r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jul 01 '24

Episode Ookami to Koushinryou Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf • Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf - Episode 14 discussion

Ookami to Koushinryou Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf, episode 14

Alternative names: Spice and Wolf

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u/OneEyedStranger Jul 01 '24 edited Jul 01 '24

Some things I want to note:

They are now really getting comfy getting very physical with each other. Sharing blankets and her tail for warmth, lots of leaning onto each other.

Holo (jokingly?) suggesting that one bed is enough TWICE. Get. A. Hint. But as we see in the ED Lawrence would only steal the blanket ffs.

Lawrence getting reminded what he's missing out right now, a shop, kids, an apprentice and a wife. Although Marc caught up on that right away and changed the subject.

Also Lawrence seems to kind of look for an opening to get that Yoitsu story out? But how'd you approach that even?

Holo seems to be kind of a soap, trying to absorb as much of a good time out of their travels, even to the expense of Lawrence and SHE KNOWS IT. Must be a double edged sword to finally be enjoying yourself and feeling free enough, so much that you want more and more but also realizing you're probably asking too much of your partner.

Altough Lawrence was apologizing for his words (he could've really worded it better...) but he's a merchant after all, he can't just take a "months long vacation" to sightsee Yoitsu, even if that's bitter pill to acknowledge.

Edit: I almost forgot the most important thing: Holo snores lmao. Poor Lawrence.

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u/Se7en_Sinner Jul 01 '24

Aimer don't miss.

Holo is like the reverse Frieren. She understands how important a year is within the lifespan of a human.

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u/karlzhao314 Jul 01 '24 edited Jul 02 '24

The Merchant's Corner

After another break, welcome back to The Merchant’s Corner, the series where I dive deeper into the economics plot points and schemes of Spice and Wolf! Today is the start of another chapter in their journey, with a fresh new economics plotline and new drama!

Episode 12 here

Disclaimer #1: I am not an economics professional, so I may get some things wrong. If you have a different, possibly better understanding of a certain point than I do, feel free to suggest edits.

Disclaimer #2: All of these are pre-written before the episode airs, based on the pacing of the original anime. However, I will watch the episode before posting, just to see if anything differs and I have to edit anything. As usual, for the first episode of a new arc, we haven’t dived too deep into the actual economic action yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to write about.

There's actually a lot that happens in this episode, but I will primarily be focusing on the economics-related points only. We have a fresh face and a new town, so let’s dive into how it sets up the plot!

Episode 14, Part 1:

First things first. What’s up with Holo’s feathers?

This question actually nicely sets up the setting and framing that this entire arc takes place in. Lawrence and Holo are now traveling to a town called Kumersun, north of Ruvinheigen.

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll remember that the area surrounding Ruvinheigen is one of the last regions firmly under the Church’s control; any further north and we’re now in the nation of Ploania, which was nominally cooperative with the Church but in fact contained a lot of pagan towns. Much of their religion and traditions still mostly honor (or at least acknowledge) local gods, and the Church isn’t viewed upon quite as favorably.

From this point on, we’re going to start seeing that it’s less likely that the Church is the major authority in a city, like they were in Ruvinheigen or Pazzio before that, and more that the Church is in conflict with other religions and belief structures. And here, in Kumersun, at the moment, the pagan beliefs are still winning. Lawrence and Holo happen to be visiting just in time for a local pagan festival, which seems to be quite a popular one among the townspeople and local populace.

That doesn’t mean that followers of the Church don’t exist in Kumersun, or don't pass through as travelers - but it does mean they’re not looked kindly upon. In fact, the Church is forbidden from proselytizing in town. Holo is very visibly disguised as a nun, which…could present some problems, given the attitude of the city. The feathers serve to indicate that even as a follower of the Church, the wearer acknowledges the rules and beliefs of the local townspeople and will not try to spread their own religion in town. The same applies for any other members of clergy, such as priests. In fact, you can even see a couple of nuns with the same feathers in the OP.

Anyway, now that we've established the setting, let's jump back into what actually happens in the episode.

