Ookami to Koushinryou: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf Episode 1 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

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Apr 1, 5:26 PM

#101

Dan_ALves

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May 2022

918

KANLen09 said:
We've waited for THIS LONG for a reboot of one of anime's most famous classics: novelist Isuna Hasekura's Spice and Wolf, AFTER 16 YEARS, for the LN's 15th anniversary celebration. A proper adaptation this will be one.

The classic cast and staff are back: Ami Koshimizu as Holo, Jun Fukuyama as Kraft Lawrence, and Takeo Takahashi as chief director of the reboot, so the nostalgia in us knows that the reboot will be in safe hands.

Hana Hope's OP captures the reboot quite nicely. Kevin Penkin's OST, it HITS you hard, and it's going to be great. And ClariS's ED is the perfect sweet spot for this.

As usual, Lawrence is the travelling merchant with amounts of fur, and he witnesses a bountiful yare harvest, which sounds like foxes. And wherever he goes, he keeps on moving, only to find a suspicious figure within the midst of his fur bounty. The wolf girl named Holo, also coincidentally the name of the harvest god, she's just a demihuman and nothing more. That's when Lawrence, unconvincingly needs substantial evidence, which after eating some grains of wheat, evolved her into a real wolf girl, whic she chose not to in front of him. Disillusioned, he heads back to the village, where people are singing her praises, which doesn't make his situation any better, more or less that the village doesn't really need her anymore.

The journey of Holo going back home, with Lawrence, is this only the beginning of an old and classic adventure, on the road once again.

Spring has already ONE BIG HIT with thie reboot, and there's more to go.

I thought the ost was really fitting and now I know why. Kevin Penkin for the win!

Apr 1, 5:27 PM

#102

_MushiRock11_

孔真・コウマコト

Offline

Jun 2017

7869

Cautiously optimistic but this was a great pilot episode!

I remember Season 2 being very rushed and too economics focused but here’s to hoping they’ll manage that part better this time around. It’s incredible that the same VAs are reprising their roles here, I’m looking forward to more for sure.

Similar Op to the OG although of course it’ll take a bit more time to warm up to this one, that’s how good it was! As for the ED, this has got the right claris mix and adventure through medieval Europe vibes, great pick!

#Anime4Life be my Life Motto! #PrayForKyoAni

Boku no Anime List Boku no Manga List Boku no Profile Page

Apr 1, 5:31 PM

#103

Ricky16

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Aug 2022

1622

After many years, we get to watch remake.
I'm glad I watched it.

Apr 1, 5:36 PM

#104

ryzxgum

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Apr 2022

6343

hell yeah i'm glad holo and lawrence are back, good reboot so far. i'm still kinda skeptical about the art change but the visuals are clean af. we're in for a treat with 25 episodes, if it stays like this then i might end up giving it the same rating i gave the original.

Apr 1, 5:48 PM

#105

234Mannan

Offline

Mar 2020

815

More closer to the source material+great ost and acting.
Yup its already good in my books(The original did some changes which I wasnt a fan of sooo)

Apr 1, 5:49 PM

#106

Toilettime333

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Apr 2019

Love how alive holo is with this remake

Apr 1, 5:55 PM

#107

Kaori222

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Jan 2021

I now understand why this show has so much hentai.

Apr 1, 5:56 PM

#108

Jokuc

Offline

Aug 2015

620

First impressions compared to original:

I like the art style of the original more
I like the art direction in the original more, better mood of some of the environments
The drawings in the remake are more well made / more detailed, the wheat for example
The opening of the original is 100x better, both song and visuals
The ending of the remake is better
The remake doesn't seem to make use of its background music as much during scenes which I don't like, some of the remake songs are really nice like the ones with vocals but the instrumentals are weaker than the og (for example hunt wolf scene)
Holo's character design is better in the original, she had more smug faces in the old show which I missed here (went back and compared)
Remake first ep felt slower cause the barn scene with the other girl is gone, but maybe that was anime original (have not read source material, so can't speak on accuracy)
Remake has better light effects

Good start, but it's going to take much more to convince me that this is an improvement over the old show

It's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.

Apr 1, 5:59 PM

#109

leonardobarba

Offline

May 2017

1769

Excellent beginning episode! Welcome back, Lawrence and Holo. I missed you so much...

