Spice & Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf – Episode 25 Review
After half a year, the cart stops here: the end of Spice & Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf. For now. The announcement of a continuation is not surprising, but it is heartening. While this re-adaptation sometimes measured unfavorably against the original anime, the confirmation of taking on the whole story makes the rough edges go down a little more smoothly. Overall, the production landed firmly in the “good enough” quadrant of adaptation quality. The modest and occasionally uninspired visuals were sufficiently buoyed by the performances and writing. If Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf can hold the line, I can tolerate more of this and look forward to it.
The finale of this week is quite good. The season ends on an ironic yet appropriate note, with Holo adding a pinch of miraculous spice while Lawrence lets loose his inner wolfishness. It’s a smart conclusion that properly highlights both of our heroes’ cunning, as well as their power when working together. In that regard, it’s the most satisfying climax yet. The first two arcs were too action-forward, and the previous arc had Lawrence thinking he was working against Holo for most of it. This time, they have to fully rely on each other (and their new friends) to pull off a high-stakes con, and that feels much more suited to the strength of their wits and bond.
Elsa’s arc in particular wraps up on a great note. She started out cloistered in her church and disrespected by both the townsfolk and clergy. Now, she’s standing up in front of the whole town in order to protect it. Her bravery is commendable, as is her nuanced perspective on her faith. She eschews a strict adherence to religious dogma in favor of prioritizing the lives and livelihood of Tereo’s people. In that respect, she finally becomes Father Franz’s true successor. The show contrasts Elsa’s steadfast morality against the deceit and opulence exhibited by the bishop’s posse. Their plan cleverly uses the public spectacle against these instigators.
Lawrence’s conversation with Riendott is basically the economic equivalent of a heavyweight boxer pummeling a featherweight. Through words alone, Lawrence browbeats him into a sustainable contract for both Tereo and Enberch, and he clearly loves every sliver-tongued minute of it. The poisoned wheat being localized to a single cart pretty much confirms that it was planted there deliberately, and Riendott knows Lawrence can point this out at any time. Evan’s arc is the only part that falls a bit flat, as there’s not much for him to do here after confirming his love/loyalty to Elsa last week.
While Holo and Lawrence’s journey is far from over, this feels like a nice place to take a pause before the second season airs. Lawrence says that travelers leave behind good memories, not regrets, and that’s how I feel about this iteration of Spice & Wolf. It successfully rekindled my affection for this series and these characters, and I’ll be here when their cart rolls back into town. The show has successfully rekindled my affection for this series and these characters, and I eagerly anticipate the continuation.
In conclusion, Spice & Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf has delivered a satisfying conclusion to its first season, setting the stage for more adventures to come. The clever writing, strong character development, and engaging plot make it a must-watch for fans of the series. As the cart rolls on to new adventures, viewers can look forward to more of the dynamic between Holo and Lawrence, the intricate economic schemes, and the rich world-building that make Spice & Wolf such a compelling series. Stay tuned for more updates on the continuation of this captivating tale.
