Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Well it’s the final week of the AI arc and this week’s guest host is someone who’s been with me from the beginning. You know her, you love her, she threaten to kill me if I didn’t say this correctly the lovely, smart, and beautiful Isis. *Isis appears* (Isis): Greetings, welcome to Project Nitsuj, I am Isis. (Nitsuj): So Isis what do you got plan for me this week? (Isis): We’re gonna review something that’s romantic and somewhat defines my relationship with you master. We’re going to review Spice and Wolf. Spice and Wolf is a light novel story written by Isuna Hasekura in 2006 and ending in 2011. The story follows a traveling merchant who befriends a wolf deity and their relationship/travels with each other. The series is quite popular in Japan having two video games that came out for the Nintendo DS, an on-going manga to go along with the series, and I believe this is the reason why people are so into wolfgirls nowadays. In 2008 the small anime studio Imagin decided to turn the series into an anime to help increase the series’ popularity and to this day it is considered one of the most interesting romantic stories ever animated. (Nitsuj): Oh~ this sounds interesting. (Isis): Indeed, and we’ll be looking at the English dub since this anime is regarded as being one of the most superior dubs ever done. Let’s take a look at this beautiful tale, this is Spice and Wolf.
Opening and Ending Theme
(Isis): The opening for this anime is Tabi no Tochuu by Natsumi Kiyoura. The song is very peaceful, relaxing, uplifting, and beautiful to listen to. It matches perfectly with the series and its characters. The ending for the anime is Ringo Biyori by Rocky Chack. The song is both good and weird. It’s good in that the singer is singing it in engrish but sounding cute while singing it and having fun with the song. The song is weird in that the lyrics are sublime some of them make no sense to me. Honestly, look at the lyrics to this song and tell me this song doesn’t sound weird to you.
Episodes 1-4
(Nitsuj): So the anime starts off in the old days in some remote part of Europe, (Isis: Isn’t it weird that whenever we do a crossover together the anime is always in some European country? (Nitsuj): Yeah, I’ve notice that too. Maybe Japan wants us to go to Europe or something) we quickly get a little backstory into a village worshipping Holo the wise wolf who is said to bring prosperity and luck where ever she goes and the village always praised her and worshipped her so that they would have a good harvest. After that we get introduced to our main character Lawrence voiced by J. Michael Tatum (Eneru from One Piece) a traveling merchant who stops into town for their harvest festival where his friend Chloe has been chosen to play the part of Holo this year and has to spend one night locked up in a shed (I swear, I’ll never understand European customs). Later that night he finds a naked wolfgirl sleeping in his wagon (scene here: //youtu.be/XwlzXElOid0, oh sweet Lord that’s hot. (Isis): But why is she naked? (Nitsuj): Okay, any question regarding a naked wolfgirl becomes void) who has no problem being seen naked and doesn’t seem all that intimidated by him even though he’s holding a knife to her (cool as a cucumber that girl). The wolfgirl reveals herself to be Holo voiced by Brina Palencia (Shirayuki from Hidan no Aria) who I have to say takes this role and just owns it, her voice is just perfect for Holo’s personality and character. After telling Lawrence who she is she ask him to take her on his journey north since that’s where she was born and wants to go back home. But Lawrence decides to be an asshole and says no because he doesn’t believe Holo is really Holo the wise wolf and instead is some demon (dude, she has wolf ears and a tail. If she was a demon you would have been dead a long time ago). So in order to prove herself as Holo the wise she eats some wheat and turns into a wolf right before his eyes before vanishing in the night. Lawrence goes back to the village where Chloe sneaks into his room and invites him back to the shed (Isis: Looks like someone other than Holo will be howling at the moon tonight) where she tells Lawrence she wants to go into business with him as his partner (and future wife but one step at a time) but Lawrence says she’s too young and making a move into the merchant would be too risky for her. After denying her he goes back to his room where Holo has snuck in somehow and asks him once again to take her to the north which he accepts this time. The episode ends with the two leaving the village and beginning on their journey.
