What are the common themes in animal protagonist light novels?

Heroism is also a big theme. In 'The Tale of Despereaux', the little mouse is a hero as he dares to be different and fight for what he believes in. He overcomes his small size and the prejudices of his kind to save the day. Additionally, exploration is a theme in many such novels like 'The Guardians of Ga'Hoole' where the owls explore new territories and discover new things about their world.

One common theme is adventure. The characters, often in animal - like forms, embark on quests and explore new areas in the RPG world.

Survival is a common theme. Characters, whether they start as weak animals or are transformed into them, need to find ways to survive in a harsh world. Another theme is power acquisition. As they evolve, they gain new abilities and powers, which often lead to changes in their status and relationships.

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.

Common themes in tragic animal novels include sacrifice. In 'Watership Down', some rabbits sacrifice themselves for the safety of the group. Loneliness is another theme, like in 'The Plague Dogs' where the two dogs are often alone in their struggle. And there's the theme of the unforgiving nature of the world. In 'Moby - Dick', the sea is an unforgiving environment that leads to the tragic fates of many characters. These themes not only add to the tragic nature of the stories but also make us reflect on the relationship between animals, humans and the world around them.

The theme of fear and panic also runs through these novels. When animals attack, the characters experience intense fear and often panic. This can lead to bad decisions or make the situation even more dangerous, as seen in 'Cujo' where the fear of the rabid dog spreads among the community.

Well, in sad animal novels, there's often a theme of displacement. Animals are taken from their natural habitats and struggle to adapt, like in 'Watership Down'. There's also the theme of the unfairness of life. Animals in these stories face a lot of unjust situations, such as being mistreated or abandoned. And the theme of hope in the face of despair is also there. Despite all the sad things that happen, animals sometimes show remarkable resilience and hope, which adds an emotional depth to the novels.

One common theme is the struggle between the human side and the animal side of the shifter. For example, in many werewolf - based novels, the character has to deal with their wild instincts while in a relationship. Another theme is acceptance. The non - shifter love interest often has to accept the shifter's true nature. And there's the theme of protection. Shifters usually feel the need to protect their loved ones.

Power - seeking is a common theme. The evil protagonists are often driven by the desire to gain more power, whether it's political, magical or military power. For example, in 'Overlord', Momonga wants to expand his territory and influence in the game world.

Power and domination are common themes. Since the protagonist is a demon, there's often a focus on their pursuit of power, whether it's over other demons, humans, or the entire world. For example, in many of these novels, the demon protagonist starts from a relatively low position and gradually climbs the ladder of power.