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xxxHOLiC [xxx ホリック] #18-19
xxxHOLiC Omnibus 7
Kimihiro Watanuki is haunted by visions of ghosts and spirits. He seeks help from a mysterious woman named Yuko, who claims she can help. Soon Watanuki finds himself employed in Yuko's shop where he sees things and meets customers that are stranger than anything he could have ever imagined! Watanuki is Yuko's unwilling assistant, but even he is compelled by the fascinating adventures he's having since he started working for the 'space-time witch.' Yuko operates a shop that grants people what they need, but there is always a price to be paid!
xxxHOLiC vol.18 and vol.19.
xxxHOLiC vol.18 and vol.19.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2015
About the author
Clamp
770 books3,182 followersŌkawa Nanase 大川七瀬
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]
Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]
Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.
In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.
In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]
Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]
Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.
In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.
In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 11, 2021
I love love love this series so much. Watanuki is such a lovable protag. And that applies to the rest of the characters as well. I can’t express how much I adore the way this series played out. And now that I know that there’s a continuation I will absolutely pick that up.
September 24, 2017
This was... disappointing. I mean, the art is still awesome, the characters are still awesome, but it answered none of my questions and left with a sense of "This can't be it... can it?" I mean, it's the final volume, but I still have no idea what happened to ANYTHING.
Very unsatisfying ending to an amazing series. :(
Very unsatisfying ending to an amazing series. :(
January 5, 2022
The ending was quite dissapointing but the overall series was quite good. Let's see if xxxHolic Rei answers some more questions (I highly doubt it).
April 17, 2021
4.5 | You don't only belong to yourself, you know. I doubt there is a single person in the world who belongs only to himself. When someone makes a connection, there is always something shared, and so people will never be completely free. It's that which brings out fun and sadness and love.
January 14, 2022
THAT`S IT???? WHERE`S THE CONCLUSIOOOON???
T-T
I still love the characters tho...
T-T
I still love the characters tho...
December 20, 2024
December 2024
Kindle edition
Huh. Open ended, but a bit sad. Another time skip, this one, Watanuki realizing just how much time has passed. I'm glad he still has Maro, Moro, Mokona and the descendants of Doumeki. The egg waiting continues. Tempted to try another go at reading Tsubasa, but probably won't. Fun supernatural series though didn't feel like a happy end. more of a I'm still waiting.
Kindle edition
Huh. Open ended, but a bit sad. Another time skip, this one, Watanuki realizing just how much time has passed. I'm glad he still has Maro, Moro, Mokona and the descendants of Doumeki. The egg waiting continues. Tempted to try another go at reading Tsubasa, but probably won't. Fun supernatural series though didn't feel like a happy end. more of a I'm still waiting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 16, 2024That's it?😞
June 21, 2019
Three words to describe all 19 volumes: metaphysical, poignant, and hopeful. The story is very character-driven which I'm fond of. I deeply connected to the characters especially to Watanuki, the main protagonist. I also adore the friendship aspect between each characters, on how they treat each other, their solid loyalty and unconditional love. xxxHolic and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles will forever be close to my heart. It affected me so much. I learned to see things differently now.
"There are no coincidences in life. Only the inevitable."
"There are no coincidences in life. Only the inevitable."
April 16, 2023
Full 19-volume (7-omnibus) series review
Haunted by his ability to see spirits and supernatural creatures, Kimihiro Watanuki's problems may be solved when he comes across a shop whose proprietor says she can fix his problem...for the price of Watanuki working as her assistant until the equivalent price is met. Thus begins the orphaned, type-A Watanuki's adventures with the laid-back, enigmatic Yuko and he learns more about the supernatural world than he ever expected.
xxxHolic has a special place in my heart. Originally brought to the US in 2004 as one of the four debut series published by Del Rey Manga. I remember the buzz--not only were Del Rey's books good (the translation notes in the back are fantastic and even now, almost 20 years later, are some of the more helpful and informative translation notes/styles of any American publisher in my eyes), this was a new series from powerhouse CLAMP, and it also crossed over with a concurrently-published (and similarly-Del Rey-licensed) series, Tsubasa.
