Alternative Titles
English: Spice and Wolf
Synonyms: Ookami to Koushinryou
Japanese: 狼と香辛料

Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jan 8, 2008 to May 30, 2008
Producers: Imagin, FUNimation EntertainmentL, Kadokawa Pictures USAL
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Duration: 24 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Review
Story 9/10

Craft Lawrence, a 25 year old peddler travelling from town to town makes his living by trade during a period much like Europe in the Middle Ages. One night he finds in his wagon a 250-year-old pagan wolf-goddess named Holo. She appears to be a 15 year old girl, except for a wolf tail and ears. Her backstory is that she became the town's goddess of harvest (a Japanese element) who has kept it blessed with good harvests of wheat for many years. However, with the coming of the Catholic church (european element), she has lost followers, and she wants to go back to her homeland in the north called Yoitsu. She makes a deal with Lawrence to take her with him. As they travel, her wisdom helps increase his profits, but at the same time, her true nature brings adventure.


Character 10/10

The Characters for Spice and Wolf are GREAT. Even the side-characters are all likable in some way or another. Holo is the one that stands out mostly for this series. She is in no way weak in any way. She is Strong, Wise, Crafty, and Amusing all at the same time. She can be happy one second and then angry another, she is cunning at in both words and action, and she is very smart when it comes to things such as Craft Laurence's business and the ways people's minds work. She also shows great development in the beginning and throughout the story. She is overall a great character who's original, fun and interesting to watch, and nice to relate to.

But that doesn't mean she's the only reason why you should watch this. Craft Lawrence, the merchant in the story, is also a great character in many ways. Most male characters in these types of stories do not often have much spot-light or they do not develop well enough. Craft Lawrence is a exception ( I also like Tomoya Okazaki from Clannad). He is done just about as well as Holo. He is very smart when i comes to business,people, and what they are thinking and doing (almost as well as Holo,making him pretty smart). He is also very considerate to others, helping Holo with her woe's and concerns and vice-versa. Of course, his character also develops more as the story goes, in a way that keeps you interested, and after a while, lets you accept the character (and vice-versa with Holo). He is an original character and an interesting character as well, and as a person i would like to meet if i had the chance(Same with Holo).

That is the thing that really keeps this series going. The relationship between Craft Lawrence and Holo. It is interesting most of the time, and funny at others. It is indeed unique, and one that grows over time, so that they become more and more dependent on each other. Their relationship starts out simple and slow, but quickly turns into a close friendship...maybe even more. It is one that does not drag itself or push itself too much. It is a wonderful thing, with both pros and cons. One with many different circumstances to test thier bond between them, some that even change thier choices and disitions(sorry if i spelled that wrong)), and possibly almost break their bond( this is actually more prominent in the second season). Both have everything to lose and everything to gain.

The side characters also contribute to the story well. They do not drag the story down in any way, and sometimes even make the story more interesting or funny to watch. Most of them are actually important at times, unlike a lot of side-characters in stories.Some might even leave the same impact on you that Craft or Holo might leave. Overall, every character is worth watching.


Sound 10/10

Voiced with both flair and inventiveness by Ami Koshimizu (Claes in Gunslinger Girl, Anemone in Eureka Seven, Yumi in Kimikiss pure rouge), she shows a veteran's command of her voice, unusual in one so young (born in 1986). She has to sell flirtation, anger, frustration, lonliness, and above all command of her situation, and she does it magnificently. Matching her effort is Jun Fukuyama (Watanuki in xxxHOLIC, among many others) as Craft Lawrence, and he shows a campaigner's ability to create a "romantic" character that is both strong and sensitive (and without frenetic verbal excesses). I rather enjoyed this vocal pairing, there's huge chemistry, and it's worth repeating. Seiyuu get an 8 based on chemistry and performance alone.

Enjoyment 10/10

- So far, i have enjoyed Spice and Wolf very very much. Everything about it fascinates me, including the Renaissance-Europe setting, which for some reason is a time in history i've been fascinated with for a long time. I enjoy watching Craft and Holo's relationship grow, along with the many conflicts that come their way and they conquer.

Overall 10/10

Overall- This is a great anime(it is originally a bunch of light-novels, and now a manga, and its on-going), and i look forward to watching the second season very soon and eventually more. I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in this genre or just wants to watch an anime thats original...or just to anyone who's interested.Just to let you know, the series does have a dub, and its GREAT. Unlike most dubs,each voice for each character fits perfectly and does not ruin the anime. Even if your someone who only watches subs, try it out. You will not be dissapointed.