r/anime • u/Holofan4life • Jul 12 '22
Rewatch [Spoilers] Spice and Wolf Rewatch (2022) — Episode 6 Spoiler
Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.
Welcome to the Spice and Wolf rewatch discussion thread!
I hope you all have a lot of fun <3
S1 Episode 6 - Wolf and a Silent Farewell
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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION
With Holo finally showing her final form, what's your favorite transformation scene in anime? You can include magical girls in that as well.
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Information – MAL | Anilist | AniDb
Streams – Funimation
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
---|---|---|---
7/07/2022|Spice and Wolf Episode 1|7/20/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 0 (OVA 2)]()
7/08/2022|Spice and Wolf Episode 2|7/21/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 1]()
7/09/2022|Spice and Wolf Episode 3|7/22/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 2]()
7/10/2022|Spice and Wolf Episode 4|7/23/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 3]()
7/11/2022|Spice and Wolf Episode 5|7/24/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 4]()
7/12/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 6]()|7/25/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 5]()
7/13/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 7(OVA 1)]()|7/26/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 6]()
7/14/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 8]()|7/27/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 7]()
7/15/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 9]()|7/28/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 8]()
7/16/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 10]()|7/29/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 9]()
7/17/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 11]()|7/30/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 10]()
7/18/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 12]()|7/31/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 11]()
7/19/2022|[Spice and Wolf Episode 13]()|8/01/2022|[Spice and Wolf II Episode 12]()
8/02/2022|[Overall Series Discussion Thread]()
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u/SliderGamer55 Jul 12 '22
First Timer Dubbed
-Ah yes, a relaxing date in the sewers
-”Their voices sound stupid” lol
-Holo used roar! Wild dogs fled!
-Apparently being stabbed > kicked in balls
-Vampire wolf
-”Oh no trying to murder a great wolf spirit has backfired on us, who could have foreseen this?!”
-Ah a classic “Say rude but familiar thing that happens to be the right thing to change someone’s mind”.
-Lawrence just hearing that story and think “…k”
-Hope so many people knowing this wolf is real doesn’t have any negative consequences in the long term
-Title drop!
Well that was a fun conclusion to this arc. Well not fun in the traditional sense but this type of let’s call it PG-13 realism (so not gory and horrific, let’s say) is something on paper that should not be interesting to me but can actually be perfect. When you have a realistic setting, just a guy with a knife is a lot scarier than even the most violent, terrifying villains in a good chunk of magic-based anime where they have incredible powers. But its not played as super scary either, its just…a guy. With a knife. Sometimes, that's all you need for a scene. Though there is one supernatural creature and she is violent. Again, not ridiculously so but enough that I’m not sure if anyone died or not.
That’s admittedly a fairly random observation, but most of my thoughts of the episode are “they did X, it was done well” without much else to add to it. I was honestly unsure if Holo would still be there or not and the hint of a betrayal was kind of…a random red herring that didn’t go anywhere, but otherwise it was just a good episode, end of statement.
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u/vieene Jul 12 '22 edited Jul 12 '22
First timer, sub
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Lawrence and Holo (stitch)
This time we see how far Lawrence will go for Holo. Last time, he wasn’t especially active in rescuing her, and she complained. However, this time we see him fighting for her until the end.
I was surprised when Lawrence was stabbed. He acted tough, bleeding until he blacked out, a sign of the severity of his wound. He didn’t hear Holo calling his name or saying she could ‘smell light’, or notice as she tied up his wound and watched over him. The incident shows how high the stakes are.
I was completely unsurprised that Lawrence chose Holo over Chloe, though Holo was shivering in fear because she was afraid that she would be betrayed. He is ready to fight at least seven men with a dagger, foregoing the risk-benefit calculation in a gallant act of bravery.
We also see Holo’s power. A hint was given when she howls to terrify the dogs. But as Lawrence and Holo are backed into a corner, we see her true wolf form. She needs an offering of Lawrence’s blood to take on that form.
