Anime: xxxHOLiC: Kei

[br]I was going to put this as a comment but I think it became to long for me to post as a comment so I will put it here. Just take in mind that this was meant at first to be posted in the comment section of this page.
[br]
[br]I personally loved the first series. I don't give out to many tens but I give both seasons of this series tens. I love each and every character. The character I would like the least is himawari-chan and that's only because shes the one everyone except for yuuko seems to know the least about. Of course that's the point to her character as well. Having her past and her identity mystifying. Which is also why I really liked this season since we get to find out in depth about himawari-chan. I find kimihiro the most intriguing. In the first season you see his character develop of course but I think only a little bit. This season was half the amount of episodes and yet I feel kimihiro grew even more then he did in the last season. I almost didn't watch this because by the series summary I didn't think I would like it. After I saw the first season of tsubasa chronicles and learned about the yuuko character I then decided to try xxxholic and learn more about her and what shes does. I am so glad I did. I think this series delves into the supernatural in a totally different way then most supernatural and fantasy series do. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the series for anyone. The animation is nothing special but I do think that the animation of the characters involved in the series is perfect. They show all the emotions and interactions that they need to. In my mind this show is most importantly about the story of kimihiro and his adventures and interactions with people and spirits and different worlds. As well as the character development of kimihiro, himawari-chan and doumeki. I don't think yuuko really develops as a character as much as you just figure out what she's about in life and stuff. I don't really know how to explain what I mean. Anyways I seriously don't give out tens to a lot of series. I thought about giving it 9.5 but I wanted to definitely give it at least the same or better rating then the first season and since I rated the first series a 10 I had to rate the second series a ten since I liked it even better. I do wish this series was just as long as the first but since it wasn't I just have to hope for another season and then another after that. Another thing I really enjoyed about this series is that the arcs lasted a little longer this time. Most of the arcs in the first season were only one episode long from what I remember but this series the arcs continued over a few episodes and certain things in the beginning of the series were important in the end as well or had meaning in the end. I don't think the ending necessarily showed there would be another series. I can easily see that ending being the end of this series but It's definitely not how I pictured the end if this series. I picture the end of this series something like kimihiro going to yuuko's house and then all of a sudden he can't see her house anymore or something like kimihiro taking over the shop in the end. I don't think of this as a review but it sure is a long comment. Maybe I should post this in the review section instead. I'm not sure.

Finally some continuous plot in the universe.

XXXHolic was good. The only thing which bothered me was the lack of any continuous plot, as they focused on the episode-by-episode stories, without bringing in any consecutive plotlines. I was afraid they'd do the Jigoku Shoujo trick; another x episodes of the same thing, but they managed to do the opposite.

This sequel turns things around, as they focus on the relationship between Watanuki and Himawari-chan. Despite there still being a fair number of episode-stories, it all makes sense and they all bring progress towards a conclusion. Which is what makes this sequel at least better than its prequel, which often felt a bit disconnected from its initial idea.

Animation: A lot more psychedelic, but still the same quality.

The first thing which came up when I had to describe the animation for this sequel was that it was a lot more psychedelic. Much more dark colors and a grim feeling, together with some distorted surroundings whenever something happens. It all adds to the general feeling of creepiness which defines this show.

The animation by itself doesn't seem to be much different from its prequel, but due to the odd character design and the way they designed the backgrounds it is hard to say whether it is done better or worse. At least it gives the same odd feeling throughout the show as its prequel did.

Sound[/u]: Excellent voice actors, good music.

With the same voice actors as in the prequel, this show doesn't do much wrong in terms of voice acting. All players do a good job and the voices are still equally fitting for their counterparts.

The music does seem to have picked up an extra boost though, as it seems like the sounds and music are a slight bit better. Perhaps it's due to the fact that the show has gotten more involved with the world it interacts with, or perhaps it's because the show now focuses on a primary target - fact is that the music simply sounds better and more suitable.

OP/ED are also done well. And while the animation might not be immensely creative, the job is done well.

Story[/u]: Continuity is good. Even when the conclusion is a bit weak.

