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空ろの箱と零のマリア [Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria] #6
The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria, Vol. 6
(Volume 1)
Kazuki Hoshino leads the easy-going life of a typical high school student--until the appearance of a new girl in his class turns his world upside down! Introducing herself with a promise to "break" Kazuki is abnormal enough to make an impression, sure, but why does she seem so familiar...?
Kazuki Hoshino leads the easy-going life of a typical high school student--until the appearance of a new girl in his class turns his world upside down! Introducing herself with a promise to "break" Kazuki is abnormal enough to make an impression, sure, but why does she seem so familiar...?
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2013
18 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Eiji Mikage
12 books136 followersDropped out of college to become a writer; he still works a part time job to make ends meet.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 27, 2019
For some reason the ending of this story reminds me of Hyde's solo song 'The Cape of Storms':
Honestly can you blame me for photo-spamming a little!?
Here's the link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpE0B...
Thoughts after reading:
This time, the narrator has lost 'Maria', and he is going toe-to-toe in a battle with his once dear friend. It's a battle between two Box's owners: 'The Dream Destroying Sliver Screen' and 'Crime and Punishment and the Shadow of Crime', the winner will have his/her dream fulfilled at the price of the loser getting hurt and their dreams hopelessly destroyed.
I really, really couldn't see the final plot twists and the ending coming! And I love it! I can't wait to read volume 7, the finale of this imaginative series!
Review for the prequel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for the sequel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Honestly can you blame me for photo-spamming a little!?
Here's the link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpE0B...
Thoughts after reading:
This time, the narrator has lost 'Maria', and he is going toe-to-toe in a battle with his once dear friend. It's a battle between two Box's owners: 'The Dream Destroying Sliver Screen' and 'Crime and Punishment and the Shadow of Crime', the winner will have his/her dream fulfilled at the price of the loser getting hurt and their dreams hopelessly destroyed.
I really, really couldn't see the final plot twists and the ending coming! And I love it! I can't wait to read volume 7, the finale of this imaginative series!
Review for the prequel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for the sequel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 21, 2017
I think Volume 5 and 6 would have been better served together as one volume. I didn't like how this volume stretched out the action and the ending so long. I was bored. The never-ending musings from Daiya started to wear on me, and I missed having Kazuki as the main narrator.
Daiya still possesses the box of "Shadow of Sin and Punishment." In the previous volume, he was shown movies of his memories, meant to crush his will. The final act remains to be seen in Volume 6 and he is trying to escape from the "Wish-Crushing Cinema" before his life ends.
Throughout the volume, Daiya and Kazuki plot on how to defeat one another. Daiya wants to lure Kazuki to him, but is afraid that he will be defeated. Kazuki still fears that Aya/Maria will be harmed. The plot is really drawn out, but Kazuki has engaging action scenes. There's lots of manipulation of other characters to help each side.
There is some mystery about who owns the Cinema box, and I thought the reveal as to who it was ended up being strange. It's like trying to solve Clue, and realizing a Candy Land Kid did the murder. Not even part of the set. Completely out of left field.
The whole volume focuses mainly on Daiya and his plotting. Daiya is presented as more likable. Kazuki has a few pages, and his seemed to be the bulk of the plot. I liked how his character is becoming all twisted and more towards evil.
There is revelation about the differences between Maria and Aya, and not one I would have suspected. I am glad there was resolution about this because it was so weird to have one character switch back and forth between names depending on her mood and focus.
I am interested in seeing how this series concludes, as Volume 7 is supposed to be the last one. I assume it is going to be a battle between Kazuki and O. I wonder if it will end happy? Everyone is really unhappy by the end of Volume 6.
Daiya still possesses the box of "Shadow of Sin and Punishment." In the previous volume, he was shown movies of his memories, meant to crush his will. The final act remains to be seen in Volume 6 and he is trying to escape from the "Wish-Crushing Cinema" before his life ends.
