List of Spice and Wolf light novels
The cover of the first volume of the Spice and Wolf light novel series released by Dengeki Bunko.
Spice and Wolf is a Japanese light novel series written by Isuna Hasekura with accompanying illustrations drawn by Jū Ayakura. The series follows a traveling merchant, Kraft Lawrence, who peddles various goods from town to town to make a living in a stylized historical setting with European influences.[1] He meets a pagan wolf-deity girl named Holo who normally appears to be a fifteen-year-old girl, except for a wolf's tail and ears. Lawrence and Holo start traveling together, and as they travel, her wisdom helps increase his profits, but at the same time, her true nature draws unwanted attention from the church.
Originally, Hasekura entered the first novel in the series into ASCII Media Works' twelfth Dengeki Novel Prize in 2005 and the novel won the Silver Prize, placing third.[2] Sixteen volumes were published between February 10, 2006 and February 10, 2011 under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Bunko imprint.[3] Yen Press licensed the light novels in September 2008 for distribution in English.[4] The first volume was released in December 2009, and a new volume was released every six months, but in 2013 was changed to being released every four months. The tagline for the novels is "Merchant meats spicy wolf.", an example of Engrish. The author of the novels has commented that what "meats" in the tagline really means is kept a secret, alluding to a possible intentional misspelling of "meets".[5]
Volume list
| No. | Title | Japanese release | English release | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | — | February 10, 2006[6] ISBN 978-4-8402-3302-6 | December 2009 ISBN 978-0-7595-3104-8 | |
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| Lawrence meets Holo in the town of Pasloe. Holo feels that the townspeople of Pasloe have rejected her, and convinces Lawrence to take her back to her home in the north, Yoitsu. As they begin their travels together, Lawrence hears of a potentially profitable currency speculation deal, but soon Lawrence and Holo get in well over their heads, and Lawrence has to decide if profit is worth sacrificing his newfound companion. | ||||
| 02 | — | June 10, 2006[7] ISBN 978-4-8402-3451-1 | June 2010 ISBN 978-0-7595-3106-2 | |
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| Lawrence, with Holo's help, has made a good deal in Poroson, to transport a load of armor to Ruvinheigen on margin. On arriving in Ruvinheigen he discovers that the value of the armor has plunged, leaving him bankrupt. He and Holo recruit shepherd Norah Arendt to assist them in a desperate scheme to save Lawrence from bankruptcy. Lawrence, Holo, and Norah soon learn, however, that some business partners cannot be trusted. | ||||
| 03 | — | October 10, 2006[8] ISBN 978-4-8402-3588-4 | December 2010 ISBN 978-0-7595-3107-9 | |
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| Lawrence and Holo continue their journey to Holo's home - which Lawrence has heard was destroyed centuries ago, though he has hidden it from her thus far. In Kumersun, local merchant Amati falls for Holo, and forces on Lawrence a dagger-contract; he will pay Holo's (supposed) debt to Lawrence, free her, and propose marriage to her. Then, to make matters worse, Holo learns about Yoitsu's destruction, and distraught, lashes out at Lawrence, threatening to leave him for Amati. Lawrence hastily develops a plan to prevent Amati from fulfilling the contract, hopefully preventing Holo from leaving him for good. | ||||
| 04 | — | February 10, 2007[9] ISBN 978-4-8402-3723-9 | June 2011 ISBN 978-0-7595-3108-6 | |
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| Lawrence and Holo stop in the village of Tereo, hoping to learn more about the fate of Yoitsu and Holo's friends. As they near Holo's home - their ultimate destination - they must face some uncomfortable questions about their future together and what will happen between them after they reach Yoitsu. During their stay in Tereo, they become entangled in a dispute between it and a neighboring town. Lawrence and Holo use their unique talents in an attempt to rescue themselves and the town from financial ruin - or worse. | ||||
| 05 | — | August 10, 2007[10] ISBN 978-4-8402-3933-2 | December 2011 ISBN 978-0-7595-3110-9 | |
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| Holo and Lawrence reach Lenos, where they sense that something is amiss. Lawrence's merchant curiosity soon gets the better of him, much to Holo's dismay, and he is presented with an incredible opportunity by a mysterious fellow merchant named Eve - one that could easily make his dream of owning his own shop come true, though it forces him to weigh his dream against his feelings for Holo. Meanwhile, Holo reveals one of her greatest fears to Lawrence, and wonders if it is time for them to end their journey together. | ||||
| 06 | — | December 10, 2007[11] ISBN 978-4-8402-4114-4 | June 2012 ISBN 978-0-7595-3111-6 | |
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| Lawrence and Holo set off by boat in pursuit of Eve, who has pressed on with her scheme despite Lawrence withdrawing his support. During the trip, the two deal with the changes in their relationship brought about by Lawrence's confession of love to Holo at the end of the previous volume. While at a river checkpoint, Lawrence and Holo rescue a young boy from the north named Col and take him under their care, the three of them increasingly resembling a family. As they talk with Col and the other travelers they meet along the way, they learn more about what has become of Yoitsu and Holo's ancestors. | ||||
| 07 | Side Colors | February 10, 2008[12] ISBN 978-4-8402-4169-4 | December 2012 ISBN 978-0-316-22912-8 | |
