Manga Review: Spice and Wolf volume 1

Spice and Wolf volume 1

Story: Isuna Hasekura

Art: Keito Koume

Character Design: Jyuu Ayakura

Rating: Mature

Originating as a novel by Isuna Hasekura before making the jump to manga, Spice and Wolf is the story of Lawrence, a traveling merchant who makes his way from one town to the next with the hopes of someday accumulating a small fortune. When his business brings him to a small town in the middle of their pagan celebration, he discovers the legend of Holo, the wolf god responsible for the harvest.

Later that night, he’s surprised to find a naked she-wolf sleeping in the back of his cart with claims of being the Holo. While Lawrence takes this in, surprisingly calm about the whole thing, there is some initial awkwardness between the two when they begin feeling each other out to determine their true intentions.

After coming to the conclusion that they can trust each other, Lawrence agrees to take Holo north, in the process gaining a traveling companion and an unexpected partner in business. Over the course of the volume, the two are drawn into a complex scheme involving currency fluctuations that proves Holo’s usefulness to the young merchant.

While this is a fantasy series involving magic, wolf gods, and medieval markets, it’s true focus lies on the characters and their relationship with one another. Lawrence and Holo, though surprisingly quick to accept each other, have a bond that feels genuine and fully developed.

The artwork here is fabulous. The original designs of the characters are translated faithfully and packed within tight panels of expressive pencil lines and carefully choreographed layouts. The art really leaps off the page and does a fine job of showing off the characters and their world.

For those hesitant about picking up the novel, the manga may make for an easier read. In any case, this is a franchise built on the foundation of a charming tale of two solitary people connecting with each other as they journey throughout the world. It may sound a bit dull, but this is a surprisingly engaging story that should leave fans wanting for more.

Spice and Wolf volume 1 - A+