Yes, it generally follows the light novels. The anime is based on the light novels and many of the main plot points, character relationships, and key events are taken from them.
The anime has the advantage of being more accessible in terms of time. You can watch an episode in a relatively short time and get a general sense of the story. But the light novel allows you to delve deeper into the world of Date A Live. It gives you a more comprehensive understanding of the characters' motives and the underlying plot mechanisms. So, if you're short on time, the anime could be your pick, but for a more profound exploration, the light novel wins.
The anime often simplifies some of the more complex plotlines from the light novel. In the light novel, there are more in - depth character backstories and world - building details. For example, some of the Spirits' pasts are explored more thoroughly in the written form. Also, the pacing in the anime can be different, sometimes rushing through certain story arcs that are given more time in the light novel.
One major difference is the pacing. The anime might have to condense the story from the light novel to fit within the episode time limits. For example, some character developments or plot details in the light novel could be simplified in the anime. Also, the visual representation in the anime can sometimes give a different feel compared to what readers might have imagined while reading the light novel. In the light novel, there's more room for in - depth descriptions of the Spirits' backstories and the complex world - building, which may not be fully explored in the anime due to time constraints.
The Date A Live anime doesn't always stick strictly to the novels. Some characters' personalities or relationships might be presented differently, and certain storylines might be condensed or expanded for better visual storytelling.
The light novels inspire fan - made content. People create fan art, fan fiction, and even cosplay based on the characters and stories from the light novels. This helps to build a more vibrant and engaged fandom community.
No. The anime is an adaptation, and it has to make choices. It can't include every single bit of the light novels. Some parts might be cut out to make the story more streamlined for the anime format. There are often differences in pacing between the two. The light novels can take their time to develop a story or a character, but the anime has to keep the story moving at a certain pace to keep the viewers' attention. So, not all of the content from the light novels makes it into the anime.
The light novel is more in - depth when it comes to character development. It can describe in great detail how a character's past experiences shape their present actions and decisions. In the anime, some of these details might be glossed over. But it's not to say the anime is bad at character development. It still manages to show the growth of characters like Shido as he interacts with different Spirits. But overall, if you really want to understand the full scope of a character's development in Date A Live, the light novel is the way to go.