Alternative TitlesJapanese: XXX ホリック
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 7, 2006 to Sep 29, 2006
Duration:
24 min. per episode Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.201 (scored by 40484 users)
Ranked: #2802
Popularity: #125
Members: 80,919
Favorites: 1,966 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
clamp comedy fantasy mystery supernatural |
SynopsisWatanuki Kimihiro can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. On the way home one day, while plagued by some spirits, he is inexplicably compelled to enter a strange house. There, he encounters Yuuko, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to rid him of the ability to see and attract the troublesome creatures – for a price. She demands that he work at her “store” that grants wishes to people, and thus begins Watanuki's adventures through weird and wonderful events.
[Written by MAL Rewrite] |
Related AnimeAdaptation: xxxHOLiC, xxxHOLiC: AnotherHOLiC
Character: Tsubasa Chronicle
Side story: xxxHOLiC: Manatsu no Yoru no Yume
Sequel: xxxHOLiC Kei
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
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marauder9082
85 of 112 people found this review helpful
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24 of 24 episodes seen
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| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
9 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Character |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
Prepare to be taken on a tour de force through the world of the supernatural. Or maybe just a regular tour. I wouldn't know. Having only recently experienced the genre of "supernatural" anime, xxxHOLiC (hereby referred to as simply "Holic") was a breath of fresh air from my usual action/fantasy fare.
The story behind Holic is intriguing and interesting, revolving around spirits, ghosts, and the very strange. Geared towards an older and more sophisticated audience, there's little action, but loads of thought-provoking and amazingly insightful dialogue. Holic is the kind of anime that gets your mind pumping about topics such as fate, destiny, and one's purpose in life. Plus, there's a side to it that makes statements about how people live and society in general. Not to mention that it's educational as well. Holic offers an insight into a part of Japanese culture that most people rarely see.
Concerning the plot, however, Holic is another anime that is driven by episodic events. There seems to be no real overall direction for the story. Normally, this would leave me feeling slightly cheated and unsatisfied, but after surviving through the likes of Ouran and the Wallflower, I've come to accept that the episodic plot system is a genre on its own and it's here to stay.
Unfortunately, a plot that doesn't know where it's going hurts any character development. The characters are well made, with their own distinct personalities, but stay relatively the same throughout the course of the plot. No one shows very much significant growth. Granted, everyone is wiser and better, having learned the lessons distributed throughout 24 episodes of madness. Perhaps that's the elusive character growth that I've been looking for?
In terms of artwork, the artistic foundations were laid down in the manga by the increasingly popular mangaka group CLAMP. And they've done a very good job. Yuuko's wardrobe is definitely something to pay attention to (ahem), and though everyone has ridiculously long arms, legs, and necks, it actually provides a sense of levity in a serious setting (that, and the alcoholism). Alas, there's a slight issue with the fact that only the characters important to the plot are actually drawn in. Any bodies that are only required to be "fillers" (like a bunch of random people at a supermarket) are not colored and lack faces. In my opinion, it has symbolic meaning, but it could also be attributed to pure laziness. Dunno which to choose.
Oh, and speaking of laziness, the sound was great. Loved the opening theme, but didn't really pay attention to the background music. Voice-acting was top notch, especially with all the high pitched and slightly unique voices coming from characters like Mokona, Maru, and Moro. That is all.
In the enjoyment section: I finished Holic in the space of a week, and indeed, I was completely hooked. I savored every bit of supernatural strangeness, and I'll be looking for more with the second season.
Finally, Holic certainly isn't unique, for there seems to be an ever-growing list of anime that deal with the supernatural, the occult, and just really weird stuff in general. But as a starter series for the newly-converted, it's definitely worth watching. read more
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unclesnapple
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
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24 of 24 episodes seen
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| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
There are no coincidences in this world. There is only inevitability. If you find Yuko's shop, then that too was fate. It means you have a wish that can be granted. For a price of course. This is the simple premise for xxxHolic, a stylish and magical anime and manga series by CLAMP.
xxxHolic is a show that tries to stimulate the viewer in many different ways. There's adventure, philosophy, plenty of comedy, and sometimes action, all with a distinctly CLAMPy flair. The routine nature of Watanuki's life between school and the shop allows for episodes to be largely interchangeable with no heavy storyline that covers all or even most of the season. Truth be told, Watanuki's wish to stop seeing spirits is rarely mentioned after the first episode, and it's basically just an excuse to have him start working at the shop. That's not necessarily a complaint though, because the individual stories or mini-arcs that make up the show are wholly fulfilling on their own.