Throughout the volume, Daiya and Kazuki plot on how to defeat one another. Daiya wants to lure Kazuki to him, but is afraid that he will be defeated. Kazuki still fears that Aya/Maria will be harmed. The plot is really drawn out, but Kazuki has engaging action scenes. There's lots of manipulation of other characters to help each side.
There is some mystery about who owns the Cinema box, and I thought the reveal as to who it was ended up being strange. It's like trying to solve Clue, and realizing a Candy Land Kid did the murder. Not even part of the set. Completely out of left field.
The whole volume focuses mainly on Daiya and his plotting. Daiya is presented as more likable. Kazuki has a few pages, and his seemed to be the bulk of the plot. I liked how his character is becoming all twisted and more towards evil.
There is revelation about the differences between Maria and Aya, and not one I would have suspected. I am glad there was resolution about this because it was so weird to have one character switch back and forth between names depending on her mood and focus.
I am interested in seeing how this series concludes, as Volume 7 is supposed to be the last one. I assume it is going to be a battle between Kazuki and O. I wonder if it will end happy? Everyone is really unhappy by the end of Volume 6.
September 1, 2016
What a fulfilling read! It's a layer of twist upon twist upon twist. Even the ending is a twist. AS usual.
Can't wait to read the next volume - the final volume. Really want to see how it ends, but so sad when can't read more of it. Dammit, I'm torn between joy and anguish.
Can't wait to read the next volume - the final volume. Really want to see how it ends, but so sad when can't read more of it. Dammit, I'm torn between joy and anguish.
February 28, 2013
Incredible.
SPOILER It made the series move into new heights of twisted psychological pain and completed the deconstruction of a love story. It also made me sad as I wanted a pure happy ending.
SPOILER It made the series move into new heights of twisted psychological pain and completed the deconstruction of a love story. It also made me sad as I wanted a pure happy ending.
July 20, 2013
Waiting for last 7-th book. One of the most interesting books I read recently.
May 28, 2015
I've been rereading the series in advance of the final volume coming out. My plan was to pace myself so I'd volume 6 just about the time the fan translation starts coming out, but I found it impossible not to tear through the whole series. I finished Volume 5 this afternoon and immediately started on 6, reading the whole thing in just three hours. How is it every crappy harem/incest/chuuni novel gets an anime adaptation while this languishes in obscurity?
February 20, 2013
Amazing isn't enough to describe what I felt after reaching the end of this mind blowing work, by far my favorite part in Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria series.
Now all we can do is to wait for the conclusion of the series in the 7th novel, and I can barely stand the thought of waiting for it.
ooh, and this novel was if you didn't manage do get that.
Now all we can do is to wait for the conclusion of the series in the 7th novel, and I can barely stand the thought of waiting for it.
ooh, and this novel was if you didn't manage do get that.
September 26, 2018
Even though i said i wont, but the the amount of positive reviews I gave it a shot and it was good.
October 13, 2018
A bit too cheesy, but all right. The curtain to the final arc shall be drawn up soon. I'm counting down on it, to see the end of this tragic yet beautiful tale.
April 18, 2022
Right... And once again the feeling of repetition appears, which makes me wonder if there really is any other box in this scenario! Damn, it looks like a looping!!!
It is somewhat similar to volume 3-4 (to a lesser extent), with the repetition of meanings and narratives just to see the reaction of the ignorant characters. It's definitely a boring read if it doesn't contain traces of poetry or any more original content.
I would say that even though it has a large part of it, Hakomaria still manages to divert the reader's attention from these scenes and try to focus on the future, like the prologue of a cinema that signals its content
Ignoring the tedious repetitive parts, there's a good narrative here that borders on various conspiracy theories. The narrative exchanges aren't amazing enough to the point where we don't know what the characters are thinking and cause a mad war of scattered information into pitch-black despair, but it's still decent enough to bring us some surprises, narrative twists that reveal secrets good enough to excite your reader
And among these surprises, in a small gap, hides a philosophy that aims at such narrative distortions...