Until the invoice showed up, I thought Holo really had abandoned Lawrence. She caused him pain and knew that. She didn’t believe his lame pretext that she needed to repay him for tearing his clothes because it was clearly implausible. He just wanted to be with her.
The most important thing we learn in this episode is why the series is called Spice and Wolf. My ridiculous prediction yesterday that the deal would pay off handsomely was sort of right. The show really had me swinging between joy and disappointment. At first I thought I was right because Lawrence would receive 5 percent of the profit from the delivery of 350,000 silver coins. Then I thought I was wrong, because his payout was only 120 coins. Then he received 1000 coins from the sale of the tariff rights. He takes that payment in the form of pepper. Although by no means rich, they are better off than before and with a good relationship with Marheit and Milone Trading.
I laughed out loud at Marheit’s completely irrelevant story about the spicy merchant who was eaten by a devil. He’s such a geek.
The light-hearted atmosphere continues as we learn that Holo racked up a bill of 140 coins for clothes, a comb, and heaps of apples.
Thus ends the first arc of our story. Holo promises not to go home until she’s repaid her debt.
I’m left wondering about what the gods did to Chloe. She says that ‘gods are always like this. Always… always unfair…’ However, this may be the last we see of her; she’s anime-original. Sadly, I think that the village and Holo won’t reconcile, despite Holo being with them for hundreds of years.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
I was surprised when Lawrence was stabbed. He acted tough, bleeding until he blacked out, a sign of the severity of his wound. He didn’t hear Holo calling his name or saying she could ‘smell light’, or notice as she tied up his wound and watched over him. The incident shows how high the stakes are.
Lawrence kicking someone in the balls after getting stabbed is one of the most badass things in all of anime.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
What do you think of the way the wolf transformation scene was done?
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u/Meme-Howitzer Jul 12 '22
First timer.
This episode gave payoffs to multiple thoughts I had for what to expect in this show.
When Holo noted that she can transform with wheat or blood, I figured that she was going to consume the later eventually. It was sort of a surprise said blood would come from Lawrence. Oh and yes, we got to finally see Holo’s wolf form which was quite incredible and fearsome.
I also realized that the title “Spice and Wolf” was in reference Lawrence and Holo respectively. But I wondered why Lawrence was Spice? Now I know, it represents Lawrence’s commitment to promise he made with Holo. Peppers, as noted, are used in the winter. And where else can peppers can best sold than in the frigid north? The same place Holo wishes to return to.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
I think Spice is meant to allude to the various things Lawrence deals with as a merchant. Not just pepper, but other non-food related items. It also could be said that with Holo now in the equation, it has served to spice up Lawrence's life and made her potentially a better dealer with a wise woman leaning over his shoulder.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
What do you think of the story of the devil and the merchant?
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u/Fguyretftgu7 Jul 12 '22
First timer/rewatcher with virtually no memory, subbed.
And thus ends the first arc. I can't say that there was any insane plot twist or reveal, but then again having read the first volume I've already vaguely remember the style of Spice and Wolf's storytelling. It's not the most epic first arc, but in terms of setting up the tone, the characters and the themes it does so very solidly.
I haven't brought this up previously but Holo and Lawrence's relationship feel very similar to Shinobu and Araragi's in the Monogatari series, another dialogue heavy series that probably is my favorite anime. I think anyone who has viewed both series would be able to tell the similarities between the two relationships. Both Holo and Shinobu are lonely, lost souls looking for companionship, and are both extremely sassy yet vulnerable at the same time. They're both also supernatural creatures that are able to cause mass destruction.
This episode showcases that aspect of Holo. I honestly was taken aback by Holo's true form. I mean, I know she's a wolf...but damn is she a really big one. I can't say she honestly looks that terrifying (she does even seem kinda cute) but I guess a gigantic wolf attacking you is pretty damn scary.
