For those who are unfamiliar with the character and/or the series, Lucky Star is an anime produced by Kyoto Animation (the people behind Full Metal Panic Fumoffu, AIR, Suzumiya Haruhi, Kanon, Clannad) based on a 4koma by Yoshimizu Kagami. It chronicles the life of first year high school student Izumi Konata, as well as her various friends. The series is packed with loads of references to otaku culture.

Hiiragi Kagami is one of Konata’s friends. She has a twin sister by the name of Hiiragi Tsukasa, and is often affectionately referred to as ‘Kagamin~’ by Konata. She is a typical tsukkomi character, though she does get dere-dere at times. She loves reading light novels, but unfortunately no one around her seems to share this passion. Throughout the series, she is seen reading various titles.

Episode 2

Episode 2, 3:27

Full Metal Panic: Burning ONE MAN FORCE

The Full Metal Panic series is one of the most well-known light novel series out there, written by Gatou Shouji and illustrated by Shikidouji. Burning ONE MAN FORCE is the 17th novel (7th Story Novel, if you ignore all the side-story novels) in the series, and is set after Continuing ON MY OWN.

Episode 4

Episode 4, 17:04

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo is written by Tsutsui Yasutaka way back in 1966. For those who have watched the anime move of the same name, this novel is the ‘prequel’ to the movie, as the movie was set as a continuation of the novel. In the novel, the main character is Yoshiyama Kazuko, who happens to be Makoto’s “Aunt Witch” in the movie.

Episode 10

Episode 10, 5:09

Full Metal Panic: Side Arms 2 - Voice of the North

This is the 18th book in the FMP series, and is one of the side story novels. It makes sense that Kagami reads this in Episode 10 as she previously read the 17th book in Episode 2. This book explores the background stories of Kalinin and Mardukas, and has one story concerning Sousuke’s new “pet”…

Episode 17

Episode 17, 7:40

Rental Magica 1 - Magic Users for rental

Rental Magica is a light novel series written by Sanda Makoto and illustrated by Pako, serialized in The Sneaker (the magazine which Suzumiya Haruhi is published), Kadokawa Shouten. It chronicles the life of Iba Itsuki, who inherits his father’s business, Astral, after his mysterious disappearance. Astral is a “magic rental” service that basically dispatches its employers to anyone who is need of “magical assistance”. Each light novel is written as a story arc about a “request” they receive.

Episode 18

Episode 18, 7:00

Kimi no ita kinou boku no miru asu - STARTING BELL

Nagai Yuuki is a 16 year old who hates going to school. One day, while on his way to school, he sees a mysterious girl coming out from the old school block – a school that was destroyed in an air raid during World War Two and supposedly connects two worlds…

This award-winning novel is penned by Sakaki Ichiro, author of Scrapped Princess and Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica. It is illustrated by Koin, who illustrated Polyphonica and Kanokon.

Episode 23

Episode 23, 18:37

Rental Magica 10 - Vampires VS Magic Users

At the time of airing (September 9th), the latest novel in the Rental Magica series is Volume 10, the volume Kagami is reading.

Other Cameos

There are also a couple of other cameos in the series (mainly in the form of manga), and here are some of them, psychotic ones, obviously >:3

Episode 12, 11:11

Higurashi no naku koro ni Matsuri

The PS 2 port for Higurashi, makes an appearance.

Episode 17, 18:51

Onisarashi-hen

The manga-only Onisarashi-hen (Demon Exposing Chapter).

Episode 20, 6:33

Ga-Rei and Mirai Nikki

Ga-Rei and Mirai Nikki. Yuno Gasai from Mirai Nikki is <3

Episode 20, 3:49

Suzumiya Haruhi no Koushiki

Suzumiya Haruhi’s formula, a guide book to the anime.

Sneak Preview: Shakugan no Shana. Full Metal Panic. Gosick. All are novels translated (by professional companies) into English. What are the differences between them and the Japanese version? Stay tuned to find out! >:3