(this show has dub suggestion by me over sub. Dub has better dialog translation and Holo sounds older than 15, as she should)
A wise man once said that it is not the destination, but the journey that defines us. The journey of life if you will. And no other show I have watch has shown me this more than Spice and Wolf. Spice and wolf is the story of a travelling merchant named Lawrence during what appears to be the enlightenment era in Europe. This Merchant one day finds a naked women in his cart(hair censored ftw). Who then in turn reveals herself as a wolf spirit named Holo. Holo who had been worshiped as a god of harvest in the town he just traded in; has left because the people have stopped praying to her and pray only to the "one god"(allot of gawd talk in this anime as is for the period). The Merchant then agrees to take the goddess back north to her homeland. This enlightenment Merchant being some what god raised (as was for period) is somewhat disturbed by taking a "pagan goddess", but soon gets over it and their journey begins.
Now that the introductions of plot and main characters are out of the way shall i discuses what it did well and wrong? And whether you as the reader should or shouldn't watch it due to your tastes?
Story 9/10: Now why 9/10? I probably would normally give an 8/10 for this story and was debating as such, but I leaned to 9/10. This is due the story being of a certain taste. Spice and wolf is extremely dialog heavy. There is barely any action what so ever. The interesting part though is the characters and their journeys through the lands. This is accompanied not by roving bands of bandits, but business deals and carefully calculated economics. Its the betrayals and deals via business and the ways our "wise wolf" goddess and our "experience" merchant handle every situation. This is basically the entire story. If you want some over arching plot with action everywhere go back to the shonnens . But, if you want a well crafted episodic journey with witty dialog and surprisingly interesting economics then you should press on.
Art:7/10 Nothing special ok for its time, was done by a new animation company and had a somewhat low budget. Yet, is not bad by any standards.
Sound:8/10 Some medieval jaunts and other tunes in osts. Yet, the Opening is completely divine. It is sung by the voices of the main characters and sets the tone so well it scares me. Yet, no other songs stick out. Thus only +1 from average(ratting scale on profile)
Character:10/10 OK the dialog is the show. The two main protagonist are the show. Spic and wolf is told by the perspective of both of the mains, and follows which ever when the times calls for it. Though it follows the perspective of mainly Lawrence the merchant. The interaction is amazing, its right on par with Steins;Gate and if you thought that was good you'll like Spice and wolf's characters. Let us start with Holo, she i s wolf goddess that has been in a filed of wheat for 700 years and is some what depressed and rarely shows it as she is peppy and witty most of the time. After being stuck in a field for 700 years and has not seen anything outside the old village. She then enjoys all the new sights and tastes on her journey. As she discovers each thing, you also feel that you discover it. Lawrence though is an Honest peddler and goes from place to place. He is overly good nature d, yet extremely shrew when it comes to his work. In Spice and Wolf many Characters are introduced, but it never goes to their perspective, though each in unique and adds their own flair to the plot. Thus flawless in character.
Enjoyment:10/10 I loved this show, was very good watch for my tastes especially. The Nature of the plot and the interactions of the characters work in near harmony. Yet, for some this show may be too slow paced and monotonous. Yet, Spice and Wolf teaches us that sometimes one needs to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy the journey of life. Thus Spice and Wolf gets a 9/10
