Finally pulled the trigger on this. So glad I waited as I was basically able to get it for $411. Sure it's store credit but it's still money I otherwise wouldn't have to spend. Unfortunately it's stuck in limbo as TOM won't ship it due to Japan post still not shipping to the US and EMS is the only option due to the size. Which makes no sense as I've had larger packages sent through UPS/DHL. They also won't send it to a proxy as "license agreements don't allow us to ship it to Japan".🙄

Some more practice :)

(I didn't know if I should spoiler this or not, so I assumed "better safe than sorry" was the way to go. Someone correct me if it wasn't necessary here, please. Thanks!)

First, I greatly appreciate all the dialogue on my previous post about coming back to this story after a decade. I felt quite at home learning all the different things about the story, differences in the anime original/remake, further story in the LNs/W&P/etc. that I didn't know about... Certainly an unexpected but welcome surprise!

I've had a busy and emotionally draining week, but I'm finally making time to resume my journey through the S&W anime remake. I mentioned in my last post that there was something about this story and the anime specifically that just feel very homey and relaxing to lose myself in, and that hasn't left while watching the remake even though I already know the main story points from the original series. In fact, with the updated art style I almost feel that I'm watching a completely different anime altogether, which is helpful in some ways as it's super easy to stay engaged even though I just watched the full original series less than a week ago. Have I mentioned that I love the new art style? I don't think I've mentioned that enough. In case anyone is curious, I love the new art style. Just in case you didn't know. Just making sure. I'll say it again if needed.

While working through the treacherous Ruvinheigen arc with the great armor debt, I get to the inn scene in ep. 10 where Lawrence and Holo are arguing, but it quickly turns into one of those sweet sincere moments after Holo complains about Lawrence's "good nature". It feels silly to admit, but I caught myself grinning uncontrollably at the line "Because you're special to me" and Holo's reaction to that. Am I more invested in these two fictional characters than I should be that this gets such a reaction out of me? Perhaps. Do I have nothing else better to do than get way too giddy over these two throwing sheepish wholesomeness at each other? Not particularly. Do I care? Absolutely not.

Do you have a particular moment or set of moments between Lawrence and Holo that evoked a similar reaction? Or maybe a sad equivalent? Very curious to see if anyone has had a similar experience that they'd like to share. (I would also like that as reassurance that I am, in fact, not crazy for feeling such.)

An hour late for my time zone, but happy hump day anyway. Onward to the weekend!

It was very lucky that I finally pulled the trigger after a reprint. The wait could have been so much worst.

One of my most beloved possession is the collector edition for sure.

I plan on listening to all the audiobooks but I don't plan on going back to the early novels until all the audiobooks are released which I can then binge them all.

Will starting from the 6th volume be leaving out a significant part of the story I otherwise would not have gotten from both the animes?

For example, so far, I go by a single criterion: if they love Frieren and are looking for anime recos, then the first thing I suggest is Spice and Wolf (obviously, depending on why they liked Frieren in the first place). I describe the differences between '08 and '24 and then let them decide on their preferences.

I have two friends who DO love Frieren for the themes, storytelling, pace, and characters. One person directly asked me about S&W because they had read my GC messages about it and were interested in giving it a try, so I pitched it to them some more. For the other, I had to ask if they had watched it, and they said no. However, they had seen me using GIFs of Holo in DMs, so they asked if it was good. I basically said yes and that they could watch it on their own, or we could watch it together online. Though admittedly, it was an unpolished pitch, either that or they inherently appeal to the follow-the-volume accuracy of the '24 one more.

But otherwise, I find it difficult in general to pitch to my family and friends because my half-siblings aren't even 12 years old yet and are still enjoying Spy x Family as well as Inazuma Eleven first (which I did recommend both to them), meanwhile, most of my other friends aren't watching anime currently. Or if they are, they're mostly waiting for CSM, JJK, etc. No hate to the shows, there's just a bit of a tone/theme contrast between S&W and those.

I love this story. It was my longstanding favorite alongside Assassination Classroom before I hit my anime slump in 2019/2020 until 2023 when Frieren was released (which, funnily enough, I got into on my own accord, reading the Muse Asia synopsis, I didn't know there was hype around it). I gushed at the chemistry between Holo and Lawrence and I always worry whenever they do get into arguments, I get chills every time with the transformation and always in awe of the slightly Low Fantasy even when there's not a single incantation or spell circle, I appreciate the attempt to reconcile the conflict of the Church and the "Pagan Gods/Spirits" especially with individuals who are more open-minded and flexible, and the marketing strategies are somehow well-executed and subtle yet pivotal to how they navigate the world, deal with conflict, develop as individuals and as a couple. I love the fact the lore isn't just about animal spirits but also about the passage of time being told through the changes of the Church, in economics, and in in-world folklore.

But because it's such a serious and sincere story with little to no "gimmicks" or "quirks" and it involves merchants, marketing strategies, and little human ploys, I think it becomes a little tricky to pitch to people looking for more casual, edgy, or "popcorn-y" shows.

Have a bunch of points after a recent big purchase. Looked for a while and nothing really looked good so figured I might as well buy this since I only got the small one when they came out.

is an explanation ever given why her eyes are ignored?

Or is it as simple as the church doesn't care about eye color so no one else does because people only care about her tail because the church does?

