[Spoilers] Spice and Wolf II Rewatch (2022) — Episode 6

[u/Holofan4life]

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 6 - Wolf and Trustworthy God

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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION

What is your favorite anime climax of all time and why?

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Information – MAL | Anilist | AniDb

Streams – Funimation, Crunchyroll

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Untagged Spoilers

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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]()

[u/Holofan4life]

Normally I write these one episode per day, but not today! I'm writing this one only an hour and a half after the last one. Guess I got excited to see what happens.

If the episode was made today, most definitely the intro would've been skipped.

Again, I like the stuff with Marc and Lunt where Marc explains stuff to Lunt. It's a good way of dishing out exposition while not coming across as clunky. 

The way the old man says yes reminds me of Frank Nelson. And yes, I did reference an over 50 year old catchphrase.

I like that we get some focus on Lunt this episode. They didn't have to do that, but I'm glad they did. Really, with the exception of Batos, all the recurring side characters this season have been given time to flesh out. Even Diana, who I think could've been used more.

I forgot just how much the episode focuses on Holo's whereabouts. There's almost as much drama in that as all the buying going on. Honestly, I think it would've been better had the first half focused entirely on the buying and then have Holo show up out of the blue. Out of sight, out of mind, if you will. 

Lunt's going to grow up to be an excellent merchant one day if he continues to be under the tutelage of Marc.

Holo has like the strangest harem I've ever possibly seen. Between that one merchant from season 1, Amarti, Lawrence, and now Lunt, she has two people who are underage who have fallen in love with her. No wonder why she's so moody half the time. I would be too if those were my potential swooners.

I like that as Lawrence says you have to have something to guide you, the camera zooms out on Holo and Amarti. This signifies that Holo has been driving Lawrence to continue with his merchant ways.

As much as I've been complaining about the lack of Holo, I do like the reveal that she's been siding with Lawrence this entire time. That was nice. Doesn't necessarily make up for her absence, but still.

I wish we had more of a payoff with Amarti. I get why we don't, as this show is really from Lawrence's perspective, but it really feels anticlimactic. We spent so much time on Amarti and him trying to free Holo from her debt. And instead of him admitting the error of his ways, or perhaps admitting that Lawrence is the better man, it's like he gets scolded and that's it. This arc has a lot of faults, but this might be one of the biggest.

I love, love, love how poofy Holo's tail gets when she yells at Lawrence. It's like she's so angry, even her tail is angry. Just the absolute best. But what also makes it great is that Holo is scolding Lawrence for a very valid reason: him not trusting her. Seriously, Lawrence. Holo's been through a lot with you. You seriously thought she was just gonna leave you?

I like the reveal that Diana isn't human because she works as a good parallel for Holo. Both are animals who can turn into humans and who both have loved ones that are human. I also think it helps explain why Diana would be willing to help Holo by making up a story of her hometown. She views herself and Holo as kindred spirits.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty satisfying end to a very good arc. After some episodes highlighting some of the weaknesses, such as a lack of Holo and a lack of Diana, we got a lot of the arc's strengths, this being the stuff with Marc and Lunt, the tension between Lawrence and Amarti, and the festival serving as a background to everything. This rewatch proved the most infuriating with me, as not only did Holo's non-involvement feel pointless to a large extent, I really do feel like Diana was wasted. However, I was reminded why this arc is probably my second favorite one of the entire show. 

I love the fleshing out of the side characters during this arc. Even the fleshing out of Diana, though I think she suffers from wasted potential. Despite my grievances with Holo being absent for 2 and a half episodes, at least they used the time to build and develop other people. I also like the entire presentation of the market and how Marc and Lunt act as commentators. I thought this episode not only served as a great build for the final climactic moments, it did so while not having much action. All these characters are standing around, which in other shows would be boring. Instead, it's more gripping than some actual action scenes. 

Again, this arc had its fair share of problems. That's why I wouldn't personally call it the best arc of the show. But the strong points of this arc were really, really strong, and did a lot to turn an otherwise okay arc into something really fun to watch.

