Alternative TitlesSynonyms: xxxHolic Rou, xxxHolic Cage, xxxHolic•Rou Japanese: xxxHolic•籠
Information
Type: Manga
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: Unknown
Status: Publishing
Published: Feb 24, 2003 to ? Authors:
CLAMP (Story & Art)
StatisticsScore: 8.481 (scored by 7168 users)
Ranked: #982
Popularity: #15
Members: 12,374
Favorites: 1,691 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
clamp comedy fantasy magic mystery supernatural |
SynopsisYuuko is a witch who grants people's wishes, but in return the person has to give up something precious. Watanuki Kimihiro, a man who has visions, encounters Yuuko and she promises to get rid of the spirits that torment him. In return Watanuki must work in Yuuko's shop and help her grant other people's wishes. (Source: ANN)
On Chapter 186, the series was re-named to xxxHolic•Rou. |
Related MangaAdaptation: xxxHOLiC Shunmuki, xxxHOLiC Kei, xxxHOLiC, xxxHOLiC Rou
Spin-off: Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken, Horitsuba Gakuen
Side story: xxxHOLiC: AnotherHOLiC
Reviews
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Aeterna
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
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171 of ? chapters read
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| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Art |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
xxxHolic is a series that ties in quite closely with Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, but for the most part, you don't really need to read TRC in order to understand xxxHolic until you get to about volume 11 or 12. Once you get to that point, though, the two series get heavily intertwined with each other so it might be a good idea to read TRC, anyway, so you don't end up reading 100+ chapters in one go like I did in order to understand what was going on in xxxHolic...Even so, it's interesting just to see where the two plots meet and how one thing that happens in one story makes an impact on what happens in the other.
The story begins quite simply, and for the first bit, the story arcs are somewhat episodic - Yuuko gets a customer, Watanuki gets involved, something happens, and the issue is resolved for better or for worse. At the same time, however, little by little, more is revealed about the big underlying plot and about each character. On the surface, everyone is one way but underneath, you find that there's much more to them than originally thought. And reading back on the older chapters, it's clear that the hints were all there. In typical CLAMP fashion, however, once something is revealed, it seems to be even more complicated and confusing than before, but gradually, things become untangled. Nevertheless, be prepared for some confusion.
Once you get into the main storyline, the plot really shoots forward. There are still a couple pacing issues since, even when there's a big revelation, the story seems to revert back to another normal story arc like before. To me, anyway, it was a little jolting. However, the story is always interesting and you can really see how the story unfolds, slowly but surely, and it's interesting to see how each story arc changes the characters and allows them to mature - and it is this theme that I see recurring through each arc.
Which brings me to the characters! xxxHolic enjoys a relatively small yet diverse cast. Here, you won't have to memorize two or three dozen names like in some other series. Instead, you have your main characters - Watanuki, Yuuko, and Doumeki - and then a handful of recurring characters. At first, they all seem to be somewhat stock-type characters, but like I said, there is more to them than originally thought, and as the story unfolds, they grow and mature. And interestingly, even Watanuki's positive traits are turned against him and he is forced to question his motives and his decisions, and he matured as a result. Ichihara Yuuko, the enigmatic Time-Space Witch, is perhaps one of CLAMP's best creations yet. She's as full of mysteries as she is of laughs, yet at the same time, she's realistic and human (seen more towards the later developments in the series). Despite being one of the most powerful characters in the CLAMP universe, she has her limits and vices like anyone else.
The art, like any of CLAMP's works, is simple yet detailed. There are little to no screentones, and CLAMP makes good use of the contrast between black and white. Yet, at the same time, their designs are something to be marvelled at. Yuuko only has perhaps two outfits that she's worn more than once (always at key points of the story), and even Watanuki once notes when she's worn the same thing before. However, CLAMP does seem to be going through a tall-and-lanky-character phase (they've always had tall and thin characters, but they've recently gone into extremes if you compare it to their past works). It takes a bit of time to adjust to, but once you do, you can really appreciate the detail they put into everything.
Overall, xxxHolic is one of my favourite series to date. Its themes are quite mature and there is much to be thought about and explored here. For example, one of the big questions raised early in the series was about fate and destiny - is our path laid out for us when we are born, or do we carve our own path? However, I'll leave the exloration of themes up to you. While the plot, at times, leaves something to be desired, it's still very enjoyable. To me, xxxHolic is like a deep pit of mysteries just waiting to be explored, and watching the mysteries - and their answers - unfold is somehow very satisfying. Yet, even as these mysteries are explored, more questions come up, leading the reader even further into the story.