Mene, mene, tekel, parsin

Apr 1, 6:12 PM

#110

leonardobarba

Offline

May 2017

1769

Reply to Kaori222

I now understand why this show has so much hentai.

@Kaori222 Ecchi, but it is completely natural and part of the story.

Mene, mene, tekel, parsin

Apr 1, 6:38 PM

#111

renan5g

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Nov 2022

it's amazing, i'm love it

Apr 1, 6:46 PM

#112

OtakuKokiri

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Apr 2021

I haven't read the light novels yet but this adaptation seems to be more faithful to the light novel than the 2008 anime was. Especially because Yarei is actually there instead of Chloe. I mean Chloe is here as a mere Easter egg background character, but I honestly prefer a more novel accurate adaptation. I also prefer the new art style as it is closer to the art in the light novel. Also Myuri being in the opening scene is extremely hype

OtakuKokiriApr 1, 6:50 PM

Apr 1, 6:51 PM

#113

Daniel1505

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Jul 2014

It's so sweet and beautiful, for the people that know Spice and Wolf it's exquisite, for the newcomers, you will love it, try the LN l8er

Apr 1, 7:41 PM

#114

phantom346

Offline

Jun 2015

3783

This is like getting blasted in the face nostalgia. I love the new animation style that Passione is going with.

OMG why are the opening and ending so fire?!

I'm glad they're doing a reboot instead of continuing from that awful season 2.

This is gonna be a very good show.

READ TORIKO

Apr 1, 7:45 PM

#115

removed-user

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Jul 2018

564084

good start to the series

Apr 1, 7:47 PM

#116

Raibyou

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Sep 2017

186

We got a Chloe cameo

~ May all the beauty be blessed ~

Apr 1, 8:15 PM

#117

LightningC04

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Mar 2022

The nostalgia of greatness and feels is already second to none right off the start. I loved how they started off with Holo retelling the tale to Myuri knowing how many knew the story, read the LN and perhaps even played the rather recent VR game showcasing the happy family of three.

Apr 1, 8:18 PM

#118

Rayas2412

Offline

Jan 2024

147

good start although I don't know anything about the work but it shows that it is good

Apr 1, 8:24 PM

#119

-Trippwire-

Offline

Jun 2013

1634

So good to see Holo and Lawrence again. These two have one my favorite dynamic of any lead pair in anime. Also Having Yarei make his appearance in place of Chloe certainly tells me this will probably follow the LNs more closely. Looking forward to that.

Gotta say I still have a soft spot for OP and ED of the 2008 series. OST also has a high bar to clear for me, but I think Kevin Penkin's talent has been established at this point and he'll do this story justice.

-Trippwire-Apr 1, 9:29 PM

Apr 1, 8:29 PM

#120

NTAD

Offline

Feb 2013

6877

Comment I made on the Toho trailer still applies.

One of the best FF7 OST covers ever

Apr 1, 8:32 PM

#121

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

564084

It's finally here! After 15 years we're finally getting a faithful adaption of the LNs without any anime original content which is good, but this first episode looked / felt so...bland. The animation looks somewhat "generic modern fantasy anime" and I don't like Holo's new design one fucking bit. Really wish another studio would've picked this up instead of Passione.

Apr 1, 8:35 PM

#122

uncleqrow

Offline

Sep 2016

613

No! CGI carriages, CGI dances, now the anime is ruined!!! Worst anime of the year!!!
(said some entitled spoiled teen somewhere)

Anime intro, ashen haired girl. F* you show for spoiling Ookami to Youhishi!!! wwwwwww

Holo is still one of the best waifu after all these years!!!!

Male Yarei! Finally, no longer will we have a "gender-bender" Yarei in the old anime. wwwwww
Although, it's 2024, everyone are binary or forced to be one if they have to!!!! wwwwww

PS: Will the snake be adapted this time? The old anime skipped that one. It's not really important, but still, just curious.

PPS: Shout out to Lawrence, feeding his horse some premium fresh lettuce like that. The horse live like a sultan!!!!

uncleqrowApr 1, 8:44 PM

Python is the best programming language ever. FIGHT ME!

Apr 1, 9:27 PM

#123

SkyLETV

Offline

Jul 2014

1909

I like it, I like it a lot. I watched the first episode of the original series a few years ago but didn't continue beyond that. This time I'm really looking forward to more.

