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 Member 715 Level 20.25 Mar 2006 
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Spice and Wolf (Capitalist anime at its best)
 Synopsis: As autumn rolls around in this medieval-ish setting, many areas are getting ready for the harvest and Lawrence Craft, a traveling merchant begins making his rounds buying, selling, and bartering as he goes. Upon reaching the village of Pasroe, he finds them getting ready to celebrate the wheat harvest and after meeting up with an old apprentice of his named Chloe, he goes back to the wagon only to find a woman with the ears and tails of a wolf sleeping tucked under a pile of marten furs. When Lawrence woke her up, the wolf-woman introduced herself to him as Horo, the wolf-goddess of the harvest. She explains to him that her time is about long past as people turn to Christianity and forsake the pagan ways. Although she has served the people of Pasroe for a long time, she now yearns to return home to the cold lands of the north. With that, she strikes a deal with a reluctant Lawrence so that she may accompany him on his travels.       Thoughts: For people who like quick thrills and immediate gratification, prepare to be disappointed by Spice and Wolf's pacing as it's anything but exciting. For the rest of us, get ready to immerse yourself into a show that starts off really well in the way they handle the two principal characters as well as the setting which seems to be a mix of medieval society with a few possible anachronisms and economic concepts thrown in. The strongest point about this series so far is how the characters are treated. Once Horo's character has been introduced, it's almost seamless how well she interacts with Lawrence. Their dialog in the first two episodes were pretty natural and they both exhibit a rather good on-screen chemistry. I suppose I should thank the voice actors for doing a great job, with special props for Horo's voice actress. If a wolf-goddess with a somewhat clever disposition were to talk, I'd have to say that Ami Koshimizu's performance is as close as it could come. Of course, that's not to say all of the characters are presented well. There is an issue with Chloe in that it's hard to figure out what her role is going to be. Regardless, it's certainly odd that she's apprenticed to Lawrence as it does raise the question as to whether medieval Europe far more progressive than we had originally thought. Regardless, it's a detail I'm not going to worry about too much. Either way, the main element that makes this show so fun to watch is the economics. Despite the fact that economics can get pretty boring (as a former dismal scientist aka me can attest to), the manner in which they present it is most excellent. And really... Spoiler:
An excellent series that's held my attention so far. Looking forwards to see what other crazy schemes they manage to come up with next as well as watching Horo and Lawrence's relationship grow. Links Courtesy of BSS (MKV listing only): Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 |
Member 717 Level 19.03 Mar 2006
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A brilliant show so far. Yes, it's a bit slow, but the pace is steady and doesn't rush or make things sloppy. The relationship between Lawrence and Horo is quite interesting and I can't wait to see just how it developes, despite the rude interruption in episode 4. So far it doesn't disappoint.
The scenes in episode 2 where he has to introduce her as his wife struck me as awfully funny for some insane reason....she's supposed to look no more than 15 so I wonder if girls normally marry very young in medieval europe, if the setting is Europe at all. The scene where she comments on Lawrence's "whiskers" was funny as well. Episode 4 showed a different side to Horo though..... Spoiler:
Definitely a must-see show. 
"This job would be great if it wasn't for the f@#$ing customers!!"
- Randall to Dante (Clerks) |
 Member 16 Level 42.06 Feb 2006
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<3 Spicy Wolf <3
Admittedly, I've only read the manga (cheers, Taco), but if the anime is just as good, it should be a fine show. I'm still a little uneased about the era and setting, though. The whole thing is so calm and friendly, I'm paranoidly expecting some poor peasant to get trampled or raped & pillaged by soldiers or something  |
Member 25298 Level 18.44 Oct 2007
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Along with True Tears it's one of the best shows that 2008 yet has had to offer. I can't say I understand all of the economics mumbo jumbo as I'm Swedish (I'm not familiar with all the terms used), but nevertheless it's still very interesting, Horo is a very interesting character that you just don't know what she's going to do and that's what I love about her. I love that even though she's supposed to be very wise and so that there are still things she wonders about, and that Lawrence complements her, and vice versa. Always waiting for a new episode on this series. Oh, and the OP is GREAT. Especially the full version of it, which I've listened to it so many times.
