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REVIEW: Spice and Wolf GN 1

Her appearance is fairly childlike, as are many of her mannerisms. It often makes the intentionally sexual parts of the book feel inappropriate. It's worth noting then, both to set context and as a warning to readers, that Holo is very comfortable with her nudity, so readers will be seeing quite a bit of her. Of course, nudity doesn't automatically equate to sexuality but her posture, gestures, and the intentional views in which the panels are drawn from, all conspire to make her a much more sexual being then some will be comfortable with, both because of her youthful appearance and because of the pandering sexual-nature of these scenes in general. This isn't helped by moments of her deliberately playing on her charms with Lawrence such as asking if she's cute while licking a bun soaked in honey or bending over to show off her backside while enlightening him on how attractive others find her. It perhaps wouldn't be as bad if she looked an age where it didn't feel borderline sleazy – sorry breasts, you're just not enough of an age indicator to cover up everything else – or if the story didn't feel like it was trying to hold itself on a level higher than its fan service denotes.

Quote:

Her appearance is fairly childlike, as are many of her mannerisms. It often makes the intentionally sexual parts of the book feel inappropriate. It's worth noting then, both to set context and as a warning to readers, that Holo is very comfortable with her nudity, so readers will be seeing quite a bit of her. Of course, nudity doesn't automatically equate to sexuality but her posture, gestures, and the intentional views in which the panels are drawn from, all conspire to make her a much more sexual being then some will be comfortable with, both because of her youthful appearance and because of the pandering sexual-nature of these scenes in general. This isn't helped by moments of her deliberately playing on her charms with Lawrence such as asking if she's cute while licking a bun soaked in honey or bending over to show off her backside while enlightening him on how attractive others find her. It perhaps wouldn't be as bad if she looked an age where it didn't feel borderline sleazy – sorry breasts, you're just not enough of an age indicator to cover up everything else – or if the story didn't feel like it was trying to hold itself on a level higher than its fan service denotes.

This whole part basically summed up how I felt about all the fan service and borderline Chotto Ecchi moments from the Anime (that apparently made there way into the Manga with a vengeance). But who knows the Manga might be worth a lark I'll read anything once. I remember I thought I was gonna hate DearS because of all the negative opinions I heard from reviewers. But I ended up really liking so who knows might end up liking this one also.

Fun fact: Koume Keito, the artist for the S&W manga, has an extensive eromanga backlist, notably including the 'Pollinic Girls Attack' eromanga.

Personally, I don't mind the fanservice all that much: it's actually was what I was expecting, considering the artist. In fact, I expected the manga to be a lot tamer. I'm torn, because I don't know if the reviewer's tastes are just really conservative, or I'm just a perv.

I already have the first light novel, and I expect to buy the series when I have the cash. Ever since I saw he manga announced in Yen Plus magazine, I had plans to buy it, so I'll be getting this anyway. Worst case scenario, I've got some eyecandy for when I get tired of reading high-brow stuff.

I get where the reviewer is coming from, though: I do understand that not a lot of people are going to like naked wolf-girl images, and I don't blame 'em. Don't end up like me, kiddies!

I don't like the review. Spice and Wolf deserves much higher praises for the series. Written like a prude preacher, this review doesn't give it justice. I feel like it tried to gain the public's approval throughout the commenting on the ecchi when people want to read about the book. I'm definitely buying the manga for one of the most surprisingly charming anime I've seen in recent years. It's a total different thing and a chance of pace.

Oh God, now Horo is disturbingly childlike? Where do you people get off? Unless there were some major changes for the manga...

I have the Anime, the novel, and the manga and I'd have to say that while I may not entirely agree with the review, the manga is the weakest of the three.