Next Stop, Japan!

Spice and Wolf is an endearing little show. It’s animation is being produced by the small IMAGIN company of Eureka Seven fame. It’s certainly nothing spectacular but it’s far from just being droll, blocky, and one-dimensional like your typical dime-a-dozen anime. It’s never given a chance to shine as action sequences are inconspicuously absent from the series thus far as the series is about trading and currency exchange rates. The magical realism of a wolf taking the shape of a human and becoming a trading partner is taking a back seat to the meat of the plot which is all about finding the next big score. Aside from the voracious appetite or condescending remarks upon the nature of humanity, I would’ve completely forgotten a wolf was in the mix at all.

But at least the characters are endearing. Well, just Horo the wolf, that is, as voiced by Ami Koshimizu who you’ll recognize as Tenma Tsukamoto from School Rumble. The cool, suave lead male, Craft, is voiced by Jun Fukuyama who also played Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass. The talent shows. Talent which is desperately needed because the weight of the show rests on their shoulders alone as the two characters who consume 90% of the dialog. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to continue listening to the quality levels of fox furs and coins of varying silver purity. The only thing the show has going for it is the inevitable romance that will develop between Craft and Horo. That, and the non-nonchalance with which Horo appears unabashedly naked. After all, isn’t that what it’s really all about?

Besides, everything else coming out this season is sentimental gobbledygook like True Tears (I hope Shinichiro will be able to cry someday, the poor dear!), or rehashed schoolgirl comedies (look at those sassy girls doing stuff! Oh, look, one of them is outgoing, one is quiet and mysterious, and another is shy! What antics are they about to get themselves mixed up in!).

The best part of the show (besides the gratuitous nude scenes) is the OP song and video . Do yourself a favor and watch it here. The OP and ED songs will be released on the 5th of February. You’ll have to wait until March 12th for the soundtrack.

Here’s a clip of the show’s riveting dialog:

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