I already love Holo, she's great. And one thing I remember from the original is Holo's doll body nudity which I wasn't a fan of, I really prefer her being covered naturally to some weird nudity.

There's also Lawrence who I don't know if he's old or it's just the hair. It gives me a weird feeling xD.

And the opening scene. I think after seeing the main characters it's easy to know what's going on there. Interesting.

Apr 1, 9:40 PM

#124

LostSpectre

Offline

Jan 2013

6351

Reply to mshfqtny

Looks great. Has more ecchi then before. Which is unsurprising considering the studio. Also I just found out that Chloe was never on the light novel. I only read ln after the season 2. I'm surprised that they included myuuri

I really wished that they would've kept the old ed. But i guess this one isn't bad either.

@mshfqtny Less fanservice, actually. Well, aside from that one pretty epic side-view shot. Of course, this doesn't actually matter.

If you reply back to me and I never respond, I lost interest and don't care. Sorry about that.

Apr 1, 9:43 PM

#125

Ataeru12

Offline

Feb 2020

i want ask
this is remake?? or new season??

Apr 1, 9:43 PM

#126

Enderobot

Offline

Jan 2021

194

Having never seen the original show, I can say that the animation quality and character designs are all fantastic! It seems like Frieren may have been inspired by the original light novels and anime of Spice And Wolf. I enjoyed the episode quite a lot and the opening is fantastic! Should I watch the original incomplete show, or just stick with this one?

Apr 1, 9:44 PM

#127

Mizaru_

Offline

May 2022

Ataeru12 said:
i want ask
this is remake?? or new season??

Remake so everybody can watch it

Apr 1, 9:47 PM

#128

Mizaru_

Offline

May 2022

As someone completely new to Spice and Wolf I have one question for the Fans of the series bc I didnt really get it in ep1. He got scared bc of her true form and when it showed her true form under the moonlight she just looked like always.
Do I not understand sth here, is it not shown or whats going on here? xD

Apr 1, 10:10 PM

#129

Astrid_Bear

Offline

Feb 2020

Phoenix_Trite said:
@Wieczorny I read up to volume 8 and of them, volume 4 is my favorite. I really hope they don't skip it.

*spoilers who have not read up to vol 4* VOL 3 and 4 are GOD TEIR ESPECIALLY VOL 4, it feels like vol 4 really changes the story direction towards that of the pagan gods which I love SO MUCH.

Apr 1, 11:18 PM

#130

Shaka-bun

Offline

Apr 2023

125

Great news!! Holo is back!!! As cute as always!!!
I hope the millionaire investor paid for the reboot + 3rd season for her anime too😎

Apr 1, 11:20 PM

#131

MiaAyende

Offline

Nov 2018

233

Reply to Mizaru_

I love that they kept the visual style of the ED from the original

@Mizaru_

Mizaru_ said:
He got scared bc of her true form and when it showed her true form under the moonlight she just looked like always.
Do I not understand sth here, is it not shown or whats going on here?

There's a brief flash of a lot more fur just before he falls back in fear... that's all they show for now. She changed back quickly because he was so scared

Apr 1, 11:33 PM

#132

Angel_crush1

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Jan 2021

1061

We are soo damn back babyyyy lets goooo.....

Apr 1, 11:33 PM

#133

WolfsEternity

Offline

Dec 2021

At long last Spice and Wolf is back!! What a lovely first episode that was, I can't wait to see how the rest turns out. I wonder how much of the story they'll adapt this time? I'd hope more, but only time will tell.

Apr 2, 12:00 AM

#134

Tanglebolt

Offline

Apr 2013

Reply to DatRandomDude

we are so fucking back

@DatRandomDude LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOO

Apr 2, 12:17 AM

#135

TitanOfPlasma

John Titor

Offline

Jul 2017

1400

Loved Kevin Penkin's music on this. Though I liked his latest work on Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, Chinese-styled music is not my cup of tea.

I had watched the original and so far this version is looking good. I distrust Passione since they ruined Higurashi, I hope that doesn't happen again.

Mi música chiptune (auténtica, no fakebit) / My chiptune music (real, no fakebit)
YouTube
Battle of the Bits
SoundCloud

Apr 2, 12:35 AM

#136

TheMangaManiac

Offline

Jul 2010

1719

Really want to like it, but not happy about the changes they've made from the LN...

