DVD Corner

Spice And Wolf Season 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Review

The second season of “Spice And Wolf” is frustrating.

In this second season set (which includes 12 episodes and an episode 0 OVA), the adventures of the merchant (Kraft) and the wolf girl (Holo) continue. Plots in these episodes involve: A merchant named Fermi Amati, a search for Holo’s hometown Yoitsu, tension between Lawrence and Holo, selling/trading/buying pyrites, fur, and yes, even Holo, alchemists, travels to the towns of Kumerson and Renos, and a mysterious woman named Eve Bolan. The OVA story focuses on an ill Holo and her relationship with Lawrence.

After a unique and engaging season 1, the follow-up season disappoints for several reasons. For one, very little happens in this season. A lot of time is spent on characterization which is fine, but the story doesn’t move forward enough for my taste. It’s only in the final few episodes when events start becoming intense for the show’s main characters. The biggest disappointment, however, is the fact that (as of right now) there is no season 3. Apparently, the story has been completed in a series of Japanese light novels (which are slowly being released in the U.S.), but there are no future seasons planned for the anime series. As a result, there is no resolution or closure for fans of the anime series. To say this is frustrating is an understatement. It would be like watching “The Fellowship Of The Ring” film and learning that there would be no film versions of “The Two Towers” or “Return Of The King.”

On a positive note, I should mention that the animation is better than ever here (especially in hi-def). The water, trees, leaves, fogs, skylines, and town designs are beautifully animated. Even when the episodes are sluggish, you can at least admire the gorgeous animation if nothing else.

Summary: If you don’t mind that there will evidently be no closure, feel free to check out season 2 (and 1 for that matter).

Video/Audio:

The widescreen 1080p picture quality gets a thumbs up from this reviewer. The colors are sharp and you can spot more more animation details on the Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray discs contain English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 audio tracks while the DVD discs contain English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese Stereo tracks. The English dub is acceptable, but it’s hardly a must-listen to track. The Holo voice actress on the English track sounds like someone you’d see at a Renaissance Fair. The Japanese track isn’t perfect either voice acting wise as Holo’s voice seems off on that one too.  

Blu-ray and DVD Extras:
* Textless opening and closing songs.
* Trailers for “Eden Of The East: Paradise Lost,” “Tsubasa,” “Soul Eater,” “One Piece,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “D.Gray-Man,” “RideBack,” “Noir,” “Spice And Wolf,” and Funimation.com.
* “Studying With Holo”- Holo chats about bread and wine.

* “Stretching With Holo, Yoitz Style”- Holo teaches various stretches.

October 2, 2011 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Spice And Wolf Light Novels, Spice And Wolf Season 1, Spice And Wolf Season 2 Blu-ray Review, Spice And Wolf Season 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Review, Spice And Wolf Season 2 DVD Review