Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Spice and Wolf sounds, by the description, like a typical sudden-girlfriend-appearance anime. Indeed, there are similar "boy meets cute Goddess girl" series out there, like Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens. Spice and Wolf, however, is nothing of the sort.
It is, instead, a very interesting and well-thought out period piece. The antiquated European setting is ideal for the true essence behind this anime--economy. Lawrence and Holo make a cute pair, to be sure, but this first season only hints at a romantic development between them. Instead, the focus is on a sort of budding professional relationship. The two explore the world town by town, with interesting glimpses into different trading practices, different currencies, and different cultures. The religious presence of a Catholic-esque Church is especially intriguing. They are corrupt in trading methods but effective at spreading faith, something wholly believable.
Simple observations like this are one of the things that make this series so great. Its compliment are the characters. Lawrence and Holo are always interesting, and usually funny. Holo's flirtation and Lawrence's inhibitions make for a comedic formula that rarely gets tiring. The best part about their relationship is that, unlike most anime, the audience is not forced to believe in it. The anime takes things slow, letting their relationship build like real ones do--by shared experience. Their frustrations, fears, dreams and humor are all allowed to develop naturally. This may make it seem like there is little character development throughout the series, but there is enough to keep it going.
The series of light novels, off of which this anime is based, are still being published. As such, the episodic nature of the show seems to make it come to an abrupt end. This is no problem, however, considering there is a second season already finished in Japan, with a third all but assured. It is worth the small time investment. As it is only one small part of an anticipated whole, it will not be a jaw-dropping, life-changing piece of art, but it will most definitely make your day a little more pleasant. Is this not one of the most admirable aspects of art, anyway, that it can do something so simply profound as to make one feel better?
Funimation usually does the most acceptable job of dubbing shows here. Fullmetal Alchemist is an example of some of their good work, and they only seem to learn from their mistakes as a company. And for those who refuse to tolerate dubbing, the original Japanese voice track is amazing, and their subtitling is sure to be, also.
This is a series that will grow on you, just as the characters grow on each other. The pace is peaceful, the characters likable, and the story makes the fantastic easy to believe. There is little here not to enjoy.
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Lawrence, a traveling merchant searching for profit, finds a naked girl with the ears and tail of a wolf asleep in his cart. Her name is Holo – a harvest goddess with an untamed beast lurking inside who longs to return to her beloved northern home. Armed with his street smarts and her animal instincts, a simple peddler and a forgotten deity begin a journey through the wild countryside. Along their path, the riches of happiness shall be reaped, even as the bankruptcy which dwells in the human heart is exposed.
Stills from Spice and Wolf: Season One (Click for larger image)
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