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Something like Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria

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12:52 pm, Aug 14 2013
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Like the title says, something like Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria (Novel) . I know it's hard to find something generally similar, but something that shares a strong element or plot point is good enough.

So in that sense, something that has one or more of these:
- That sort of "careful with what you wish for" vibe, with wishes becoming corrupted.

- Time loop in a small scale (Groundhog day style, repetition of a day).

- Psychological warfare in game-like form where the main characters assume game-like roles and try to outsmart each other in a death match.

Those three are the main points I'm looking for but if you remember something that feels similar to Hakomari in a different way suggest it as well. Obviously both manga and light novels are acceptable suggestions, preferably seinen or shounen.

Thanks in advance.

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4:15 pm, Aug 15 2013
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Short answer: nothing.

Elaborate answer: studying the elements you're providing, I'd say the most fitting works that comes to my mind are all anime or games. If you're ok with it (alternatively you can try the corrispetive manga, but it's often a derivative work, so it can be different), I'd start with Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. There are "careful with what you wish for" and big (not small) time loops. I also think it shares some similiarties to Hakomari, but it's also a very different work. Anyway that would my first pick.
Second pick: Steins;Gate. All the time loops you can want and more. In any fashion, small, big and huge. An incredibile elaborate "careful with what you wish for". And more. It's overall one of the best anime of the last years, they told me game is better but I still have to play it. Highly suggested again.
Third pick: Monster. Why? Well, I'd say that first of all the story starts with a "careful with what you wish for" kind of thing. Second, most of the plot it's a battle of wits between Johan and Tenma. No time loops.
Fourth pick: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (novel). I don't think it needs any presentation. I'm not a big fan of it anymore, I'm gonna say this series could have been for me what Hakomari become instead. Instead, it became the classic series with excellent premises and average execution.
Fifht pick: Shinsekai Yori. Hard to explain. Only saying that few series could throw me off in what's *really* happening, and this one and Hakomari are definitely the two which did it better. Can't wait for the books to be fully translated.
More picks: I'm not gonna explain them singularly, it's just more a gut feeling of similarity. I'm talking about works by Shirodaira Kyou. I'd say Zetsuen no Tempest is the most similar to Hakomari among the three, but it's still ongoing. Maybe you can start with Spiral.

Unrelated media: at least two eroge came to my mind: Cross Channel (very good time loops) and G-senjou no Maou (quite good battle of wits, main route is very good, other are just decent). Don't know if you're interested in this stuff, just saying.

Related news: on BT they started translating the Kamisu Reina Series, which is a previous work of Eiji Mikage. It's not light novel, but a novel (no illustrations). I don't know how good it can be, but considering it's from the same author of Hakomari I'm eagerly waiting for the translation...
http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kamisu_Reina_ Series

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Psychological warfare in game-like form where the main characters assume game-like roles and try to outsmart each other in a death match.


So, anything similar to voll. 3-4 of Hakomari? In terms of actual game, Battle Royale (Novel) (the novel!!! Not the crappy manga) would be the most obvious choice. In terms of battle of wits among weird characters I enjoyed Gekkou (Novel), I think you could enjoy it too if you don't start reading it with the idea of comparing it to Hakomari (because almost nothing can be compared to Hakomari).

Last note: there is only a Japanese work that I consider better than Hakomari and it's Gunslinger Girl. They don't share any similarities, beside the fact they're both extremely good to my eyes. Just saying in the case you want to check it out.

Last edited by reid1 at 4:22 pm, Aug 15 2013

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6:26 am, Aug 20 2013
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Sorry for the late reply, real life issues ensued.

Thank you reid1 for a very informative suggestion. Let's see...

Yes, I can see the connection with Madoka, it's a pretty good series. Same with Steins;Gate. Monster was an unexpected suggestion but after giving it a bit of thought I could see what you mean, I've only read the manga is the anime better? I haven't read Haruhi's novels so I might pick them up soon.
I'll be checking out Shinsekai Yori (of which I've heard great praise) and Zetsuen no Tempest anime wise.

When it comes to visual novels I've played Maou and yes the main route is really good. I will add Cross Channel to my plan to play list.

Oh I hadn't heard about that other Eiji Mikage novel, I definitely look forward to it! I've heard of Gekkou and added it to my plan to read some time ago, I guess it's time to pick it up. I've only read the Battle Royale manga and it did feel a bit awkward at times to be honest, if the novel is better then I'll look forward to it. Hm, Gunslinger Girl huh? I'll keep it in mind as well.

Once again, thank you very much for your reply.



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7:27 am, Aug 20 2013
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I haven't read that novel, but maybe:
Mirai Nikki
And the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko no Naku Koro ni series? The scanlations for the manga are unfortunately all over the place, but both Higurashi and Umineko also have novel and anime versions.

Post #611579 - Reply to (#611545) by claudiofd
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10:22 am, Aug 20 2013
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Quote from claudiofd
Monster was an unexpected suggestion but after giving it a bit of thought I could see what you mean, I've only read the manga is the anime better?


No, it's not better. If you read the manga there is no particular reason to try the anime.

Quote from claudiofd
I've only read the Battle Royale manga and it did feel a bit awkward at times to be honest, if the novel is better then I'll look forward to it.


I couldn't read completely the Battle Royale manga because it's plain horrible. I rank it #1 as worst adaptation of all time. I gave it 3, while I gave the original novel 9. I'd not say the novel is better, I'd say the novel is a different thing. That's because the novel's goal is to criticize society with a distopia setting in a similar fashion to Orwell's 1984, the manga's goal is to excite teenager's lust with panties and violence.


^
Aforementioned Higurashi is another good suggestion. Mirai Nikki... I'm not a fan, but to each his own. About games, I probably forgot Chaos;Head (the anime doesn't give it justice). About anime (the novel are kinda messy and hard to find), I probably forgot Boogiepop Phantom.

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10:41 am, Aug 21 2013
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I tried the first few episodes of Higurashi a few years ago and wasn't too pleased but I guess I can give it another shot then. If I like it I'll try Umineko afterwards. Saw the Chaos Head anime and it was quite a disappointment, so much wasted potential. If the vn executes the premise more effectively I'll keep it in mind as well. Also just read the synopsis for Boogiepop Phantom and it sounds pretty interesting.
Mirai Nikki I've read already. Well... What can I say... I didn't like it too much. An okay manga I guess.

Once again, thank you for all suggestions.

Post #611716 - Reply to (#611700) by claudiofd
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12:43 pm, Aug 21 2013
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Quote from claudiofd
I tried the first few episodes of Higurashi a few years ago and wasn't too pleased but I guess I can give it another shot then. If I like it I'll try Umineko afterwards. Saw the Chaos Head anime and it was quite a disappointment, so much wasted potential. If the vn executes the premise more effectiv ...
the manga is way better than the anime if you stick with it , how about Orange


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7:28 am, Aug 22 2013
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I have Orange on hold at chapter 8 since the releases are frustratingly slow. Not really what I was going for but I liked it even though I'm not much of a Shojo fan at all (btw I assume you're talking about the shojo manga instead of that soccer manga you linked there).

Thank you for the suggestion anyway!

Post #611840
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1:42 pm, Aug 22 2013
Posts: 80


Have you read or watch Death Note? That's like the first one, '' That sort of "careful with what you wish for" vibe, with wishes becoming corrupted.''

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