themselves as superior to those who could not. For thousands of years they ruled over common people… but times change.

Magic is a finite resource, and with its steady depletion, the magi grew weak. Eventually they were overthrown in a great war that saw them made all but extinct. Magic fell with them, becoming taboo in every way, the object of villainy in the novels of romance and heroism.

War is a human condition, however, and it has continued to wage unerringly between the successor kingdoms and empires as the common man fights to become master of the world left behind by the magi.

Magic has gone, but power remains, now wielded in the form of firearms and manpower. Muskets echo on the fields and cannons thunder on the ocean, even more so now that the greatest kingdoms on the continent have pushed out to colonise the far-away land known as Nubissia.

Born into this world of chaos is a young man, reincarnated from a salaryman in 21st century China. Lacking the prejudice against magic, and possessing a hobbyist’s knowledge of firearms and tactics, our young protagonist forges his path in a world where magic and musket war.

Black Iron’s Glory It is also Known as: BIG

Genres: Harem , Adventure , Action , Drama , Fantasy , Magic , Politics , Fantasy World , Military

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Top 5 Light Novel Like Black Iron’s Glory [2025 List]

5. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu

The story is staged in the distant future within our own Milky Way Galaxy, approximately in the 35th century. Unlike other science fiction stories, there are no alien civilizations. A portion of the galaxy is filled with terraformed worlds inhabited by interstellar traveling human beings. For 150 years two mighty space powers have intermittently warred with each other: the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance.
Within the Galactic Empire, based on 19th century Prussia, an ambitious military genius, Reinhard von Müsel, is rising to power. He is driven by the desire to free his sister Annerose, who was taken by the Kaiser as a concubine. Later, he wants not only to end the corrupt Goldenbaum dynasty but also to defeat the Free Planets Alliance and to unify the whole galaxy under his rule.
In the Free Planets Alliance is another genius, Yang Wen-li. He originally aspired to become a historian, and joined the military only because he needed money for tuition. He was rapidly promoted to an admiral because of his demonstrated excellence in military strategy. He becomes the archrival of Reinhard, though they highly respect one another.
As a historian, Yang often narrates the rich history of his world and comments on it. One of his famous quotes is: "There are few wars between good and evil; most are between one good and another good."
Besides the two main heroes, the story is full of vivid characters and intricate politics. All types of characters, from high nobility, admirals and politicians, to common soldiers and farmers, are interwoven into the story. There is a third neutral power nominally attached to the Galactic Empire called the Phezzan Dominion, a planet-state (city-state on a galactic scale) which trades with both warring powers. There is also a Terraism cult, which claims that humans should go back to Earth, gaining popularity throughout the galaxy. The story frequently switches away from the main heroes to the Unknown Soldier fighting for his life on the battlefield.
Contains 10 main volumes and 4 prequel volumes, as well as 5 uncollected short stories.
Volumes 1-10 are entitled: Dawn (黎明篇); Ambition (野望篇); Biding His Time (雌伏篇); Strategem (策謀篇); A Hero's Chance (風雲篇); Soaring High (飛翔篇); Great Upheaval (怒濤篇); Chaos (乱離篇); Resurgence of Power (回天篇); Sunset (落日篇) (unofficial English translations, edited by MAL)
Prequel Volumes 1-4 entitled: The Star Crusher (星を砕く者); Julian's Iserlohn Diary (ユリアンのイゼルローン日記); Hundred Billion Stars, Hundred Billion Lights (千億の星、千億の光); Spiral Labyrinth (螺旋迷宮)
Short Stories:
The Record of the Battle of Dagon (ダゴン星域会戦記)
The Silver Valley (白銀の谷)
Disgrace (汚名)
Morning's Dream, Evening's Song (朝の夢、夜の歌)
Golden Wings
Won Seiun Award (Japanese science fiction award voted by fans) for Best Novel of the Year 1988.
(Wikipedia)

Legend of the Galactic Heroes has finished publishing and it has 132 Chapters. It is also Known as: 銀河英雄伝説, LoGH, LotGH, GinEiDen

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4. Grancrest Senki

Grancrest Senki

On a continent ruled by chaos, the Lords have the power of a holy seal that can calm the chaos and protect the people. However, before anyone realizes it, the rulers cast aside their creed of purifying the chaos, and instead start to fight each other for each others' holy seals to gain dominion over one another. Shiruuka, an isolated mage who scorns the Lords for abandoning their creed, and a wandering knight named Theo, who is on a journey to train to one day liberate his hometown, make an everlasting oath to work together to reform this continent dominated by wars and chaos.

(Source MU)

Record of Grancrest War has finished publishing and it has 48 Chapters. It is also Known as: グランクレスト戦記, Grancrest Senki

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3. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch

The Empire of Brittania has invaded Japan using giant robot weapons called Knightmare Frames. Japan is now referred to as Area 11, and its people the 11s. A Brittanian who was living in Japan at the time, Lelouch, vowed to his Japanese friend Suzaku that he'd destroy Brittania. Years later, Lelouch is in high school, but regularly skips out of school to go play chess and gamble on himself.
One day, he stumbles on terrorists 11s who've stolen a military secret and is caught by a member of the Brittanian task force sent after them, who is Suzaku. As the rest of the squad arrives, Suzaku is shot for disobeying orders, while the military secret, a young girl, gives Lelouch the power to make anyone obey any order. He takes command of the terrorists and leads them to crush the approaching Brittanian force. However, Suzaku is secretly made the pilot of Brittania's brand new test model Knightmare, Lancelot. Lelouch becomes the masked king Zero to lead the rebellion to defeat Brittania.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion has finished publishing and it has 40 Chapters. It is also Known as: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch

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2. Kingdom

Kingdom

Millions of years have passed since the times of legends, when the worlds of man and gods were still the same. In these times it was the desires of man that moved the world. It is the period of the 500 year war: the Era of Warring States. Kingdom is the story of a young boy who grew into a great general and all the trials and bloodshed that led him there.

is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: キングダム, Kingdom

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1. Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist

In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his brother and himself... the legendary Philosopher's Stone.

Won the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shounen category.
Won the 15th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award New Artist Prize.
Won the Eagle Award's "Favourite Manga" in 2010/2011.
Won the Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2011.

Fullmetal Alchemist has finished publishing and it has 116 Chapters. It is also Known as: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, 鋼の錬金術師, Full Metal Alchemist, FMA, HagaRen, Fullmetal Alchemist Gaiden

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