Apr 2, 1:11 AM

#137

Toes26

Offline

Mar 2024

really similar to the original

Apr 2, 1:14 AM

#138

Kisai113

Offline

Nov 2018

241

Pretty good first ep. Gonna be a slow burn bu to see some of that famous chemistry.

Though yes you can see the edge of cg.

Apr 2, 1:14 AM

#139

NightlyData

Offline

Jan 2018

Reply to Mizaru_

@Mizaru_ they didn't show the viewer the full form. it happened really fast & when Lawrence got scared Holo immediately changed back to her human form

Apr 2, 1:15 AM

#140

Yugesai

Offline

Sep 2016

193

ARE WE READY FOR SOME ECONOMICS!
LET'S GOOOOU

Apr 2, 1:45 AM

#141

JanWiller06

Offline

Oct 2020

391

Holo is very naughty little doggy.

Apr 2, 1:48 AM

#142

YosepRA

Offline

Jun 2015

736

I'm 26 years old man right now, watching my ever so glorified Spice and Wolf. One of the series that I'm willing to stand up and defend for. And now I see Lawrence and Holo moving on my screen once again.

Boy... Time passes. But surely, it can be a good thing like what is happening right now.

Apr 2, 2:26 AM

#143

Ddard

Offline

Jan 2022

Top one of the best story out there. Holo best girl ever!!!

Apr 2, 2:27 AM

#144

davidyodo24

Offline

Oct 2019

7401

Holo!! 😍

Kevin Penkin with another Banger OST 🔥🔥🔥

I never got the chance to watch the OG, so this Remake is just perfect for me.

Apr 2, 2:43 AM

#145

superstorm1

Offline

Oct 2016

I was initially a little worried with this as the studios track record wasn't the most stellar when it comes to anime but seeing the first episode, those concerns have been mainly dispelled. The CGI while looks a little jank at some moments (when holo is rising out of the wagon) it is primarily not CGI and the non-cgi parts look beautiful. The music is also fantastic with tracks that rival the original and with some even arguably better. while its missing some stuff that really i feel like added to the characters and atmosphere in the light novels it is quite a faithful adaptation and really is a strong introduction for people to the start of one of my favorite adventures of all time. Overall, I am so so happy they actually released this. My friends always called me cope for hoping for a s3 of spice and wolf since i initially watched it in 2009. While this is not a sequel, seeing a remake of this quality is literally seeing one of my dreams come true and I hope this time it gets a similar treatment to fruits basket and we could hopefully watch Lawrence and Holo go to the end of their journey.

superstorm1Apr 2, 2:50 AM

Apr 2, 3:40 AM

#146

Saro2775

Offline

Dec 2010

PEAK.
I literally cried for 5 minutes because I was so emotional after I heard Holo's voice for the first time in 15 years.

I love it. I don't care about the changes in the art or that Passione is tasked with it (srsly, what's the issue?), and for a show like Spice and Wolf it really doesn't matter how well it's animated or something like that as it's mostly based on the dialogue, the writing and just the overall narration.

I already yearn for next week.

Apr 2, 3:41 AM

#147

Saro2775

Offline

Dec 2010

Reply to davidyodo24

Holo!! 😍

Kevin Penkin with another Banger OST 🔥🔥🔥

I never got the chance to watch the OG, so this Remake is just perfect for me.

@davidyodo24 The original is still on Crunchyroll if you have access to the US catalogue

Saro2775Apr 2, 3:46 AM

Apr 2, 4:49 AM

#148

StateofOhayo

Offline

Dec 2018

3886

Holy shit, that open with the story, dog you have no idea how long i've been waiting for this shit I am practically crying right now.

Apr 2, 4:59 AM

#149

Mizaru_

Offline

May 2022

MiaAyende said:
I love that they kept the visual style of the ED from the original

@Mizaru_

There's a brief flash of a lot more fur just before he falls back in fear... that's all they show for now. She changed back quickly because he was so scared

Ahhh okay thank you

Apr 2, 5:00 AM

#150

Mizaru_

Offline

May 2022

NightlyData said:
@Mizaru_ they didn't show the viewer the full form. it happened really fast & when Lawrence got scared Holo immediately changed back to her human form

Ah aight, I was so confused xD

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