In episode 2 Lawrence and Holo take refuge in a church during a storm (sanctuary, sanctuary) where they meet another traveling merchant Zeelen (Isis: Interesting name) who tells Lawrence of a plan to trade in these old silver coins for new ones to make a large profit. (Isis): Wait a minute his voice sounds familiar. (Nitsuj): Yeah you’re right. I know that voice. Isis pull up the voice cast for this anime. *Isis pulls up cast list* Let’s see Zeelen voiced by. . . John Burgmeier!? Holy shit, it’s Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho I haven’t heard his voice in years. Anyway Holo and Lawrence go back to their room where Holo faces one of her archenemies the potato (scene here: //youtu.be/WLyaGhSIqp4). After eating the evil potato (Isis: I prefer to call them fruits of the Earth) Holo tells Lawrence that Zeelen was lying to him though she doesn’t know why he was lying (Isis: All men lie, it’s in their nature. (Nitsuj): What do I lie about? (Isis): “Isis I destroyed the AI assassins. Yes Isis I took out the trash. No Isis I don’t peek at you or the other AI girls when you’re in the virtual hotsprings”. The list goes on. (Nitsuj):. . .no comment). The next day Lawrence accepts Zeelen’s plan and they agree to meet up later in the city of Patzuille. After that Lawrence opens up to Holo saying he was attacked 8 times in the forest by wolves where Holo defends the wolves’ action saying they fought back because they had no choice and were just defending their home which angers Lawrence. Time goes by and the two remain quiet until Lawrence ask Holo if she ever killed a human to which she refuses to answer and this somehow allows the two to makeup (I’m gonna bet she has killed a human).
(Isis): In episode 3 they arrive in the city of Patzuille where they discover that Holo has a thing for apples (scene here: //youtu.be/2Kf1yKR3hAY?t=13s, no different than the master and his love for Reese’s peanut butter cups. (Nitsuj): Can’t deny that one). They go to the Milone Company to trade in Lawrence’s fur coats where thanks to Holo, Lawrence is able to sell the fur at a high price because Holo allowed the scent of apples to seep into the furs giving them a loving scent. Later on they meet up with Zeeleen where they finalize their partnership together and Lawrence gives him 10% of his earnings from the fur. The next day Lawrence and Holo figure out that the purity of silver has decreased and Zeelen tricked him (Nitsuj: That son of bitch. Let’s strap him on the hood of a car like a dead deer). But Lawrence believes Zeelen couldn’t have thought this scheme up himself and goes to the Milone Company to ask for their assistance in uncovering Zeelen’s plan to end the episode.
(Isis): Lawrence sets his plan into action in episode 4 with the help of the Milone Company where he finds out that Zeelen is working for the Medioh Company a rival company of Milone. They also think a nobleman might be the conductor behind this whole scheme as well. With Lawrence’s plan working he opens up to Holo about hoping to one day owning his own shop (aw~ but traveling is so much fun) and Holo opens up about how she always feels alone and hates it but Lawrence comforts her and tells her she won’t abandon or leave her which makes her happy that she decides to sleep in the same bed as him (Nitsuj: Holy crap he’s gonna do every man’s dream) but they get attacked by Medioh (Nitsuj: Cockblockers) and are forced to run in the city where Holo distracts them so Lawrence can get to stronghold of Milone safely. Lawrence makes it to Milone and receives a letter from Medioh saying that they have Holo, they know she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing (or human clothing in this case), and are planning to turn her over to the church because they believe that creatures like Holo are demons who need to killed in the name of God for the greater good (//youtu.be/N_q2wBzT6uU).
Episodes 5-9
(Nitsuj): In episode 5 Lawrence works out a deal with Milone to save Holo in which Milone will start collecting silver coins and strike a deal with the king to make a profit off of them (it’s economics it’s hard to explain just go with it) while Lawrence and Holo go on the run to keep the church busy and out of the affairs of Milone. The next day they go all Ocean’s 11 on us with Milone having their men find Holo, freeing her, and handing her back over to Lawrence in the sewers beneath the city (Isis: I hope he saw some medieval ninja turtles down there). Holo is reunited with Lawrence where she tells him Chloe has teamed up with the church and is trying to kill her (jealous much Chloe). After that the two go back on the run beneath the city while Chloe and the other members of the church close in on their location.
