Fate/Zero tells a tale that begins ten years prior to Fate/Stay Night. Witness the Fourth Holy Grail War take place between several mages all vying for the coveted Grail and its power. Kiritsugu Emiya must use his skills to help out The Einzbern family from winning this new war. Alas though, these warriors all want the power of the Grail to get their wishes granted and trust is very frugal in such a competition. Can Emiya stop the other mages and get a chance at his own wish or will this war lead to pointless bloodshed for a prize that isn’t what it really seems to be…?

Beginning our list of the 6 Light Novels Like Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall we look at Fate/Zero. Similar to Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall, Fate/Zero takes place before the main series—in this case, Fate/Stay Night—to examine the origins of several characters and how their tales interlock with the main story. Fate/Zero the anime is considered by many to be even stronger, if not better than Fate/Stay Night, so the light novel is sure to please readers/fans of the franchise. We personally loved Fate/Zero in both anime and light novel form and think you should try reading this series for yourself. See why Emiya cares to be a hero and how Saber seemed pre-ordained for him in Fate/Zero!

A young man faced horror as his village was ransacked by goblin forces leaving his sister to succumb to death at their hands. When he was finally able to, the young boy mustered up the energy to move from his home and family to seek strength in a new city. Several years have passed and the boy has emerged from his solemn past to become a powerful warrior who aims at eliminating all goblins from existence. Who is this young boy? No one knows but they do know his legendary title as the so-called Goblin Slayer!

Did you love Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall and are now in desperate need of a similar story like it? Our solution for you lies in Goblin Slayer by author Kagyu Kumo. This dark fantasy series is truly wonderful taking an age-old enemy—goblins—and running wild with it in a new way. Goblin Slayer has been regarded by many to be an amazing light novel series and thus, why an anime adaptation is soon to be released which we can’t wait for. Though for now, we think just reading Goblin Slayer will be a good way to avoid rocking back and forth waiting for the anime to finally air on TV.

Second year high schooler Koyomi Araragi has always been considered a loner by nature and even understands that it’s the reason he lacks friends. Things change though when Araragi begins to talk to an honor student named Tsubasa Hanekawa at school. During their chats, Hanekawa mentions a strange rumor circulating around the school about a blond-haired vampire appearing in town. Unfortunately for Araragi, this rumor is proven true when he runs into the blond vampire one night. Dying and begging for help, Araragi rushes to the vampire’s aid by allowing her to suck on his blood. However, Araragi’s kindness will change his life forever once he learns he has now become a vampire himself and has made friends with a vampire hunted by several rather strong individuals.

The Monogatari series by Nisioisin has led to a franchise that is considered amazing by many fans of the anime and light novel sources. Though for many, the origin story of Araragi is unknown if you didn’t read Kizumonogatari. Acting as the prequel tale for the Monogatari series, Kizumonogatari is a short 1 volume work that delves into the fated encounter with legendary vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade and Araragi. For those who love to get the most out of a series, you would find it a good idea to pick up Kizumonogatari when you can. Both Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall and Kizumonogatari prove to us that prequels can sometimes be amazing even when you know what’s to come.

Youji Itami is a JSDF soldier who, despite being in his thirties, still cares about all things otaku. One afternoon though, Itami find his world changed when creatures begin to spew forth out of a strange gate that appears in Ginza, Tokyo. Due to various actions taken by Itami, he is chosen as a leader for a group who will enter the gate and explore the world within. Can Itami’s otaku lifestyle prepare him for a world of fantasy? Find out in Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri.

After reading Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall, you might need a break from serious adventure stories for a little while. We don’t blame you as you want to avoid burnout from reading too many similar works. That’s why we recommend to fans of Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall a series known as Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri. While Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri is still action packed and filled with fantasy/adventure, it takes a more comedic approach and delves a fine line between series and dramatic. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri is a perfect series to read and with 10 volumes, you’ll have plenty to enjoy for some time. Well that is unless you’re like us who tend to read a few volumes a week sometimes…then Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri will only last you a month or so.

The famous detective L met an unfortunate fate in Death Note, but before these dark times, he was always dabbling with dangerous cases. Death Note Another Note: Los Angeles BB Renzoku Satsujin Jiken examines one of L’s more famous cases taking place in the United States. A serial killer has appeared in Los Angeles and the police are unable to tackle this threat who seems to love leaving behind tough clues at the scene of every crime he commits. L will need to use every faucet of his skills and team up with a FBI agent named Naomi Misora if they are to have a chance at stopping this dastardly criminal. Can L and Naomi move fast enough before the body count rises to unsurmountable levels!?

Death Note was a series that we truly considered one of the best made in all time. Whether it was in anime or manga, Death Note just hit all the right notes making it a series many consider legendary. That’s why fans of Death Note—or Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall—should pick up the one volume light novel known as Death Note Another Note: Los Angeles BB Renzoku Satsujin Jiken. Not only do you get to see more of L but you see some other characters from Death Note make brief appearances in this tale as well. You can’t consider yourself a true die-hard fan of Death Note until you read Death Note Another Note: Los Angeles BB Renzoku Satsujin Jiken.

You’ve read the story of Kirito’s survival in the world of Sword Art Online. The man who would be dubbed “The Black Swordsman” fought in countless battles as he journeyed along with others to reach the final battle with Kayaba Akihiko, the game’s creator. However, Kirito’s tales were never fully told. The survival game Kirito endured had many stories untold and left to legend. In Sword Art Online: Progressive witness the hero Kirito rise as a new player and begin his journey through the first several floors. All heroes have origin stories in their battles…this is Kirito and Asuna’s origin in the world of Sword Art Online.

Finishing up our list of 6 Light Novels Like Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall we look at another similar spin off series titled Sword Art Online: Progressive. Just like Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall revelation of past tales, Sword Art Online: Progressive dives into Kirito and Asuna’s travels through the first several floors of Aincrad. What’s awesome is that you get to see a different Kirito then you’re use to as he still has a lower level and finds challenges along the way but we also see new characters previously untold/mentioned in the main series. Sword Art Online: Progressive is the perfect tale for fans of the series and we recommend checking it out. Plus, you’ll see the blossoming of Kirito and Asuna’s relationship which makes for some comedic moments.