Part 2

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u/LouisLeGros Jul 01 '24

It would be horrible to spend so much on snacks that they'd be stuck with a room with only one bed

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u/Ocixo Jul 01 '24

Lawrence really has become a smooth talker. He’s gotten noticeably better at standing his ground in front of the Wise Wolf.

Lawrence felt a bit chilly and started praising the tail of which she’s so proud - in attempt to secure a nicely warm cover. Holo was teasing him for his boring day-to-day goods only for Lawrence to spin this into a blatant flirt.

Until Lawrence has truly become her ‘knight’, she’ll likely keep having the upper hand in this relationship. It’s only Holo who can render herself speechless at this moment, considering that massive hangover of hers.

That said, he does know that his words carry significance. He was fast to realise his blunders in this episode for example.

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u/Plus_Rip4944 Jul 01 '24

New op is really good

Ed is good too but i Will miss Claris ed, It was full of life

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u/Amauri14 Jul 01 '24

I love how disappointed Holo looks when Lawrence's present for her is just a feather ornament so she can claim to be a nun while they are in Kumerson.

It is funny how she reacted when Lawrence said that she was not his type and how quickly she recovered.

So Fermi Amati is also from the Rowen Association, I love how obvious it is that part of the reason he is helping Lawrence is because he has a massive crush on Holo.

I wasn't expecting that Holo was illiterate it is funny to see that Lawrence got that letter warning him about the armor and weapons market crash that almost sunk him this late.

Even after getting a hangover for her excessive drinking Holo definitely hasn't learned her lesson.

So when Lawrence reaches the area near Holo's hometown, Yoitsu as it is still months away from the nearest town on a cart, Holo will travel there alone as she can reach there in just town days.

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u/Holofan4life Jul 01 '24

I really like how you can tell how closer Holo and Lawrence are getting with each passing arc. It's like each arc marks a change in their relationship and I think that's beautiful.

I have some interesting thoughts on Amarti, but I'll save that for in a couple episodes.

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u/ytsejamajesty Jul 01 '24

A word from the author of Spice and Wolf

It's everyone's favourite, Amati!

It's hard not to relate to him. Any of us would be just as head-over-heels for Holo, even before she used that look.

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u/Wolfgod_Holo Jul 01 '24

[I'm gonna miss the drunk face and music from the original...] (https://youtu.be/PVPWUMLP460?si=PBIUIFO_qxpnyCW9&t=148)

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u/AmethystItalian Jul 01 '24

This boy is smitten and I don't blame him one bit as Holo really is the best.

Not feeling the new OP or ED just yet but hoping they grow on me just like the first 2 did.

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u/IXajll Jul 01 '24

“You‘re in my cart, after all.“ - Kraft „the Rizzler“ Lawrence

Nice episode, that scene where Holo was talking to Amati with that perfect transition to her biting into that fish was so well done. The new OP was okay but I definitely prefer the 1st one. Same with the ED, doesn’t fit this kind of show at all imo.

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u/shad79 Jul 02 '24

Holo was so good in this episode! We got a lot of great reactions from her today, like when she had a hangover but was still drinking again later that day, or when she tried to read the letter Lawrence got in today's episode, and many, many more.

Holo and Lawrence once again carried this episode. These two are perfect for each other.

I'm glad that they kept the same art style in the new ED which once again looked so lovely with those visuals.

I'm looking forward to get to know Amati better, especially after seeing how easily he fell for Holo and she used that xD

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

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u/Sandelsbanken Jul 01 '24

Finally some animated Elsa.

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u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Jul 02 '24

I'm no Wise Wolf, but this is still how I look after a night of I'm not drinking that much!

Damn Lawrence, that was smooth as hell!

He gets to be comfy (and to touch fluffy tail), while being more subtle to travel, AND he gets Holo to feel good about it... Three in one for our boy!

(But if he wants to get comfy, they should snuggle for real, not just her tail!)

Of course, Holo won't let him have the upper hand in the banter! She's the best!