Things take a turn for the worst in episode 6. The members of the church find them and corner them in sewers forcing them to fight where Lawrence actually kicks a guy in the balls (oh come on Lawrence. Not cool man, that’s not cool) but he gets stabbed badly. When they’re finally cornered with no way out Holo drinks some of Lawrence’s blood (Isis: What is she a vampire wolf now. (Nitsuj): Actually this is no different than a normal female, always sucking the life out of their man) and transforms into her true wolf form (WOLFZILLA) where she goes on a rampage knocking out everyone (scene here: //youtu.be/a1C2MpJgh3E, run~ it’s Wolfzilla! (Isis): It’s look like Wolfzilla, but due to Sci-fi channel copyright laws and the fact it doesn’t exist it’s not. (Nitsuj): Still we should panic like it is Wolfzilla and it does exist~. (Isis): Though it isn’t and doesn’t. (Nitsuj & Isis): AHHHH~). After knocking out everyone she gives Lawrence to the Milone Company and vanishes without a trace. Lawrence wakes up to find out that Milone was successful in their negotiations with the king and gained a big profit but they also lost a good amount of profit as well. When he asks how he wants to get paid he simply tells them to pay him in pepper since winter is coming and people will mostly be buying it. He also receives an invoice of purchases Holo made behind his back (Isis does that to me every month. (Isis): It’s because you’re stingy with our money and won’t get me what I ask for. (Nitsuj): It’s my money ya crazy AI! I’ll decide how I wanna spend it. (Isis): Cheapskate. (Nitsuj): Spoiled AI) and rushes to the delivery dock where he meets her and they decide to continue on their journey (Isis: He likes~ her).
(Isis): Unfortunately, not a whole lot happens in episode 7. Lawrence and Holo just buy some new clothes at a very cheap price because of their economic skills and flirt with each other in the process of the episode a little. However, there is one scene I rather like in this episode (scene here: //youtu.be/nnG0WZx29oU?t=12s, I feel Holo’s pain I feel like having a drink when dealing with the master at times. (Nitsuj): And you think I drink a lot of Kool-Aid because I like it).
In episode 8 Lawrence tries to sell his pepper to another merchant but Holo reveals that the merchant is swindler trying to swindle them out of their deal. At the risk of being exposed the swindler gives Lawrence a huge profit much more than he ever expected as well as some pieces of armor for Lawrence to sell in the next town. As their traveling we get more economic talk about smuggling gold and how Lawrence plans to make a profit from the armor he got from swindler (Nitsuj: You know, for a guy who studied marketing for 4 years you would think I find all this stuff such as the business deals and talks interesting but in truth it’s actually a little boring). The episode ends with the two coming across a shepherd and her flock of sheep which Holo isn’t happy about meeting her because of the relationship between wolves and shepherds in the past (it’s just like me and viruses. We just don’t get along all that well. I sooner put a bullet in their head than share the same system with them).
We find out in episode 9 that the shepherd girl is named Nora a shepherd of the church who asks Lawrence if she can escort him to the next town as his bodyguard (divine and beautiful protection on His Holy One’s followers). After talking it over with Holo he agrees to accept her service and they arrive at the town totally safe and without being attacked by wolves (Nitsuj: And surprisingly no cat fight ensued on the travel. I’m actually amazed by that). Once they arrive at town we see people aren’t too happy about receiving his armor as payment for his tax payment (Nitsuj: That’s not a good sign) and we end with Lawrence going to his guild hall where he’s greeted warmly by the barkeeper there.
