Customer Reviews

xxxHOLiC, Vol. 2

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this 2nd volume of "xxxHOLiC", we cover chapters eight through 14 of the manga. After helping Syaoran-kun save Sakura-chan by sending him and his companions on their journey (as documented in the "Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-"), Yuuko-san uses Watanuki-kun's love of Himawari-chan to get him to see a fortune teller that Yuuko-san uses. When they get to the house, it is now occupied by another woman who claims to be a fortune teller. After the session, Yuuki-san explains why that woman was a fraud, then finds the old woman who is a real fortune teller. In getting a real fortune told, Yuuko-san continues to teach Watanuki, something the old lady notices with the symbol of the butterfly.

The next story covers Yuuko-san deciding to set up a group date with Himawari-chan and Doumeki-kun. Using the temple where Doumeki-kun lives as a setting, Yuuko-san sets the stage for telling summer ghost stories only to have these stories cause the "spirits" to attack. Thus Doumeki-kun's abilities with the spirit realm is revealed.

As before, volume two continues to weave an interesting tale. Yuuko-san is such a great character. Without her, I doubt I would enjoy this title as much. As it is, despite her manipulations and fun, it is clear that she is grooming Watanuki for something, but it also appears that Doumeki-kun and Himawari-chan have their roles. Doumeki-kun's role seems fairly clear, but Himawari-chan's role is unclear.

The fun with the "Tsubasa" crossover continues. If you haven't bit and purchased that title, no worries. Del Rey makes sure to point out the crossover joke for the audience in the Extras at the end of the book. Also, Del Rey continues its great Translator notes as well as its look at other CLAMP titles. Del Rey continues to impress with their treatment of Japanese manga!

Bottom line: Well worth purchasing for CLAMP fans as well as fans of good manga as this contains a nice mix of humor, a touch of romance and rivalry, and an interesting tale.

This series is a must buy! It is packed with laughs and great charaters!!! Also, the illistrations or whatever you would call it are amazing! It is athentic manga, not the cheap american way. (yes it is in english though)

This has to be one of CLAMPS better series. You will not be dissapointed! In this volume, they cover the story of "One tales of Ghosts" (or something like that.) And the other half of what is happening in Tsubassa Resivoir Chronicles. The artwork is just stunning. The characters are hysterically funny Especially when Yuuko is going to jokingly "cure" Watanuki with a Peep Show (but it never happens, she was just kidding) This is my favourite series right. And I say buy it!

In volume 1 Yuko-San says to Wantanuki "There is no such thing as coincidence, only Hitsuzen" Hitsuzen meaning fate or the inevitable. I have now read the first three volumes of this series and for all it's humor, strangeness and girlishness it will make you think.

The series not only looks at and asks the reader whether or not alternate realities exist it also asks the reader to decide whether they believe things happen by chance or whether they may just create their own reality through their thoughts and actions. It also asks the reader to decide what they believe about fate and free will.

The series is often humorous. Talking bunny-creatures will have that effect. On the other hand it often takes a dark turn here and there and does so very quickly. People die in the story as a result of their own actions or the actions of others. In this series there is no easy way out for anyone.

If you enjoy gothic stories try this one. If you want a story that for all it's weirdness will still make you think try this one. You won't be disappointed.

Volume 2 of xxxHolic opens with the arrival of Syaoran, Sakura, Kurogane, and Fai, events already recounted in Tsubasa Volume 1, the sister manga of this series. After the time/space travellers leave, it's back to business for Yuko and Watanuki. Of course, that return to normalcy means that Watanuki goes back to being the gopher slave of Yuko. But Watanuki has something occupying his mind, or rather his heart. His crush on his classmate, Himawari Kunogi, is becoming more and more intense. But Watanuki is not known to be one of the braver souls in Japan, so he's finding it hard to broach the subject of going out on a date with Himawari. Yuko tries to help him by giving him a quick crash course in divination, seeing as how Himawari is pretty interested in horoscopes and the like. She even agrees to go on a double date with the two lovebirds. Much to Watanuki's annoyance, the fourth member of the party turns out to be a guy named Domeki, Watanuki's hated rival. The question is, rival at what? Currently, it seems that Watanuki fears that Domeki could capture Himawari's heart. It's not going to be a normal date anyway as Yuko plans to have a "100 Ghost Story Night" at the temple where Domeki lives.

After finishing the first two volumes of Tsubasa and xxxHolic, I have to say that Holic is by far the superior series. Tsubasa sank into a pit of shonen spirit animal Pokemon fighting which bored me and reminded me why I gave up on the Tsubasa anime after one volume. Tsubasa seems more intent on fitting in every character of the CLAMP universe, no matter how insignificant. Holic doesn't have that burden and is the better for it. Instead of serving as the vehicle for cameos of all stripes, Holic actually concentrates on telling a story. The first thing I have to say about Holic is to make a comment on the beautiful covers that adorn all the volumes, so intricate that they would fit in well on an Oriental rug. Somehow, CLAMP is able to pull out the feat of making you laugh, creeping you out, and expanding your mind with mind-blowing concepts all in the same book. You can tell that CLAMP really went the extra mile in challenging their readers by grappling with the concepts of destiny, love, and the interdependence of all human beings. A really good book.

CLAMP, xxxHolic vol. 2 (Del Rey, 2004)

Some new characters and a better idea of where the story arc is going make this a stronger volume overall than the first, but there's still something about it that bugs me. I can't quite put my finger on what, but it's something in the tone; too flighty? Maybe. But it's still enjoyable enough, and so I still keep reading it. ***

I think that this series is very enjoyable. The boy who is the protagonist in the story is a bit annoying but he is truly funny as a man in love. And what a girl to fall in love with! Recommended.

Have you started this series yet?You should.You're missing out on great art, a fantastic story and a good laugh.Although it's heavy a read, it's worth it.It's delves into the world of Japanese myth, lore, magic and superstition.Ghosts and odd occurances abound in this delightful series and I look forward to each ne eddition.

The characters in this book go along greatly with a series of

this kind of nature, ecspecially the two main characters, Yuko

Watanuki. Anyone into weird comics should definately check this

book out, let alone any fan of CLAMP.

When I first heard about what Clamp had done about crossing the

comic series Tsubasa and xxxholic, I immediately became

thrilled. The first series I got out of the two was Tsubasa

because I had some experience with Cardcaptor Sakura. When I

read that, I wanted to see what the other side of this

cross-over was about. So I got xxxholic not to long after I got

Tsubasa. Both are great and both I recommend to you.

In this installment, Watanuki continues to work for the

space-time witch Yuko. She sends the Tsubasa characters Syoran,

Sakura, Fai, and Kurogane, each giving up something valuable.

After that, Yuko takes Watanuki to see a fortune teller. The

first one thinks she's a fortune teller, but really, she's not.

Meanwhile, the romance is heating up between Watanuki and

Himiwari-chan. When Watanuki doesn't invite her out on a date,

Yuko invites her and Domeki {Watanuki's rival} to the 100 ghost

stories session, which telling scary stuff that you've witnessed.

Highly Recommended.