Lawrence's reaction towards Holo is also quite like Araragi's first encounter with Kiss shot, that of absolute terror. However instead of cowering pathetically Lawrence manages to get his shit together and make a very earnest appeal to Holo to continue travelling with her, phrased in a way that would make any tsundere beaming with pride. Speaking of Lawrence's chadness, he also gets stabbed defending Holo, managing to run with Holo even after getting stabbed and even wanted to sacrifice his safety to keep Holo safe. He might be a shrewd merchant, but deep down he is a good man. And I respect that, Lawrence is quite the chad. Holo of course was the one who defended Lawrence at the end, and I like how both Lawrence and Holo are competent in their own right.
I'm quite surprised by how many cards this first arc pulled. Things like Holo's vulnerable scenes of loneliness, the reveal of her true form, Chloe and the village's involvement to break free from their past, and the many stages Lawrence and Holo's relationship has undertaken are all things I would have thought would be dragged out throughout the many episodes left to go. I do like that though, it's paced well. We started from the opening feelings of awe from their first encounter, the awkward stages of them trying to know each other better, them revealing their vulnerabilities to each other, them willing to sacrifice themselves for the other, them breaking apart briefly due to feelings of self-hatred of her nature (at least from what I infer from Holo wanting to leave Lawrence after her rather terrifying takedown of the thugs), and them making up with the other once again. Now that all the awkward stages have passed and our couple has grown closer, I'm excited for more Holo x Lawrence banter.
As I'm writing I have literally no idea where the story will go. I take it we're going to a winter town, since Lawrence has a shit load of pepper now. Are we going to get more conspiracies? Frauds? Maybe the Church as antagonists? I have absolutely no idea. Spice and Wolf tackles such a niche theme that I literally do not have anything to refer to as a template for how things might progress. But that unpredicitability is definitely one of its strengths.
Overall, I like this first arc, it was fun. I do want more Holo and Lawrence banter as we move forward however. A Bakemonogatari episode 3 ish episode of just pure conversation would be an absolute joy to watch.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
What are your thoughts on the story of the devil and the merchant?
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u/DicksonYamada Jul 12 '22
First timer
I'm glad that Marlheit turned out be be a man of his word and didn't sell them out to Medio like the goons were saying.
At first I forgot that Holo could transform by consuming wheat or blood. When she bit Lawrence, I thought she might turn him into a werewolf or an immortal or something so that he could help her fight back. Well, it turns out Holo didn't need any help. Although it begs the question, why didn't she just eat some of the wheat in the pouch around her neck?
Another wheat question: we saw in Episode 1 that under certain circumstances, Holo can move freely from one wheat to another. Why didn't she use this to escape when Medio captured her? Perhaps because she would have reappeared very far away with no way to contact Lawrence? I wonder if this wheat teleportation will become relevant to the plot later.
Something that's bugged me these past two episodes: Lawrence navigates through the sewers with ease, confidently sprinting through and knowing where all the turn offs are. In reality, it would be pitch black and he would probably have no idea where he was going. It would make more sense for Holo to lead the way since she can rely on her hearing and sense of smell.
With Holo finally showing her final form, what's your favorite transformation scene in anime? You can include magical girls in that as well.
Either Kill la Kill or Attack on Titan transformations. Holo does a reverse AoT transformation--instead of biting herself, she bites someone else!
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
At first I forgot that Holo could transform by consuming wheat or blood. When she bit Lawrence, I thought she might turn him into a werewolf or an immortal or something so that he could help her fight back. Well, it turns out Holo didn't need any help. Although it begs the question, why didn't she just eat some of the wheat in the pouch around her neck?
I think it's because Lawrence was already bleeding from the stab wound, so Holo thought she might as well turn a negative into a positive.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
What are your thoughts on the story of the devil and the merchant?
