Spice and Wolf (Japanese: 狼と香辛料, Hepburn: Ōkami to Kōshinryō) is a Japanese light novel series written by Isuna Hasekura and illustrated by Jū Ayakura. ASCII Media Works has released 24 volumes of the series since February 2006 under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. The company also published 13 volumes of a spin-off light novel series titled Wolf and Parchment beginning in September 2016. The story follows Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant, and Holo, a wolf deity who decides to join him on a journey north to her hometown as Lawrence searches for wealth.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Keito Koume began serialization in the November 2007 issue of ASCII Media Works' seinen manga magazine Dengeki Maoh. The manga is licensed by Yen Press, which has started releasing the volumes in English. A 12-episode anime adaptation aired from January to March 2008, and an original video animation (OVA) episode was released in May 2008. A second OVA was released in April 2009 as a prequel to the second anime season, Spice and Wolf II, which aired 12 episodes between July and September 2009. Both anime seasons were released in English by Kadokawa Pictures USA and Funimation Entertainment. Two visual novels based on the series for the Nintendo DS were released by ASCII Media Works in June 2008 and September 2009. A second anime television series adaptation premiered from April to September 2024, with a second season announced.
By October 2020, the light novel had sold over 5 million copies. The series was described as a "unique fantasy" by Mainichi Shimbun because the story focuses on economics and trade rather than typical fantasy elements such as swords and magic.
Plot
The story of Spice and Wolf follows Kraft Lawrence, a 25-year-old merchant who travels from town to town selling goods to earn a living in a world similar to medieval Europe. His goal is to save enough money to open his own shop, and he has been traveling for seven years to gain experience in trade. One night, while staying in the town of Pasloe, Lawrence discovers a young woman named Holo in his wagon. Holo is actually a 600-year-old wolf-deity who appears as a girl aged 15 to 17, with a wolf’s tail and ears. She identifies herself as the town’s goddess of harvest, who has long ensured the village’s wheat crops grow well. However, Holo feels lonely and upset because the townspeople no longer rely on her blessings and instead use their own methods to improve harvests. She is also hurt by the villagers’ rejection of her promise to a farmer when she first arrived and their criticism of her as an "unreliable god" for requiring the soil to rest after harvests.
Because the town has turned away from her, Holo wishes to return to her homeland in the north, called Yoitsu. She also wants to see how the world has changed during her time in Pasloe. Holo makes a deal with Lawrence to travel with him, and as they journey together, her knowledge helps him increase his profits. However, her true identity causes problems for Lawrence, as the Church becomes suspicious of her. During their travels, Lawrence and Holo gradually develop a growing bond.
Media
The story Spice and Wolf began as a light novel series written by Isuna Hasekura, with illustrations by Jū Ayakura. Hasekura entered the first book into the twelfth Dengeki Novel Prize competition by ASCII Media Works in 2005 and won the Silver Prize. Between February 10, 2006, and July 10, 2011, ASCII Media Works published 17 novels under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. The tagline for the novels is "Merchant meats spicy wolf," which is an example of Engrish. The author has said the word "meats" in the tagline means something different, possibly a mistake in spelling "meets."
To celebrate the series' 10th anniversary, Hasekura started writing a sequel in the 49th issue of Dengeki Bunko Magazine on April 9, 2016. In 2016, new books in the main series were released again, including the eighteenth volume. A spin-off series titled Wolf and Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf was also started, focusing on characters Myuri, Lawrence, Holo's daughter, and Cole.
In September 2008, Yen Press licensed the novels for English distribution. The first English volume was released in December 2009, with a new volume coming out every four months. Yen Press changed the cover of the first book but kept the original illustrations. They also included the original cover art in a special version sold online. Future books and reprints will keep the original artwork but use new covers to attract more readers. Yen Press also licensed the Wolf and Parchment series, with the first volume released in November 2017.
A manga adaptation by Keito Koume began in the November 2007 issue of Dengeki Maoh, a magazine by ASCII Media Works. The first manga volume was released on March 27, 2008, and the series ended with the sixteenth and final volume in 2018.
A manga adaptation of Wolf and Parchment by Hidori started in the July 2019 issue of Dengeki Maoh. Yen Press has licensed both the main and spin-off manga series and released them in English in North America.
An anime adaptation by the studio Imagin aired in Japan from January 9 to March 26, 2008, on Chiba TV. Thirteen episodes were planned, but only twelve were broadcast, with one episode released only on DVD. The anime was directed by Takeo Takahashi, written by Naruhisa Arakawa, and had character designs by Kazuya Kuroda. The opening theme was "Tabi no Tochū" by Natsumi Kiyoura, and the ending theme was "Ringo Biyori: The Wolf Whistling Song" by Rocky Chack. The soundtrack was released on March 12, 2008.
The anime episodes were released in Japan on six DVD volumes between April 2, 2008, and August 29, 2008. The first DVD had three episodes, and the others had two each, with the third volume including an original video animation (OVA) episode. A Blu-ray box set was released on January 30, 2009. The anime was licensed for English release by Kadokawa Pictures USA and Funimation Entertainment, with a complete thirteen-episode DVD box set released on December 22, 2009. The series first aired on Funimation Channel in North America on November 16, 2010.
A second season of the anime, Spice and Wolf II, aired in Japan from July 9 to September 24, 2009. Most of the first season's staff returned, but new animation studios and a different character designer were used. The original voice actors returned for the roles. An OVA was released with a picture book titled Spice and Wolf: Wolf and Gold Wheat, created by the same authors as the novels. Funimation licensed the second season and released it in English on August 30, 2011. The second season first aired on Funimation Channel in North America on August 31, 2011. A Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of both seasons, including the 2009 OVA, was released on September 11, 2012.
A new anime adaptation titled Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf was announced on February 25, 2022, for the series' 15th anniversary. It is a remake produced by Passione and directed by Hijiri Sanpei. Takeo Takahashi returned as chief director, Kevin Penkin composed the music, and the original voice actors, Jun Fukuyama and Ami Koshimizu, reprised their roles as Lawrence and Holo. The series aired from April 2 to September 24, 2024, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. The first opening theme was "Tabi no Yukue" by Hana Hope, and the first ending theme was "Andante" by ClariS. The second opening theme was "Sign" by Aimer, and the second ending theme was "Ringo to Kimi" by NeRiAme. Crunchyroll streamed the series outside of Asia, and Netflix announced it would stream the series in select Asian regions in March 2024. A second season was announced after the first season ended.
An internet radio show called Ōkamikku Radio aired ten episodes between December 7, 2007, and April 25, 2008.
Reception
ASCII Media Works stated that by December 2009, the novel had sold more than 3.5 million copies. By October 2020, sales had reached over 5 million copies. The first manga volume of the English release in North America first appeared at No. 4 on The New York Times Best Seller Manga list. The third volume reached No. 3 on the same list.
In a review of the 2008 anime, Michael Basile of Anime News Network described it as "incredibly fascinating and captivating." He noted the story's "very broad" and detailed treatment of economics, which he said made the world more realistic and added complexity to the plot. He also praised the characters Holo and Lawrence, who had "perfect chemistry" and "wonderful, often touching conversations." Basile highlighted their romantic relationship as a strong part of the show, saying their dialogue made romantic scenes stand out. He concluded by calling the anime an "absolute delight" to watch.
The light novel series appeared three times in Takarajimasha's yearly light novel guidebook Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!: first in 2007, and fifth in both 2008 and 2009. In the 2007 guide, Holo was named Best Female Character. In 2009, Japanator ranked the anime as the 48th best of the decade.