Spice and Wolf – Episode 05 Review

「狼の化身と従順な子羊」 (Ookami no Kenshin to Juujun na Kohitsuji)
“Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”

While arguably still too early to make the claim, I’m going to say it nonetheless: this is a great adaptation. Regardless of lingering trepidations or the fact we are just under a quarter of the way through two promised cours, this Spice and Wolf continues being the best of Spice and Wolf and I am very much thankful for it. Of course said opinions can change, but given everything to date I shall hold out hope that what’s coming won’t repeat some of the decisions of the past. The original anime watchers will know what I mean!

In terms of events this week, lo and behold us finally getting the answer(s) to everything. Much as mentioned before the collection of soon-to-be debased currency is serving a profitable purpose, all thanks to the issuing royalty being desperate for liquidity. I always enjoyed this arc in Spice and Wolf because it heralds back hard to the multi-century European struggles post-Columbus, especially between France, Spain, and Austria-Hungary, and hints to some of the most extreme extravagancies in economic manipulation. If you thought modern (and digital) economics was brutal, the actions, currency debasement, and ultimate inflation of the era was a sight to behold, and the actions of both Milone and Medio in going after coin for the sake of special privileges is something that many a Rothschild for example has done in the past. It’s all about profit in the end, and nothing will stop all involved parties from doing what’s required to realize it.

The implicit acknowledgement of the stakes in particular is nicely highlighted by the discussion between Kraft and Marhait and how the latter bluntly alludes to (and Kraft remains fully aware of) being willing to sacrifice the guy and Holo if it means keeping an economic edge. It’s pure business through and through, but Kraft, thanks to the involvement of the church, is similarly rational enough to use that as leverage to keep Marhait on his side. Sell him out and both sides lose – and spite is never a winning move in terms of economics. It’s a small facet, but also one showing the mental strength and courage of Kraft. This is a guy who won’t bend or break easily, and while he will have his share of troubles they’re not enough at face value to have him succumb to them like the usual light novel protagonist. Well, so far; spoiler alert there’s some fun stuff down the line.

And in terms of troubles that brings up full circle back to Holo and the man she met: Yarei. This was an interesting scene because the feel of it plays out very differently than the original with Yarei’s anime-original replacement in Chloe. There the suggestion was that Chloe wasn’t entirely willing to sell Holo out to the Church, but in part got caught up in the moment (at least as far as my memory goes, heh). Here however there’s no denying Yarei’s eagerness; he sees this both as a break from the past and a way to advance his own business goals by making nice with a major player. Personally I like this more source faithful version because it also happens to show Holo at her weakest. For all her venerableness and moxie the girl is incredibly lonely and feels every loss. Hell it’s why she was miffed at Kraft for not being the one to personally rescue her – and why she cannot stay mad at the guy for too long. Both are increasingly seeing the warmth and synergy they bring to each other, and both, while still a distance away from openly elucidating on it, are not willing to let each other go. As the one Milone worker laughed about, the wagon bench isn’t small enough for one: the journey demands a partner.

It’s a life lesson our unlikely duo has only just started learning, but it’s one they’ll soon feel the full effects of soon enough.

Preview