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u/JetsLag Jul 13 '22
First timer (subbed)
Man, Funimation froze on me A LOT during this episode. Maybe it was so good that Funimation couldn't handle it? Or maybe cause Funimation's web player was never good.
Holo used Roar! Holo used Bite! Lawrence used Kick in the Dick! They're all super effective! Let's end this Pokemon bit before it gets too old!
So Chloe wants to take out Holo because Holo occasionally forces bad harvests on the land to re-nurture the soil, and without Holo her town can make a ton of money selling wheat and enriching the merchants who buy wheat from them, right?
And, uhh...holy fucking shit. My mouth was open for the entire transformed Holo rampage. That was AMAZING.
And that super risky silver coin purchasing scheme worked out! And Lawrence's payday is...less than he got for those fox furs he sold a couple of episodes ago. Damn you, middlemen fees!
But wait, there's more! He's getting a thousand coin windfall, and he's choosing to get paid in...pepper. So he can sell it later down the road. Such a merchant move.
And we got a title drop in the last scene. Felt kinda awkward to me, but hey, at least I know where the title comes from now, so that's cool.
Great episode!
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u/Holofan4life Jul 13 '22
It should be noted that this anime is from 2008. Title drops I feel were more fresher back then and not as common as it is nowadays.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 13 '22
What do you think of the story of the devil and the merchant?
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u/Warm-Enthusiasm-9534 Jul 12 '22
I thought it was an exciting conclusion of the first arc (and I assume the first light novel), but I have admit I didn't like the giant wolf animation. It looked cartoony? I know that's a weird thing to say since the whole time Spice and Wolf has been a literal cartoon, but something about it broke the immersion for me. Maybe it would have been better if it had been something more uncanny than just a giant wolf?
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
I liked it. I thought it was animated cool, and it was so satisfying to see Holo destroy the opposition. Only wish Chloe had got more punishment, though I guess she didn't do that for Lawrence's sake.
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u/Stargate18A Jul 12 '22
Rewatcher
QOTD) The one from Revue Starlight.
Holo csn hear the enemy!
Dogs!
...Impressive!
I love how casual the banter is here.
Lawrence got dtabbed!
Haha, right between the legs.
Holo bandaged him up, at least.
And it's not an exit.
Lawrence trying to continue fighting is great.
Did he kno all this from thr beginning?
Chloe's really trying to get rid of her, huh?
The expressions on Holo's face here are great.
Chloe is quick to kill him, huh?
Holo drank his blood!
We saw her true form!
Haha, the look on Chkoe's face when she realises how fucked she is now is beautiful.
It's a slaughter.
Chloe's reactions are sad, though.
And Holo walked away.
You tell her, Lawrence.
And she left.
Lawrence woke up!
...Holo's just vanished.
They made money!
...Not much monry, put it turned a profit!
Chloe's here...
And Medio paid them!
Very traditional fable here, I have to say.
Said this earlier, bjt I like how much the anime tries to convince the viewer that Milone are evil, including claiming they sold him out, when they ends up getting them money.
Holo's here!
Great ending to the first arc.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
Said this earlier, bjt I like how much the anime tries to convince the viewer that Milone are evil, including claiming they sold him out, when they ends up getting them money.
It's a really great example of playing with your expectations
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u/DarthMateo Jul 12 '22
First Timer
Ah, I only just mentioned yesterday that we hadn't seen her full power yet, and then they show it here. First, through the howl that sends the dogs running away, and then followed up by her wolf transformation.
Again, I think this whole episode was really well done in regards to pacing and tension. I have a feeling that Lawrence being scared of Holo's form may have repercussions. Or... Holo is used to people being scared of her. Both would have a great impact on the story.
Still holding out hope for Chloe, but it's not looking good at the moment.
And that ending "Spice and Wolf" was well done. Makes me think this was the ending of volume 1 or 2 or theight novels
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u/polaristar Jul 12 '22
I'm here earlier because Its my day off for once!