CLAMP was known to have done small crossovers before, either as jokes or by spinning off characters (CLAMP School Detectives had one character get his own 2-book series focusing on his afterschool exploits, Man of Many Faces), setting series in the same shared universe (add CLAMP Dukylon Defenders to the previous things) or having others show up as easter eggs (Chobits and Angelic Layer, arguably). But all of those were essentially incidental, bonuses to fans. This promised two have two separate stories that also formed one larger, dimension-spanning adventure-fantasy together.
And it starts out well! The Tsubasa characters show up at Yuko's shop, and there's enough subsequent discussion that it's clear there will be a narrative connection throughout Holic, even though the main focus is Watanuki.
That main focus, incidentally, makes for a very interesting story. Watanuki is an uptight, type-A person who responsibly takes care of himself, school, and often acts as housekeeper/cook for Yuko, who appears to be a much more laid-back person, much more comfortable with unknowns and grey areas where Watanuki gets confused or frustrated by them.
The story alternates between case-of-the-day stories (person comes to Yuko's shop, which means they have a need, Yuko assists, things end well or badly depending on how well the person actually takes Yuko's advice) and a longer story about Watanuki learning more about the supernatural world, and his ties to two classmates: his cheerful crush Himawari, and his one-sided-frenemy Doumeki (who, although it's never made exactly clear why Watanuki has/had such an immediate dislike towards, but who is himself stoic but fine).
The majority of the series is fine: fun to read, interesting with fascinating worldbuilding, and a growing expansion of Watanuki's (and therefore also the reader's) understanding of the supernatural world, and how the shop of wishes works. It's often creepy or melancholy, though never grotesque. The many layers of secrets that come up and are slowly revealed as the story progresses kept me hooked, and add to its melancholy atmosphere.
The PROBLEM is that the ending falls apart on multiple levels.
First, while the crossover with Tsubasa is interesting but followable for much of the series, as this one winds down it appears that some stuff from Tsubasa must've had a big impact and it is never fully or adequately explained. Yuko refers to something/someone who might act as a series Big Bad and it's made clear that she's paying attention to something in the background, but it's never fully explained what. When the series climax starts and , it's implied that this is related to her work on the Big Serious Thing We're Never Truly Told About.
That's a problem! Because it's not just a small thing, it changes how xxxHolic ends: Watanuki
...Like, the entire last omnibus and a half (or volumes 16-19 when read individually) just has SO MUCH going on, none of which is really explained well, and it really pulls down my opinion of the series as a whole because it didn't have to be disappointing.
I will attempt reading Tsubasa, and see if that gives some more context and better explanations since the series influence each other, but as it stands alone, xxxHolic's ending is disappointing to the point where I need to look for fix-it fanfiction just for the satisfaction of an ending that actually feels like an ending.
Haunted by his ability to see spirits and supernatural creatures, Kimihiro Watanuki's problems may be solved when he comes across a shop whose proprietor says she can fix his problem...for the price of Watanuki working as her assistant until the equivalent price is met. Thus begins the orphaned, type-A Watanuki's adventures with the laid-back, enigmatic Yuko and he learns more about the supernatural world than he ever expected.
xxxHolic has a special place in my heart. Originally brought to the US in 2004 as one of the four debut series published by Del Rey Manga. I remember the buzz--not only were Del Rey's books good (the translation notes in the back are fantastic and even now, almost 20 years later, are some of the more helpful and informative translation notes/styles of any American publisher in my eyes), this was a new series from powerhouse CLAMP, and it also crossed over with a concurrently-published (and similarly-Del Rey-licensed) series, Tsubasa.
