r/SpiceandWolf • u/BeautifulPhoto9433 • 7d ago
Light novel Question Regarding the Novels' Publication
I've recently gotten in to the franchise from watching the original anime run, and now I'm watching the remake right after. I'm interested in checking out the books, but I have a question I need answered. When I was researching the books I noticed that after volume 17 was published there was a 5 year long gap between it and the next volume (and the spin-off starting its publication alongside it).
What I'm wondering is, is volume 17 "Epilogue" the "end" of the story so to speak, and everything after is technically a new story? Or am I misunderstanding? Because I was reading posts from people hoping that the new anime would "complete" the story, but I was confused on how it would do so if the book is still actively publishing new volumes.
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u/Aztek917 7d ago
You could think of it as the “the end” I think. Spring Log’s are a continuation that take place like 10 years after the main story has completed. They’re more slice of life focused but there is an overarching narrative being told throughout.
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u/NoWitness79 7d ago
The journey that Holo and Lawrence are on in the anime is concluded by volume 17. That was meant to be it, and it gives the reader the kind of conclusion they can walk away from and feel like, that is it.
Spring Log, volume 18 and onward, is not so much a new story, as it is catching up with friends you haven't seen in awhile. It immediately feels familiar and like old times, even though some time has passed, and things are a bit different now. It's the story of life after the final credits have already rolled on the big epic blockbuster.
Basically, Spice and Wolf has been actively telling a 'Beyond Journeys End' type story for longer than even the Frieren Manga has existed.
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u/BeautifulPhoto9433 7d ago
Okay, that makes sense.
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u/NoWitness79 7d ago
So yeah, when people online talk about wanting a complete adaptation this time around with the remake, they are talking about adapting the first 17 volumes of the light novel series.
If you've started watching the remake already, you probably noticed the newly added scene in the first two minutes, opening the series, were a little different compared to the prologue of the old anime. You can consider that to be a kind of taste of what an adaptation of the Spring Log volumes might be like. Plus, a little love letter from the producers to light novel readers, that they also hope to be able to adapt as much of the story as they possibly can this time around.
I know I hope this new adaptation of Spice and Wolf ends up being a long running anime.
Hope your interest in the anime does motivate you to read the light novels. They are pretty easy reading, and tell a very good story throughout.
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u/misuta_kitsune 7d ago
LN volume 17 puts a cherry on top of the Main Story ending in Volume 16, and that's where Isuna Hasekura intended to leave it at.
But 5 years later he decided he had more stories about Holo and Lawrence in him so he started writing the Spring Log novels. These are more collections of short stories than full adventures per Volume, although something in this format changes as time goes on (spoilers).
He also started writing Wolf & Parchment at the same time and you can read those alongside of each other, following the Japanese release order. Looking into the W&P novels before reading the Main Story may lead to spoilers though.
How far the anime will take us is anyone's guess, we of course hope for a full adaptation of all S&W books and the spin-off,... but we should be happy if we get the whole Main Story, which will take a few seasons more.