The 'The New Gate' is a Japanese light novel series which has been adapted into a manga. It's about a gamer who gets trapped in a virtual world. The story follows his adventures as he tries to survive and make his way in this new and often dangerous world. He uses his gaming skills to fight monsters, make allies, and uncover the secrets of the virtual realm.
However, if you enjoy detailed descriptions, in - depth world - building, and delving into the characters' minds, the light novel could be the better choice. It allows for a more immersive experience in terms of the story's background and the thoughts of the characters. For example, in the light novel, you can get a more comprehensive understanding of the magic system in 'The New Gate' as it may be explained in more detail compared to the manga which may focus more on the visual representation of magic use.
The art style is a major difference. The manga has visual representations that can bring the story and characters to life in a more immediate way compared to the light novel. In the light novel, there is often more in - depth exploration of the world - building and character's internal thoughts through detailed descriptions.
One key difference is the way of storytelling. The light novel uses words to create the atmosphere and develop the plot. It can be more immersive as you have to use your imagination more. The manga presents the story through pictures and speech bubbles. So, some of the nuances in the light novel might be lost or simplified in the manga. Also, the manga may add some original scenes for visual impact that are not in the light novel.
It's hard to say which one is more popular. Some people prefer the manga because of its vivid visuals. They like seeing the characters and the world of 'The New Gate' come to life on the pages. Others might prefer the light novel as it often provides a more in - depth story and more room for the imagination.