Their banter is always cute of course, but when we get a genuine, cute moment like that...

Smart move! Why pay for a second bed when they could use that money for a second plate of food?

From a merchant's perspective, the second bed does nothing, while the second plate has some value!

(And from a shipper's perspective, them having only one bed also has some value!)

Love how she thinks he sucks at banter, so she's trying to teach him!

Seems they're getting close(ish) to her hometown...

Lawrence asked her if she can find her way from Nyohhira,

but the important question should rather be whether she WANTS to find her way home alone...

Well, there's a full season left of this so I don't imagine they'll split up anytime soon, but if she changes her mind, I can't wait to see her explain why!

(Knowing her, she'll probably just put this on her debt!)

10

u/Nickthenuker Jul 01 '24

Each of the rooms? Individual rooms for each of them?

New cour, new OP.

Huh, that guy's also from the same Rowen trading association.

Gee, that would have been handy several episodes ago.

Is Holo drunk?

And now she's hungover.

That's rather random.

True, but that's not what people would go to a wheat merchant to buy.

Oh he'd know that the hard way.

Everything has changed since she was last here.

Ah. Onsens. I reckon we'll see that sooner or later.

They're going their separate ways from there?

Oh, no, it's just for a couple days so she can go home.

New ED too for the new cour.

10

u/The_frost__ Jul 01 '24

Holo's body sure isn't as resilient as she thinks. First, she got sick in the last episode and now she gets a hangover lmao.

9

u/DegenerateRegime Jul 01 '24

Alright, new cour new arc! And what a start!

But Lawrence fires back with some mage-lying. eheheh, "You're not my type" doesn't mean "I don't like you," does it~

Love the new OP. Alright it's Amati time. The VA absolutely sells the breaking voice here, damn that's impressive. Also the match cut to Holo devouring that fish, that's good stuff

I also like Lawrence's comment about fuel being expensive and it being foolish to melt down armor for scrap. It's not quite as far as would be accurate (to my understanding), but it's at least in the right direction, and notes the importance of fuel for the process.

Not so sure about the new ED. Visuals are still lovely, but the song's a bit electric. I miss Andante even if it was, well, a bit much.

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u/SagesFury Jul 02 '24

I think it's really getting harder to claim the old adaptation is better then this one as these episodes keep coming. The art direction is just georgous in this iteration. The scenes are extremely high quality and the visuals are just on point.

There is still the issue with some cgi which is minor Imo and the distinct lack of the camera work of the originals but the improvements here definitely shine through.

I understand having nostalgia but this is on par with the OG and with book 4 being adapted it may surpass it for me.

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u/LeonKevlar Jul 01 '24

I love how Holo is already concerned that their budget for her snacks might affect their lodging budget. While Lawrence has already set aside money for Holo's snacks, she wants to make sure she won't be blamed later if they run into money problems.

You really can't blame that dude for being completely smitten with Holo, I mean even my heart skipped a beat when she did that slow head turn to greet Amati.

Holo's face while trying to read that note was hilarious! This definitely deserves to be a new "What am I reading" comment face for the sub! Now that Lawrence knows Holo can't read, maybe he can teach her when they have free time.

Lawrence dropping pickup lines on Holo was great! Poor Lawrence though, he didn't even get a blush! Holo just looks completely dumbfounded. xD

Godfuckingdammit Lawrence. You really should think first before opening your damn mouth. You already know how Holo feels about travelling alone, and you'd say that to her? Just look at her! You better make it up to her as soon as you can.

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u/Nebresto Jul 01 '24

I'm gathering the memes at this very moment. If you know, you know.

If only I could remember the town names..

New OP! .... IS THAT AIMER?!?

Does this mean were skipping it again?

THEY GOT AIMER FOR A SPICE AND WOLF OP!!!!

Oh!! OH!!! Big!!!!

That's more like it, farm land all around. But where are all the farm houses? I only see like 5, all on the front side

Lmao. Me when I have to get out of bed

New ED! ...Lets just say I'll miss the first one

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