As the light novel landscape continues to evolve, new official rankings reveal that new titles are knocking favorites from their long-standing positions, and The time I was reincarnated as a slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) have met the same fate. What was once considered the most popular light novel series has lost its secure position and no longer holds the crown as the industry's top-ranked title. The question remains: Who hit That time I was reincarnated as a slime?
The time I was reincarnated as a slime is dethroned in Japan
New official sales rankings from the Reader Store, powered by Sony Music Entertainment Inc.'s Reader Store, reveal that Secrets of the Silent Witch has gone over The Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) in overall popularity. PR Times reports that Sony's e-book and e-series store recently released its best-selling rankings based on paid sales data from January 1 to October 31, 2025.
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The time I was reincarnated as a slime secured second place in the Men's Comics category, mirroring its position in the Light Novel category. In the latter, it was deposed by Secrets of the Silent Witchwritten by Matsuri Yoriku and illustrated by Nanna Fujimi. The Reader Store noted it Secrets of the Silent Witch was able to secure the top spot in the Light Novel category after its anime adaptation, much like its comic counterpart. Tadashi Hisaho's Water Attribute Wizard also followed a similar trajectory, securing fourth place after receiving its own anime adaptation in 2025.
Here is a detailed summary of the top five positions in Light novel category:
- 1st place: “Silent Witch” by Matsuri Yoriku (Author), Nanna Fujimi (Illustrator) (KADOKAWA)
- 2nd place: “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” by Fuse (writer) and Mitz Vah (illustrator) (Micro Magazine)
- 3rd place: “The Pharmacist's Monologue” by Natsu Hinata and Touko Shino (Illustrator) (Published by Imagica Infos, Released by Shufunotomosha)
- 4th place: “Water Attribute Wizard” by Tadashi Hisaho (Author), Hide Amano (Illustrator) (TO Books)
- 5th place: “A Country Old Man Becomes a Sword Saint: I Was Just a Country Sword Master, But My Successful Students Won't Let Me Go” by Shigeru Sagazaki (writer) and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima (illustrator) (Square Enix)
The fact that a relative newcomer could topple the beloved Isekai The time I was reincarnated as a slime struck a chord of disappointment among fans. Since its debut in 2013, the light novel has become a staple, securing a place in readers' hearts and receiving anime and manga adaptations. With its unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and humor, The time I was reincarnated as a slime helped shape the modern Isekai landscape, making fans' disappointment understandable. For most, witnessing a shift is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the world of light novels.
Fuse's The time I was reincarnated as a slime follows the life of Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old office worker who is brutally cut down but reincarnated as the weakest slime in a fantastical world. From there, Satoru's story unfolds as he rises to become one of the strongest monsters in this fantastic world. On the other hand Isoras Secrets of the Silent Witch was originally serialized as a novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2020, but was later published in light novel form in June 2021, with illustrations by Fujimi. It has also received a manga adaptation illustrated by Tobi Tana, which began serialization on B's Log comic website in July 2021. The story follows Monica Everett, a young mage who is the only one in her kingdom who can use enchanted magecraft. Although she is incredibly talented and has even defeated the Black Dragon, her potential is held back by her lack of confidence and debilitating shyness.
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Winners in other categories
The Reader Store has also provided a detailed review of other categories. They are:
New series
- 1st place: “The Fable The Third Secret” by Minami Katsuhisa (Kodansha)
- 2nd place: “Belle Poupee's Super Engagement ~ The doll princess was told she wasn't her type, but when she stopped resisting, the prince became her lover. So adorable! ~ (Comic)” by Asaki Asagiri (Original Story), Selene (Original Illustrations and Manga) (Square Enix)
- 3rd place: “Stepmother's Wisdom” by Honoki Sora (manga), Fujimaru Mamenosuke (story) and Tohru (original story) (Alphapolis)
- 4th place: “Ichi the Demon Man” by Nishi Osamu (original story), Usazaki Shiro (illustrations) (Shueisha)
- 5th place: “The Villainesses Are Unwavering” by Akabane Nina (manga), Hachigatsu Hachi (original story), Haruno Kaoru (character design) (KADOKAWA)
Comics for women
- 1st place: “The Pharmacist's Monologue” by Hinata Natsu (Original Writer), Neko Kurage (Illustrator), Nanao Ikki (Story Writer), Shino Touko (Character Design) (Square Enix)
- 2nd place: “The Pharmacist's Monologue: Nekoneko's Harem Mystery Notebook” by Hinata Natsu (original writer), Kurata Sanro (illustrator) and Shino Touko (character design) (Shogakukan)
- 3rd place: “Silent Witch: The Secret of the Silent Witch” by Tobi San (Writer), Matsuri Iku (Original Story), Nanna Fujimi (Character Design) (KADOKAWA)
- 4th place: “Hyouka” by Yumi Tamura (Shogakukan)
- 5th place: “The Villainess Inside: Revenge on the Lying Heroine for the Condemned Reincarnated Person” by Shiraume Nazuna (writer), Makiburo (writer) and Murasaki Mai (writer) (Ichijinsha)
Comics for men
- 1st place: “Kingdom” by Yasuhisa Hara (Shueisha)
- 2nd place: “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” by Fuse (original author), Taiki Kawakami (manga), Mitz Vah (other) (Kodansha)
- 3rd place: “Only I Level Up” by DUBU (REDICE STUDIO) (Illustrations), Chugong (Original Story) (Piccomics)
- 4th place: “Funeral of Freiren” by Yamada Kanehito (original story), Abe Tsukasa (illustrations) (Shogakukan)
- 5th place: “Medalist” by Tsurumai Ikada (Kodansha)
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Vertical reading of comics
- 1st place: “The Displaced Sorcerer Rises to Power with the Strongest Multiplication Enchantment ~My Enchantment Technique is not +20, but x20~” by Murakami Shusui (original story), Iinuma Yuuki (story), Asamine Suzu (story), booklistaSTUDIO (illustration) (booklistaSTUDIO)
- 2nd place: “The Strongest Tamer Returning from Another World, His Familiar is a Childhood Friend” by Sky Farm (original story), Meidoin Hebun (storyboard) and booklistaSTUDIO (illustrations) (booklistaSTUDIO)
- 3rd place: “A retired old sage, but his beloved student has been exiled, so he takes him on a heartbroken journey ~He thought it would be a journey of slow life, but for some reason he became the world's strongest master and student~” by Aozora Akana (Original Story), WAKANA KURAGUCHI (Illustration), in Pallet (Illustration), in Pallet (Illustration), in Pallet (Illustration) (booklistSTUDIO)
- 4th place: “Skill Taker of Another World Domination” by Yusura Kankitsu (original author), Hagane Tsurugi (character design), Yotaro Nekobako (story composition) and booklistaSTUDIO (illustrations) (booklistaSTUDIO)
- 5th place: “I took the trouble to possess the young lady, but that was already after I messed up!” by Izumi Sawano (original story), BAON (storyboard) and Akari Yoda (character design) (booklistaSTUDIO)
Novel
- 1st place: “National Treasure” by Shuichi Yoshida (Asahi Shimbun Publications)
- 2nd place: “Amakura Takao's Case File” by Mikito Chinen (Author) (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha)
- 3rd place: “Amakura Takao's Detective Chart” by Mikito Chinen (Author) (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha)
- 4th place: “Kafune” by Akiko Abe (Kodansha)
- 5th place: “Combat Fairy Yukikaze” by Chohei Kanbayashi (Hayakawa Publishing)