CLAMP was known to have done small crossovers before, either as jokes or by spinning off characters (CLAMP School Detectives had one character get his own 2-book series focusing on his afterschool exploits, Man of Many Faces), setting series in the same shared universe (add CLAMP Dukylon Defenders to the previous things) or having others show up as easter eggs (Chobits and Angelic Layer, arguably). But all of those were essentially incidental, bonuses to fans. This promised two have two separate stories that also formed one larger, dimension-spanning adventure-fantasy together.
And it starts out well! The Tsubasa characters show up at Yuko's shop, and there's enough subsequent discussion that it's clear there will be a narrative connection throughout Holic, even though the main focus is Watanuki.
That main focus, incidentally, makes for a very interesting story. Watanuki is an uptight, type-A person who responsibly takes care of himself, school, and often acts as housekeeper/cook for Yuko, who appears to be a much more laid-back person, much more comfortable with unknowns and grey areas where Watanuki gets confused or frustrated by them.
The story alternates between case-of-the-day stories (person comes to Yuko's shop, which means they have a need, Yuko assists, things end well or badly depending on how well the person actually takes Yuko's advice) and a longer story about Watanuki learning more about the supernatural world, and his ties to two classmates: his cheerful crush Himawari, and his one-sided-frenemy Doumeki (who, although it's never made exactly clear why Watanuki has/had such an immediate dislike towards, but who is himself stoic but fine).
The majority of the series is fine: fun to read, interesting with fascinating worldbuilding, and a growing expansion of Watanuki's (and therefore also the reader's) understanding of the supernatural world, and how the shop of wishes works. It's often creepy or melancholy, though never grotesque. The many layers of secrets that come up and are slowly revealed as the story progresses kept me hooked, and add to its melancholy atmosphere.
The PROBLEM is that the ending falls apart on multiple levels.
First, while the crossover with Tsubasa is interesting but followable for much of the series, as this one winds down it appears that some stuff from Tsubasa must've had a big impact and it is never fully or adequately explained. Yuko refers to something/someone who might act as a series Big Bad and it's made clear that she's paying attention to something in the background, but it's never fully explained what. When the series climax starts and , it's implied that this is related to her work on the Big Serious Thing We're Never Truly Told About.
That's a problem! Because it's not just a small thing, it changes how xxxHolic ends: Watanuki
...Like, the entire last omnibus and a half (or volumes 16-19 when read individually) just has SO MUCH going on, none of which is really explained well, and it really pulls down my opinion of the series as a whole because it didn't have to be disappointing.
I will attempt reading Tsubasa, and see if that gives some more context and better explanations since the series influence each other, but as it stands alone, xxxHolic's ending is disappointing to the point where I need to look for fix-it fanfiction just for the satisfaction of an ending that actually feels like an ending.
January 16, 2022
I didn't realize there was this final volume, which must have come out after I read it last. This is a really great and intriguing ending to the series. The way Watanuki and Domeki's friendship continues is lovely and that little comment Watanuki makes at the end really has me rethinking the whole last volume!
August 1, 2017
Wtf is up with these endings clamp?
First tsubasa now xxxholic? Why can't you guys just give us a normal ending! Whats that egg supposed to do?
First tsubasa now xxxholic? Why can't you guys just give us a normal ending! Whats that egg supposed to do?
January 18, 2020
I never realized until picking this up that apparently I never finished xxxHolic when I read through it the first time. So these volumes were legitimately new to me!
I loved the story of the unborn child. That was so powerful and yet sad, but really well-done. I enjoyed continuing to see Watanuki grow and the others as well. Shoaran & co. pop back in which was a fabulous surprise!
The only thing I didn't like was the ending! It felt way too rushed. I needed more! It sort of wraps things up, but not as satisfactorily as Tsubasa did. Oh well. Here's hoping the sequel series helps in that!
Still, a beautiful series, a great dive into Japanese culture and myth, and well worth the time spent reading it!