Episodes 10-13
(Nitsuj): Things go bad for Lawrence in episode 10. He finds out that the arms market has collapsed meaning his goods are just heavy luggage (impossible, even in times of peace there’s a good need for a sword around the house. (Isis): Don’t you mean gun? (Nitsuj): Nope. Guns are clumsy, loud, and sloppy. I sooner die by the grace of a sword than by the hatred of a gun). To make matters worse he finds that the merchant from episode 8 went out of business and transferred the loans that Lawrence owes him over to Ramerio a shady business who wants their money in 48 hours or Lawrence will be officially bankrupt and thrown out of the merchant society altogether (//youtu.be/ZomwVcGt0LE?t=12s). In order to get the money he goes around town to other merchants he worked with in the past in the hopes that they’ll give him a small loan but none want to do business because of his relationship with Holo. Yeah, I know, it’s odd considering that in this past nobody seemed to mind his relationship with Holo since he said that they were just business partners and nothing more. So what, all the merchants in town think he’s carelessly spending money on her and not his business (Isis: Which isn’t far from the truth mind you) or are they just jealous pigs who can’t stand Lawrence dating a beautiful and wise wolfgirl? That’s like other reviewers getting mad at me just because I live with a bunch of AI girls and trust me it’s not all you were hoping for, my pride as a wrestling fan and as a man was greatly wounded by them. (Isis): Whatever. Just continue reviewing troll. (Nitsuj): After Lawrence figures this out he accidently snaps at Holo (Isis: Oh no he didn’t) which upsets her and before he can apologize she walks back to the hotel they’re staying at (nice going asshole, now you got nothing).
In episode 11 Lawrence still has no luck at getting money but he does manage to get a few coins and he goes back to hotel to apologize for his actions to Holo where as you would guess she’s upset with him not because he yelled at her but because he really doesn’t blame her for the mess he’s in (is it just me or does this sound crazy to anyone. Seriously she’s not mad at him for yelling at her but she’s mad he’s not blaming her for the situation he’s in? Women are crazy. *Isis holds a sword up to Nitsuj’s back* Except for you Isis, you’re the sanest person I know). Upset by Lawrence she brings in to question his good nature (scene here: //youtu.be/eUgjuAetAqY?t=12s). After that the two make-up and Holo comes up with a plan to get the money they need, gold smuggling (that’s right folks, before immigrant, drugs, beer, and gun smuggling it was gold smuggling we were doing). The next day they go to Ramerio and tell them about their plan to smuggle gold. At first the leader is hesitant but once Holo uses her ears to expose that the business isn’t doing so well he caves in and offers to help them in their plan (Isis: She would make a good Godfather wouldn’t she). After that they go to see Nora because in order to get the gold out of the city without being caught they plan on hiding the gold in the sheep (wouldn’t it be okay to just hide in the wool? Let’s try not to kill the animal bystanders). After a little sweet talk from Lawrence about how the church mistreats her because they believe she’s a pagan on account of she’s never harmed on any of her travels and how she’ll receive a huge amount of money to open up her own tailor shop if the job is a successful she agrees to join them. She also hints to Lawrence that she has feelings for him (well if things go south with Holo at least he has a chance with the shepherd girl).
(Isis): In episode 12 they set off on their journey to smuggle the gold along with Remerio’s representative Chuck Huber (I’m not kidding its Chuck Huber as in Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho). On the way there they run into some wolves but Nora scares them off and they make it to the next town safely where the deal goes through and they get a bag of gold pieces (Nitsuj: I’m guessing the dealer was a leprechaun or something). As they make their way they get attack by wolves again where we see that the wolves are being led by another wolf deity (oh how delightful. (Nitsuj): Alright wolf deity vs wolf deity finally some good action). Lawrence tells Nora and Chuck to go on while he and Holo hold them off and after they leave Lawrence reluctantly leaves as well to let Holo handle things herself (notice how I used the word reluctantly as in he’s not leaving because he wants to. (Nitsuj): Yes, I got it I wasn’t gonna anything. (Isis): You were thinking it. (Nitsuj): Yeah, I can’t lie there). After he’s at a safe spot he waits for Holo only to be captured by three men of Remerio who tie him up and leave him for the wolves since they’ve decided to double-cross him and take all the profits for themselves and kill Nora in the process (Isis: Nothing personal. (Nitsuj): It’s just business).