In this gigantic world, there are guilts that we don't need to carry and it is because of this limitless idiocy that traumas are born. How much more pessimistic and empathetic you are, the more you will feel obliged to feel these pains. In reality, empathy itself is feeling the pain of others, it is separating your soul from yourself and residing for a moment in someone else's body, so when you save him you will also be saving yourself and that is exactly why helping someone is the most selfish act in the world
However, all would be well if there were no obstacles.... Pessimism about your own abilities is a way of crippling the ability to save other people, and so, all that's left is the pain of being crushed by a world you don't belong, and that's exactly why it's silly and meaningless, but at the same time, it's a very deep pain which probably implies that the trauma has already set in.
I really believe that Hakomaria has a great role in bringing up philosophical questions, but I can't say the same about his resolutions, which often seem too superficial for the grandeur of the question, almost like extracting molten diamond through a plastic straw. Still, it's clear how well laid out this is, even if the answers aren't so satisfying.
(Ah... I don't think such a setup of 10 questions and 6 answers is purposeful just to make the reader think about it, almost as a symbolism. I really believe it's just a slight mistake by the author, as it would only embellish his narrative and depth if you did it more deeply)
"I always tried to imagine how I could help people
to be happy; what kind of “box” would you need. Happiness is not something I can
simply create and force on them. Nor is something obtainable by throwing them into a
paradise and freeing them from their anxieties and worries. I finally arrived
to the conclusion that flawless happiness is only possible when you visualize
and walks towards its own ideal form of happiness. The power to guide people was what I needed" By Aya Otonashi
Finally, the writing takes a very poetic and subjective direction with its placement of words, even using some metalinguistic functions. It is a very decent flow of information that knows how to say something intelligent when necessary, generating very tasty plot twists, foods that, driven by prejudice, have a bitter taste, but just tasting the fact countless times that you detach yourself from this current and appreciate how good it is. it was the meal.
His handling of the narrative is similar to a juggler who quickly balances objects with precision. This is the art of manipulating objects and for an author, this is manipulating your script... Congratulations Eiji Mikage, you are doing a great job and I feel that if the final volume is even better, I can give an 8 to your work on general!!! Thanks for reading!
It is somewhat similar to volume 3-4 (to a lesser extent), with the repetition of meanings and narratives just to see the reaction of the ignorant characters. It's definitely a boring read if it doesn't contain traces of poetry or any more original content.
I would say that even though it has a large part of it, Hakomaria still manages to divert the reader's attention from these scenes and try to focus on the future, like the prologue of a cinema that signals its content
Ignoring the tedious repetitive parts, there's a good narrative here that borders on various conspiracy theories. The narrative exchanges aren't amazing enough to the point where we don't know what the characters are thinking and cause a mad war of scattered information into pitch-black despair, but it's still decent enough to bring us some surprises, narrative twists that reveal secrets good enough to excite your reader
And among these surprises, in a small gap, hides a philosophy that aims at such narrative distortions...
In this gigantic world, there are guilts that we don't need to carry and it is because of this limitless idiocy that traumas are born. How much more pessimistic and empathetic you are, the more you will feel obliged to feel these pains. In reality, empathy itself is feeling the pain of others, it is separating your soul from yourself and residing for a moment in someone else's body, so when you save him you will also be saving yourself and that is exactly why helping someone is the most selfish act in the world
However, all would be well if there were no obstacles.... Pessimism about your own abilities is a way of crippling the ability to save other people, and so, all that's left is the pain of being crushed by a world you don't belong, and that's exactly why it's silly and meaningless, but at the same time, it's a very deep pain which probably implies that the trauma has already set in.
I really believe that Hakomaria has a great role in bringing up philosophical questions, but I can't say the same about his resolutions, which often seem too superficial for the grandeur of the question, almost like extracting molten diamond through a plastic straw. Still, it's clear how well laid out this is, even if the answers aren't so satisfying.