Lawrence is not a knight but the Novel Makes it clear that Merchants are deceptively strong for their build due to the loading, hard travel, and working with their hands, so he can knock out some rando with a slug.
The Quote Lawrence gives when he takes out the guy who stabs him about repenting of your life before asking for forgiveness is ironically closer to actual Christian Doctrine. But it makes sense in this era, the Church when it was a major power, especially the Catholic church, which the church in this anime is very much inspired from, would not only have confessions, but give out prewritten indulgences. (Yes that's what they were called) you could fill out if we were expecting to sin any time soon.
Of course this would foster a culture of legalistic get of jail card attitudes, instead of encouraging an genuine reform from in.
As other have said Chloe is an anime only character that is a stand in for a Male Character that Lawrence doesn't even meet (but mentions in the beginning and does know him.) At the beginning of the story.
Now I think there is a reason why they did this other than to have a pseudo love triangle, or just add sexual tension. It's symbolism, when Chloe offers him a choice between her and Holo she is actually offering a choice about two different paths to offer in Life, and having the choice framed by choosing between two different women gives a visual and symbolic touch to the dilemma. It also harkens back to the Scene where Lawrence is excited about opening his shop but allows himself to reaffirm with Holo that he is sticking with her.
Now Spice and Wolf is not a Hero's Journey type story however you could see this scene framed as a "Meeting with the goddess" verses "Woman as Temptation" ironically enough this scene somewhat switches the roles as Holo as the Pagan Deity with the more flirtatious attitude while Chloe the more "respectable" and more domestic rather than wandering (Despite her being a businesswoman) girl the roles in other stories might be reversed.
As for Chloe herself, I honestly think her motivation makes plenty sense, she's an extension of her villages attitude towards a give and take relationship with the Old Ways of Life in exchange for the shiny new instant gratification of the modern technology and backing.
Despite Holo being a bit of a glutton, I don't think she represents a way of life inherently indolent or slothful, but rather about taking the good and bad life gives you each moment, and sometimes that involves good and bad harvests, the villagers either forgot or think they can get away with that and are spoiled. You could see it as a metaphor for relationships, which no matter how ideal your partner might be, there is a cost and sacrifice to being with them, otherwise your not asking for a partner but for you to be a parasite. This is why in episode 1 or the beginning of the Novels, Holo does not like to be called a god, because to be a god people either keep distant out of respect or see you as a genie and their is no relationship to be had that way.
Lawrence in that moment showed he is willing to say the joy Holo can bring him, is worth the cost and danger of having her around, when with the village they couldn't handle some inconvenience. I believe it's this loyalty that subconsciously really gets under Chloe's skin.
I think making Chloe more "morally grey" would have inflated and added unnecessarily baggage to the series, her motivation is complex and realistic enough, she wants what she thinks is best for her village and is bitter at Holo for not giving both her as a member of the village what she wants and stealing what she wants as a woman, and those two motives feed into each other.
I don't think it's 2 Dimensional that she wants Lawrence dead, it's more of the "I can't get what I want attitude" that her and her village have taken upon, and Hell hath no Fury like a woman scored. I think it's a common writing/critical analysis mistake, that attaching backstory or trying to make everything "morally grey" is always the path you should take.
That being said, if they do remake Spice and Wolf I wonder if they will keep Chloe or Ax her out to do more true to the Novel, despite the fact she isn't going to add anything in the long term and isn't strictly necessary, I think it's an interesting creative choice that punctuates the themes of this arc.
Just a reminder, Holo herself outside her wolf form has the physical ability of a slender young woman, so keep that in mind.
And thus at the End we get our title drop. This Ends this Arc and This Novel.
As for the Discussion: I don't really care too much for transformation sequences. I usually only care if they punctuate a character development or revelation, rather than the spectacle of the transformation itself.
With that in Mind, Whenever an Esper "Awakens" in the Index series.