Although Watanuki is the protagonist, Yuko is the real star of the series and undeniably magnetic. Although her origins remain a mystery, she has enough charm and personality to keep one watching in any situation. On the surface, she playfully teases and bosses Watanuki around but seems to genuinely care about him even though she never explicitly states her feelings about... well, anything. Because Yuko is so attuned to the absolution of fate, she never gets emotional. Because Yuko is a wish granter, she doesn't help other people until they ask for and purchase her help. Even if she wanted to do otherwise, it would create an imbalance. Yet she never comes across as cold. She can be playful, aloof, serious, motherly, childish, sexy, and spontaneous.
The strength of xxxHolic is the way it uses colorful and whimsical events to illustrate the hidden side of human nature. Everyone who comes into the shop has a wish. It's never a shallow wish, and it's often something that is unusual or shameful. Watanuki is often confused by the problem or the solution, but Yuko explains to him many truths to life. The unspoken plot of xxxHolic is Yuko's role as a teacher to Watanuki, in result making him more of an adult. Aside from the philosophy, just being able to witness the wonderful mystical scenes of the spirit world for the first time with Watanuki is a treat.
If there's a downside to xxxHolic, it is probably the comedy, which comes across as cliched. Plus, they run the same gags into the ground again and again. One can't help but notice how Watanuki happily spazzes out every time the girl he has a crush on, Himawari, smiles at him. Then, his rival/friend Doumeki shows up, says one or two words, and Watanuki spazzes angrily with cartoonish exuberance. This is a scene you'll find in almost every episode of xxxHolic through both seasons. It's unfortunate that such a large amount of the show is comedy, because those parts are very run-of-the-mill.
The artwork is largely what you might expect from CLAMP, which is good to me, but everyone has REALLY long and skinny arms, legs, and torsos, to the point where Watanuki looks like a spider when he bends his legs. So while I wouldn't call most of the characters attractive, the style fits the show. The animation is minimized in a lot of scenes and episodes, and it's easy to see that when you contrast the first season to the second season which has improved production values. But it absolutely doesn't hurt the show very much.
For me, the complete attraction to xxxHolic is hard to summarize. It's a stylish feel, a mood, a charisma that the entire show gives off that kept me watching from beginning to end. It's the tension when Yuko shares a cup of tea with her new client. It's the relaxed feeling when Doumeki and Watanuki participate in the annual monster procession. It's the creeping madness of the owner of a monkey's paw. While not a perfect show by any means, it's a worthy addition to any library. read more
Recommendations
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Same basic idea - a guy that can see the supernatural. Natsume Yuujinchou is little more touching and lighter, while xxxHolic is a bit funnier.
Both are about ayakashi and yokai, share a bit of story and they both have a Zashiki-Warashi in it. xxxHolic is pretty dark, while Natsume Yuujinchou is lighter and uses more colours.
The character of Watanuki (xxxHolic) is very similar to Natsume (Natsume Yuujinchou). Even though the stories of the two series are different except for the boy-who-can-see-spirits thing, the "feel" is the same. Also, Nyan-ko sensei is kinda like a cross between kuro-Mokona and the Kudakitsune.
Both series start out very similarly, both of the main characters are being chased by spirits which only they can see. Both are fairly episodic though xxxHOLiC definitely links more episodes together.
Both main characters are the only one's in the story that can see spirits. They also share the same sense of loneliness that comes with it. There's a few episodes in both Natsume Yuujinchou & xxxHolic that go into true detail about their feelings of being alone. It's drama unlike i've ever seen before, and i love that part about each of these shows, so much. If you've seen one of these shows, then i highly recommend you check out the other.
Both protagonist can see things others can't and have a best friend who accepts them for that, even though he can't see spirits himself. The protagonist's guardians and loving yet harsh on them, teasing them a lot. I am sure that if you love one you will love the other. Both series' offer a lot of knowledge into Japanese folklore and provide characters you will fall in love with.
natsume yuujinchou is a watered-down cross between xxxholic and mushishi
there are some episodes in xxxholic that really remind me of Natsume Yuujinchou
Both series are about an introvert boy trying to deal with seeing spirits.
