Apr 13, 2008
Spice and Wolf revolves around a traveling merchant Lawrence and a wolf spirit he meets, Horo. It documents their journey through a fanciful medieval Europe on their way to Horo's homeland in the north. They encounter problems along the way and have to work together to over come them; all the while building their relationship.
Story
The single biggest drawback to this anime is the mundane plot. The over arching story is simply an odd couple traveling from town to town on a journey north. It isn’t something that inspires the imagination. Further, the side plots, the problems encountered in the various
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towns they visit, revolve around Lawrence and Horo getting caught up in shady but mundane business deals. They aren’t altogether uninteresting but they aren’t anything special either.
Another problem I have with the story is the lack of detail about Horo’s past. It would have been nice there were some back story introduced to give some idea of how she came to be in the situation that she was in at the beginning of the anime. I haven’t read the manga, so that may be why I have a hole in my knowledge about her past but reading the manga shouldn’t be a requirement for information like this. You only get a very vague idea of what Horo’s past was like, which only makes me more curious as to the details.
Very minor spoiler, the anime ends in a way that a second season is easily possible. I am not aware of whether a second season is planned or not but if it is, I would expect the story to improve.
Besides these negatives I have to admit the story did have some good features, particularly the universe in which the anime is set. They have made a very good setting for the story and characters to interact in.
Art
I have very little to say about this topic. The animation is beautiful. It is well above average. Watch the show and see it for yourself.
Sound
I also have very little to say about this. The ambient music is fitting for the setting and I particularly enjoy the opening. Normally I skip an anime’s opening to get straight to the story but in this case I listened to it every time.
Character
This is where this anime truly shines. Do not watch Spice and Wolf for the plot, watch if for the character development and interaction. Lawrence, Horo, and later Nora, are three very distinct and interesting characters with personalities that play well off each other. I am not quite sure how to best describe it. All three characters are very intelligent and likable.
I think what impressed me the most is how realistic their personalities seem. Their personalities are complicated and are not exaggerated. It is very refreshing. Most animes have over simplistic characters with extremely exaggerated personalities.
The way in which the characters’ relationships develop is also very well done. Transitions in the characters’ interactions with one another are smooth. Here are no abrupt changes in behavior or the state of a relationship. Things are very fluid.
Another thing I like is that the characters reactions make sense. That is to say, the characters act in a believable manner. This may seem like a strange thing to praise an anime for but considering how fantastic other animes are, it makes this unique and praise worthy.
Enjoyment
Watching the character development is definitely the most entertaining part of this anime.
The action, when it occurs, is nothing spectacular. The story is interesting enough to not be boring but will not captivate you. This anime truly is all about the characters.
Overall
I give this anime a 9. It was my favorite anime of the 2008 winter season. I am very critical of the story as it is rather mundane. However, the characters are such that the plot is completely over shadowed. The plot serves simply as a vehicle to move the character development along.
I strongly recommend that you give this anime a try.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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