Spice and Wolf II: The Wolf and the Amber Melancholy
Synopsis
Traveling merchant Kraft Lawrence and wolf deity Holo sit down to have dinner with Norah Arendt, a young shepherdess who helped them smuggle gold. Holo's dislike of Norah—due to both the latter's profession and her closeness with Lawrence—prevents her from enjoying her meal. When Holo falls ill from fatigue, she is cared for by Lawrence, who frets over the health of his dear companion. As she regains her strength, Holo reminisces about the adventures they had together. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The audience generally enjoyed the OVA, particularly the character interactions and focus on Holo. While some viewers were disappointed with the change in animation style and character portrayals compared to the first season, most found it to be a worthwhile addition to the series. The OVA serves as a pleasant re-introduction and foreshadows more romance elements.
Strengths
- Well-made re-introduction to the main characters.
- Explores 'inner' character development through dreams and flashbacks.
- Maintains the music from the first season.
- Holo's character is condensed effectively into the OVA format, highlighting her appealing traits.
- Enjoyable interactions between characters.
- Exploration of historical concepts.
Weaknesses
- Animation and character design are different from the first season, with some preferring the original style.
- Characters sometimes act out of character, with Lawrence and Holo feeling slightly off.
- Plot is minimal and can be omitted without losing sight of the overall story.