Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” features our wise wolf Holo demonstrating her silver tongue once more. This time though, she also demonstrates that she has a taste for apples. How both intermesh and combine produces one of the more hilariously fascinating stories of this economics-focused anime.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation”: Details

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Japanese key visual 2.
The perfect key visual for this episode. You know, because of a certain greedy wolf?

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” is the third episode (you can reviews for Ep. 1 and Ep. 2 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).

Tatsuya Hagino is the director behind Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation”, with Tatsuhiko Urahata as the writer, and Shinji Itadaki responsible for 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. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” features the voices of Jun Fukuyama as Kraft Lawrence and Ami Koshimizu as Holo the Wise Wolf.

When and Where to Watch

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” made its airing and streaming debut on April 15, 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. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation”: Synopsis

Despite her fine mannerisms, she is not so above it all. Especially where apples are concerned.

Alas, Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF is an ongoing anime series that I am reluctant to go into full detail on. In fact, Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” only just premiered yesterday as of this writing. Thus, you will all get the official synopsis of this episode from Crunchyroll instead of a spoiler-filled plot summary. You can check that out below:

After arriving in the great merchant city of Pazzio, Lawrence teaches Holo more about than many kinds of currency in use. Then the Wise Wolf earns her keep – and her title – by demonstrating her bargaining skills.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation”: The Good

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 "Port Town and Sweet Temptation" visual by Juu Ayakura.
Even the official artists like Juu Ayakura can’t escape the apple here.

There’s really no doubt about it. The best part of Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” is definitely the story. This entire episode is all about Holo making great use of her silver tongue and wolf senses for economic benefit. There’s something both fascinating and entertaining about that entire process. It’s a bit like watching a fast-talking salesperson at work here. The key difference, though, is that the other side is usually getting something out of it, so it’s not just a pure swindle. It’s these kinds of back-and-forth deals and exchanges that’s what make this anime interesting.

Of course, we can’t talk about this anime without talking about the animation. Passione really went all out with the apples in this episode, as befitting the title. Seriously, the apples look positively divine. They have the right coloration for apples, and have that bit of shine to them like buffed apples, with shadows in all the right places just around the stem. One look at those apples, and you instantly know just why Holo wants the whole stack. Heck, I want one, too, after seeing that. I call that a compliment to the animators there.

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation”: The Bad

Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 "Port Town and Sweet Temptation" screenshot showing a very satisfied Holo after devouring a whole bunch of apples.
Now that is one satisfied wolf there.

If you’re a fan of action films, then Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF Ep. 3 “Port Town and Sweet Temptation” is most definitely not for you. There’s not a hint of action to be seen in this episode. Not a peep. It’s all wordplay and economic fun times here. So if you only like action, then this episode will be quite boring for you. I would suggest something more like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or Spy x Family if you want that action kick.