Oricon (Japanese research organization) released its weekly Light Novel ranking for the week of Jan 12 2026.
※The English titles of works may not always be accurate as some have not been released overseas. Thank you for your understanding.

Related rankings are compiled here
Oricon Comic Ranking Summary

3rd place: Knights & Magic (Vol. 12)

The first new volume in four years! A hot topic thanks to Super Robot Wars 30 and METAL BUILD! A "new machine that surpasses the strongest" emerges!

The royal capital of the Kingdom of Kscheperka was in the process of recovering from the scars of war. According to the urgent report brought to Queen Eleonora by the returned Blue Hawk Knights, Kid took the lead in battle, rescuing a Harpy woman and earning their trust. This improved relations with them and later became a key factor in forming a united front when His Highness Emrys joined them.

Meanwhile, the Demon King’s army appeared, and the conflict between the Harpy-led units and the Western forces intensified, leading to an attack on the conference hall. Amidst the chaos, Kid rescued Princess Friedegunde of the Kingdom of Paeltsig, who was being pursued. Furthermore, a giant magical beast emerged from within the "Flying Land," threatening to make the land fall. However, the situation was resolved when Eru used his final decisive Silhouette Knight to push the beast back.

But then...

2nd place: Kirby and the Great Underground Adventure!

Kirby embarks on a grand adventure deep underground!

King Dedede kicks off the "Mega Ton Punch Contest," where the strongest fist in Dream Land is decided by smashing rocks barehanded. But things go too far when Dedede accidentally punches open a massive hole—and falls right into it!

To save him, Kirby, Bandana Waddle Dee, and the ever-knowledgeable Wise Waddle Dee set off into the unknown depths of the earth. Meanwhile, Meta Knight also heads underground alone, driven by a secret mission…

A thrilling adventure begins as they face powerful enemies lurking in the underground world!

1st place: Novel: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End - Prelude 2

A tale of untold days before the journey, featuring characters like Ubel and Serie.

Coinciding with the second season of the TV anime starting in January 2026, this second volume of the Prelude novel series is supervised by original creator Kaneto Yamada.
This collection features five short stories exploring previously unrevealed episodes:

Ubel's mysterious past

The elven village where Frieren was born

Everyday life within the Continental Magic Association

The days Serie spent living with Flamme
…and more insights that never appeared in the main storyline.

A must-read for fans seeking a deeper dive into the world and characters of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Related rankings are compiled here
Oricon Comic Ranking Summary

Ranking / Estimated number of copies sold / Estimated cumulative sales volume / Title / Author

1 15,877 39,748 Frieren: Beyond Journey's End - Prelude Novel Vol. 2 (Author) Mei Hachimoku / (Story) Kanehito Yamada / (Art) Tsukasa Abe
2 5,616 23,977 Kirby: Great Adventure in the Underworld! (Author) Mie Takase / (Art) Tau Karino, Poto
3 4,534 8,022 Knight's & Magic Vol. 12 (Author) Hisago Amazake-no / (Illustration) Kurogin
4 4,029 113,246 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 23 (Author) Fuse / (Illustration) Mitz Vah
5 2,608 9,142 Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Vol. 43 (Author) Tappei Nagatsuki / (Illustration) Shinichirou Otsuka
6 2,594 56,245 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Side Story: How to Spend a Certain Vacation (Author) Fuse / (Illustration) Mitz Vah
7 2,536 105,891 Frieren: Beyond Journey's End - Prelude Novel (Author) Mei Hachimoku / (Story) Kanehito Yamada / (Art) Tsukasa Abe
8 2,278 47,276 I Ended Up in a Group with People I'm Not Close With on My School Trip Uzura Nabiki
9 2,111 73,966 Classroom of the Elite: Year 3 Vol. 3 (Author) Shougo Kinugasa / (Illustration) Shunsaku Tomose
10 2,068 7,469 Zootopia 2 (Author) Steve Behling / (Translation) Akako Shirota

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