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In the fantasy-adventure Spice and Wolf (2008), Craft Lawrence, a young peddler in a realm that suggests Renaissance Europe, finds himself caught up in a pagan ritual come true. For ages, the farmers of one region believed the wheat harvest was ensured by a powerful wolf-spirit who periodically appeared in the form of a beautiful young woman. As he leaves the region, Lawrence discovers a naked girl with furry ears and a tail sleeping in his wagon. The girl declares she is Holo, the wise and powerful wolf; now that people no longer believe in her, she wants to return to her home in the far north. How wise she is may be open to question, but she's definitely a fussy wolf, endlessly berating the long-suffering Lawrence. Although he's supposed to be a capable trader who buys low and sells high, Lawrence's fortunes take a decided downturn when Holo joins him. A scheme involving currency speculation blows up in his face, and an attempt to deal in armor leaves him bankrupt. Lawrence and Holo wander from town to town, but they don't get much of anywhere: this set could end two episodes earlier or later without affecting the minimal plot. The humor runs to heavy drinking and reverse sexism, with Holo repeatedly declaring, "men are fools!" Her ears and tail give the fan service nudity an unwholesome tone that suggests Spice and Wolf was designed for adolescent furries. (Rated TV 14: nudity, violence, alcohol use, risqué humor) --Charles Solomon
(1. A Wolf and One's Best Clothes, 2. A Wolf and a Distant Past, 3. A Wolf and Business Ability, 4. A Wolf and a Helpless Partner, 5. A Wolf and a Lover's Quarrel, 6. A Wolf and a Silent Farewell, 7. A Wolf and a Tail of Happiness, 8. A Wolf and a Proper Scale, 9. A Wolf and a Shepherd's Lamb, 10. A Wolf and a Whirling Conspiracy, 11. A Wolf and the Greatest Secret Plan, 12. A Wolf and a Pack of Youngsters, 13. A Wolf and Setting Off on a New Journey)
Product Description
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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Like many, the first time I was exposed to Spice and Wolf, I had my immediate doubts. Girl with ears and a tail traveling around with a random guy and occassionally appearing naked? No, thanks. But I gave it a shot (because I really enjoyed the opening song, ahaha), and was thusly rewarded for giving this highly original show a chance. Come for the winning platonic chemistry between the two leads and stay for lessons on the value of currency and the perils of buying on credit! Seriously -- if you come into S&W expecting some sort of moe hijinks, you'll be sorely disappointed, but if you want 12 episodes of something that's not going to insult your intellgience and leave you feeling full and satisfied, it's a safe bet.
47 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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Length:
4:03
Mins
Gina from Haunted Flower reviews "Spice & Wolf Season One", an anime series about a magical wolf goddess, Holo who takes on the form of a woman to seek out the help of a traveling merchant named Lawrence to get back home to the North. Features the english dub voice acting of J. Michael Tatum and Brina Palencia!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
One amazing anime
This is one of my favorites. At first, talk of coins seems to be a bore, but it's actually really interesting if you think about it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sharon C. Chessick
Another awesome show!
This is a great anime series. The show starts off kind of slow, not much action, and repetitive as all heck, but stick with it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by V. Vergalito
One of the best new anime you might not have heard of!
Great characterization and a detailed, historical / fantasy world are the focus. There's drama, romance, mystery... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Franz K
great show
Great show with a great story. If you want a show full of action and what not i wouldnt recomend this one. If you want a show with a good smart story this is it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by dude
In response to the Editorial Review
The Amazon Editorial Review of this series is downright asinine. Spice and Wolf is a refreshingly down-to-earth and unique take on a romance that manages to stay tasteful and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Dalton
Crazy prices!
I am not talking about the anime, just the set. I Was bidding on this same exact set on eBay and got it brand new for $30. I knew it was valuable and rare, so that's why I bid. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kaede
The most remarkable anime I have ever seen
I spent a quarter century in Tokyo. I raised two sons there. I have seen countless different anime, some old, some new, some popular, some obscure. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Brian K. Miller
Better than the original release
Spice and Wolf Season One Blu-Ray is work getting! The original box set isn't cleaned up and in HD like this one, and this Blu-Ray set comes with two discs containing all 13... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jasmine Jones
AMAZING
I'm a long time anime fan and have watched just about every genre there is, with that being said, this show offers something totally new and entertaining. Read more
Published 8 months ago by APPLE THE DRAGON SLAYER
Pleasantly surprised!
The description left me wondering - but the reviews turned the tide. This is one of those rare Anime where the girls are not bikini-clad bimbos. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Richard C. Drew
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