Top 5 Light Novel Like Sword Art Online: Progressive [2026 List]

Sword Art Online: Progressive

"There's no way to beat this game. The only difference is when and where you die..."

One month has passed since Akihiko Kayaba's deadly game began, and the body count continues to rise. Two thousand players are already dead.

Kirito and Asuna are two very different people, but they both desire to fight alone. Nonetheless, they find themselves drawn together to face challenges from both within and without. Given that the entire virtual world they now live in has been created as a deathtrap, the surviving players of Sword Art Online are starting to get desperate, and desperation makes them dangerous to loners like Kirito and Asuna. As it becomes clear that solitude equals suicide, will the two be able to overcome their differences to find the strength to believe in each other, and in doing so, survive?

Sword Art Online: Progressive is a new version of the Sword Art Online tale that starts at the beginning of Kirito and Asuna's epic adventure—on the very first level of the deadly world of Aincrad!

Sword Art Online: Progressive It is also Known as: ソードアート・オンライン プログレッシブ, SAO Progressive, Aria in the Starless Night, Hoshinaki Yoru no Aria

Genres: Science Fiction , Virtual Reality , Fantasy , Romance , Action , Adventure

Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game

Top 5 Light Novel Like Sword Art Online: Progressive [2026 List]

5. Spice & Wolf

Spice & Wolf

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine—that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of “Holo the Wisewolf” to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame?

Spice & Wolf is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Ookami to Koushinryou, 狼と香辛料, Spice and Wolf, Okami to Koshinryo

You might like: Top Light Novel Like Spice & Wolf

4. Overlord

Overlord

The story begins with Yggdrasil, a popular online game which is quietly shut down one day. However, the protagonist Momonga decides to not log out. Momonga is then transformed into the image of a skeleton as "the most powerful wizard." The world continues to change, with non-player characters (NPCs) begining to feel emotion. Having no parents, friends, or place in society, this ordinary young man Momonga then strives to take over the new world the game has become.

Overlord is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: オーバーロード, Over Lord

You might like: Top Light Novel Like Overlord

3. Psyren

Psyren

Yoshina Ageha is a high school student who offers to help people with their problems for 10,000 yen. He'll take care of your stalkers, find your lost animal, whatever you want. One day when he's heading home, a nearby pay phone rings, and he picks it up. The only thing he hears however is his own voice echoing. After finding a mysterious card with the word 'Psyren' printed on it, his life suddenly changes as he is drawn into a crazy new world.

Psyren has finished publishing and it has 145 Chapters. It is also Known as: PSYЯEN -サイレン-, Siren

You might like: Top Manga Like Psyren

2. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka

Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka

The huge labyrinth city, Orario, is the gateway to the huge underground maze commonly known as the “Dungeon”. Its strange name causes excitement, a place to gain honour, and maybe even a romance with a pretty girl. A place where people hold their breath, hoping to gain all they wish for, a place where a solitary young man meets a little "god".

"Alright, Bell-kun, follow me! It's time for the "Familiar" initiation rite to happen!"
"Yes! I'm going to get stronger!"

The fated meeting of a boy who wants to become an adventurer, and the failed god who doesn't even have a single follower.

This boy's journey as written by the goddess, "Family's Legend" (Familiar's Myth).

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru nowa Machigatteiru darouka, DanMachi, Is It Wrong That I Want to Meet You in a Dungeon

You might like: Top Light Novel Like Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

1. Akatsuki no Yona

Akatsuki no Yona

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family!

Yona of the Dawn has finished publishing and it has 277 Chapters. It is also Known as: 暁のヨナ, Yona: The Girl Standing in the Blush of Dawn

You might like: Top Manga Like Yona of the Dawn
Mint na Bokura

Top Manga Like Mint na Bokura

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Maria no Danzai

Top Manga Like Maria's Judgement

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
No Bra

Top Manga Like No Bra

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Bukiyou na Silent

Top Manga Like Awkward Silence

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Gunka no Baltzar

Top Manga Like Gunka no Baltzar

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni

Top Manga Like In This Corner of the World

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Goma Shio to Purin

Top Manga Like Sesame Salt and Pudding

  • Manga
  • Recommendations
Kuno Chiyo the Precog

Top Manga Like Kuno Chiyo the Precog

  • Manga
  • Recommendations