Spice and Wolf: Season 1

TLDR: Just to be clear, the product is still great and my favorite anime by a wide margin however the product suffers specifically on the Amazon streaming platform.I loved the idea that I could own Spice and Wolf digitally and take it with me where ever I went however when comparing this copy to other streaming services the color and resolution is worse on Amazon (not by much, but noticeable). It's disappointing enough the source material is currently only available in 1080p but taking an additional hit for not much reason is inexcusable in my book. Unforchantely "The cancellation option for Prime Video orders is available within 48 hours for purchases you haven't started streaming or downloading." which I only knew was an issue after I started streaming. Don't make my mistake, get somewhere else if quality is your value.

This isn't fluff or mindless entertainment. There is enough of that to be fun, but there is depth in this. It was made by somone who wanted to appeal to an audience and to educate them in the process. I was stunned when i realized this, because i don't know that I've ever seen it done before so seamlessly packaged with entertainment. Watching "spice and wolf" isn't going to make you an academic or anything, but if anything it should teach you that academics aren't always right and that "appeal to authority bias" is a cognitive pitfall.There would be more of this if our own 'programming' wasn't exactly that. This sort of thing can only come from a culture that benefits it's people rather than feeding off of them.If this were the standard in writing people would be more informed i think. Fewer scams would be possible. Especially the fully "legal" ones performed by politicians.

I spent a quarter century in Tokyo. I raised two sons there. I have seen countless different anime, some old, some new, some popular, some obscure. I bought  Spice and Wolf: Season One [Blu-ray ] because many of the reviews intrigued me.Wow...I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this. The story is involved, well-researched, and beautifully illustrated. The economics, the cultural references, the oddly parallel historicity are so well done this anime could be used to illustrate practical lessons in storytelling, in business, in economics, in symbology, in politics, and of course, in graphic arts.The characters are extremely well done. The goddess Holo is purely a goddess, with all the quirkiness, wisdom, and manipulative qualities one would expect a genuine goddess to have. There are shades here of Ishtar, Diana, and even Persephone. Lawrence the peddler is profit-driven, self-centered, but never arrogant nor overly demanding. The relationship between the two of them is mature, adult, flirtatious without being overly erotic, and sometimes, profound.Many anime and graphic novel advocates are overly prone to labeling common cartoons as high art. Slapstick comedy, gratuitious violence, and childish personal relations between characters do not constitute high art, regardless of how popular a particular anime, manga, or graphic novel might be. Sometimes, like in Neil Gaimon's "Sandman" series, the genre does reach these heights. "Spice and Wolf", while doing it much differently than "Sandman", is as fine as anything Shakespeare, Hemmingway, or Soseki ever produced. At least in Season One.

Spice & Wolf, by IMAGIN of Japan & Funimation of USA, is based off the Japanese manga where a wolf deity in a form of a young girl named Holo meets a travelling male peddler named Craft Lawrence. The storyline generally is that Craft Lawrence agrees to take Holo the Wise Wolf to her home in the North. Along the journey, they meet new people, make new friends & enemies, learn more about the world of merchant business, & battle hardships together as they press on towards their quest. The longer they travel together the closer their relationship becomes from just friendship & affinity to passion & affection. In short, this anime is about 2 people developing feelings for each other while travelling & battling the cruel world of business in an attempt to make a profit. The further the anime progresses the better the understanding that there are some things in life more precious than gold. Something you cannot put a price on.The voice acting by Funimation is very good in portraying the emotions & thoughts of the characters while giving each character a distinct personality. Storyline is interesting & very educational of Europe's old economic policies. The plot is quite slow paced due to the amount of details contained within the dialogue the characters share. The main heroine Holo the Wise Wolf does expose herself completely but on rare occasions. The scenery of the anime is set in medieval Europe. It's beautiful to see the scenery within the anime series & also have some appreciation for Europe's culture.I would recommend this to anime fans of all sorts. The storyline is a bit lagging at the start but it builds up momentum & character development. Caution that there are some scenes of mild violence, weapons, drinking, & nudity. Overall, a great anime to have in your collection. A second season of Spice & Wolf maybe on the horizon so keep a keen eye out for that release.Thanks.