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Member 104 Level 33.65 Mar 2006
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 Good to see a Spicy Wolf thread up here. It's nothing short of a must-see at this point. Oh, and agreeing with nanaman on the OP. That shit is AMAZING. Someone called it hauntingly beautiful, and I have to agree.  ~ Maria+Holic ~ Lesbian All Girls School Bullshit Anime #503 |
Member 950 Level 19.83 Mar 2006
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But then, I think I'm pretty certain they did. I mean after all, not so long ago Marie Antoinette was married off at 16... Oh, and Spice and Wolf is very cool. I love how they turned commerce into something mysterious and intricate. Being a bit of an econ nerd, I'm following the series with rapt attention.  |
Member 715 Level 20.25 Mar 2006
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Episode 6:
Spoiler:
But yeah, I've been agreeing with all the comments so far. The atmosphere has been fantastic and it offers a lot of guild rivalries as well as great character development moments to balance things out. I also heartily agree with the comments regarding the OP, though the ED leaves me wanting. It's amusing the first few times I've heard it, but now, it's just where bad Engrish goes to die. |
Member 104 Level 33.65 Mar 2006
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Gotta love that gratuitous English in that shit. It's funny the first time you hear it, but after that it becomes pretty unwanted.
Also Episode 7 is DVD only what. If it doesn't have anything to do with the plot like I've been told then what is it? My money is on hot steamy Horo sex. ~ Maria+Holic ~ Lesbian All Girls School Bullshit Anime #503 |
Member 717 Level 19.03 Mar 2006
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Yeah, episode 8 follows right after 6 so I guess the DVD only episode 7 is something else entirely....
Which fansub group is everyone else watching for this series? I'm following Ayako and have come to greatly appreciate the little tidbits that come at the end of each episode of their releases. an example:   This really helps out when trying to understand the background of the story or even some the terms used or related to the merchant profession. Anyway, excellent story so far, things really don't look good for Lawrence now....after episode 10, I'm feeling a little anxious to see what comes next. I never knew real-world politics and economics could be used so effectively and interestingly in an anime series. As for Lawrence's fate as described in Spice & Wolf for Dummies...... Spoiler:
Can't wait for the next episode...... 
"This job would be great if it wasn't for the f@#$ing customers!!"
- Randall to Dante (Clerks)
Last edited by hikarub : Mar 7, 2008 at 02:22 AM.
Reason: typos
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Member 715 Level 20.25 Mar 2006
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:slowpoke:
Finally got around to watching the last episode and that was an end if nothing else, but certainly not the end given the episode constraints. The last episode moved a bit too quickly and there were times I'd have to pause and rewatch certain scenes to get the gist of what happened. As of now, I've not heard of any new news regarding a second season, but I do hope to see how far they can take the concept and the amazing character interactions. The VAs are just too good and their on-screen chemistry is a large part of what made this series so enjoyable. I suppose the only way I'll get my dose of Horo is through the manga since people here seem to find the read enjoyable. |
Member 104 Level 33.65 Mar 2006
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Second season will be Lawrence ditching Horo in favor of Nora. The jealousy Horo was emitting at the end of the episode when she showed up was way too funny.
Spice and TRUE MOE. They will call it. Nora is <333. ~ Maria+Holic ~ Lesbian All Girls School Bullshit Anime #503 |
Member 25298 Level 18.44 Oct 2007
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Well, if we're lucky we might get a second season. Since from what I know the show is kinda popular in Japan so that means that we'll probably get another season. |
Member 715 Level 20.25 Mar 2006
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 No, seriously though, when I heard Nora speak, she could have said "Okazaki-san" and I definitely would not have batted an eye in the least, mostly because when she did speak, my mind kept superimposing Nagisa's face over Nora's. |
Member 25298 Level 18.44 Oct 2007
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Member 104 Level 33.65 Mar 2006
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I honestly never made the connection though, since I stopped watching Clannad weeks ago. ~ Maria+Holic ~ Lesbian All Girls School Bullshit Anime #503 |
Member 104 Level 33.65 Mar 2006
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Now that's fucking harsh!!!