(Ah... I don't think such a setup of 10 questions and 6 answers is purposeful just to make the reader think about it, almost as a symbolism. I really believe it's just a slight mistake by the author, as it would only embellish his narrative and depth if you did it more deeply)
"I always tried to imagine how I could help people
to be happy; what kind of “box” would you need. Happiness is not something I can
simply create and force on them. Nor is something obtainable by throwing them into a
paradise and freeing them from their anxieties and worries. I finally arrived
to the conclusion that flawless happiness is only possible when you visualize
and walks towards its own ideal form of happiness. The power to guide people was what I needed" By Aya Otonashi
Finally, the writing takes a very poetic and subjective direction with its placement of words, even using some metalinguistic functions. It is a very decent flow of information that knows how to say something intelligent when necessary, generating very tasty plot twists, foods that, driven by prejudice, have a bitter taste, but just tasting the fact countless times that you detach yourself from this current and appreciate how good it is. it was the meal.
His handling of the narrative is similar to a juggler who quickly balances objects with precision. This is the art of manipulating objects and for an author, this is manipulating your script... Congratulations Eiji Mikage, you are doing a great job and I feel that if the final volume is even better, I can give an 8 to your work on general!!! Thanks for reading!
May 23, 2025
Volumes 5 and 6 are a complete story arc similar to what happened with Volumes 3 and 4. Is Daiya secretly the main character in this whole series???
I kept telling my friend I hate Volume 6 but I have to be honest - the trainwreck of each character as the situation gets more and more out of hand is amazing. I absolutely hated what Kazuki became by the end of Volume 5. Volume 6 shows Daiya's spirit being torn apart slowly while trapped in the "Silver Screen of Broken Wishes" leading to him making huge desperate moves to try to defeat Kazuki. This chess game between Daiya and Kazuki flips perspectives back and forth between the two as they both get more and more frantic trying to figure out what the best next move is.
Practically every character's flaws and weaknesses are on full display throughout Volume 6. If anything, I have the most pity for Mogi. Just leave the poor girl alone, she's been through so much already!
The last quarter of the volume is twist after twist leaving a sour taste in your mouth that all that work was for nothing. What an insane way to end a book.
I know there is a final volume after this and I don't see how it is possible to wrap things up cleanly. I tend to read one volume of a different series at time to prevent myself from binging, but with how this volume ended I have to go straight into Volume 7.
I kept telling my friend I hate Volume 6 but I have to be honest - the trainwreck of each character as the situation gets more and more out of hand is amazing. I absolutely hated what Kazuki became by the end of Volume 5. Volume 6 shows Daiya's spirit being torn apart slowly while trapped in the "Silver Screen of Broken Wishes" leading to him making huge desperate moves to try to defeat Kazuki. This chess game between Daiya and Kazuki flips perspectives back and forth between the two as they both get more and more frantic trying to figure out what the best next move is.
Practically every character's flaws and weaknesses are on full display throughout Volume 6. If anything, I have the most pity for Mogi. Just leave the poor girl alone, she's been through so much already!
The last quarter of the volume is twist after twist leaving a sour taste in your mouth that all that work was for nothing. What an insane way to end a book.
I know there is a final volume after this and I don't see how it is possible to wrap things up cleanly. I tend to read one volume of a different series at time to prevent myself from binging, but with how this volume ended I have to go straight into Volume 7.
December 6, 2019
At this point, I think I'm better off trying my best to stop looking for inconsistencies on the plot and raising too many questions about the functionality of boxes and its intricacies. Of course, a lot of things are left in the dark purposely, so the author can drop the bomb later, but I can't help to feel that there's still a lot of confusion going on. Maybe there was information not properly conveyed due to the translation. Things like not being to ommit the subject of an action naturally in English or not having the dynamics of how to address people.
Anyway, that was one hell of a volume. Tons of feels, packed into an intense sequence of events. Having access to one's line of thought in such extreme situations, having their feelings and ideals explained and explored. It was specially satisfying to watch as they reach a deeper understanding of themselves, with the realization of how they were broken and unable to go back.