In the final episode Holo catches up to Lawrence and after hearing everything that’s happen to him and what they plan to do to Nora she transforms into her wolf form and along with Lawrence rushes off to save Nora from Remerio. She takes down all the Remerio servants (scene here: //youtu.be/QkMdaF4KPVk) and goes for Chuck where she breaks his leg and we find out that the company couldn’t pay Lawrence’s price for the gold smuggling operation because they only got 1/6 of the profit they wanted so they thought it be better to just kill him (and look how that planned turned out). Also Lawrence tells Nora that Holo is a wolf deity and she’s surprisingly okay with that. With this information Lawrence goes to Remerio and blackmails their leader into giving him 500 gold pieces for the next 10 years and allows them to keep the smuggled gold to save his company from going bankrupted. With all this money Lawrence is able to pay off his debt and we end the season with Lawrence outsmarting Holo (scene here: //youtu.be/Paj268Z81lU, (Nitsuj): And like that justice was served). After that Lawrence and Holo continue on their journey.
Final Thoughts
(Nitsuj): Well I have to admit this was a very nice anime. While the story is meh, the action meh, and the overall plot is meh I will say it’s an anime I’m glad I watched I’m just not so sure why everyone liked it so much. (Isis): That’s because you’re looking at the anime incorrectly master. (Nitsuj): Beg your pardon? (Isis): Allow me to explain. You’re focusing on the wrong points of the anime, while I admit the story, action, and plot are meh those aren’t the main focus of the anime. The main focus of the anime is on the relationship between our two characters Lawrence and Holo. Lawrence is you’re simple male lead who’s quite smart, good-natured, and has simple goals of someday owning his shop. While his main goal is to get rich he wants to do it honestly and with honor not using underhanded tricks and doing the right thing but he’s not above going rogue on us and being a little bad to get what he wants which actually makes him a very likable character in my eyes. I like a male character who has honor and does the right thing but isn’t afraid to be bad to get what he wants. It makes him seem unpredictable. Holo is the main star of this series who steals the show. She wise, smart, clever, mature, and proper. Almost everything that comes out of her mouth is a good source of wisdom and something meaningful. (Nitsuj): Yeah, I noticed that, she really is a wise person and I like how they still make her act like a lady who also has feelings for the person she’s with and wants to protect them no matter what. (Isis): Exactly, in a way these two characters remind me of you and me. You being Lawrence the good-natured man whose often blind to the feelings and teachings of those around him and me Holo the wise and beautiful lady always there to give you a hand and guide you in the right direction. (Nitsuj): Okay I see what you’re saying. The anime is really about the main characters, their journey, and how they work off each other. Sort of like Watanabe’s animes, their primary focus is on the characters and not the story emphasizing that the journey is the destination. (Isis): Correct. On top of having two great characters the animation is also quite nice for its time. While it’s nothing amazing it is beautiful to look at and admire. I especially love the backgrounds and cities they go to. Excellent design on the animators’ part. The music while not really my type of music fits in nicely with the anime and matches up well with scenes. It really does make you feel like you’re in an old European country. This along with the main characters makes this anime one of my all-time favorite animes to watch.
Final Score
(Isis): The final score for Spice and Wolf is a 9/10 for me. If the two characters had kissed near the end it would have been worthy of a 10/10. How about you master? (Nitsuj): While I admit I like the characters Isis and after hearing your explanation I can see why they be considered the main focus of the anime but I still would have liked to see a little more story and action. I’m afraid I’m gonna have to give this anime a 7/10. So if we average out these two scores that’s an 8/10 overall for this anime. (Isis): That sounds fair. (Nitsuj): While the anime may not have strike a chord with me as I had hope there’s no doubt this anime is worth a good watch and a good romance story that doesn’t rely on the ecchi or fanservice factor. (Isis): And even though this anime didn’t please you all that well master there’s always the next season but I’ll save that later. (Nitsuj): Hey speaking of romance when you said that Lawrence and Holo reminded you of us does that mean you admitted to actually liking me? (Isis): What *blushes*! Of course not! (Nitsuj): No, in the series it’s obvious that Holo has a thing for Lawrence and since you and Holo are alike and I’m like Lawrence that means you like me? (Isis): No! You’re digging way to into to this! (Nitsuj): Come give me a big hug you tsundere AI. (Isis): You are so wrong! It’s not true at all! *Isis disappears back into the system still blushing bright red*. (Nitsuj): *Chuckles* I guess the AI arc was fun after all. Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.
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Thanks for reading. As always feel free to leave a comment, feedback, or request in the comments section or send them to iamprojectnitsuj@gmail.com