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Spice & Wolf Manga 'Heads Toward Finale' in 16th Volume

The 15th compiled book volume of Keito Koume's manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's Spice & Wolf novels revealed on Saturday that the manga is "heading toward the finale" in its 16th volume. The manga entered its final arc in the 13th volume.

The novel series' story centers around the travels of the merchant Kraft Lawrence, who strikes a deal with the wolf god Holo that sees him transporting the homesick god back to her remote northern homeland. Along the way, Lawrence conducts business along many towns and cities, illustrating medieval trade, commerce, and religion. Holo, in both human and wolf form, often becomes a decisive factor in his endeavors, and their relationship grows as they travel.

Koume launched the manga in Kadokawa's Dengeki Maoh magazine in 2007. Yen Press licensed the manga in 2009 and shipped the 12th volume on March 22.

Hasekura published the Spice & Wolf novel series with illustrations by Jū Ayakura from 2006 to 2011. Yen Press published the 17th and final novel in North America in April 2016. Yen Press published an omnibus book that compiles all the novel volumes last October, and an international edition in December.

Hasekura began Shinsetsu Ōkami to Kōshinryō Ōkami to Yōhishi (Spice and Wolf New Theory: Parchment and Wolf) as a sequel to the original novels in April 2016. Yen Press will publish the sequel as well as the Spice and Wolf, Volume 18: Spring Log collection of short stories.

The novels also inspired two TV anime seasons directed by Takeo Takahashi and written by Naruhisa Arakawa. The first season aired in Japan from January to March 2008, and the second (Spice and Wolf II) from July to September 2009. North American anime distributor Funimation licensed both seasons.