xxxHOLiC

The storyline largely mirrors that of the anime, with minor variations typical of adaptations from print to screen. However, a few significant changes stand out. For one, Watanuki doesn't come off as quite the bumbling character he is in the anime; here, he seems more composed. Conversely, Yuko appears even more verbose, often stating the obvious, such as pointing out that Watanuki looks angry when it's clear from the illustration. Moro and Maro are less irritating compared to their anime counterparts, or perhaps I just find them easier to skip over in the manga. Yuko’s responses are more enigmatic, sometimes cutting herself off mid-sentence, which can be quite frustrating.

There are issues with how certain storylines are presented in the manga. The anime did a better job introducing characters like Domeki, seamlessly integrating him into the narrative and providing background information. In contrast, the manga introduces him abruptly, discussing important aspects without prior introduction. On the flip side, more cryptic details about Himawari are revealed in the manga than in the anime.

The artwork is visually striking, much like the anime, but it has its drawbacks. Due to the dark tones used, characters often appear as indistinct black blobs when viewed from afar, making it hard to distinguish them. Additionally, the character designs suffer from elongated bodies and disproportionately small heads, a trait shared with the anime. This gives the manga a unique style, albeit a bit unsettling. One downside of this distinct style is the stringy appearance of some characters' hair, particularly Yuko's, which flows like spider legs or smoke, often getting tangled and leaving faint lines on the page. While elaborate smoke designs create a mystical atmosphere, they sometimes clutter the images, obscuring necessary details. Shading is minimal, mostly achieved through solid black blocks rather than half-tone patterns or pen shading. Another minor issue is the lack of shine in the characters' eyes, making them appear somewhat lifeless at times.

To begin with, I'll state that I watched the anime of xxxHolic first and will be judging the manga on its own merits rather than comparing it to the anime. Initially, xxxHolic had an unfortunate issue where chapters would frequently repeat themselves and appear out of order, which thankfully stopped near the halfway point or towards the end of the series. Aside from that, how does the plot of xxxHolic hold up? I should preface this by saying that I am not Japanese, and despite my interest in Japan, there are aspects of Japanese culture that don't translate well into Western media. For instance, certain elements in the manga may have crucial implications or symbolism necessary for understanding the writer's intentions, but these aren't always clear to readers who aren't familiar with them. If this is the case, it would be a dangerously misguided assumption. The series often hints at what seems to be deep symbolism, wrapped up in philosophical musings to the point where it becomes nearly incomprehensible, though still well-thought-out, to a casual audience. Chapters can be somewhat repetitive and filler-heavy, unfortunately. Several chapters focus on seemingly meaningless moments, such as multiple pages devoted to Mokona and Doumeki drinking, or characters simply recapping previous events. This can be partially excused if they use it to fill in exposition, which they sometimes do, but more often than not, the following chapter feels more like a recap of what you've just read rather than advancing the plot. One missed opportunity might have been showing Fei-Wang Reed directly intervening, which could have added urgency to protecting the shop and its guests later in the series. Despite these issues, the series clearly shows some level of talent in the writing, with foreshadowing and hidden meanings, revealing events to be more misleading than they initially seemed. Plot twists are another aspect where xxxHolic excels, and while no spoilers will be covered here, chapters that advance the plot (especially those featuring Doumeki, Yuko, or Tsubasa Chronicles crossover characters) typically do well, illustrating their messages clearly even to an untrained eye. Watanuki undergoes significant character development throughout the series, though there are negatives as well. One story arc depicts graphic violence and hate crimes toward an elementary schooler, partly due to her mother, who receives almost no repercussions by the end of the series. This was an aspect of the series I couldn't let go, and I found it perplexing and irritating that nothing was done to stop the woman who was clearly losing her mind, instead choosing to have audiences forgive her. While the anime mercifully glossed over these aspects of abuse, the manga's quality is detracted by focusing more on it, despite the good writing. Doumeki and Watanuki's relationship progresses remarkably slowly and takes a sudden turn almost out of nowhere by the end of the series, hinted at subtly early on and then nearly dropped. I'll be giving the series a 5/10, as the flaws unfortunately outweigh the benefits, and vice versa.

xxxHolic is a pretty good manga and one of Clamp's masterpieces. If you're a fan of Clamp, you should definitely be reading this manga. For other readers out there like me, it's worth giving it a try to see if it suits your taste, even if you didn't enjoy Tsubasa Chronicle. This manga offers a different perspective on the events in Tsubasa Chronicle, with characters occasionally making appearances.

The main story revolves around a shop that grants wishes in exchange for something valuable. Anyone with a wish can enter the shop. It may seem simple, but it’s quite complex. The bigger the wish, the higher the price. Sometimes, wishes don’t turn out as planned, and if you’re not careful, things can get ugly. Every wish comes with consequences and responsibilities. The manga starts slowly, explaining important themes such as names, destiny, wishes, and change. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly intricate.

If you've seen Clamp's other works, like Cardcaptor Sakura, you already know what their art style looks like. In my opinion, Clamp's art is very elegant, sometimes overly so, with flashy and attractive designs. This style mainly appeals to girls and teenagers.

The characters are well-developed, each with unique qualities. Watanuki is the main character, who unknowingly plays a significant role in a larger scheme. Yuuko often drops hints and words that make you wonder about the hidden layers behind the scenes.

Overall, I think this manga is great, but it feels somewhat classic or predictable at times, perhaps because I’ve been reading too many mangas lately.

