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「商人と理不尽な神」 (Shounin to Rifujin na Kami)
“Merchant and Unreasonable God”
It makes me continually warm and fuzzy inside getting back to Spice and Wolf each week and having it keep on doing everything it should. Although I suspect more than a few have tuned out given the nature of the show, the manner of its introduction, and the fact it’s very much a slow burner (particularly this version of the source material), it keeps on reminding me why I wound up adoring the original so much and why it’s a blast to follow it every week. And the best part? It only gets better.
As brought up last episode, the presence of Yarei and his actions makes for some interesting viewing when compared against his anime-original replacement Chloe. You can get a real sense that the guy is hungry and opportunistic, willing to sacrifice those like Holo and Kraft if it means he can further himself and his pursuits. Make no mistake, part of it is rationality and does make sense (why not turn up a change to befriend the regional clergy?), but as Kraft’s reply shows sometimes it’s about more than simple profit. When you get down to brass tracks money is just a resource, a tool to further aims and desires. Money can in part buy happiness (contrary to ubiquitous adages), but it’s not happiness without someone to enjoy the experience with, and Kraft has found that person in Holo. If being a merchant means being cutthroat with relationships Kraft will have none of it, and it’s partially for that reason Holo has grown so attached to him and why the likes of Marhait are so amicable to doing business with him (especially when Kraft shows where half this series’ namesake comes from). Yarei is simply the juxtaposition in Spice and Wolf to discern between what a merchant can be and what they should be.
As for the Wise Wolf herself, I dare say we got a lot of that too – literally. I have to give Passione some credit, they could’ve made Holo’s true form 3DCGI, but instead blessed us with some “proper” 2D animation work which highlighted just how different the girl really is when she gets serious. It’s a moment also showing how much Kraft is changing his opinions towards Holo, for while he rightfully remained scared of her canine form, he also recovered fast and pulled off another bit of bravado that Holo, no matter what she says, simply cannot resist. It shows just how strong the bonds of trust are becoming between the two, with Kraft coming to realize that Holo isn’t about to turn on him and Holo in turn seeing Kraft as someone she can be fully open with. Hell don’t have to go further than Holo taking charge of a wounded Kraft: she likes her men to take charge (while humorously ribbing them), but will do her utmost to keep those she cares for safe. It’s an absolute treat seeing their chemistry at play in these moments, and the only thing which makes it better is knowing we’ve only tickled the surface of what’s to come.
After all, it’s now back on the road for our mercantile-minded duo, and rest assured they won’t take long to stumble across the next business venture.
Preview
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Boy, did the first scenes with Yarei from the first episode fool me into thinking he was an innocent young man. Foolish, I thought that boy would not venture out of his village to do something great. Yarei is a progressive, and the church provided the resources to expand. However, Holo, from the old religion, is in the way. Now that I think about it, Yarei has a punchable face.
The church wants the small villages to stop worshiping Holo. Ultimately, the church will see the same thing happen to them when the nation moves to separate the church from the nation to prevent the church from amassing too much power. But that is much, much later, about a century or so.
Haha yupp Yarei very much has a punchable face, though (spoiler alert) he won’t play much of a role for the rest of this current adaptation. His role has now been served and given impetus for Kraft and Holo to continue on their way.
The church aspect is also interesting I find because it does play out very similar to mid-late medieval era, particularly in northern Europe and the Baltic where the impact of religious upheaval was more overtly pronounced. There’s a lot of subtle yet accurate portrayals this series has on tap which keeps me loving it so.
I had to check the old anime since I had the idea Holo’s transformation looked more impressive and menancing. And I was right, that suddeness of ripping clothes and growing to tremendous size was more visually impressive in the early version, and she doesn’t look as threatening here due to the more Shiba dog-like apperance. Of course a giant wolf is always menacing as heck, but the old design nailed it.
Still a great episode, and thank God for the 2D.
Oh yes the original cannot be beaten in that regard. I think what made the new design alright was it being fully 2D – 3D would’ve destroyed any impact it would’ve had. Such impact will be particularly important for the next time she takes on that form too.
Everything turned out all right now, but I can’t stop thinking about how the previous series went. If I recall it didn’t end on a good note. It will be nice to see what this series adapts and finally get some closure.
We’ll know how things will go come the second cour. The first adaptation had some pretty serious cuts and revisions in its second half so it’s a bit of a waiting game to see what happens.
The journey continues…
I’m starting to remember why this anime has remained in the hearts of others.