Summary
If there’s been any point of criticism towardSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf, it’s that it hasn’t done enough to differentiate itself from the original 2008 anime. While the updated visuals and animation are great, every episode of the new series has largely gone the same way as the corresponding episode of the original series, all of which defeats the point of it having a remake, to begin with.
Spice and Wolf’sremakehasn’t done much to differentiate itself from the original anime, but that’s about to change. Following episode #19’s release, it was revealed thatthe next arc ofSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfwill adapt volume #4 of the light novels, a story arc notoriously skipped in the originalanime.
The inclusion of volume #4’s story, the “Legend of the Pagan Gods” arc, is essential to the overarching narrative, and its inclusion is the first big clue thatSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfwill be different from the original anime.
Spice And Wolf’s New Story Arc Explained (& Why The Original Anime Skipped It)
Why The First Spice And Wolf Anime Skipped A Crucial Arc
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf’s upcoming Legend of the Pagan Gods arc sees Lawrence and Holo arrive in the village of Tereoas they continue looking for Holo’s home of Yoitsu, or at least whatever might remain of it. There, the two search for more clues about Yoitsu, confront their growing feelings, and befriend the local deaconess Elsa Schtingheim and Gyoam Evan the miller, the last point leading to Lawrence and Holo having to help save Tereo from financial ruin.
Spice and Wolfvolume #4 is an important arc toSpice and Wolf’s story, and it’s always been odd that the first anime didn’t adapt it. While both that arc and the final arc of the original anime cover similar topics, the Legend of the Pagan Gods arc is focused more on Holo’s history than romance, sothe originalSpice and Wolfanime likely skipped the Legend of the Pagan Gods arc to prioritize Lawrence and Holo’s relationship before it ended. That wasn’t necessarily the wrong decision, but regardless, it’s good that the remake is going in a different direction.
Spice And Wolf’s New Story Arc Is A Great Sign For The Anime Reboot
The best thing aboutSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfadapting volume #4 of the light novel is what it sets up for the adaptation, overall. While the new anime hasn’t diverged much from the originalhit fantasy anime, with how much work it’s put into advertising an arc the original series skipped over, there’s an implication thatSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfis set to adapt the entireSpice and Wolfseries from start to finish. That would also mean the reboot would receive additional seasons, and that would be great to see.
There are already hints thatSpice and Wolf’s remake will be a complete adaptation of the series, of course. Both the series premiere and episode #13 feature flash-forwards to Holo telling the story of her travels to Myuri, her and Lawrence’s daughter, and that suggests that,Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfhas always been set up as a complete adaptation. That means the upcoming arc will be whenSpice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolftruly starts to come into its own, and for old and new fans alike, that will be great to see.
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolfreleases new episodes Mondays on Crunchyroll.
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
Cast
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf follows the journey of Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant, who encounters Holo, a deity who takes the form of a wolf and a young woman. Together, they traverse medieval landscapes, engaging in economic adventures while forging a unique bond. This 2024 adaptation introduces new audiences to the rich blend of fantasy and commerce originally captured by Isuna Hasekura’s beloved series.
