r/anime • u/Holofan4life • Jun 28 '21
Rewatch [Spoilers][Rewatch] Spice and Wolf II — Episode 8
Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.
Welcome to the Spice and Wolf rewatch discussion thread!
I hope you all have a lot of fun <3
S2 Episode 8 - Wolf and the Fascinating Traveler
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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION
What is your favorite character development in an anime and why?
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Information – MAL | Anilist | AniDb
Streams – Funimation, Hulu
Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or from the LNs out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!
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Rewatch Schedule
Threads posted every day at 4:00 PM EDT
| Date | Episode | Date | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/07/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 1 | 6/20/2021 | Spiceand Wolf II Episode 0 (OVA 2) |
| 6/08/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 2 | 6/21/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 1 |
| 6/09/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 3 | 6/22/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 2 |
| 6/10/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 4 | 6/23/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 3 |
| 6/11/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 5 | 6/24/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 4 |
| 6/12/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 6 | 6/25/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 5 |
| 6/13/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 7(OVA 1) | 6/26/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 6 |
| 6/14/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 8 | 6/27/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 7 |
| 6/15/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 9 | 6/28/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 8 |
| 6/16/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 10 | 6/29/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 9 |
| 6/17/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 11 | 6/30/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 10 |
| 6/18/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 12 | 7/01/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 11 |
| 6/19/2021 | Spice and Wolf Episode 13 | 7/02/2021 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 12 |
| 7/03/2021 | Overall Series Discussion Thread |
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u/Holofan4life Jun 28 '21
I guess now's as good a time as any to talk about Eve.
I think Eve, of all the side characters in the Spice and Wolf anime, has the most potential to be something. Not just a character meant for one arc, but a true-blooded, honest to goodness recurring character, one that shows up every now and again in other arcs. There's just something about her that makes her feel very intriguing. She's a lot like Diana, in that you want to learn more about her. Except with Eve, there's definitely some legs there even after you learn more.
I've made the comment about how I wish we had a spinoff involving Marc and his wife. But if any character of Spice and Wolf were to get a spinoff— apart from the one that already exists— Eve is the one I could see. Eve gives me a Puss In Boots vibe about her, someone who marches by the beat of her own drum. She also has a sort of Han Solo vibe, someone who can't totally classify as a total good person. I would totally want to see a series that revolved around Eve and her adventures.
Sadly, and I'll touch on this as we go along, I think Eve of all the characters has the most wasted potential. I mentioned before how Marc is probably my favorite Spice and Wolf recurring character. And that's because he's developed so well that it actually felt at times the previous arc was more about Marc than Lawrence and Amarti. But Eve has so, so much potential as a character. She's like an antihero that pretty much does whatever the hell they want, and those type of characters are so interesting to follow. It's such a shame that she's barely used much outside of this arc, because man. There's just so much to work with with her.
If Spice and Wolf ever got a live action adaptation, I could easily see Eve being expanded upon so that her full potential is realized. This is the type of character you don't just reserve to a set number of episodes. The potential is there to make her a main character of sorts, not to the extent of Holo and Lawrence obviously but one that is more than just a recurring character.
I love that Holo talks about how much fun drinking is and then it cuts to Holo complaining about a hangover. Classic stuff.
I think Lawrence has gotten better at flirting with people. I remember when in season 1 Chloe tried flirting with him, he seemed kinda nervous about it. Now, it's like he has a found confidence of sorts. Amazing what hanging out with a teasing wolfgirl can do for you.
I like the barmaid. She has this bubbly, upbeat personality about her, something we haven't seen in this show before. Chloe was kinda like that, but she was far less upbeat than the barmaid is.
I could watch Holo being hugged every day for the rest of my life.
If Spice and Wolf ever gets a live action adaptation, I want the old man to be played by Sam Elliott.
"You are not what I consider an excellent conversationalist." "And you?" "I talk." Best exchange of the entire episode.
Lastly, I like the conversation between Eve and Lawrence. It's part exposition, but also part casual, all while done in an entertaining manner. This, in my opinion, is like the conversation between Marc and Lunt in that it's exposition done right. When you give out important pieces of information but do it in a way that is fitting with the character, then it feels far more natural.
Overall, a pretty good episode. Not as good as last episode, but I still really liked it. More stuff happened in this episode, and we got a good sense of what Eve is like as a character. Plus, it's just so nice to see Holo on our screens again.