If you really enjoyed xxxHolic, give Tsubasa Chronicle a try to fully understand the overarching storyline. I hope you enjoy it and fall in love with Yuuko, hahah...

xxxHOLiC is a series that closely ties in with Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, but you don't necessarily need to read TRC to understand xxxHOLiC until around volume 11 or 12. At that point, the two series become deeply intertwined, so it might be wise to start reading TRC to avoid having to catch up on over 100 chapters later. It's fascinating to see where the plots converge and how events in one story impact the other.

The story begins simply, with early arcs being somewhat episodic—Yuuko receives a customer, Watanuki gets involved, something happens, and the issue is resolved. Gradually, more about the overarching plot and characters is revealed. On the surface, everyone seems straightforward, but there’s much more beneath. Revisiting earlier chapters shows that hints were always present. In typical CLAMP style, once something is revealed, it often becomes even more complex and confusing, though things eventually untangle. Be prepared for some confusion along the way.

Once you reach the main storyline, the plot accelerates significantly. There are occasional pacing issues, as major revelations are sometimes followed by seemingly normal story arcs. This can feel jarring, but the story remains interesting. You can observe how each arc unfolds slowly yet surely, changing and maturing the characters. This theme of growth recurs through each arc.

The cast in xxxHOLiC is relatively small but diverse. You won’t need to memorize dozens of names like in other series. The main characters—Watanuki, Yuuko, and Doumeki—are supported by a few recurring ones. Initially, they seem like stock characters, but as the story progresses, their depth and complexity are revealed, leading to significant growth and maturity. Watanuki’s positive traits are even turned against him, forcing him to question his motives and decisions, leading to personal growth. Ichihara Yuuko, the enigmatic Time-Space Witch, stands out as one of CLAMP’s best creations. She’s full of mysteries and humor, yet also realistic and human, especially in later developments. Despite her immense power, she has limits and flaws like anyone else.

The art, as with all CLAMP works, is simple yet detailed. There’s minimal use of screentones, and CLAMP excels at using black-and-white contrasts. Their designs are remarkable, with Yuuko rarely repeating outfits except at key points in the story. However, CLAMP does have a phase of creating tall and lanky characters, which can take some getting used to. Once adjusted, you can appreciate the detail in everything.

Overall, xxxHOLiC is one of my favorite series. Its themes are mature and thought-provoking, inviting exploration. Early in the series, questions about fate and destiny arise—is our path predetermined or do we carve it ourselves? While the plot occasionally leaves something to be desired, it remains highly enjoyable. To me, xxxHOLiC feels like a deep pit of mysteries waiting to be uncovered, and watching these mysteries unfold is very satisfying. As answers emerge, new questions arise, drawing readers further into the story.

I’d definitely recommend this series, especially if you’ve enjoyed other works by CLAMP. Give it a try!

×××Holic follows Kimihiro Watanuki, a high school student plagued by the ability to see ayakashi, spiritual entities that seem drawn to him. The story begins when he accidentally discovers Yuuko's mysterious shop and learns that his wish to rid himself of the ayakashi can be granted, but at the cost of working for Yuuko.

Story: 8/10

The narrative quality varies. On a psychological level, Holic excels, blending intriguing mythology with compelling storytelling. However, as the series progresses, it shifts towards exploring a broader plot which becomes less engaging.

Art: 8/10

Calling Holic's art uninteresting would be unfair due to its unique style. One downside is the somewhat standardized character faces, a common issue in manga, not exclusive to CLAMP. The elongated limbs fit well with the overall aesthetic, and the sharp-lined art style is both interesting and eerie, reminiscent of ukiyoe. However, the placement of elements within frames can feel random, and CLAMP could improve their use of semiotics in the artwork.

Characters: 6/10

The characters are only marginally interesting. While they do undergo development, their actions remain largely unchanged. Secondary characters, however, stand out with well-crafted individual approaches.

Overall: 9/10

Despite its flaws, Holic offers an enjoyable reading experience. Its story, though not entirely original, remains fresh by shifting focus as the chapters progress. Additionally, one of the main reasons to give it a try is its philosophical and psychological depth, setting it apart from many other popular series that claim to offer such themes.

This manga is absolutely my cup of tea, and I can't help but be a bit biased in its favor. Still, it's something everyone should at least try reading.

There are two standout aspects of xxxHolic that make it memorable and permanently etched in my imagination. First, it's sad—not in a melodramatic sense with numerous character deaths, but rather in a perfectly melancholic tone. It evokes the enjoyable kind of sadness you feel when staring out your window on rainy days or reminiscing about happy times gone by. Not everything needs to be grimdark to make you contemplate life's tragedies or question the meaning of existence.

The second aspect is the stunning imagery. While the story and characters are interesting and well-developed, this manga wouldn't be nearly as good without CLAMP's beautiful art and haunting visuals. Here are a few memorable scenes: A sprawling red hydrangea bush whispering dark secrets into the air. A pocket world of giant daffodils inside a well. A procession of yokai winding through the night like a river, carrying their lanterns to a great magical tree glowing in the distance. Walking down a dark street alone at night, passing the same strange man with an umbrella... again, and again... and again. A boy opening a mysterious shop door to find a lounging woman, covered in her long black hair and wreathed by smoke from her delicate pipe, smiling an enigmatic, slightly wicked, and slightly sad smile.

In other words, if you love the mysterious, the strange, and the darker side of fantasy, you can't do better than this. Add to that great characters who change and grow over the course of the story, an ending that will break your heart, and interesting ties to another great manga, and why aren't you reading it? Go read it!