Originally got 78/180 on N2 in December 2024, 1 more year of studying and I passed N2 with 134/180 in December 2025. Despite thinking vocab would be my strongest area (because of my anki grinding) I actually did best on the reading with 58/60.
I know a lot of people who pass N2 or N1 say they read a lot of novels or textbooks, but at N2 I'm honestly not at the level where reading novels is partially enjoyable yet (Even 子供向き ones).
So instead I just read manga everyday (for about an hour before bed) and I only read stuff with furigana because it's quicker to read.
Not giving advice here, just giving a frame of reference for people like past me wondering whether just reading manga that I enjoy at my level would be enough to pass N2.
Some of the longer series I've read to completion include:
Chainsaw man
Yotsubato!
Flying witch
Happiness
Spy family
My goal is to have a few actual novels under my belt before I start thinking about attempting N1.
by QseanRay