So, give it a try. I'd definitely recommend this story, especially if you've liked some of CLAMP's other works. read more
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danoboy
30 of 44 people found this review helpful
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? chapters
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| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
9 |
| Art |
7 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
Before I begin this review, let me clear up a few misunderstandings you might have about this manga. It's just pronounced "holic". It also doesn't really matter how you capitilize it. If you don't know what it means when they say it crosses over with Tsubasa, it means that the events mix together in the mangas. Just from a different perspective. You'll see what I mean when you read it.
If you do plan to read Holic, I would suggest reading Tsubasa as well, they both have the same events intertwined and you will understand it better if you read both perspectives.
The story starts off with Kimihiro Watanuki. Your average high school student. With just one problem. He has spirits that follow him around endlessly. One day he finds a strange house - wait - Make that a shop. A shop owned by Yuuko, someone who grants wishes. But only for a price of equal value. Watanuki wishes that the spirits stop following him. In exchange, he must cook and clean for Yuuko.
When it comes to CLAMP, they always make the most original storylines. It's perhaps one of the most unique, and original story lines I have ever come accross. It's a very well crafted story.
The art, is not the best. CLAMP has a tendancy to draw the characters with large, noodley arms and legs. Almost like stick figures. But after a while, you get used to the art, and you grow to like it. The art also makes a perfect match to the dark mood of the manga.
The characters are for sure one of my favorite parts of this genius manga. Yuuko, is perhaps my favorite. It's funny how she always was wanting more and more alchohol. Watanuki, is unforgettable as well. Unfortunately, he reminds me of myself.
And of course we have the twins. The shojo ai of this manga. They are also very unforgettable. CLAMP always knows how to make perfect characters.
As for the enjoyment, it's extremely enjoyable, it never leads into boredom, and it always stays exciting. Not to mention, that every volume ends in a cliff hanger. Making you want to read more, and more. It is extremely exciting, and CLAMP fans will not be dissapointed. If you like CLAMP's works, I HIGHLY recommend read xxxHOLiC. It is defenitely CLAMP at its best.
Verdict:
Rating: 8.1/10
Bottom line: Interesting story, unique art, good characters. read more
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The twin sister series of Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE by CLAMP. The story plot connects deeper more than the anime.
Seconding the above suggestion -- although you do not HAVE to read Tsubasa to "get" xXxHolic (or vice versa), characters from Tsubasa frequently make crossover appearances in xXxHolic (and vice versa), and these scenes will make very little sense if you are not familiar with both series.
If you're reading xxxHOLiC or Tsubasa but not the other series then you are missing out on part of the story. They are connected so you have to buy not just one series, but two! As they are both created by CLAMP they have a very similar style. xxxHOLiC is more focused on the supernatural stort stories which prop up main character development while Tsubasa is more character driven as the journeies they go through support them.
How are they similar? Well it's quite obvious. They both are by the same manga-ka and they cross over with eachother. Not to mention the are both very good!
Both of these CLAMP stories are connected from the start with minimal events, but later the connection between the the two becomes very important.
they're both from CLAMP and they crossover with eachother
The two series cross over each other every once in a while and the stories are connected to each other. However the two series have thier own original story line! Also in both xxxHoic and Tsubasa, you get to see some of CLAMP's old manga characters pop up here and there at certain times...I reccommend both to all! Especially those who are CLAMP fans!
Same mangaka..The storyline crosses over every so often..And even though the actual storyline of each manga is very different, the same aura of mystery and fantasy surrounds both..
You'll understand the plot better if you read the two series simultaneously, though Tsubasa focuses more on action and adventure while xxxHolic on the supernatural
xxxHOLiC is the sister series of Tsubasa. Tsubasa can be read on its own, you will get much more out of the experience if you read xxxHOLic along with it. Yuuko and Watanuki turn out to be of great importance to Tsubasa's storyline.
While the plot lines are a bit different, they are both by the same author and they occasionally intertwine. For example, in the beginning of "Tsubasa" Syoaran and the others meet with Yuko and we also see Kimihiro who is the main character in "xxxHolic". Both are awesome!
They are both by the same mangakas - CLAMP and both are interconnected.So its like the events happening during the same timeline to differnt people!! If you enjoyed TRC, you will love xxxholic!!!
They're actually very different. But because of the crossovers that happen between the two series, maybe you should just read both of them.
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same author, hints to shounen ai, tragedies etc.
If you liked give legal drug a try
legal drug/gohou drug/lawful drug is another work by clamp. though it was put on hold only after three volumes (16 chapters), they've already given a lot of depth to the four main characters in this series.
it also crosses over with xxxholic, though not as much as tsubasa reservoir chronicle.
however, it is not recommended for those who do not like shounen ai, because even though legal drug is not "officially" a boy love series, it is obvious even from the covers themselves (which also show bondage and other suggestive themes), and from the drawings (you don't even have to squint to find them), that it exists.
The main characters in these manga both work for shops and are sent out by the shop owners to do various tasks, many of which are supernatural. Both of these manga series are also by Clamp.
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