Is 'Catgirls And Dungeons' A LitRPG Or Fantasy Novel?

I can confirm there's no official manga adaptation yet. The light novel's vibrant world—filled with feline warriors and labyrinthine challenges—has fans clamoring for one, though. Its blend of RPG mechanics and quirky character dynamics feels tailor-made for manga panels. Rumor has it the publishers are gauging interest, but until then, we’re stuck devouring fan comics and praying to the anime gods. What makes this series ripe for manga is its visual potential. Imagine battle scenes where catgirls leap between dungeon traps, tails puffed in defiance, or comedic moments where their instincts hijack logic. The light novel’s illustrations tease this energy, but a full adaptation could explode its popularity. Until then, I’m sketching my own version—no talent required, just passion.

LitRPG feels like stepping into a video game while holding a book—imagine grinding levels in 'The Wandering Inn' or strategizing skills like in 'Ascend Online.' Traditional fantasy, say 'The Name of the Wind,' immerses you in rich lore without stat sheets. LitRPG’s charm is its mechanics: XP notifications, skill trees, and loot drops make progression tangible. It’s not just about slaying dragons; it’s about watching your character’s DPS numbers climb. Traditional fantasy leans into poetic prose and slow-burn character arcs, while LitRPG thrives on dopamine hits from level-ups. Both can weave epic tales, but one lets you geek out over spreadsheets mid-battle. I adore both, but sometimes I crave the crunchiness of LitRPG’s systems—it’s like fantasy with a HUD overlay.

I've read 'From Goblin to Goblin God' cover to cover, and it’s definitely progression fantasy with LitRPG elements sprinkled in. The core focus is on the protagonist’s growth from a weakling to a deity-like figure, which screams progression fantasy. There’s no rigid system with stats or menus—just raw evolution through battles and cunning. The goblin’s power surges feel organic, like unlocking latent potential rather than grinding XP. The world-building leans hard into fantasy tropes—ancient rituals, bloodline awakenings—not game mechanics. Some fans might call it LitRPG because of the occasional skill names or tiered abilities, but those are just flavor text. The real meat is the protagonist’s journey, not numbers going up.

In 'Catgirls and Dungeons', the exact number of catgirls isn't just a static figure—it evolves as the story progresses. Initially, there are seven core catgirls, each representing a different dungeon class like thief, mage, or warrior. But as the protagonist delves deeper into dungeons, more catgirls join, either as allies or temporary companions. By the final arc, the count reaches around fifteen, including rare hybrids like fox-catgirls. The narrative uses this growing number to mirror the protagonist's expanding influence and emotional bonds. The diversity among them is staggering. Some are fierce loners, others cling to the party like family. A few even switch sides, blurring the lines between friend and foe. The author cleverly avoids overcrowding by giving each catgirl distinct quirks—one communicates only in purrs, another collects shiny dungeon loot obsessively. It's less about the quantity and more about how each addition shakes up the group dynamics, making the world feel alive and unpredictable.

I can confidently say 'My Passive Skills Are Invincible' is a fascinating hybrid that leans more towards progression fantasy. The story focuses heavily on the protagonist's growth and evolving abilities, which is classic progression fantasy territory. The passive skills system creates this interesting dynamic where the character becomes stronger without active effort, mirroring those cultivation novels where power accumulates naturally over time. What makes it stand out is how it blends elements from both genres. There are definitely LitRPG aspects like skill descriptions and a system-like framework, but the emphasis is always on the character's journey rather than stats or game mechanics. The power scaling feels more organic than most LitRPGs, with the protagonist's abilities developing through narrative progression rather than level-ups. The world-building also has that expansive, fantasy-epic quality that progression fantasy does so well, complete with ancient mysteries and power hierarchies to climb. The way passive skills work actually reminds me of some xianxia concepts where characters gain abilities through enlightenment rather than training. This philosophical approach to power growth sets it apart from typical LitRPG number crunching. While there are system elements present, they serve more as flavor than core mechanics, making the story feel closer to something like 'Cradle' than 'The Wandering Inn'. The focus is clearly on the protagonist's personal evolution and how their unique abilities shape their place in the world.