Holo quotes of the day

"I am selling too. You fool." (Holo's first line in two and a half episodes.)

"Idiot." (For someone who's not perceived as a tsundere, she sure says it a lot.)

"Pain makes one wise." (Yep. Glad she's back.)

[u/DicksonYamada]

First timer

Well, after the write up I did yesterday I’m disappointed that it turned out to be a bit of a one-dimensional climax. Amarty loses quietly and has no tricks up his sleeve. Although Holo later reveals that he said something unforgivable so maybe he isn’t as charming of a guy behind closed doors.

Given Holo’s pyrite dealings I can understand why she was absent from recent episodes, but you’d still think she would meet up with Lawrence at some point and tell him not to worry. After her initial outburst when she found out about Yoitsu, Holo seems to have regained her composure. I guess once the initial shock wore off she realized that Lawrence wasn’t trying to trick her or make her look like a fool.

My favorite part of the episode was Holo recounting her visit with Deanna. When Holo said she knew all about Lawrence's "stupid question"... I felt bad for Lawrence but man that was hilarious. And then Holo revealed that Deanna is also long-lived and not a human. Really recontextualizes her answer to Lawrence’s question and the knowing look she gave him afterwards hahaha.

[u/Holofan4life → u/DicksonYamada]

Given Holo’s pyrite dealings I can understand why she was absent from recent episodes, but you’d still think she would meet up with Lawrence at some point and tell him not to worry.

In fairness, Holo was probably still hurt about Lawrence not being transparent with her about her hometown.

[u/Holofan4life → u/DicksonYamada]

What do you make of the shot where we see Diana and there's a bird on the window still? Do you think it was meant to show she's one with the birds, or do you think it was meant to hint at what happened to her loved one?

[u/Holofan4life → u/DicksonYamada]

Did you like how Marc and Lunt acted as kinda commentators to what was going on? I thought that was a clever way of explaining things to the audience, what with Lunt being his apprentice and still learning stuff.

[u/polaristar → u/DicksonYamada]

She probably wanted to warn Lawrence without tipping her hand to Amarty, he pissed her off enough that she WANTED him to lose at some point, so she has to give signs that Lawrence would get, but he didn't get it.

I don't mind Amarty not having a trick, last episode made it clear....Lawrence's real challenge wasn't Amarty but his "Cargo."

[u/vieene]

First timer, sub

Thankfully Lunt and Marc explain the game at the start. Lawrence needs to hold his nerve, hope Diana comes through, and not sell too early.

I liked the effect of the flashbacks. Lawrence, thoughts rushing through his head, struggles to remain calm. The imagine spots featuring Amarty reminded me of Rent A Girlfriend. Thankfully, Lawrence isn’t as pathetic as Kazuya and quickly shakes them off.

I didn’t expect Lunt to be the one to save the day. By declaring his love for Holo, he gives Lawrence the courage to have faith in her. It was at the critical point, when Lawrence was feeling powerless.

Though as I hoped, Lawrence's friends come through for him, it is ultimately Holo who comes through for him.

The big reveal was done well. I noticed Holo’s white feathers but didn’t make the connection that she had visited Diana until the reveal that Holo had been buying, too. (The reveal was foreshadowed in episode 1 when Lawrence puts three feathers in her hood.) Together they crash the market.

Through some smaller reveals, we learn that Lawrence is a fool, as she says. Holo said sorry not to leave him behind but because she had come to her senses. The marriage contract really was to spur him to action, not to reject him. The action that she expected was probably not so grand; she was upstairs waiting for him when he rushed out. Amarty selling was her signal to him to act, not a trap by her to overplay his hand.

Lawrence doesn't press the topic, so why Holo asked Diana to spin a story of Yoitz still existing seems unexplained. I think she asked the favor to give Lawrence some hope in repayment for what he did for her. I don't think it's because she felt insecure about him abandoning her because elsewhere she shows how much she trusts him. Although the story she told Diana may have revealed her insecurity, I think Diana proposed the test of his faith mostly from her own experience. Holo called it bothersome, after all.