Everything went downhill, so I'm really looking forward to how this story will end. Not sure if there will be a happy ending, honestly.
Anyway, that was one hell of a volume. Tons of feels, packed into an intense sequence of events. Having access to one's line of thought in such extreme situations, having their feelings and ideals explained and explored. It was specially satisfying to watch as they reach a deeper understanding of themselves, with the realization of how they were broken and unable to go back.
Everything went downhill, so I'm really looking forward to how this story will end. Not sure if there will be a happy ending, honestly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed this more than the last one in the series. However I still had some major problems with it. Firstly, the narrator switching in this didn't feel necessary or helpful to the story. It felt like there was nothing pushing the plot forward the majority of the time we were observing through Daiya and only when Kazu was the perspective things happened. I also think it would have served to make for a more interesting plot if we didn't know what one side was thinking, planning, and doing. Granted the ending did come with some surprises. It also felt like most of the other characters besides these 2 were useless and doing nothing. Like they were simply tools for the main 2 to use at times with little free will of their own. I mean even the namesake of the series Maria did nothing until the end.
All this may make it sound like I didn't like this book. I did enjoy it. As with previous books in this series I thought that it brought with it some interesting thought and questions.
All this may make it sound like I didn't like this book. I did enjoy it. As with previous books in this series I thought that it brought with it some interesting thought and questions.
October 31, 2023
Well, this is it. I've completed volume 6, and I'm finally ready to start the finale. And by ready I mean I'm not ready at all. Not even a bit. Volume 6 was phenomenal, but more so than ever I am convinced I can't get behind Kazuki's actions or motivations, and I'm not sure the author agrees with me. Change is an inevitable, necessary part of life, so bringing back the zeroth Maria shouldn't be entirely possible. It also shouldn't be what he wants really, because he never had a relationship with her at that point. And regardless of what he wants, it is going to be important that he doesn't force her to give up her box in the end. I'm not sure if all or any of that is going to happen, but I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the conclusion actually unfolds. Please let it be good. I love these books too much for them to end poorly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
Esta novela es donde más llegue a detestara a Kazuki... Me pareció muy despreciable y la obsesión que tiene con Otonashi es insana, es demasiado egoísta provoco el quiebre de muchos de sus amigos, realmente espero que no vuelva a tener una relación con Otonashi, parecería absurdo viendo como es ella y los deseos que tiene... Sería como una traición a ella misma y no lo digo por el deso de su caja, si no por como es su personalidad.
A ver como queda el último volumen.
Algo que quiero averiguar es cual fue el último deso de Daiya, pareciera que le dovolvio algo felicidad a Otonashi.
A ver como queda el último volumen.
Algo que quiero averiguar es cual fue el último deso de Daiya, pareciera que le dovolvio algo felicidad a Otonashi.
October 2, 2019
It was good, but the plot was childish. No reason why this volume couldn't have been shrunk a bit and joined with 5. Average volume. Does a good set up for the final volume.
July 26, 2020
Queria ter lido essa Light Novel a 4 anos atrás.
September 2, 2024
9.2/10
June 21, 2025
this light novel change my life
August 21, 2025
This was so dark and sad, and I didn't expect this whole unravelling when I started this series.
I wonder how everything is going to wrap up
I wonder how everything is going to wrap up
December 30, 2022
Bad. The main character deviated way too much from his original goals and ideals and just become someone unlikeable. I already thought the previous book's plot was going on too long, and this was just a continuation of it.
December 22, 2020
I am completely determined to finish one series before I start another. Don't worry, it won't take long...
I kept it pretty brief this time, I think I'll save the bulk of it for the last book...
I kept it pretty brief this time, I think I'll save the bulk of it for the last book...
February 10, 2015
The temporary 'ending' to what I see as one of the best novel franchises ever, and how it delivered at that, unbelievable! The main character's transformation going full, the tragedy that is the relationships between characters, the cunning plans between the two main characters as they try to outwit each other with unbelievable plots... it is beyond comprehension.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews