I just finished watching Spice and Wolf, honestly it's one of the best animes I've ever watched. I'm not very into anime but I would very much appreciate some more recommendations for shows or animes similar to it!
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Affectionate-Can-2312026-01-27 06:17
Darling in the franxx
Front-Strike-86902026-01-27 06:24
I’ve heard mixed reviews, what would you recommend about it?
Playest_42472026-01-27 06:27
I also would like to hear you justify that recommendation
Affectionate-Can-2312026-01-27 06:34
It’s an interesting take on what is genuine human connection and that society has basically removed the concept of love from procreation. Watching the cast of characters kind of break through that was good and the dynamic between the main characters is similar to spice and wolf. Op more mature female character with a less powerful male.
Waylornic2026-01-27 06:24
You've gotta tell us what about Spice and Wolf you liked, because I can tell you right now, not a lot of merchants traveling with wolf god anime.
Front-Strike-86902026-01-27 06:26
Fair enough😭. I like fantasy settings and slow burn romance a lot. But also I enjoyed the dynamic between Lawrence and Holo, which I know isnt super specific but just something about the silly-serious dynamic scratches a certain part of my brain really well
Waylornic2026-01-27 06:45
Hmm, **Frieren** is probably a good recommendation. Fantasy, elements of a slow burn romance in some ways, huge focus on dialogue.
That dynamic between Lawrence and Holo is god tier in anime, so it's hard to replicate. One anime that scratches that itch for me is a SciFi, not fantasy, called **Crest of the Stars**. It's about a teenager that gets thrust into a duke position in an alien society and has to complete compulsory military duty. He meets what is essentially a space elf princess who is also completing military duty. In my eyes, they have that playful "I'm not always saying what I'm actually saying" teasing and playful conversation style. It's one of my favorite series for that reason. Crest of the Stars into Battle Flag of the Stars, three short seasons and an OVA.
Skwalou2026-01-27 09:41
Was gonna recommend Crest of the Stars (and sequel Banner of the Stars) as well. Definitely among my favorite series as well and scratched the Spice&Wolf itch at the time.
SpamAcc172026-01-27 07:32
Silly serious slowburn romance might be apothecary diaries. Like S&W it also has to competent fleshed out main characters working together. Different setting though.
lavaine2026-01-27 07:38
I second Crest of the Stars, simply because the relationship between the main characters is very similar to those of Spice and Wolf.
The rest of the anime itself may be hit or miss with you, I personally liked it, though I also thought it got worse in season 03, but the ending of season 3 and the wrap up sequel ova still made it worthwhile, in my opinion.
I also second the recommendation of Apothecary Diaries. It's a very good show.
Sadface2012026-01-27 08:53
- Snow white with red hair
- Maoyu
Slow burn romance in a fantasy world with silly-serious dynamic between the MCs? These two animes also have a degree of politics similar to Spice and Wolf.
del1nquency2026-01-27 22:37
Katanagatari is fantasy with very similar character dynamic.
Total-Box-51692026-01-28 00:26
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (Fantasy, Romance)
Gosick (Mystery, Romance)
UMP45isnotflat2026-01-27 12:32
Definitely not enough, but also more than 1 (yeah the second is the remake)
Kiriyama-Rei2026-01-27 06:32
Maoyuu has several similar elements. Unfortunately, only one season was animated.
If what caught your attention was the economic aspect, trade, etc., other good examples could be Honzuki no Gekokujou or Log Horizon (although the setting is quite different).
Frieren or Kino no Tabi if you are more drawn to it because of the travel or adventure aspect.
EitherExamination3432026-01-27 06:42
Was just about to say it and glad someone else did
Aureon2026-01-27 07:00
100/100 analysis
WhichCombination56372026-01-27 09:58
I was going to suggest **Maoyuu**. It really fits and has the same vibe of Spice and Wolf. And I should also mention that the VAs for Holo and Lawrence are voicing the main two characters in Maoyuu as well, which is incredibly fitting.
IStealSwords2026-01-27 06:34
Clannad and Clannad: After Story
Get ready for some ugly crying. It will change your life forever
vcsx2026-01-27 13:49
I wouldn't say they're similar; but almost everyone who likes one likes the other as well. Probably more to do with the era. Spice & Wolf, Clannad, Haruhi Suzumiya, Angel Beats, Madoka, etc.
Khashishi2026-01-27 06:42
I haven't seen any other Japanese shows like Spice and Wolf, but I think Meng Qi Shi Shen (Chinese) has a similar adventure feel, but replace economics with cooking.
Oh, but if you aren't looking for adventure, Rascal Doesn't Dream has a similar sort of mature banter between the main characters.
Morodos2026-01-27 06:47
as a huge fan of the slower pace an d dynamics between an immortal and mortals i can reccomend Frieren: Beyond Journey's End does have some moments that are more action heavy compared to spice and wolf, but I feel like this would be a good place to start
koszys2026-01-27 06:48
im a huge spice and wolf fan so probably frieren if you like the fantasy aspect
Immediate-Worker63212026-01-27 06:53
kino no tabi
Seaphron2026-01-27 06:54
It's very different, but will give you some of the same vibes. Try Apothecary Diaries. Slow burn romance with mystery elements and a somewhat similar character dynamic.
_Fun_Employed_2026-01-27 07:19
Maoyu is one of my favorites.
oh-hey__2026-01-27 07:25
bunny girl senpai. It has entertaining dialogue amongst the cast with serious moments. You could try 'Angel Beats' as well, though its less romance more comedy and heart wrenching drama.
