I don’t quite remember how I discovered this series, but it quickly became one of my favorites—which is why it’s the first review I’m writing. The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria – Volume 1 is the beginning of a seven-volume series. The best genre label I can give it is mystery, although there are strong supernatural elements as well.
The main characters of the series are Kazuki Hoshino and Aya Otonashi. This volume centers around the two being trapped in a time loop. In that sense, it reminded me of Kagerou Days, especially in how it uses repetition to build tension and mystery. The entire series revolves around the idea of wishes—but with a “monkey’s paw” twist, where the wish is granted in the worst possible way. Aya plays a central role in the unfolding plot and challenges Kazuki in ways that push the story forward.
Volume 1 does a great job introducing the story, the characters, and the world, while also setting up bigger ideas that play out in later volumes. The illustrations aren’t tied to specific scenes like in typical light novels, but instead reflect the overall tone of the story, which I found intriguing and engaging. I also liked how the story shows the gradual change in the characters as they go through the ~15,000 time loops—it adds a strong psychological weight that builds naturally. I like the dynamic between Kazuki and Aya—their compelling and complex relationship adds depth to the narrative and helps it stand out from other series.I’ll admit I might be a little biased, but I definitely recommend this volume.
I’ll be reviewing the rest of the series later. So if you enjoy psychological stories, mystery, supernatural elements, time loops, or just want something truly unique, I highly recommend giving this series a try. Heads-up for physical book collectors—this series can be hard to find, but luckily the digital version is easy to find