The official website for the Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf anime has officially revealed a new visual and key production staff for its highly anticipated second season. The announcement solidifies the continuation of the beloved fantasy series, promising fans further adventures of Kraft Lawrence and Holo the Wise Wolf. While an exact release date has yet to be confirmed, the production decision for Season 2 was made immediately following the conclusion of the first season on September 24, 2024.
A Fresh Look at Holo and Lawrence: The New Visual
The newly released visual for Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf Season 2 showcases a vibrant depiction of the traveling merchant Kraft Lawrence and the wolf deity Holo. The artwork captures the essence of their journey, with Holo playfully leading Lawrence, hinting at new experiences and encounters on their path. This visual serves as an exciting teaser for what lies ahead in their ongoing story.
Returning Talent and New Additions to the Production Team
The second season sees a blend of returning and new talent at the animation studio Passione, ensuring a consistent yet evolving vision for the series.
Key Staff Confirmed for Season 2:
- Chief Director: Takeo Takahashi, who served as director for the original Spice and Wolf anime and chief director for the first season of merchant meets the wise wolf, is returning to oversee the production.
- Directors: Hijiri Sanpei, who directed the first season, will continue in a directing role. Joining the directorial team are Nobuyoshi Nagayama (Smile Down the Runway) and Takahiro Majima (episode director for Interspecies Reviewers).
- Animation Studio: Passione, the studio behind the first season, will once again be animating the series.
- Character Design: Koji Haneda (The Faraway Paladin) returns to design the characters, with Rina Sugimoto also joining in character design.
- Music Composition: Kevin Penkin, known for his work on Made in Abyss and The Rising of The Shield Hero, is returning to compose the music, ensuring the distinctive auditory landscape of the series remains intact.
Additional Staff Include:
- Color Design: Tomoko Koyama
- Art Setting: Morihito Ōhara
- Art Director: Kazuhiro Inoue
- Director of Photography: Yuki Okada
- Editor: Ayako Tan
Reprising Their Roles: The Main Cast Returns
Fans will be pleased to know that the beloved voice actors for the main protagonists are reprising their roles. Jun Fukuyama returns as the astute merchant Kraft Lawrence, and Ami Koshimizu is back as the wise and captivating wolf goddess Holo. Mai Nakahara also returns as Norah Arendt.
The Journey Continues: What to Expect from the New Season
The Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf anime is a completely new adaptation, retelling the story from Isuna Hasekura’s original light novel series. The first season, which debuted in April 2024 and aired for two consecutive cours, was streamed by Crunchyroll. This remake aims to provide a definitive anime adaptation, notably including content that the 2008 anime series skipped, such as Volume 4 of the light novels. With the confirmation of a second season, the anime is poised to delve deeper into the intricate world of trade, economics, and the unique bond between Lawrence and Holo.
While a specific release window for Season 2 has not yet been announced, anticipation is high, with some predictions suggesting a late 2025 or 2026 premiere.
