Continuing down the road of recommendations, with the season of summer holidays and travelling right around the corner, this next list is filled with light novels all about travel and exploration.

1) The Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey

First on the list is a series all about having a second lease and jumping on the chance to explore a new world.

The Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey is all about exploration in the purest sense of the word. After spending two lifetimes worth of time in a hospital bed, thanks to the kindness of a travelling hero, Setsuna’s given a new healthy body and a second chance to enjoy all the world has to offer.

With his goals set, Setsuna embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unlocking all the mysteries of the new world.

What Makes This Series a Standout?

Even though this series currently only has one volume released in the West, it’s clear from the very outset that the author knows how to grab the reader’s attention.

Characters are placed front and centre in this series. Throughout the first volume, we’re introduced to several interesting side characters, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re given a few pages or a few chapters; the author characterises them well enough so that we might predict how they’ll react in any situation. The dynamics between father and son are also done particularly well.

Furthermore, the series uses unique forms of narrative devices in order to convey information. Setsuna’s methods for learning about the world around him take form, either through a hero’s teasing notes or by actually interacting with the people from the new world. Gone are the systems of a game-like menu teaching the protagonist everything, and instead, they are replaced by natural, human conversations.

Setsuna’s journey is a story about more than just the travelling or the location; it’s about the people he meets along the way, the stories they tell and the secret things they know about the world around them.

2) Dragon Daddy Diaries

The second series on the list also has a lot to do with parental dynamics, this time told in a more comedic fashion rather than a serious one.

Dragon Daddy Diaries can be considered a journey both in terms of travel and the time they spend to become a close-knit family. The series centres on the story of Eldraco, who has come into a new, unexpected chapter of his life after adopting a human child named Olivia. Unaccustomed to what it means to be a family, both Eldraco and Olivia embark on a journey to discover what works for them. 

What Makes This Series a Standout?

Whilst this series may come over as fluffy and heartwarming in nature, much as in the first series on this list, there’s plenty of personal growth to go around.

Over the course of four volumes, each of the main and supporting casts goes through their own journeys of self-discovery. Helped by the undercurrent of a past war, at one point or another, each character is forced to face their fears or face up to their own rash judgements.

Some of the series’ best moments come through the characterisation journey of the Dark Queen. Finding herself on the wrong side of the war, she slowly descends into becoming a NEET. Throughout the story, we see this woman incrementally reintroduce herself to society, stand up to her family, and finally become someone worthy of being a leader.

3) Reincarnated as the Piggy Duke

The final series on this list displays a journey of a very different variety and sees a character trying his best to improve every aspect of his life.

Mixing comedy, action and adventure, Reincarnated as the Piggy Duke follows Slowe Denning after having awakened memories of the future and realising he’s in the world of an anime. Knowing the horrors to come, Slowe casts off his villainous façade and swears to lose weight to both stop the future and finally confess his feelings to Charlotte.

What Makes This Series a Standout?

There are many aspects over ten volumes that could make this series a standout. To keep this review short and sweet, however, I’ll only talk about two in particular.

For one, Piggy Duke’s titular protagonist is one of the most determined I’ve personally seen in a light novel. Despite being overpowered, Slowe still comes off as being out of his depth, seemingly winning against enemies through sheer determination alone. 

Moreover, the series goes a step further, often showing what happens when Slowe can’t rely on his determination showing the amount of stress he’s under constantly to ensure the future of the anime doesn’t come to pass. 

Secondly, the series has a strong romantic aspect. While Slowe and Charlotte’s relationship takes some time to develop, it starts from a place of mutual respect. Through the confession scene, the author makes it clear that neither Charlotte nor Slowe’s love comes from something superficial but that they love each other for who they are, warts and all.