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Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Heyy there.

I'm new to these forums so please be nice xD.
Recently I have finished watching both seasons of Spice And Wolf and oh boy I loved it. Now I feel a little annoyed its over already (Watched them all in 3 days) After searching around internet I've heard that there was originally a novel but also a manga series. Both of these were perfect for me as I wanted to have a bigger insight on the story and the characters overall. But the problem is which do I go for the manga or light novel. I like the idea of the manga due to its artwork but yet I'm worried as it may not be as detailed or in depth as the light novel and I want to make sure I get a lot more detail then the anime out of both of these. While the light novel may have more detail but little artwork I'd rather have the manga but I want to make sure the manga is just as good with the amount of detail it provides and depth to the novel. Also the manga does provide a lot more story to anime so I must be right on one thing?

Edited by: Soundmonkey44 on 12/12/2012 - 12:07pm. Reason: Moved to proper section of forums.
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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Hmm well personally I don't like to read alot of text so I went for the manga. And from what a friend has told me about the novels, the manga isn't too far off from thelling the same things. But in the novels you do get alot more internal voice's from the characters. Particularly Lawernce from what he's told me. A few things where changed in the naime form the navels. But nothign really big. I'd say if you can, from what it sounds like, I would read both. The novel is farther into the stroy than the manga so its your coall on that. If you want to get ahead in the story I would suggest reading the novels. Otherwise go manga.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Dragon0 wrote:
Hmm well personally I don't like to read alot of text so I went for the manga. And from what a friend has told me about the novels, the manga isn't too far off from thelling the same things. But in the novels you do get alot more internal voice's from the characters. Particularly Lawernce from what he's told me. A few things where changed in the naime form the navels. But nothign really big. I'd say if you can, from what it sounds like, I would read both. The novel is farther into the stroy than the manga so its your coall on that. If you want to get ahead in the story I would suggest reading the novels. Otherwise go manga.

Hmmm thanks for telling me that. Good to know the manga is more in depth then the anime but in story wise the novel is better. Personally I'm just like you who doesn't like to read a lot of text but I really want more out of story. I've got mind on manga at the moment I guess, Its got more detail then the anime and more pictures then the novel. I'll see what other people have to say on it.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Yeah even manga leaves alot of details out. But that covered by the artwork I would guess. At least some of it. But anywho. No matter your choice you can't go wrong on a good series. wink

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

I've read through volume 5 of both the novels and manga. The manga's good in its own right and I believe it's ongoing with plans to tell the whole story. It has some more detail than the anime and the artwork is very nice. However, the novels go into more detail and are already completed. Both are currently being released in English by Yen Press (I think they have 7 volumes of both versions out right now).

To be honest, I don't have a problem with reading lots of text, so I don't know if it would be the same for you, but the Spice and Wolf novels are/were very quick reads for me. For comparison's sake, it takes me much longer to read one of the shorter novels from the Haruhi Suzumiya series, a series I still enjoy quite a bit but am not quite as captivated with the setting/plot/characters/narration. The way S&W is written combined with the characters and plot makes it easy for me to lose myself in their world.

If you decide to read the novels: Since you've seen both seasons of the anime, I'd recommend reading novel 4 and then 6 on. The anime covered 1-3 and 5, and, despite some minor changes, the plot is the same and you wouldn't really miss out on anything if you skipped past them.

I guess I'd recommend both if you can afford to buy them both. I really love the novels, but the manga's got good art and does a nice job telling the story.

Oh, and be sure to visit the S&W forum.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Reading the manga now because I like the anime but don't see it being continued....anyways the manga is pretty good. Although I kind of get it and the anime mixed up so I can't say what it covers that the anime doesn't.

@Firefly My plan is to eventually get the novels when I have some more money saved up. I'd like to see more of what the characters are thinking.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

fumoffu wrote:
Reading the manga now because I like the anime but don't see it being continued....anyways the manga is pretty good. Although I kind of get it and the anime mixed up so I can't say what it covers that the anime doesn't.

The anime covers vols. 1 (episodes 1-6), 2 (episodes 8-13), 3 (episodes 14-19) and 5 (episodes 20-25) of the light novels.

The manga has covered vols. 1 (chapters 1-16) and 2 (chapters 17-35) of the light novels. Volume 7 of the manga (chapter 36+) is covering volume 4 of the light novels, while they are skipping volume 3.

FWIW, volume 4 of the light novels is claimed to be the best arc out of the whole series.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

Sweet that clears that up.

Jeez I've even put off buying Volume 7 of the manga and it sounds like it is covering some of the best parts. Also didn't realize an entire novel was being skipped by the manga so looks like I really do need to add that on to my list of things to get eventually. The only reason I was going to get the novels was to further support the series and I know they came first. (And I believe somebody else turned them into a manga because I want to say the last couple pages of the manga are always prays from the original novelist about what a great job they did on bringing the characters to life.)

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

fumoffu wrote:
Also didn't realize an entire novel was being skipped by the manga so looks like I really do need to add that on to my list of things to get eventually.

FWIW, you're not missing much, especially if you have seen the anime. The anime covers volume 3 (season 2, eps 1-6) too a tee and I personally found that arc to be rather weak.

After reading volume 7, I can see why they skipped it. It just doesn't fit compared to the other volumes which are loaded with action and suspense.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

joelgundam01 wrote:
fumoffu wrote:
Also didn't realize an entire novel was being skipped by the manga so looks like I really do need to add that on to my list of things to get eventually.

FWIW, you're not missing much, especially if you have seen the anime. The anime covers volume 3 (season 2, eps 1-6) too a tee and I personally found that arc to be rather weak.

After reading volume 7, I can see why they skipped it. It just doesn't fit compared to the other volumes which are loaded with action and suspense.
Wow. You didn't like the first arc of S2? I found it absolutely thrilling and it kept me on edge the entire viewing. Volume 4 of the LN was also very good I thought. Volume 5 (Final Arc in S2) was by far the weakest I felt.

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Re: Spice And Wolf Manga or Novel Help

ArmyofDarkness wrote:
Wow. You didn't like the first arc of S2?

I didn't say that I didn't like it. I just found it a little weak compared to the other arcs.

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