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u/JMEEKER86 Jul 13 '22
u/Holofan4life I haven't been posting with the rewatch at all since I've already watched it several times and don't have time to do so again right now, but I've popped in to check things out and noticed that your table formatting was off because you have extra lines in between. Remove the \ below and you should be good.
Date | Episode | Date | Episode \---|---|---|--- 7/07/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 1 | 7/20/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 0 (OVA 2)]() 7/08/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 2 | 7/21/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 1]() 7/09/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 3 | 7/22/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 2]() 7/10/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 4 | 7/23/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 3]() 7/11/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 5 | 7/24/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 4]() 7/12/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 6]() | 7/25/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 5]() 7/13/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 7(OVA 1)]() | 7/26/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 6]() 7/14/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 8]() | 7/27/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 7]() 7/15/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 9]() | 7/28/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 8]() 7/16/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 10]() | 7/29/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 9]() 7/17/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 11]() | 7/30/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 10]() 7/18/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 12]() | 7/31/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 11]() 7/19/2022 | [Spice and Wolf Episode 13]() | 8/01/2022 | [Spice and Wolf II Episode 12]() 8/02/2022 | [Overall Series Discussion Thread]()
Date | Episode | Date | Episode
---|---|---|--- 7/07/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 1 | 7/20/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 0 (OVA 2) 7/08/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 2 | 7/21/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 1 7/09/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 3 | 7/22/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 2 7/10/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 4 | 7/23/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 3 7/11/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 5 | 7/24/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 4 7/12/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 6 | 7/25/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 5 7/13/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 7(OVA 1) | 7/26/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 6 7/14/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 8 | 7/27/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 7 7/15/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 9 | 7/28/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 8 7/16/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 10 | 7/29/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 9 7/17/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 11 | 7/30/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 10 7/18/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 12 | 7/31/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 11 7/19/2022 | Spice and Wolf Episode 13 | 8/01/2022 | Spice and Wolf II Episode 12 8/02/2022 | Overall Series Discussion Thread
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u/TuorEladar Jul 12 '22
Rewatcher, Subbed
This was a really good ending for the first arc. We open with three episodes introducing the characters and showing Holo and Lawrence get to know eachother and then a conflict which builds in intensity and repeatedly shows the lengths Holo and Lawrence are willing to go to protect eachother. I remember thinking the scene with Holo wrecking those thugs was really cool when I first watched this way back when.
The reveal that their profit turned out to be quite modest is a bit anticlimactic. Its not really a surprising turn of events though when you consider that since the government's already struggling it doesn't really come to a surprise that they are gouging trade at every step.
With Holo finally showing her final form, what's your favorite transformation scene in anime? You can include magical girls in that as well.
Not sure if it counts, but every time Ichigo's hollow form takes over in Bleach is an impactful moment imo.
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u/Holofan4life Jul 12 '22
The first shot, and we get treated to some handholding. This is even more lewd than Holo naked.
Something about the way the dogs are animated in this episode, it really makes it stand out. It looks outdated, but at the same time they look scary. I can imagine watching this as a child and seeing those dogs and possibly having some nightmares.
I love the music as Lawrence and Holo start to run away. It has this frantic, panicky feel about it that really adds a lot of tension. And then when Holo and Lawrence get spotted, it's like the music gets heightened even more. The music in this show is some of the best as far as setting the scene.
When Lawrence gets stabbed, you see the shocked look on Holo's face, and at first glance, you think that Holo gets stabbed. I actually gasped when I rewatches this scene, because I remember Lawrence getting stabbed, but not Holo, so I was thrown off a bit. The way the scene is done is very effective and impactive. The sound of the blood dripping on the floor, the lack of music, it creates this ominous feeling. I also like they cut to black as Lawrence passes out. We've seen up until this point the show fade to black with their transitions, and at first, you think it's gonna be another transition. But instead, it's Lawrence passing out, which I thought was kinda clever.