Before buying this series on amazon, I had previously watched all of the episodes online. My views of it were mixed, but I felt it was a good enough series that I wanted to buy and keep it.One of the things I like about 'Spice and Wolf' is its setting. Unlike most animes that take part in the present or near/distant future, 'Spice and Wolf' appears to be set around the late 18th, or early 19th Century - or possibly even longer back. Everything from the background scenery, to the money that's used, to the clothes that people wear, really helps to give an olden times feeling that's almost spiritual. Which goes well with Holo being something of a spirt/god herself.Speaking of Holo, I find her to be the most memorable character in the series. As well as being a "wise wolf" she can also be playful, aggressive, witty and often unpredictable. Every time she's on screen I can't help but feel anticipated over what she'll do or say next. Some of her dialogue is so clever that it makes me want to hear her words over and over again. The accent that Brina Palencia (English Dub) plays her in is just perfect.If there is one criticism I would give 'Spice and Wolf' it would be its complexity. The series is heavily based around marketing, sales and profit. Unless you're a merchant like Lawrence, or know that sort of thing like the back of your hand, then you have to pay really close attention to what's being said at all times, otherwise you won't understand half of what's going on.Also, the progression of the series can sometimes feel slow, with numerous episodes focusing around a single plot, and not much happening in between. You could literally cut the two halves of the series into separate stories that have no connection with each other, other than Lawrence and Holo.I would recommend this series to anyone who's a big fan of Funimation Entertainment. Or anyone who's looking for a change from their usual 'science fictional', 'big fight scene', 'horrific monsters are trying to take over the world', animes that they're so used to. 'Spice and Wolf' focuses on people and their choices, with the fantasy element of a half-wolf, half-girl to be the helpful partner and annoying nuisance. If you're looking for something romantic, this might not be the series for you, because Lawrence and Holo's relationship is mostly a professional one - at least in this season. Some people may also be slightly offended by the fact that Holo is sometimes depicted nude. But, other than the opening credits, it isn't seen as often as you might think.So buy this series if you want to see something charming. But also be prepared to listen - to everything.

The story of a medieval peddler and a half-Goddess,wich appears to him in her human form of a young girl,and requests from him to accompanyher on the long travel to her homeland of Yoitsu.On the way they learn to appreciate each others companionship,but will,hence their difference in lifespan and nature never be able to become lovers.Holo helps Lawrence with his business,wich sometimes turn out for the good,while he tries to hide her true nature for the Church,wich,in those days surely would burn a girl with a wolf-tail and wolflike-ears to the stake.Nice story,great drawings,but alas a bit boresome for people who have no interest in medieval trading history.This might be the reason whythere's not a third season,while the Manga continues until the end.Haven't read it,though.

This is truly brilliant anime, and one of my favourites. I won't summarise the plot as other reviews have covered that. One big aspect of this show which is mentioned above all else when Spice & Wolf is discussed, and which could serve to put you off watching, is the role which mercantile economics plays, which makes up most of the plot and admittedly quite a bit of dialogue. The main problem this presents is not the complexity it conveys - that actually serves to give the show depth, realism and immersiveness, even if (or perhaps especially if) it goes over your head as it did first time watching for me - but the fact that it does constitute a substantial amount of dialogue. It is by no means a large detraction (note still 5*), rather the only notable detraction. This anime stands out for its brilliant characters (even with only 2 real characters), especially the wolf spirit Holo, the lush and serene scenery rolling by, the banter between Holo and Lawrence and a refreshing and original plot based in medieval mercantile dealings rather than action (though I love action as well), predictability and plot convenience, as with so many anime.It really is a beautiful show, intelligent, gently romantic, gripping and with a capability for the dramatic, this is probably the best anime I've seen.

I first saw this in the manga book series and then decied to give the DVD a try and I loved it from start to finish. The story lines are great ,the anamation is stunning and Holo and Lawrence are really fun to watch. I am really gald to have this in my collection as I am a huge anime and wolf fan and I highly recommend this to those who love both like me.

Spice and Wolf a series about the wolf god Holo an Laurence a traveling merchant and their chance meeting.A promise is made and the two travel together to the north. To holo's homeland.On the way they have many adventure's together which last two to three episodes each.Good family fun.