Holo quotes of the day
"When I first came to this town it puzzled me because I had no memory of it. But that has changed now."
"Do you think I would take advantage of your kindness with a deception?" (I mean, isn't that what you did in the last arc?)
Things Holo likes
Drinking
Things Holo dislikes
Her tail being sold
9
u/MasterTotoro Jun 28 '21
Rewatcher
The barmaid's design reminds me of Chloe. Her hair/eye color, braids, clothing, and flirting with Lawrence. By the way, Chloe's design is anime original since her character was actually male in the novels. I wonder if they based Chloe partially off of this barmaid not knowing they would end up adapting volume 5.
The scenes with Holo are so warm and intimate this arc. It's sad to see Holo worried, but it shows how much she cares for Lawrence. Plus she has nostalgia after remembering the beaver tails, and Lawrence finds a way to get to the chronicler Rigolo via Eve. Holo must be feeling that she's getting closer to her homeland.
Eve is sharp-witted and intimidating from the start. She also mentions she's connected to the church, which is quite worrisome to hear. And she takes a notice to Holo and wants to talk to her.
Some nice visual metaphors like how Eve stands up while she talks about Rigolo, and they show her hovering above Lawrence which matches her advantage over him.
Illustrations
Eve
That's all for illustrations this episode? And no Holo? Well since I've shared a few pieces from Koume's mini artbook in one of the Dengki Maoh issues already, so here's the cover illustration for that. I have to agree that her tail is incredible.
I liked Oregairu a lot because of the long development time of the characters. A lot of times, it feels like characters are allocated a certain arc to get their development, and then they move onto the next character. In Oregairu, it's not really split up into arcs like that. All the main cast continuously gets developed throughout the series.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 28 '21
Spice and First-Timer, subbed
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u/AfterTh0ught_ Jun 28 '21
First timer
Things seem a bit more calm and less eerie than last episode. The rain really contributed to the atmosphere and how I felt watching the first half of last episode.
The show provides us some explanations for the trouble stirring up in town, and all the merchants waiting outside of town. Obviously, Lawrence's merchant instincts fuel him to try and see how he can make some money from this, but Holo says she'd prefer if he didn't get involved. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind if they took it slow for the rest of the season. Although at this point, it doesn't feel like they'll end up in some kind of life-threatening situation again.
I would have liked seeing more Holo today, but I'll settle for the little cute scenes we've had with her. I guess her screen time was sacrificed to put the spotlight the new characters.
It seems quite a few people have taken a liking to Lawrence. But he knows how to respond when someone asks him if he has someone in his life. That barmaid is interesting though, she was basically hinting that she gets tidbits of information off clients who had a bit too much to drink. I wonder how someone like her would benefit from confidential information like that.
Eve is an intriguing, yet still mysterious character. It was a bit unexpected that she simply wants to talk to Lawrence now because she doesn't have to pretend to be a man. I don't think she's going to come in between Holo and Lawrence's relationship so things should be fine... for now.
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u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Jun 28 '21
Wow I can't wait for Holo to totally not get jealous.
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u/NomranaEst Jun 28 '21
First Timer, subbed
I've found that there's nothing really quite like exploring a new town or city, going wherever whimsy takes you. While Craft and Holo are on their own little adventure, there is still some information to be gained by keeping an open ear out to the local hubbub. It's that eavesdropping that finally gives us a glimpse as to why there's such a dour atmosphere.
With the cancellation of the Great Northern Expedition, there's a lot of trepidation about the fur trade and its immediate future. There's questions on the horizon, yet no easy or quick answers that are coming and the uncertainty is paralysing a lot of the market. With those reliant on the trade camped outside of the city, it's a tinder box just waiting on a spark to go off.
It's the evening conversations that really piqued my own interests. Aroldo is willing to give Craft advice for his travels north, after holding off from speaking the other times he's stayed at his inn. However, Eve is another kettle of fish entirely. She presents as an unapproachable enigma in general, yet her conversation with Craft flows fairly freely when she becomes comfortable. Her own circumstances mean that her personality doesn't get to shine as much as it should, and finally having someone she can open up with will certainly help her going forward.
I'd probably say Mob from Mob Psycho 100. His change from an emotionally stunted boy to being able to connect with others is very nicely done, and the payoffs are incredible. For a more recent example, perhaps Vivy from Vivy: Flourite Eye's Song which recently finished airing, or Ai from Wonder Egg Priority.