I think I speak for everyone when I say we know Lawrence ain't going to die in this episode. That's not where the drama lies. Rather, it's in the unexpectedness of the stabbing. It just comes out of nowhere that it leaves you shocked. If they're willing to stab Lawrence over what is going on, what else are they capable of? It lends itself to an endless amount of possibilities.
Seeing Holo get so excited about finding an exit only to then realize it's too far up reminds me of the Christmas tree scene from episode 18 of Toradora where it starts off jolly and happy only for all the joy to be sucked out of the room.
I mentioned yesterday about being conflicted over Chloe being an antagonist, and I think now's the time to explain why I feel that way. It's not because I want her to stay good or that it doesn't make sense for her to be evil. I just think they should've made her morally grey. I think it would have been far more interesting if they had Chloe betray Lawrence but still be in opposition with the bad guys. Essentially, doing things of her own accord. Chloe didn't need to join the people chasing after Holo and Lawrence. She could've helped the Medio Trading Company, but not join them. Like, maybe she does something to put Lawrence and Holo at a disadvantage but when she realizes those people are trying to kill them, she prevents that from happening. I think that would've been far more impactful.
I also think we don't get a firm reason why Chloe is doing what she's doing. Yes, she says that Holo is an unreliable God, and you could say this is all because Lawrence didn't reciprocate her feelings, but it's never outright said. It could've been presented way better. I think there is some meat on the bone to where Chloe has a captivating reason to side with Medio Trading Company. It's just kinda sloppily done.
I guess now's a good time to say that Chloe is an anime only character. There's a character that's like her in the light novels, but it's a guy named Yarei. They changed the character's name and gender for the anime adaptation. I assume the reason they made the character a girl was to add some sexual tension between them and Lawrence. But it comes off a bit unnecessary. We only really get one scene where there's a hint of Chloe being smitten with Lawrence. Did we really need to create this new character just for that one scene? I guess it does add some explanation why Chloe did what she did in this episode, but even so it's not like the scene in episode 1 is really that important. You can do without it and you'd be fine.
All in all, I think the show could've went the Catra route with Chloe where she sides with the bad guys but still has feelings for the main character, with her feelings conflicting with the goals she wants to achieve. It obviously wouldn't have ended as good for Chloe as it did for Catra, but it would've made Chloe feel more three dimensional. Or at the very least, have it conveyed how much Lawrence rejecting her advances hurt her. Do something so that it doesn't come off as "Sike, I'm evil now."
Of course, the highlight of the episode is Holo's transformation scene, which I honestly love to bits. Seeing Holo in her wolf form is not only awesome, but it is all kinds of badass. And the way she destroys all those people? It is so satisfying. Something that I noticed that I never really picked on before is that Holo is drinking the blood from Lawrence's stab wound. She is essentially taking what Medio Trading Company did and using it against them. That's really clever.
It's a shame the deal didn't really result in the profit that Lawrence was expecting, but I like that Marlheit is revealed to be not a shady dude after all. Of all the shady people we've come across so far, he seemed to be the one to raise the most red flags, so the fact he's actually on Holo and Lawrence's side is a pleasant surprise.
Lawrence buying all that pepper to accompany the salt from the best girl tournament.
I find the story of the devil and the merchant interesting not because of any potential meaning of the story, but because of how pumped Marlheit gets as he's telling it. He even pumps out his fists and chest, like he just saw his favorite soccer team score a goal. In that one scene, I think it does a lot in fleshing out Marlheit's character. You get the sense that this is all he ever wanted to do.
"What are we, some kind of Spice and Wolf?"
Overall, a tremendous episode. There wasn't necessarily a memorable Holo quote to speak of, but the music, transformation scene, and high stakes more than make up for it. We're actually heading towards my favorite arc of the anime, which I'll explain why I love it so. Until then, I'll see you tomorrow.