Spice and Wolf
Isuna Hasekura is the author of the Japanese adult light novel series Spice and Wolf, while Jū Ayakura illustrates the books. Since February 2006, ASCII Media Works has released 24 novels under the Dengeki Bunko banner. According to ASCII Media Works, The first nine novels sold over 2.2 million copies in Japan as of October 2008.
Hasekura's first and most well-known book was Spice and Wolf. With his debut book Spice and Wolf, Hasekura earned the Silver Prize in the twelfth Dengeki Novel Prize in 2005. Japanese illustrator Jū Ayakura typically illustrates light novels, however, he has contributed to one video game.
Since September 2016, ASCII Media Works has released five volumes in the spin-off light novel series Wolf and Parchment. Mainichi Shimbun has referred to the series as a "unique fantasy" because it centers on commerce, economy, and selling rather than the traditional fantasy elements of magic and swords.
The tale focuses on the two main characters, and the setting is a fictitious country influenced by medieval Europe. The protagonist of Spice and Wolf is Kraft Lawrence. He is a twenty-five-year-old traveling salesman who makes a living by selling different commodities from town to town in a stylized, made-up universe.
Yen Press licensed the novels in September 2008 for English-language release. A new volume was released every four months after the first volume was published in December 2009. Yen Press updated the first novel's cover but kept the previous cover art for the dust jacket.
The novel's illustrations don't change even with the various cover art. Later, Yen Press declared that the original artwork would remain on future volumes of the series and reprints of the first volume, while dust jackets would feature the new covers. The Wolf and Parchment series, the first volume of which was published in November 2017, has also been licensed by Yen Press.
According to ASCII Media Works, The first twelve novels sold over 3.5 million copies as of November 2009. Spice and Wolf has appeared in Takarajimasha's light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, released annually three times: first in 2007 and fifth in 2008 and 2009.
Holo earned Best Female Character in the 2007 edition. On the New York Times Best Seller Manga list, the first manga volume of the English release in North America started at No. 4, and the third volume peaked at No. 3. Check out the link below to read the light novel!
Authors: Isuna Hasekura, Jū Ayakura
Year of publication: 2006
Status: Finished
