xxxHolic, Volume Two

Yuko has big plans in store for Watanuki in Volume Two of xxxHolic!

plot summary

Watanuki has fallen into cooking, cleaning and exorcising spirits for Yuko as if he’s done so his whole life. He doesn’t seem to mind the hours upon hours of culinary drudgery for a demanding mistress, but when it comes to the more supernatural aspects of his indentured servitude, Watanuki is less than enthusiastic.

Which is why Watanuki’s quasi-nemesis cum friend, Domeki, accompanies him occasionally on his tasks. Other times, it’s Yuko or Mokona who takes Watanuki in hand for his esoteric errands.

Each time Yuko gets the reluctant boy involved in a supernatural quagmire, she makes sure he learns something from the experience. Just what kind of plans does Yuko have for Watanuki?

review

While one of the episodes, “Indulgence” didn’t make much sense, the rest of the volume carried its weight and entertained. Not all the cases Yuko involves herself in pertain to people with bad habits or addictions. She sometimes lends a helping hand to beings from other realms, namely the Spiritual. But she always manages to drag Watanuki into the supernatural equation, whether he wants to or not.

With all the frequent binge eating Yuko does, Watanuki is usually cooking up a storm of traditional Japanese food. The culinary references in the series are a real bonus for someone into the native cuisine. Keep your eyes and ears peered for a taste of Japan hidden in the series!

Even though the nature of the series is that of solving case after case, the series so far doesn’t seem repetitive. Each episode builds slightly on the last to further the story, and the characters are also built upon as well.

Character Development

Watanuki is being shown to be a truly compassionate person, so although he may not like a situation, he still does what it takes to resolve it. He even stomachs having his “rival”, the stolid Domeki, around.

Yuko is still a mystery, but it seems she has something up her stylish sleeve when it comes to Watanuki’s supernatural education.

Character Design

It’s amazing that in every single episode, Yuko has on at least one different outfit. As odd as it seems, the fact that the studio took the time to draw and animate a new set of duds for every episode is impressive. Little details like this in the character designs really adds a dimension to the visuals. It’s a newness which is appealing.

Animation

The animation is still not up to par. Shots and scenes are frequently hazy or out of focus, two things which I don’t think are intended. It’s unfortunate, especially since the series deserves something better from the studio.

Conclusion

Volume Two of xxxHolic is a decent volume with good balance of visuals and story. However, it could have been much better with cleaner animation and more solid pacing.

Rating

xxxHolic, Volume Two gets 3 outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher: Funimation
• Release Date:May 6, 2008
• Retail Price: $29.98
• Number of discs:1
• Episodes:5-8
• Run Time:100 minutes
• Rating: TV-PG
• Language: English, Japanese
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen