Spice and Wolf – Episode 03 Review

「港町と甘い誘惑」 (Minatomachi to Amai Yuuwaku)
“Port Town and Sweet Temptation”

Have to say now three weeks in that Spice and Wolf is very much starting to feel like Spice and Wolf. While somewhat subtler in spots and lacking a bit of the (admittedly nostalgia-fuelled) charm of the original adaptation, we’re now starting to hit the point where things really start moving and the story starts growing into its own. Let’s just say the lackadaisical sunshine and rainbows are reaching their end.

Much like last episode teased a bit of Holo’s past and delved into the chemistry between her and Kraft making this such a fun series, this one was all about reinforcing Kraft’s merchant chops and the sort of mental wrangling which will come to dominate various arcs. The name of the game here of course is trading those marten furs: Kraft has an implicit understanding of their value, he’s known at and retains a professional relationship with the local trading firm branch office, and pulls the usual haggling to get a slightly better price than normal. At least until Holo enters the picture. Add a craving for apples, dash with the product of a mass purchase, flavour with some excellent acting and white lies, and darling you have yourself a trade going far beyond initial expectations. The entire scene with Holo is an excellent example of true salesmanship and reinforces how it’s as much theatre as it is hawking a good. You not only have to convince the other party to buy your goods, you have to make them want it more than anything else without giving the game away – doing so is where the true profit is made and is one educational example of where this series shines.

Of course theatrically weaving a story is only half the merchant’s battle, the other half lies in knowledge to take advantage of, and that in turn brings us back to Zheren and currency. Although some may find it dull, the nature of currency basing – and debasing – was a major source of tension during the Middle Ages, particularly as feudalistic city-states gave way to nation-states with ever increasing economic demands, something which Kraft succinctly explains within Spice and Wolf’s universe. Currency’s value after all is based on trust; alter it away from accepted standards and that value becomes distorted. It’s why debasement – i.e. minting more of it with lower purity – is such a big deal here and why Kraft was at loggerheads to figure out a path to profit. What that exactly is will come out next week, but suffice to say speculation always has an avenue to benefit, it’s simply a matter of figuring out which party to put your horses behind.

Whether Kraft will make the right choice in that regard, well, let’s just say he’ll learn far more than he probably bargained for.

Preview