Well, as already many ppl said:
both series have main character really similar: Watanuki Kimihiro & Natsume Takashi. They are good guys, with a special ability: they are able to see spirits/ghosts/demons.. They also share the 'loneliness' side, b'cuz of their capacity they are usual to be alone.. Maybe watanuki's personality is a bit more 'funny-comic' than that natsume, but anyway they are both real good ppl with a "golden heart" that help others.
About the story, well both stories are really similar b'cuz of the *oriental japanese tradition* in them, about the traditions to believe in something like typical japanese spirits and about all the atmosphere!
The way how both stories are showed, is simply awesome: delicated, sweet and loveable.
About Natsume, the anime it is really full of amazing colors, and also graphic design is exelent^^
Well, from Holic's side, it's an anime from CLAMP so char design is obviously great.
What else i have to say? they are both awesome. Holic is more known than Natsume, so i suggest you: don't lose that gem that NY is! believe me, watch it ;3 they both worth it!^^
Both of these shows feature a leading male character who can see demons/spirits. They both hope to get rid of their ability, but start to realize how useful it is once they start using it. They also start to figure out who they can trust with their secret. Overall, the plot is fairly similar.
Both main character can see spirits, even though both animes are quite different, they both are wonderful o^.^o
In both series, the main protagonist is able to see spirits and demons, beings that only very few people can see.
Both series presents stories in an unique way each episode that follows the main protagonist's lives and the situations as he deals with his gift/curse. It is quite well written because the way it presents them with a sort of mystical and serene feeling.
Both series features a lot of interactions between various characters that can be dramatic, comedic, and sometimes emotional.
Both series are episodic that has a slow pacing which also follows a slice of life feeling. Nonetheless, many themes are explored in both series with the guidance of a senior as they learn more about the world, how to handle their supernatural abilities, and helping others while learning more about themselves.
[Similarities]
Drama, comedy, and supernatural.
Episodic anime about the unseen paranormal creatures- Ayakashi and Youkai.
The main character, Natsume Takashi/Watanuki Kimihiro, is an orphaned teenager who possesses spiritual abilities and is able to see spirits.
He has a best friend, Tanuma Kaname/Doumeki Shizuka, who lives in a shrine and has an ability to sense spirits, but his abilities are inferior to the MC.
[Differences]
Natsume Yuujinchou leaves a warm fuzzy feeling. It has a lighthearted atmosphere.
xxxHolic is macabre, creepy and dark. It includes profound and psychological dialogues.
about japanese folklore, ayakashi and youkai, art, and a lot of other things
Episode s are not connected
they both have characters that can see spirits and stuff...
Both have the importance of names. They also follow a boy that can see spirits where others cannot and has to do different chores for them in order to help the spirits. The story gets harder and harder for him the more he does this.
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Both series involve mysterious encounters with supernatural creatures and events. And neither of them have high amounts of action.
Mushishi and XXXHolic are very similar. Both have main characters that can see spirits and help people or other spirits. And both are very good.^^
Both deal with ordinary people and there interaction with the supernatural.
NO story line what so ever, every episode has it's unique story and characters
both the same supernatural feeling, and the same aspect of not having one storyline, but many covered in each episode. xxxholic has humour, whilst mushishi is more mature, still both brilliant watching with a strange warming sense to both.
Is also about the supernatural that only few can see. The main character of Mushishi is a traveler that helps people with their problems involving Mushi. They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as "Mushi".
Both series are about life, both teach us many strane things.
Both anime are very strong in the use of the supernatural and spirits.
Both feature a unique artstyle and have a mysterious
feeling about them.
if you like stories about ghosts, legends, folklore opr fairytales you'll really enjoy these animes.
Both animes are episodic and sometimes feture dark themes amidst unbelievable things. Both include many different moral lessons and themes.
Both series contain supernatural elements focused on a non linear storyline through the usage of Japanese culture.
The main characters in both series attracts the supernatural and tries to solve problems that these creatures have created. Both these series are slow paced and contains a lot of drama and mystery.
These two series are dialogue driven in an episodic basis that have an insightful way of telling stories.
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Opening Theme"19sai" by Shikao Suga
Ending Theme#1: "Reason" by Fonogenico (eps 1-13,24)
#2: "Kagerou" by BUCK-TICK (eps 14-23)
Fansubbing Groups
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