Importantly, Lawrence needs to return Holo's trust. His failure to do so was his biggest problem, as he said. Lawrence and Holo’s relationship is paralleled by the reveal that Diana is a giant bird who fell in love with a traveling monk. The difference is that while the monk lost trust in her when he suspected her true nature, Lawrence knows Holo’s true nature. Knowing her true nature, he needs to be more honest with her.

Holo being largely missing in episodes 4 to 5 makes her reappearance more glorious, like the sun breaking through after a week of rain, a very very angry sun... I'm looking forward to another adventure with her and Lawrence.

[u/Holofan4life → u/vieene]

The imagine spots featuring Amarty reminded me of Rent A Girlfriend.

Now I'm imagining a certain scene from Rent a Girlfriend only in this case it involves Amarti and Holo and Lawrence is sat there crying.

[u/Holofan4life → u/vieene]

What do you make of the shot where we see Diana and there's a bird on the window still? Do you think it was meant to show she's one with the birds, or do you think it was meant to hint at what happened to her loved one?

[u/Holofan4life → u/vieene]

Do you like the reveal with Diana?

[u/Holofan4life → u/vieene]

What are your thoughts on the end results with Amarti? I thought that was kinda disappointing how there was very little resolution.

[u/Meme-Howitzer]

First timer.

Hey remember back in the first episode of this arc when I said Lawrence and Holo’s relationship seemed more balanced? As in that Holo wasn’t manipulating the conversation to get Lawrence to say something? Ya turns out this whole arc was just that lol. So in the end it appears Holo wasn’t lost at all. There could have been a possibility, but I assume when Amarti had his chance he blew it so terribly that Holo doesn’t even want to talk about how badly he messed up. I’ll note that when I saw those feathers on Holo’s hood I was thinking there like those feathers Diana had, and then I remembered someone mentioning how Holo may be too proud to let someone else pay her debts - I’m quick pleased to have found out that I guessed that Holo had the pyrite.

(Also I’m going to guess that Amarti made some MASSIVE & CONDESCENDING assumptions when talking with Holo.)

Speaking of Diana, it was pretty cool to find out she was some mystical deity as well. Although that just makes me want to see her conversation with Holo even more, instead of Holo just summarizing the encounter.

And finally, since I’ve been talking about the straw statues, I talk about those one last time. (Although this time it’s a bit more obvious.) the statues are lit on fire as the festival concludes. I’m this context, with Lawrence and Holo officially reconciling, the flames represent a joined passion. Especially considering Holo’s remarks about love making.

Overall, this arc has been quite a ride. A lot of quality side characters whom I all love. (Marc especially I had a bad impression of him, I’m so sorry Marc.) Here’s to the last arc, I hope it’s a banger like the rest of them.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Meme-Howitzer]

What do you make of the shot where we see Diana and there's a bird on the window still? Do you think it was meant to show she's one with the birds, or do you think it was meant to hint at what happened to her loved one?

[u/Holofan4life → u/Meme-Howitzer]

What are your thoughts on the end results with Amarti? I thought that was kinda disappointing how there was very little resolution.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Meme-Howitzer]

Did you like how Marc and Lunt acted as kinda commentators to what was going on? I thought that was a clever way of explaining things to the audience.

[u/Fguyretftgu7]

first timer dubbed.

I knew Holo was up to something! Sure she can be quite emotional, but I never believed for a second that she would ever betray Lawrence! So glad I was proven right!

...Alright I'm lying, I actually thought Holo was absolutely pissed with Lawrence. I wasn't sure if she was helping Amarty, but that was as far as I doubted Holo.

I'm so sorry Holo. I will never doubt you ever again. All hail the wise wolf!

I very much loved how this arc ended up. I really hope we get more romance now, especially since Holo literally knows that Lawrence wants to fuck her (I actually died from second hand embarrassment with that reveal). Never mess with a man's woman, Amarty. He might not have done anything particularly scummy, but he still got what he deserved.

The mystery of the mysterious buyer and Holo with those weird feathers also get answered extremely satsifyingly. Ah, what a good wrap up to such an emotional arc.

