Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria

Volume 1 Cover

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), the series is complete with 7 volumes. While Utsuro no Hako, often abbreviated as Hakomari, is Eiji's fourth publication, it is the first to feature illustrations. One of his earlier works can be found here: the Kamisu Reina Series.

This series has been licensed by Yen On on 16th December 2016 under the title "The Empty Box and the Zeroth Maria".

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

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

Story Synopsis

Kazuki Hoshino values his everyday life above all else. He spends the days carefree with his friends at school, until the uneventful bliss suddenly comes to a halt with the transfer of the aloof beauty Aya Otonashi into his class and her cold, dramatic statement to him immediately upon arrival:

"I'm here to break you. This is my 13,118th school transfer, and even I can't help but reach the end of my tether after so many iterations. So for a change of pace, I'll declare war this time."

And with those puzzling words, the ordinary days that Kazuki loved so dearly become a cycle of turmoil and fear—Aya's sudden appearance signals the unraveling of unseen mysteries surrounding Kazuki's seemingly normal friends, including the discovery of mysterious devices known as "boxes."

Character Introductions

Kazuki Hoshino

A completely ordinary high school student who loves idle chatter with his friends and Umaibōs, a Japanese snack. One day, he somehow suddenly antagonizes Aya Otonashi — even though he has never met her before. She threatens to “break” him.

Aya Otonashi

An antisocial beauty with a resolute personality. She transfers into Kazuki’s class on March 2^nd — right before the end of the school year. Immediately upon 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 can sometimes be meddlesome.
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.

Updates

16th December 2016 - Operation Hakomari completed (Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria got licensed by Yen Press)
27th July 2015 - Translation of "Hakomari" completed

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