I loved the story of the unborn child. That was so powerful and yet sad, but really well-done. I enjoyed continuing to see Watanuki grow and the others as well. Shoaran & co. pop back in which was a fabulous surprise!
The only thing I didn't like was the ending! It felt way too rushed. I needed more! It sort of wraps things up, but not as satisfactorily as Tsubasa did. Oh well. Here's hoping the sequel series helps in that!
Still, a beautiful series, a great dive into Japanese culture and myth, and well worth the time spent reading it!
September 22, 2023
I'm so sad that this series is over! I really enjoyed all the characters and how everything tied together cause of the "multi-verse" aspect that CLAMP has with their works. I liked Watanuki a lot more when he decided to take over the shop personally because he seems a lot less whiny. (Which I know he is a lot older so maybe that's why.) Also seeing him get along better with Dōmeki was nice fo see too. Would definitely recommend this series to people who are looking for more unique manga and if you would like to see how all of CLAMP's works tie together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2019
Watanuki evolves
Watanuki-san continues to keep the Shop of Wishes open and his spiritual powers are growing. He soon will be nearly as skilled as his mentor Yuko-san. He is seems to be getting wiser and calmer. He is seldom irritated or mad at Domeki-san who is still the stone-faced bottomless pit for food and booze.
Watanuki-san continues to keep the Shop of Wishes open and his spiritual powers are growing. He soon will be nearly as skilled as his mentor Yuko-san. He is seems to be getting wiser and calmer. He is seldom irritated or mad at Domeki-san who is still the stone-faced bottomless pit for food and booze.
September 13, 2024
Una serie muy extraña, realmente extraña, sin embargo, encantadora. Amé los personajes y más aún las historias y las ideas, cada una muy original y empapada de todo ese folclore japonés que a veces desconcierta tanto. Y lo que suelen dejar todas esas historias que juegan con el tiempo que pasa y los que esperan: un gran vacio, nostalgia y anhelo 💔
July 15, 2023
Not the ending I imagined - but the way it ends is fitting with the melancholy tone throughout the second half of this series. I do wish I read this soon after Tsubasa. Still, a very good series on its own.
November 1, 2019
Well all done with this manga, nice enough ending. Still felt like it was trying to be mysterious just to be mysterious.
May 11, 2020
rating for the entire series: 5/5 - it was amazing
one of my favourite manga ever and probably CLAMP's best work.
one of my favourite manga ever and probably CLAMP's best work.
March 15, 2021
Of all the CLAMP stories I've read, this one series is my favorite. Not just the manga, but also, the anime and the music. A moving end? I hope Watanuki and Co. are revisited in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2021
The end is so bittersweet.
February 2, 2022
obsessed w this absolute curve ball of an ending clamp give us
August 26, 2022
I'm so sad to have the series end. Art is gorgeous and the pacing is perfect. I'm happy that there is a series after this where we can continue with Watanuki's journey.
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August 11, 2023i know i sometimes like to wallow in sadness but i don’t know how to feel with the ending… idk it kinda broke me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2024
I wish this story had gone out with a grander finale, but I still think the ending was sweet
August 29, 2024
My interest in the book and the story itself just kind of petered out.
February 10, 2025
This ending has left me very melancholy...:(
June 11, 2026
Supposedly the end but resolves literally nothing? Unless the little intro to every book that you don't have to be reading Tsubasa at the same time just isn't true.
June 22, 2026
no puedo esperar para leer xxxholic rei!!!!!
increibleeeeee aaaaaaa
increibleeeeee aaaaaaa
May 7, 2016
Hooray! I finally finished this series and I enjoyed it throughly. It's roughly 10 years since I have started this series and it was truly fascinating to see Watanuki Kimihiro grow as a person.
This series is definitely added to my list of favourites and it will be probably one series I will not forget.
This series is definitely added to my list of favourites and it will be probably one series I will not forget.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews