Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria

The Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria series is also available in the following languages:

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria (空ろの箱と零のマリア, The Empty Box and The Zeroth Maria) is a light novel series written by Eiji Mikage and illustrated by Tetsuo (formerly known as 415). While Utsuro no Hako, often abbreviated as Hakomari, is Eiji's fourth publication, it is the first to feature illustrations. A teaser for one of his earlier works can be viewed here.

Story Synopsis

Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria, or The Empty Box and The Zeroth Maria, tells the story of Kazuki Hoshino, who is almost madly attached to his everyday life, and his antagonist Aya Otonashi, who suddenly transfers into his class at the end of the school year—for no less than the 13,118^th time. Without hesitation, she announces her intent to “break” him. Kazuki's struggle to defend his everyday life begins, and the many secrets it is built on start to come to light.

Character Introduction

Kazuki Hoshino

A completely ordinary high school student who loves idle chatter with his friends and Umaibôs, a Japanese snack. One day, he is suddenly antagonized by Aya Otonashi — although he has never met her before. She threatens to “break” him.

Aya Otonashi

An antisocial beauty with a resolute personality. She transferred into Kazuki’s class on March 2^nd — almost at the end of the school year. Right after her arrival she announces her intent to “break” Kazuki.

Daiya Oomine

A self-centered and arrogant student who dyes his hair silver and wears three piercings in his right ear. He is also the class president and a shrewd friend of Kazuki’s.

Haruaki Usui

A cheerful but frivolous baseball ace. He often hangs out with Kazuki and Daiya.

Kokone Kirino

A bright and beautiful girl who cares a lot for her friends, but is meddlesome at times.
She and Daiya have known each other since childhood, and their mutual verbal abuse has become legendary among their classmates ever since.

Kasumi Mogi

The girl who has won Kazuki’s heart. She is docile, silent and expressionless.

Translation

Registration

Translators are asked to register which chapters they're working on (see the Guideline page for usage rules).

Also see Project Guide for guidelines specific to this translation.

Format Standards

Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the agreed points highlighted in the below guidelines

General Format/Style Guideline

Updates

19th February 2013 - Volume 6 completed
26th August 2012 - Volume 5 completed
31th July 2012 - Volume 5 "Before the Show Begins" completed
21th July 2012 - Volume 5 Prologue completed
19th April 2012 - Diamond Days completed
2nd August 2010 - Volume 4 completed
25th July 2010 - Volume 4 Chapter 1 completed
2nd July 2010 - Volume 4 Game Explanation and Prologue completed

Older Updates can be found on the Utsuro no Hako updates page