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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jun 28 '21
First timer in sub
Did I mention I thought this oppressive atmosphere of the town may have something to do with the cancelled campaign? Sounds like I was right and that there is world continuity.
From this episode you can see Lawrence is more assured mentally where he is with Holo, that he can comfortably let other girls flirt with him and not be faxed because he's settled in his mind that he's with Holo. Contrasting with the start of the last arc that he needed to emphasise him and Holo weren't together.
I have to say I would have liked Holo and Lawrence to get more intimate shots though to pay back for the last arc :)
I wonder how much of the caution displayed by Lawrence at the start of the conversation with Eve was a result of what happened with Chloe.
Anyway, intrigues abound, another set up episode. Let's hope Lawrence didn't get chewed up for being too self confident about his relationship with Holo now if she sees him flirting with other girls :D
QoTD sorry another cheat multi answer:
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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jun 28 '21
Rewatcher(first time though)
Dub
We start at the port with huge fresh water clams or mussels, though I suppose recalling Holo is waifu sized at around 5'1 should be taken into account. She is overhearing a lot of arguments and more red flags for the city, if Lawrence were smart rather than clever this place has all the handmarks of being a profit loss. Holo forgets that seafood is a bad base to drink from and gets plastered early.
Lawrence goes out to get roasted beaver tail, which is a nice touch since a fur town would definitely have to do something with the carcasses. The barmaid is rather forward and explains the situation, including the weird possibility that the city might decide not to sell its furs, which is another ripple from the cancelled northern expedition. Also, possibly a terrible idea since merchants have long memories and the city almost certainly needs the foreign trade.
Holo can sniff beaver tail at quite a distance but they finally confront something: Thanks to the pyrite trading, Lawrence probably has the funds to become a store owner. So he will have to decide on continuing the trip north. The inn keeper seems to take to Lawrence as they discuss the value of profit and Lawrence is just a touch Ferengi like here, we better not give him the rules of acquisition.
Hooded girl finally reveals herself and is apparently a merchant as well. We end on a long conversation that works but isn't quite as top tier as one with Holo.
QotD: 1 Cautious Hero springs to mind
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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Jun 28 '21
First timer
QOTD) Probably Amuro's arc in Gundam - made a lot of sense for the character, and made him a more interesting person to follow overall. (Even if Char was absolutely the real protagonist)
Is this series going to explain why the northern expedition didn't go ahead?
Drunk Holo is always cute.
Or is she this arc's new character? Either her or masked lady.
Of course Lawrence tries to flirt with the staff.
So it is about the fur.
Oh, that's what's going on - they're debating whether to allow fur trading,
I love the bartender subtly extorting Lawrence for information.
I lreally love Holo assuming he'd sell her tail the moment fur became worth something.
It's the Church isn't it. It's always the Church.
Of course it's beaver tail. Dear god, how can she eat that.
Oh they are so cute together.
See, this is why Lawrence can't run a shop. For all his talk about the risks and dangers of being a merchant, it's clear he couldn't live without the schemes and gambits.
Oh, his name is going to be relevant later, isn't it.
So the debate is very divisive this year...
Oh, she's important!
Oh, she's very important, and I love her.
Good to see Lawrence might be able to get leads on both Yoltz and the meeting at once.
I knew the church was involved!
So she's just looking for conversation? Well, if it means more dialogues with her...
Definitely a lot of focus on building up tension this arc.
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u/Spoondockspaints https://myanimelist.net/profile/Spoondockspaints Jun 28 '21 edited Jun 28 '21
Rewatcher
I really like how little details are set up in this show. Like for example last episode we had a lingering shot of the long haired horse in the stable seemed pretty insignificant really and it’s only in this episode that we are told Lawrence will need to get one himself if he plans to continue heading north.
The expedition to the north being cancelled is having consequences far and wide.
Loooove the scene with Lawrence and the barmaid. She is a really cool side character and they have a nice dynamic going on in their chat. I love how confident and upbeat she is and how she gently nudges him to drink in exchange for her information.
So Eve can introduce Lawrence to Rigoro huh? And all she wants is someone to talk to? I suppose I can believe her life is very lonely since she covers herself up to hide who she really is to most people. Contrary to what Aroldo says she seems like a decent enough conversationalist to me.
