It’s very hard to believe it’s been a full decade since the last Spice & Wolf anime series aired. A decade ago, it had a pretty strong fan-base for a light novel title. Even Isuna Hasekura’s original novel series ended back in 2011, although it’s English release only finished up last year. However, Hasekura since started a sequel novel series entitled Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf in 2016, keeping the franchise alive. After 10 years since the last Spice & Wolf anime ended, it finally makes its way back to animation once more. We’re not getting a Spice & Wolf 3 like many wants, but we are getting a brand new VR anime.
【お知らせ】『狼と香辛料ＶＲ』OculusRift,HTC-VIVE,OculusGo版は６月３日に発売予定！ 当初の予定より遅れてしまいましたが、クオリティアップのためにご容赦ください！
“Spice and Wolf VR” OculusRift, HTC-VIVE, OculusGo Edition will be released on June 3! pic.twitter.com/o1LPgTGWrG— [email protected] (@spicytails) April 16, 2019
The VR anime comes courtesy of two Kickstarter campaigns by Spicy Tails who created the WORLD END ECONOMiCA visual with Hasekura in the past. After, Spicy Tails created, what they call, the first long VR Animation Project LUX. Both titles are available on steam. Having previously worked with Isuna Hasekura, they were able to bring him back for this new Spice & Wolf VR anime to write the scenarios. With the original author heavily involved, despite the radical format change, this could turn out pretty good.
Fans of the original anime series will be pleased to know that Lawrence and Holo’s original voice actors, the Jun Fukuyama and Ami Koshimizu, will also be coming back. The original story takes place in a medieval Europe typesetting. It largely centers around the aforementioned Lawrence and Holo, a wise trade merchant and confident, often nude, wolf god. What set Spice & Wolf apart from its other light novel contemporaries was its heavy use of economics. In addition to the beautiful wolf girl, you got math, statistics, and gambles.
The Spice & Wolf VR anime will release June 3 for the Oculus Rift, HTC VIVE, and Oculus GO. Those without VR headsets will be able to watch online in 2d with English subtitles.