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| A detour from the original storyline that presents several side stories featuring the main characters of the series. One features Holo’s past hundreds of years before her arrival in Pasloe. | ||||
| 08 | Town of Strife 1 Tairitsu no Machi (Jō) (対立の町 (上)) | May 10, 2008 ISBN 978-4-0486-7068-5 | April 2013 ISBN 978-0-316-24546-3 | |
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| 09 | Town of Strife 2 Tairitsu no Machi (Ge) (対立の町 (下)) | September 10, 2008 ISBN 978-4-0486-7210-8 | August 2013 ISBN 978-0-316-24548-7 | |
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| 10 | — | February 10, 2009 ISBN 978-4-0486-7522-2 | December 2013 ISBN 978-0-316-32236-2 | |
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| Following the rumours of the legendary wolf bones, Kraft Lawrence, Holo, and Col begin their trek north toward the Kingdom of Winfiel; a land known for its flourishing sheep and wool. Upon arrival, they discover that the Abbey of Brondel (which is rumoured to contain the legendary wolf bones) is in dire financial straits, a precarious position that has garnered the attention of the powerful Ruvik Alliance, which seeks to subjugate its long sustained holdings. | ||||
| 11 | Side Colors II | May 10, 2009 ISBN 978-4-0486-7809-4 | April 2014 ISBN 978-0-316-32427-4 | |
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| In another detour from the main storyline of Holo and Lawrence's journey north, several stories featuring the main characters are featured. One pictures the wolf of the roam, Fleur Boland, and her upbringing as a young merchant before the events of Lenos. | ||||
| 12 | — | August 10, 2009 ISBN 978-4-0486-7933-6 | August 2014 ISBN 978-0-316-32432-8 | |
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| 13 | Side Colors III | November 10, 2009 ISBN 978-4-0486-8140-7 | December 2014 ISBN 978-0-316-33661-1 | |
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| 14 | — | February 10, 2010 ISBN 978-4-0486-8326-5 | April 2015 ISBN 978-0-316-33959-9 | |
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| Lawrence, Holo, and Col return to Lenos to prepare for their journey north as they await the delivery of the map to Yoitsu provided by Fran. While there, they unexpectedly meet Elsa (volume four) and her travelling companion Le Roi, a book merchant. Le Roi presents Lawrence with a profitable business proposition that will also serve to protect the lands where Yoitsu is located, but it will likely require Lawrence's early departure from Holo before they are able to reach Yoitsu together. Holo understands and encourages Lawrence to do the beneficial and practical thing, but Lawrence is gripped with disappointment and sadness even as he decides to accept the proposition. Seeing Lawrence's predicament, Elsa confesses her own conflicted interests between serving the church and wanting to marry Evan. But she then turns the tables on Lawrence demanding to know why he won't fight for what he truly wants - Holo. Inspired by Elsa, Lawrence decides to fight in the way he does best - a cunning scheme to fulfill his business obligation without having to travel apart from Holo. Failing to understand his actions taken to preserve their journey to Yoitsu, Holo broaches the "unspoken topic" and asks Lawrence why he wants to continue with her. Finally, their motivations become clear to each other and Holo confesses her true love for Lawrence. | ||||
| 15 | The Coin of the Sun (Vol. 1) Taiyō no Kinka (Jō) (太陽の金貨〈上〉) | September 10, 2010 ISBN 978-4-0486-8829-1 | August 2015 ISBN 978-0-316-33961-2 | |
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| 16 | The Coin of the Sun (Vol. 2) Taiyō no Kinka (Ge) (太陽の金貨〈下〉) | February 10, 2011 ISBN 978-4-0487-0265-2 | December 15, 2015 ISBN 978-0-316-33963-6 | |
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| 17 | Epilogue | July 10, 2011 ISBN 978-4-0487-0685-8 | April 19, 2016 ISBN 978-0-316-33964-3 | |
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Related books
- Guidebook: Everything Spice and Wolf (狼と香辛料ノ全テ Ōkami to Kōshinryō no Subete) - ISBN 978-4-04-867483-6 (December 10, 2008)
- Picture Book: Spice and Wolf: Wolf and Gold Wheat (狼と香辛料 狼と金の麦穂 Ōkami to Kōshinryō: Ōkami to Kin no Mugiho) - ISBN 978-4-04-867793-6 (April 30, 2009)
- Artbook: Jū Ayakura Spice and Wolf Art Collection (文倉十画集 狼と香辛料 Ayakura Jū Gashū: Ōkami to Kōshinryō) - ISBN 978-4-04-870648-3 (July 30, 2011)
Additional stories
- "Academy Holo-tan (Heart Mark)" (学園ホロたん（ハートマーク） Gakuen Horo-tan (Hāto Māku)), from Dengeki hp Official Pirate Book
- "Wolf and the Star-Colored Howling" (狼と星色の遠吠え Ōkami to Seishoku no Tōboe), from Everything Spice and Wolf
- "Wolf and Rainbow-Colored Music" (狼と虹色の音楽 Ōkami to Nijiiro no Ongaku), from Artbook
See also
References
- ↑ "Outline of Spice and Wolf's world at the series' official website" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "Spice and Wolf wins the Silver Prize in the twelfth Dengeki Novel Prize" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ↑ "Light novel listing at Spice and Wolf's official website" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "Yen Adds Hero Tales, Wakaba-Soh, Spice & Wolf Novels". Anime News Network. 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "Official blog entry for Spice and Wolf by the author of the novels, Isuna Hasekura" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2006-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2006-07-01. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2006-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2007-12-08. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "MediaWorks' release calendar" (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
External links
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