Comments on: Spice and Wolf, season 2, episode 11 – This is why we can’t have nice things

By: RP

RP — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:30:35 +0000

I gotta say, you’re the first person I’ve ever come across who actually seems to dislike Horo, or at least likes Lawrence a lot better than Horo. I’m interested to see what you thought of the season finale and the show as a whole. Either way, I’m going to guess you’re not going to be happy with Horo.

Regarding Lawrence’s merchant skills, he’s not bad. I don’t think he’s bad. He’s got a good head and an ability to think on his feet. But he has a knack for taking stupid risks (even before this season). And if you recall, there were at least two instances during the first season where Horo either got a better deal for Lawrence, or saved him from a bad deal (not to mention saving him from complete destitution at the end, although that had nothing to do with her dealmaking skills).

By: MostlyHarmless

MostlyHarmless — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:31:13 +0000

Aw, so Horo really *is* nuts. It’s obvious that she’s desperately rationalizing here, because none of what she says makes sense. She has some kind of pathological fear of happy memories. She’d apparently rather remain nihilisitic and only remember heartache, then experience a slowly-fading joy.

It becomes obvious that this is really a capital-I Issue for her when Lawrence touches her tail. She really DOES seem to want him, but first he’ll have to find a way past her various and special issues. And he still has to determine whether she’s worth all the effort, although it’s obvious that Lawrence is the only guy that would accept such a broken goddess.

MAN did Horo ever screw him over this time. She waited until after the plan was in motion and she was sold to tell him. She made it obvious that he won’t be able to persuade her by backing out of the deal, or by going through with it either. So what the hell can he do? She pushed him into a deal with Abe, who we now know was smuggling salt statues for the church. That means she’s probably desperate and trying to get back at the church for outing her.. not a good sign.

If that’s not bad enough, the oh-so-foreshadowed rebellion starts. So the danger coefficient of this plot has just jumped to “Lawrence-threatening” levels. He is probably going to be backstabbed by Abe, and if not physically hurt by her there is a chance the rebellion will do it for her. Just great. Horo REALLY picked a top-notch plan to part with Lawrence on happy terms..

I also hope that Lawrence won’t end up near-death just to convince Horo to stay with him. But Abe is probably going to be back next season.

By: RP

RP — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:15:44 +0000

After watching the finale, I have to say your words are downright prophetic!

By: zzeroparticle

zzeroparticle — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:20:40 +0000

Finally got around to watching the episode and man, the bantering is good as normal, but that little unexpected twist at the end is going to cramp things up just a bit. If there's anything merchants dislike, its an unstable government. When you've got a rebellion like that, plans have a tendency to be shaken and there's no guarantee that contractual agreements will be honored in those circumstances. .-= zzeroparticle´s last blog ..Clannad Original Soundtrack – Review =-.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:42:58 +0000

Does anyone know the cost of animation?

By: Scamp

Scamp — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:53:45 +0000

You know, I would actually I love a proper Geass-esque cliffhanger ending. I know my heart and head would probably explode but we really don’t get enough cliffhanger endings to a season in anime.

@Roberto

I’ve noticed the drop in animation quality too but remember how well the first arc was animated. I hope Brains Base has some spare change left over for the last few episodes though and didn’t blow their money at the start
.-= Scamp´s last blog ..Hetalia Axis Powers episode 34 =-.

By: RP

RP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:21:09 +0000

Yeah, if there’s a bit of action in the final ep, the animation dip would make sense. I thought this ep looked better than the last, but there were a few scenes where I thought people’s heads looked strangely small. :p

By: Roberto

Roberto — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:46:25 +0000

Can’t argue with anything you said realy, well thought out i think. I too think it would be a “oh, where will Lawrence and Horo go next” type of cliffhanger. And the tail touching scene is so awesome. If the final couple of episodes are as action packed as this one suggests it’s going to be then it would explain some of the very poor and limited animation in the last few episodes. The only thing that was well animated in the last 4 episodes is Horos tail.