So I just finished Spice and Wolf 2, and must say that behind Clannad and Clannad AF, this is my favorite anime. Of all time. Ive always been a very visual person, which is why i stick to anime. But the problems are these: a 3rd season for Spice and Wolf is already on edge, and even if they did end up doing one, it would be quite the wait for the english dub. Call me a stickler but I just cant follow a series anywhere near as well when its simply subbed.
My point is this. I want to supplement myself with Spice and Wolf, because, even now, mere minutes after finishing the anime, find myself wanting so much more. I know the light novels are being translated now, but I'm curious. Does the manga follow the light novel series (wherein it is already a finished product, unlike the anime which is still infantile) or does it follow the anime. Being that I am a visual person, I think the manga would suit me to a tee if I cannot have the anime. But if the manga doesn't cover what I have yet to see, I can easily survive with the light novels.
My final question is, what part of the light novels does the anime cover? I've come to a bit of my own understanding that its up to Volume 4. But reading around it seems they omitted quite a large part of it.
Ok so i lied, THIS is my final question. Would it be better for me to start from volume 4 or its equivalent manga installment, or volume 5. Considering I have watched the entire anime series. Or should I just say screw it and read the entire manga/light novel series from page 1?
Sorry to be so talkative but I shamefully admit that I've only been a part of the anime world for less than a year. And it has yet to extend into the manga. Mainly because what I do watch is the entire series. The only anime I know of that continues on in manga (other than S&W) is gunslinger girl. And I can't bring myself to read them, knowing how painfully sad they are. The anime was far to straining as it were. I guess I should thank anyone who takes the time to read this all. I really do love this series and would love to hear from people far more knowledgeable than I.
Welcome, welcome! Always good to see someone with good taste. I'll do my best to answer your questions, and hopefully the others will field what I miss.
The manga follows the novels more closely than the anime does, but they're both fairly accurate representations. The anime takes some more liberties, for example the character Chloe is entirely an anime creation. In terms of detail, it's light novels, then manga, and then the anime. The anime isn't based on the manga or vice versa; they're both based on the novels. Since you're more visual--which I am too--I'd recommend the manga first, then the light novel if you're still hungry for more. The good news is both the manga and the novels are distributed (in America) by Yen Press, so you'll be supporting them either way.
However, there's a bit of "media lag" between the novels, the manga, and the anime. If you use the light novels as your marker, then the first season covers books 1 and 2, and the second season covers books 3 and 5. The animators decided to skip volume 4 of the light novels entirely because volume 5 has a more "definitive" ending in terms of Holo and Lawrence's relationship. It's a shame, because I love volume 4.
As for the manga, as of volume 5 (latest volume from Yen Press), they've only covered about halfway through volume 2, or about episode 9 or 10 in the first season. The art is beautiful, and I love what they're doing, but it's extremely slow-moving compared to the other media. However, I would recommend you get the manga entirely for the omake chapters. (An omake is a bonus chapter/episode that has nothing to do with canon, just an author-original where they have fun with the characters in a different setting.) The manga writer fleshes out Norah a little more, and has untold fun with all the characters.
You, my friend, are awesome. You managed to provide answers to all of my questions. Pretty damn impressive considering the amount of information I'd requested. XD But seriously thank you. This series is simply so amazing, and I can't stop thinking about it. The chemistry between Holo and Lawrence hooked me so good on this show that I'm willing to acquire all media forms in order to help convince the producers that S&W needs a 3rd season.
And now I have one more question before I go on this shopping binge. I don't know how far into the entire novel series you are, but, from what you do know, can you answer me this. Are there any more instances that make you scared for your life that Holo and Lawrence aren't going to make it together? Because I can honestly say that while I was watching episodes 3-6 (and more so when I WASN'T watching them) I was TERRIFIED beyond belief. As I mentioned before, I refuse to read the GunSlinger Girl series for the very reason that I could NOT stomach the pain that I know exists within the pages. You don't have to tell me what it is that might compare, and I would honestly prefer you didn't. But if you could just confirm or deny it, I would be eternally grateful.
And thanks again. I know I'm asking a lot. It's just that I'm trying to ease myself into the entire anime world, and I can't deny myself that this story would be the perfect place to start.
Hmmm, in terms of "are they going to make it through?!" suspense, then I'd say the fifth novel comes really close. It's the second half of season 2, so if you've seen that, then you know what I'm talking about. The novel helped me understand exactly what was going on in that part, but rewatching it afterwards made me go, "Okay, how could I have misunderstood that?"
But episodes 3 through 6 in season 2 are really, -really- suspenseful, like you said. I was watching episode 6 at the student center while waiting for class. When they got to the climax where everything's resolved, I actually stood up and semi-shouted "Yes!!!" Got some weird looks and some nasty ones, so I waited in the restroom until class started. But that scene was just that good, so I didn't regret anything.
Part of me could tell that the person that wouldn't sell the pyrite was Holo, but the intensity of those episodes was far too gripping for me to act like I wasn't scared. When I saw Holo slap her pyrite onto the counter to sell, I had that same feeling. Luckily I was home so no one else caught me lol. Although maybe the neighbors.... XD
Well you have been extremely helpful Kamonichan. I've already ordered the first novel. Since you said that Chloe was created in the anime, I'm sure that there are a few other instances where getting the original story would be better anyway. Not to say anything bad about the anime of course. I'm excited to read it.
1 more question and I promise I'll leave you alone. Are there ANY other animes at all the come close to the power and depth of this one? I can tell by the way you talk about the show that I'm sure we've got similar tastes. I've seen Clannad, Air, and Canon, and Angel Beats. All from the same studio, but I think that's just my favorite. Slice of Life animes are always nice. I sorta get that feeling from S&W when they're not too busy confusing me with economic strategies that I have I strain to fully comprehend. Even elfen lied sorta falls into that category, when limbs aren't being torn from bodies. Anything you could suggest would be awesome. And it doesn't have to be FUNi, I promise I won't tell on you. Lol
Well, when you mentioned Clannad, Air, etc. you actually hit all the ones I was initially going to suggest. Elfen Lied, like you said, is also pretty deep when you really get to the heart of the matter. A couple that I absolutely -have- to recommend are Toradora,Ore no Imouto, and The World God Only Knows, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
Toradora - a romantic semi-comedy about a high school boy who's a good person with the eyes of a delinquent. His classmates always freaky out because they think he's a yakuza, until he meets a girl a bad temper. They're both trying to win the affection of their respective crushes, and the anime follows them as they butt heads, help each other, and have various misadventures. It's 26 episodes, came out Winter 2008, and is probably the -best- anime from that time.
Ore no Imouto etc.etc. (There's No Way My Little Sister Is This Cute) - You think it's going to be another forbidden love anime about a younger sister who's in love with her older brother, but it's not. The siblings actually are fairly hostile to each other, and the anime shows the brother discovering that his sister is an otaku and helping her come to grips with who she actually is and who her peers expect her to be. Can't remember how many episodes, but it's -really- good.
The World God Only Knows - Again, deceptive when you see the premise and amazing when you see just what it is. A person who only cares about the 2D world and interacting with digital girls is suddenly drawn into a pact with a demon to woo real girls and banish the demons that have possessed their heart. Again, amazingly good.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - A girl, bored with the world as it is, decides to find if the world is more exciting than it seems. It's told from the point of the cynical male hero who gets dragged around, trying to find, and often actually finding, just what it is the girl is looking for. Avoid the second season, but watch the movie if you can.
-Wall of text over-
Oh, and don't worry about bothering me. Always glad to pretend I know what I'm talking about.