Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” starts us off with the grim situation of Holo’s imprisonment that started in the previous episode. However, this episode also shows us that Lawrence isn’t one to take things lying down. Indeed, he gets his chance to strike back here.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”: Details

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF NA key visual.
Alas, this morning seems a bit far away in this episode.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” is the fifth episode (you can reviews for Ep. 1, Ep. 2, Ep. 3, and Ep. 4 here) of season 1 of this reboot anime series by studio Passione (Citrus, Mieruko-chan, Yuri Is My Job!). Said anime series is the reboot of the 2008 anime Spice and Wolf by studios Imagin (season 1) and the duo of Brain’s Base and Marvy Jack (season 2). Said original anime series (along with this reboot) are the anime adaptations of the light novel series of the same name by Isuna Hasekura (World End Economica, Magdala de Nemure). Crunchyroll is the company licensing this anime for its NA release.

Yū Yabuuchi is the director behind Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”, with Tatsuhiko Urahata as the writer, and Takeshi Takahashi doing the storyboard. As for the anime as a whole, we do still know that Hijiri Sanpei is the director. Takeo Takahashi is actually returning from the original 2008 anime series as the chief director. Tatsuhiko Urahata is the overall writer, with Kevin Penkin (Made in Abyss, Tower of God, Bye Bye, Earth) as the composer for the music you hear in this reboot anime.

Speaking of music: the opening theme music for this reboot anime is “Tabi no Yukue” by Hana Hope. Meanwhile, “Andante” by ClariS is the ending theme music for the same.

Voice Cast

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” features the voices of Jun Fukuyama (J. Michael Tatum in English dub) as Kraft Lawrence and Ami Koshimizu (Brina Palencia in English dub) as Holo the Wise Wolf. The other notable voice role in this episode is Tomokazu Sugita (Austin Tindle in English dub) as Yarei.

When and Where to Watch

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” made its airing and streaming (aka. simulcast) debut on April 29, 2024. You can watch this episode only on Crunchyroll. In fact, you can watch this reboot anime as a whole only on Crunchyroll for now. If you want to watch the original 2008 Spice and Wolf anime for comparison, then you can do that on Crunchyroll as well.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”: Synopsis

She’s definitely not smiling all that much in this episode.

Alas, Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF is an ongoing anime series. In fact, Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” only just made its debut yesterday as of this writing. Thus, you will all get the official synopsis from Crunchyroll instead of a spoiler-filled plot summary. You can read that synopsis below:

Lawrence reveals Holo’s secret to the manager of Milone Trading Company to gain their help in securing Holo’s escape. For merchants, money comes first, so why has Medio Trading captured Holo at all? Lawrence must outthink politics to save Holo.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”: The Good

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 "Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb" visual by Juu Ayakura.
I’m glad this was also Juu Ayakura’s favorite scene.

If I have to be frank, the story of Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” is definitely the main reason why this episode is so good. Even more so than the previous episodes, really. It’s all the raw emotion on display here. There is just a touch of thriller and intrigue going on for flavor, but it’s really that all passion and emotion that’s the main course of this episode. Especially coming from Holo. You can hear really hear the outrage, anguish, and pain in her voice and words.

It’s not just raw emotion on display though. There’s also silliness, also courtesy of Holo. Just watch what she does when Lawrence is talking with that wagon driver. It’s absolutely hilarious. You don’t know what she’s doing, and I’m not entirely certain she knows either. All that is what makes it into the funniest background event in a while. It’s that combination of emotions, both downwards and up, that’s why this episode and the anime as a whole are so good. Just like how Isuna Hasekura wrote it.

Adding to that though is the fantastic animation. Passione did yet another wonderful job. It’s not quite feature-length anime film levels of quality like Black Butler -Public School Arc-. It’s more on the level of Kaiju No. 8, but in a different way. When you combine that level of quality with the story, it’s like the chocolate creme on a very delicious cake.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb”: The Bad

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 "Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb" screenshot showing Lawrence staring down into a hole in the street.
I know, Lawrence. Holes leading into a sewer would make me nervous too.

Honestly, if you’re an action junkie who like nothing but, then Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 5 “Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb” isn’t for you. Heck, the entire anime series probably isn’t for you. It’s just not that kind of anime. Even the intrigue is more cloak and dagger kind of stuff, rather than any kind of shonen anime fight scene. If you want that, then Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or Kaiju No. 8 might be more your speed.

Keep Reading:

Spice And Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 4 “Romantic Merchant And Moonlit Farewell”: Economic Intrigue [Review]