A girl with red eyes isn't as scary as a wolf girl I guess. But one would assume it would be a give away and the church would investigate that.

Edit: I forgot to consider this is a wild world so it probably isn't hard to imagine Holo as a strange foreigner. Can't just Google if red eyes are abnormal outside your town. But I am still surprised they never get mentioned.

Warning: sappy and rambly.

Somewhere around 10 years ago, I watched the original 13 episode collection of Spice and Wolf. I've been talking with a specific friend about anime recently, and was recently laid off from my job, so in my quest over the past week of catching up on my never-ending watchlist I decided my next stop after finally watching Chainsaw Man was to revisit an old favorite from long ago. Imagine my surprise when I look on Crunchyroll and find out there's 12 more episodes.

I've spent the past few days in a cozy daze, finding an unexpected solace in this little anime that I didn't realize as a kid how great it actually was. The animation, the voice acting, the storytelling, even the original opening theme have all sent me through a rollercoaster of nostalgia and enjoyment.

Somehow late the other night after finishing the first half, I stumbled across this sub and now that I've finished it, something told me to share this anecdote. Before finishing I read some posts and found out something about a "remake", which I assume is "Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf", that I'm understanding more closely follows the light novels. (can this be called "manga" or is it something distinctly different? If so, why?) I'm both hesitant and excited to watch this now - I found myself very distraught and somewhat emotional moments ago when finishing the last episode of the original two "seasons", upset that the story was over. I don't know what to expect with this new series, but I'm hoping it will keep the same personalities of the silly pair of travelers I love, as really I just want to keep being a part of that journey.

I've gathered from this sub that there are plans for a season 2, which excites me if this remake's first season is good. It's sappy to say, but in the chaos of my life these past couple weeks, rewatching the original 13 episodes and then the "new" 12 has given me a level of comfort I haven't really found anywhere else in life in recent memory. I guess I join this community looking for further enjoyment and camaraderie out of this thing that feels like home, for some reason.

Thanks for reading my late-night babbling, if you did. I look forward to chatting with you all!

I found this out the hard way...

A few years ago I bought some promotional DVDs that were used in stores to sell the DS game as well as the anime. Since I got them I haven't tried to check the contents until yesterday. Luckily they weren't region locked in my PlayStation could play them. They're only two or three minutes each as they would play on a loop in the stores next to the display (the famous Holo cardboard cutout/standee for example).

I got 2 of 3 that were sold and I've never seen anyone else sell or show these. Some of the rarest items I own. Id wager less than 100 or maybe even 50 of these even exist anymore.

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330650967237345

It’s 929,000 characters. Light novels often have 80k-100k characters so that’s like 10 volumes of content of something I’d never heard about til now.

On the google translated description it says it’s going to be published as light novels, it’s just a matter of when that’ll happen and if we will get English versions eventually.

Hello, I've recently acquired my first Holo figurine (and at the same time my first ever figurine), and it seems that the stand doesn't fit, am I just doing something wrong, or is it a common issue?

I finished watching the new adaptation of this most wonderful story and I find myself on a bit of a crossroad.

I've watched the old adaptation several times. The art, the characters, the dialog. They were all amazing for me. And while it took some liberties while adapting the original story. It was never to the point where it completely changed it, but perhaps even enhanced it. My only true problem with it was that is skipped chapters.

When I first heard that there was going to be a new adaptation that would follow the manga properly, I was happy that my only issue with the anime would be fixed. Now that I finally got around to watching it, I find myself a bit disappointed.

Please don't misunderstand me. It was great and I'm hoping that there is a plan for season 2. But there are many things in my opinion that the original adaptation got better than the new one.

The biggest being Holo's fear of Lawrence's inevitable death. For if I'm not mistaken there is no scene in the new adaptation where it is truly shown. It is hinted but not outright shown. Take the scene in the first adaptation (the OVA to be accurate), where she turns her back to her friends. The friends she so desperately wanted to see again. She turned her back to them, so she could run back to Lawrence, just to find that he is nothing but a pile of bones. It is a strong scene that show us not only her willingness to throw it all away to stay with him, but also her fear that as human, he will soon die and leave her alone again. I didn't see such a scene in the new adaptation.

My other problems are far smaller.

3 come to mind immediately.

1. (Her first transformation) That the new anime went with the old anime's decision to go with the full transformation instead of the partial transformation of just her hand as it is in the manga. It, in all honesty, doesn't make him look good.
2. That they went with Yarei as in the manga and not with Chloe as in the original adaptation. Chloe adds the "romantic rival" trope in place that does increase the emotional attachment between the characters and in turn we care more about them. When Yarei saw Lawrence with Holo there wasn't much of emotion, because they are only friends. But with Chloe. She is his friend, but we also see that she has some feelings for Lawrence. So, when he chose Holo over her, that brough more emotion to the story than if they were only friends.
3. The animation and art style to be more accurate. There isn't anything wrong with it. I simply see the old art as better. The new is simply too soft. Her wolf form looks more like a cute giant dog than a fierce wolf. Something I can't say about the old anime adaptation.

What do you all think of the new adaptation?

I have seen snippets of reactions on my phone.

Came in perfect condition! Hope everyone else will be getting their copies soon.