Spice and Wolf is a romantic fantasy that will restore your faith in love. It's based on the light novel by the name Ookami to Koushinryou. It traces the story of a wannabe shop owner/merchant, Kraft Lawrence. As Kraft travels to Pasloe work, he happens to meet wolf-god girl Holo there. Holo offers Kraft her helping hand if he agrees to take her to her northern home of Yoitsu. This becomes the starting point of their journey together.
There's more to this mutually beneficial relationship. Knowing that Holo is going to be an asset, Kraft nods to the proposition. Gradually love blossoms between the two characters as they traverse the countryside together. Spice and Wolf is a heartwarming, fun-filled, adventure romance. Since the Holiday season is almost upon us, it makes Spice and Wolf a perfect watch. Just in case, if you need more anime with adventures, here are the top 10 of those.
10 LOG HORIZON
If you are here for the magic/fantasy/adventure noir, Log Horizon is a must-watch. The story begins when thousands of game players get transported into the virtual reality game, Elder Tale. The plot resonates with Sword Art Online at this point. The protagonist Shiroe is one amongst those virtually transported into the multi-player game. He's a geeky college guy who takes things head-on and sets out to explore the limits of the Elder Tale. Log Horizon anime chaotically treads the line between reality and fiction.
9 EARL AND FAIRY
A period drama, Earl and Fairy is set in 19th century Scotland. You are introduced to Lydia Carlton, who's a fairy liaison for a living. She possesses the ability to communicate with fairies and humans. Thereafter enters Edgar JC Ashenbert in Lydia's life. He claims to be the royal-blooded Blue Knight's Earl. Edgar is set on a quest to obtain the Noble sword of the merrow and needs Lydia's help. Lydia is forthcoming to help Edgar. Everything about Edgar is mysterious, right from his past to what he desires in his present.
Earl and Fairy has intricately preserved the Victorian details, and the music complements the time period very well. Overall, it makes for a very interesting watch.
8 KINO'S JOURNEY
A thought-provoking anime, Kino's Journey comes from the genre of action, adventure and slice of life. The anime traces motorcycle diaries of Kino, the protagonist and her motorcycle Hermes. Just so you know, Hermes can talk. Exciting right?
If you are here for the light, slice of life anime suggestion, this should be your pick. For there's no hard-hitting plot or mystery here. Granted, the plot picks pace with meaningful encounters. But that's as far as it gets.
7 DURARARA!!
Here for thorough adventure, mystery and action? Watch Durarara!! The story is based in downtown Tokyo's Ikebukuro district where dangerous gangs operate. Amidst this wild commotion is a headless motorcycle, an object of mystery, known 'Black Rider'.
Meanwhile, a countryside bumpkin Mikado Ryugamine moves to Tokyo where he meets his childhood best friend Masaomi Kida. The bumpkin is starstruck upon seeing 'Black Rider' on his first day. Turns out there's more to Ikebukuro than gang wars and hustle. Soon mysterious events unfold.
6 WOLF'S RAIN
Wolf's Rain is a utopian tale, a thorough fantasy anime blessed with absolutely best music by Yoko Kanno. It tells the tale of a wolf, Kiba who dreams of finding paradise in a post-apocalyptic world. And to help him do that is a flower maiden Cheza. Their path is beset by enemies and countless twists and turns. Meanwhile, Kiba won't give up, come what may. It may sound generic, but don't be fooled by usual anime tropes (maidens helping the protagonists) for Wolf's Rain is much more than that.
5 BAKEMONOGATARI
Coming from the same genre of romance, Bakemonogatari combines elements of Supernatural, as well. It tells the story of Koyomi Araragi, a high schooler who's been saved from a vampire attack a quaint Meme Oshino. Fair warning: you may feel the story arc is too disjointed, but give it time.
Anywho, after being saved by the vampire attack, Koyomi has gained superhuman abilities and he is mixed up with the outlandish creatures. In an altercation one day, Koyomi finds that his classmate Senjougahara is suffering from a malady of weightlessness. Thereafter, Koyomi insists on curing her while the girl keeps declining. As the story progresses, mutual feelings of love develop, and spooky mysteries unfold.
4 MAOYUU MAOU YUUSHA
An adventure-romance, Maoyuu Maou Yuusha tells the archaic tale of demons versus humans in a war that has plagued human lives. It has an overarching element, in that it's an ode to the Discovery age. A fantastic representation of the trials and tribulations and in general the workings of the agriculture industry, very Spice and Wolf-esque.
Combining almost similar plot: the lives of merchants, Maoyuu unfolds its heroes. The demons are ruled by a female named Maou, aka the Demon Queen. On the other hand, the human world is being championed by Yuusha. They meet when Yuusha enters her castle to end the war. He is fascinated to discover that the demons are being ruled by a Queen with a silver tongue. But here's the twist.
Maou needs Yuusha's help to end the war that in her opinion has affected the North and South, alike. To which he agrees because he's manifestly besotted. But in the wake of economics and politics creating ruffles for them, mature love blossoms.
3 KAMISAMA KISS
If one were to pick the first similarity between the two; it'd be the existence of a Wolf/Fox spirits, in both. But other than that, both the series are adventurous romances. Kamisama Kiss deals with the story of a young girl, Nanami Momozono, rendered homeless by her father.
It so happens that one fine day, Nanami saves a man from a freak dog attack. The mysterious man kisses her forehead and offers his abandoned place to stay. As the story progresses forward, we learn Nanami is no longer an ordinary girl, rather a deity. And the place she's moved in is a shrine. Soon she meets a familiar, Tomoe- the wolf spirit. As the two traverse godhood together, they unexpectedly fall in love.
2 KATANAGATARI
A period drama, Katanagatari combines romance with swords. It talks of Edo-era in Japan. The male protagonist Shichika Yasuri is a talented sword fighter, specializing in Kyotouryuu. Should any combat take place, Shichika has the ability to use his body like a blade. Things are steady until one day, Togame enters his life.
A delicate strategist, Togame requests Shichika to help her to college 12 Deviant blades, unique swords. Anywho, Togame jumps to the offer because he thinks he's fallen in love with her at first sight. It is the character transformation of Togame and Shichika that steals your heart in the anime, more than the story.
1 CREST OF THE STARS
Another action-romance genre in the list, Crest of the Stars will stay with you, long after the end credits roll. It is the futuristic tale where humans have colonized galaxies (sort of like Cowboy Bebop) in that sense, nothing more.
The empire of genetically modified humans Abh's rule as imperialists. A rebel at heart, we are introduced to Jinto Linn whose father was a renegade. Jinto who couldn't be poles apart from his father must learn the Abh way of life. And the one helping him is Lafiel Abriel, an Abh princess. A true ode to resistance against imperialism coupled with the forbidden romance, Crest of the Stars is a work of art.