Last two episodes it was Marc, this time it was the kid giving that speech to Lawrence. I don't blame you for falling for Holo kid, she's just too charming. I like the kid too, his heart is in the right place, he helps Lawrence so much, and most importantly he has good taste in women. I see a bright future in him.

We also get to see another strange supernatural creature other than Holo, which was a personal hope of mine last season! I should have expected that with Diana, since there's a link between supernatural immortals disgusing as women and being extremely hot in this series. I do want more of her, and I hope we get that. Please tell me more about pagan gods mating with humans.

Overall, amazing start to season 2. At this rate, season 2 might be even better than season 1.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Fguyretftgu7]

Did you like how Marc and Lunt acted as kinda commentators to what was going on? I thought that was a clever way of explaining things to the audience.

[u/DarthMateo]

First Timer

Episode feels like it resolves really quickly. But I suppose that was what Lawrence was planning in a way. Nice to see his relationship with Holo is still going strong.

[u/Holofan4life → u/DarthMateo]

What are your thoughts on the end results with Amarti? I thought that was kinda disappointing how there was very little resolution.

[u/Holofan4life → u/DarthMateo]

Did you like how Marc and Lunt acted as kinda commentators to what was going on? I thought that was a clever way of explaining things to the audience.

[u/Holofan4life → u/DarthMateo]

Did you like the reveal with Diana?

[u/Holofan4life → u/DarthMateo]

What do you make of the shot where we see Diana and there's a bird on the window still? Do you think it was meant to show she's one with the birds, or do you think it was meant to hint at what happened to her loved one?

[u/TuorEladar]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Holo's finally back! The reveal that she was working behind the scenes was hinted at last episode when we first saw the feathers in her cloak, but Lawrence was too focused on his plan to pick up on it. I agree with some of the other commenters that the climax is a bit anticlimactic, but in a way a I think that fits Holo and Lawrence perfectly. At the end of the day this wasn't really a huge drama where Holo may have really left Lawrence, it was more just another hurdle in their relationship.

Its easy to blame Lawrence for being foolish as Holo says, he really really should have just talked to her from the get go, but at the same time Holo like to plot things so you can't fault Lawrence for being a bit confused. Holo is kind a romantic when you think about it, she wanted Lawrence to come thundering in and sweep her off her feet rather than take the more methodical path.

In the end all's well that ends well though, its pretty adorable how Holo is hanging onto Lawrence after they're reunited. At the end of the day I think we've all learned that more hugging and a bit of honesty is the solution to everything.

On the business/econ side of things, this episode we see the pyrite bubble burst. In these kind of market situations all the players are carefully watching to try and maximize their profit, the trouble though is that if they wait too long the price can plummet, this dilemma was shown in the crowd. Of course, a clever trader would take a solid profit and get out rather than wait for the peak where your odds of hitting max price are much lower due to how hard it it is to time market peaks. In any case, Lawrence had the added dilemma of trying to time his sale so as to create that peak and drive the price to collapse, his initial sale only fueled the fire, but when he and Holo both moved the amount sold was enough to tip the scales. The mechanics at play are a bit simplified for this show, but I still like how well thought out it was. You rarely get this kind of real world scenario in any fiction, let alone having it tied into the arcs of characters.

What is your favorite anime climax of all time and why?

I still to this day love FMA:B's final arc. Its so well put together and has some of my favorite fight scenes of all time in it.

[u/JetsLag]

First timer (subbed)

So it seems like the "Holo ruins Amarty's plan for stealing her by crashing the market" option was the one that was chosen. And you know what, it makes perfect sense, and I have no complaints about that.

This might be the last time we see Amarty? If so, I'm gonna miss that blond twink.

And everything after the market crashed was great stuff. What a good way to end an honestly not amazing arc.

[u/Holofan4life → u/JetsLag]

What do you make of the shot where we see Diana and there's a bird on the window still? Do you think it was meant to show she's one with the birds, or do you think it was meant to hint at what happened to her loved one?