Spice and Wolf – Episode 07 Review

「神の天秤と草原の魔術師」 (Kami no Tenbin to Sōgen no Majutsushi)
“Scale of God and Sorcerer of the Grasslands”

Another week and another episode where Spice and Wolf brings a smile to my face. For all the ways in which this series is showing its age in the face of more modern tales, the leisurely pace and enjoyable banter between Kraft and Holo keep things moving nicely, especially given we’re reaching the part of the story where matters starting getting very interesting. After all, the foreshadowing here is through the roof.

Having gone through the trials and tribulations of merchants going all in on business propositions, the focus this week was more on simple trade and appreciating the difficulty in making a quick buck. As one unfortunate trader learned the hard way, Holo’s sense of awareness is too damn keen and trying to swindle Kraft not too successful once the results of that keenness come out into the open. It’s another nice bit of development, for not only does it show how Kraft’s and Holo’s relationship hasn’t been harmed by the actions of Kraft last time, but how Holo very much is in it to fulfill her end of the bargain. Sure, mostly in it for the sake of tasty snacks and far too much alcohol, but also because Kraft himself refuses to give her up. God knows the chemistry between the two keeps on benefitting because of it too – Holo certainly hasn’t lost sight of that fact.

It’s the banter as well which reveals the next big arc for Spice and Wolf as Kraft elucidates on regarding the city of Ruvenheigen and his major bet on selling armour in it. Armour he acquired on credit. It’s not much of a spoiler to say that Kraft’s nice chunk of expected profit won’t wind up being as smooth sailing as he thinks, though the manner of it and the ultimately outcome might prove surprising for anyone who hasn’t seen the original or read the source material. Suffice to say this little adventure will need a similar level of courage as the last as even greater stakes are at play, but it’s the sort of thing that Kraft (and Holo) won’t have too much trouble getting into the mindset for.

Well, at least until we factor in one new shepherd face and said shepherd’s impact on our travelling duo. Let’s just say the road ahead for wolf and merchant both is going to get bumpy.

Preview