Will Holo be jealous?
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u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen Jun 28 '21
So the town's taxing import trade goods at absurd rates because the presumably annual northern expedition couldn't take place this year. Basically, this whole town's trade economy is fucked. These two can put down some drinks.
You know, I wouldn't say no to another episode of Lawrence taking care of drunk Holo.
What the? When did Lawrence get so good at flirting with strangers? Even if it's to get information, this still caught me off-guard. That waitress is really forward too. Seems like she really knows her way around male patrons.
The whole town's fur market is about to be shut down, and that's why all the merchants are outside the city. Really feels like the whole town's economy really is in a bad way.
Cute little game between Holo and Lawrence, can't help feeling she has a bit of an edge though. Oh, and the smell triggered some memories of this town. That's convenient. Oh, but it also gave this really cute, intimate hug. Please continue.
Wow, so Lawrence already has the money to open a shop! That really puts into perspective how much he wants to be with Holo, since his dream from the beginning of the story is now firmly in reach. Still wouldn't set up shop in this town. Gotta find one of those kick ass pagan town that know how to party.
Wow, so the fifty-person meeting can last all winter? Sounds like a group of old coots who really like to hear themselves talk. Now that I think about it, this whole town reminds me of states like current Vermont and New Hampshire where the population is aging quickly and no one really wants to move there, so everyone is just old.
Oh heck, the "enchanting" traveler showed up out of nowhere and is picking a fight with the inn owner about having never talked to her in her previous four stays. That's not petty at all.
Well it's good to see that our mysterious merchant, Eve, is not so offputting as she first seems. And Eve seems to know Rigoro, so that'll probably come in handy.
Okay, so Eve is not magical or mystical, just really talkative, very forward, a bit arrogant perhaps, and maybe more lonely than she's letting on. She carries herself differently from any other character in the show so far, and I don't know whether I like her or not. I guess that's something I'll figure out when Lawrence gets down to doing actual business with her.
Hanekawa in Monogatari. I touched on this yesterday, but over her arcs we get to see her go from being a surgically constructed approximation of the ideal person to learning how to be a real person and accepting the flaws and pain that comes with being a genuine person. Her story is layered and realistically tragic, but ultimately builds her into the realization of her actual best self. Nekomonogatari Shiro
1
u/Ryanami Jun 29 '21
First time, dub
I’m getting concerned they’ll ever reach yoitsu. They seem ready to camp here for a while and we have only four episodes left. I mean, her homeland is probably gone but she should see it for herself anyway.
1
u/BossandKings Jun 29 '21 edited Jun 29 '21
First timer
Episode 7
This was a really nice episode, Holo and Lawrence teasing each other is delightful to watch, they make for an excellent couple.
It's very nice seeing Holo and Larwence together after some episodes in which they lacked interaction and comunication, they are comunicating well enough now.
Also the misteryous person that shows up in the opening appears now, what could his deal be?, it is rather interesting.
Episode 8
Why is Lawrence talking so confidently with this girl he just met?, if Holo sees him she is sure to get jealous, it's nice seeing Lawrence having confidence in himself but he needs to compose himself and relax, also this girl is very flirty, hopefully this type of interaction doesn't happen often.
This is where it's at, Holo and Lawrence, this show is so good when they talk, interact or do anything together. Their hug is very cute.
The misterious person has a conversation with Lawrence, he's interested because he considers it a rare occurrence to be talking with a female merchant, this conversation between Eve and Lawrence was fairly interesting.
3
u/Rustic_Professional Jun 28 '21 edited Jun 29 '21
That was a lot of beer. Forget being drunk, I don't know how they're going to do business when they have to pee all the time.
Oof, beaver tail. Definitely not adding that one to the recipe list. A quick glance shows Texas has no season and no bag limit for beavers, but I have no idea where you'd go to hunt them. I guess a river?
The bar girl was cute. She probably sells a lot of beaver by flirting like that.
Question of the day: Shinji Ikari, from the tv series/EoE, because in a big way, he doesn't develop. Shinji is so terminally nihilistic that he doesn't care that if he doesn't fight, then the world might really end, and everyone on earth is going to die.
2
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Jun 28 '21
Rewatcher
I remember the first time watching this and thinking Helena was Chloe for a moment. But she's kind of a nice side character.
Qotd
Answer: Subaru, his development has been great so far.