One common theme is self - discovery. For example, in 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime', the slime protagonist discovers his new abilities and place in the world. Another theme is power - building. In 'Overlord', the undead protagonist constantly expands his power and influence. Also, there's often the theme of dealing with prejudice, like in 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' where the protagonist is wrongly seen as a monster and has to overcome that perception.
Themes in these novels can be diverse. A key one is adaptation. Since the protagonists are monsters, they have to adapt to their new forms and the environments they are in. For instance, in 'Overlord', the undead nature of the protagonist affects how he approaches different situations. Another theme is identity. In 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime', the slime has to figure out who he is and what he can do. There's also the theme of exploration, as many of these monster protagonists explore new worlds or areas within their worlds.
Another theme is exploration of different cultures. Each type of monster girl represents a different kind of culture or species - specific way of life. So, these novels often explore how they live, their traditions, and how they interact with other species. For example, some monster girls might have unique mating rituals or family structures that are explored in the story.
A common theme is self - improvement. Since the characters are reborn as monsters, they often start from a weak state and have to constantly strive to become stronger. For example, they might learn new skills or evolve their forms.
Another common theme is the bond between the master and the monsters. It could be a friendship or a more complex relationship based on mutual benefit. For example, the master provides care and training, and the monsters offer their power and loyalty in return. Also, exploration of the monster world, including different habitats and cultures related to the monsters, is often seen in these light novels.
Survival is a common theme. When the protagonist is reincarnated as a monster, they often have to fight for their lives in a world that may be hostile. For example, in 'So I'm a Spider, So What?', the spider has to constantly find food and avoid being killed. Another theme is growth. They usually start weak and gradually become stronger through various means like leveling up or evolving.
Survival is a very common theme. Since the character is reincarnated as a monster, they often have to fight against other creatures or humans who see them as threats. For example, in 'So I'm a Spider, So What?', the spider has to constantly find food and avoid being killed.
Identity crisis. The transformation makes the character question who they are. Are they still the same person inside? In 'Overlord', Momonga has to deal with his new identity as a powerful being in a game world and how that differs from his human self. He has to adapt to the moral and ethical implications of his new form and power.
One common theme is the idea of acceptance. The female human has to accept the monster's different appearance and nature. For example, if it's a werewolf, she has to accept his wild side. Another theme is the power of love to bridge the gap between two very different beings. Love is shown as something that can overcome the fear and prejudice that might exist towards the monster.
The exploration of a new world is another typical theme. When reincarnated as a monster, the character is in a different world or at least a different part of their original world. They get to discover new magic systems, cultures of other monsters, and hidden secrets. For instance, in many of these novels, the protagonist discovers unique magic spells or abilities that are specific to the monster species they have been reincarnated into.
Survival is another big theme. In these novels, monsters often have to fight for their survival in a harsh environment. They need to evolve to better adapt. In 'Re:Monster', the goblin has to constantly improve himself to survive in a world full of stronger creatures.
One common theme is acceptance. The human protagonist often has to accept the differences of the monster girls in the harem. For example, in 'Monster Musume', the main character has to adapt to the unique cultures and physical traits of each monster girl.