ArvingNightwalker2026-01-27 07:58
Feel like you’d like Mizukami stuff. I generally prefer his works as manga but consider Sengoku Youko.
LilFoxieUndercover2026-01-27 08:11
Definitely Frieren. Maybe even Secrets of the Silent Witch (which then might open you up to other genres as well).
Zoulogist2026-01-27 08:24
I have never heard anyone more in need of Frieren
majideitteru2026-01-27 10:51
Dahlia in Bloom would be my top recommendation although the vibe is quite different. Sucks that there probably won't be a season 2 but the novel is fucking top tier.
xanvillain2026-01-27 13:52
The spice and Wolf remake (which is essentially spice and Wolf from colors point of view as she tells their story to their daughter)
Also if you read the LN, there is a sequel series Wolf & Parchment
EspadaAsce2026-01-27 14:27
Jojo's bizarre adventure (i never watched spice and wolf)
MPCO7772026-01-27 14:41
the light novels have audiobooks with the same voice actors as the dub, up to volume 15 which is almost the whole series. You can start on volume 5 if you are interested, I'm on 10 right now and they are pretty good
parker-parking2026-01-27 14:58
looks intresting spice and wolf never seen that
Twigling2026-01-27 15:16
There's been two productions of it, the first from 2008 was incomplete:
Both are great but so far I prefer the 2024 production.
BasroilII2026-01-27 16:01
Possibly the best show I never recommend to people. It's a great story with one of the most well-built romances in an anime I've ever seen, but it also spends a lot of time focusing on economics and that might not be the most interesting thing for a lot of folks.
Both the original and the recent remake are fantastic. The remake is a bit more true to the original novels but I tend to think some of the changes made in the earlier anime adaptation were good ones.
Also, if you're the kind of person that doesn't hate dubs, this is one of the shows I would say the dub is every bit as good if not better than the original voice work.
imperfek2026-01-27 15:18
The original or the remake?
diablol32026-01-27 20:02
Asking the real question.
Puzzleheaded_Age54292026-01-27 18:52
Idk if anyone mentioned it but sugar apple fairy tail is similar.
darryledw2026-01-27 18:57
In my eyes there is nothing that quite matches the Spice and Wolf feels because for me it s the finest fantasy romance story in all of anime
but for something non-fantasy I would recommend **Nana**
Sad_Veterinarian78212026-01-27 19:57
Did U finally find something similar? I wanna know 2...
Front-Strike-86902026-01-27 20:00
Nope decided to look into the light novels though. Some of the other suggestions are good in their own right but didnt really grab me the same way
diablol32026-01-27 20:04
Maoyu maou to yuusha I think has similar themes while not being exactly the same.
will_of_rohan2026-01-27 20:27
Frieren
Nick_BOI2026-01-27 22:41
Which Spice and Wolf did you watch?
Front-Strike-86902026-01-28 00:28
The revamp
Nick_BOI2026-01-28 00:28
In that case I highly recommend the original!!
go4theknees2026-01-27 23:38
Frieren or Apothecary diaries
Morodos2026-01-28 02:02
I can also recommend from the new world. grounded Fantasy with some aspects of mystery, the pacing is on the slower side but similar to S&W well done imho
Commentaires
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
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That dynamic between Lawrence and Holo is god tier in anime, so it's hard to replicate. One anime that scratches that itch for me is a SciFi, not fantasy, called **Crest of the Stars**. It's about a teenager that gets thrust into a duke position in an alien society and has to complete compulsory military duty. He meets what is essentially a space elf princess who is also completing military duty. In my eyes, they have that playful "I'm not always saying what I'm actually saying" teasing and playful conversation style. It's one of my favorite series for that reason. Crest of the Stars into Battle Flag of the Stars, three short seasons and an OVA.
The rest of the anime itself may be hit or miss with you, I personally liked it, though I also thought it got worse in season 03, but the ending of season 3 and the wrap up sequel ova still made it worthwhile, in my opinion.
I also second the recommendation of Apothecary Diaries. It's a very good show.
- Maoyu
Slow burn romance in a fantasy world with silly-serious dynamic between the MCs? These two animes also have a degree of politics similar to Spice and Wolf.
Gosick (Mystery, Romance)
If what caught your attention was the economic aspect, trade, etc., other good examples could be Honzuki no Gekokujou or Log Horizon (although the setting is quite different).
Frieren or Kino no Tabi if you are more drawn to it because of the travel or adventure aspect.
Get ready for some ugly crying. It will change your life forever
Oh, but if you aren't looking for adventure, Rascal Doesn't Dream has a similar sort of mature banter between the main characters.
Also if you read the LN, there is a sequel series Wolf & Parchment
https://myanimelist.net/anime/2966/Ookami_to_Koushinryou
and now this new production (first season aired in 2024) which we all hope will be a full adaptation:
https://myanimelist.net/anime/51122/Ookami_to_Koushinryou__Merchant_Meets_the_Wise_Wolf?q=spice%20and%20&cat=anime
Both are great but so far I prefer the 2024 production.
Both the original and the recent remake are fantastic. The remake is a bit more true to the original novels but I tend to think some of the changes made in the earlier anime adaptation were good ones.
Also, if you're the kind of person that doesn't hate dubs, this is one of the shows I would say the dub is every bit as good if not better than the original voice work.
but for something non-fantasy I would recommend **Nana**