The story is good. The episode-plots are done well and are easily just as good as the episodes from its prequel. So not much wrong with that. The episodes drop a whole lot of hints and references to earlier episodes, also from its prequel, which is only promising, since it feels a lot more attached to the rest of the show.
One might disagree with me when I say that the conclusion is still a bit weak, but generally it was still a lot better than without any continuous plot at all.

Plus, they continue the odd legacy to make the last episode a filler. Which is a shame, really, as one expects more when there is more. If they'd have made it into a special/extra, it wouldn't be bad, but adding it to the series itself gives you hope there is more to come, like a conclusion, or an aftermath – and then gets you disappointed. And that's a shame, really, as the last ep is a really nice episode when detached from the show itself. Just like the last episode from its prequel was, acually.

Characters[/u]: Excellent characters, but everyone except the protagonist is lacking.

It would be unfair to say the characters are bad, as they are - one after another - excellent characters for this show. Unfortunately that's also the pitfall, as the show focuses on mystery. Most characters don't get much development, in order to keep that shroud of mystery.

Doumeki, for instance, did get some coverage, but in the end he's still that ‘shrine guy without any expression’. The greatest development of Doumeki would be learning his first name after half of this series – which means we had 24 + some more episodes where we didn't even know his name. Which is an excellent example of how much they keep all characters shrouded in mystery.

It doesn't mean the characters are bad, as they suit the show incredibly well, but the only development they get is the development which suits the plot at the moment. The only one who does visibly develop is Watanuki himself. The events which happen in this sequal are pretty harsh, which greatly improve his development. Unfortunately, I can't go into them, as they are major spoilers for the entire series.

Value & Enjoyment[/u]: Much appreciated after the first show.

I liked the first show. Nevertheless, I loved this sequel, as it gives a lot more substance to both the characters as the world they intertwine with. No more ‘evildoer of the day’, but rather fate and destiny flocking together in order to get things going.

The only thing which detracts from the enjoyment is the ‘extra’ episode they mask as an ‘episode 13’. It has nothing to do with the story and it is merely a filler episode. But it still makes you believe that there is something to be seen after the story concludes in episode 12 – and disappoints you.

Please... Rate me! Visitors welcome, readers encouraged to drop a note.
This review is based on the NX and Shinsen-Subs fansubs, and may be revised once the DVD series is out.


Quick Take: Charming and cute without being cloying, xxxHolic Kei is the second season (half-flight, meaning 13 eps) of the CLAMP series. It's a successful effort again by Production I.G, though variety and changes are noticable. It's a slight improvement on a good first season, mostly because the animation is slightly better in some ways, and also because the storyline is slightly tighter.

It uses characters found also in the Tsubasa series, most importantly the witch, Yuuko. The main theme is our hero Kimihiro Watanuki, and the unfortunate events that occur to and around him. The stories are drawn directly from the manga, specifically as around Graphic Novels 7-10. The series is threaded, meaning the episodes stand alone, but there are several threads that continue thru them and connect the series together. The events are not necessarily as in the order of the manga, but do make a lot of sense in the series.

The end result is a totally captivating short series that stands alone, but is an honorable continuation of the first season under a different production hands. It's well worth the time for this quick watch.

Animation: Compared with the first season and the movie, the animation has slightly changed. The characters are still ridiculously lanky, thin to the point of emaciation, and clothing is more a fashion show than normalcy demands. Perhaps the budget for this series did not allow for identical animation, but it is still excellent 2D animaton by Bee Train, et al. Directed  with flair by Tsutomu Mizushima (Hare + Guu, Crayon Shin Chan, Genshiken), the story is king and derives directly (if not in the same order) from the manga. Each episode has a slice-of-life, usually sweetly supernatural element in it, and the director doesn't let the physical silliness get in the way of the story. In this series, the animation reminds me even more of Hare + Guu, especially when Watanuki gets shocked by the Raijin in episode 13 (his body becomes a rubbery mess), but also the camera style (if not the wild color choices as found in Hare + Guu). It's odd; there are different hands evident in almost every episode, yet it hangs together.  Though the elements lack some continuity, it's likely because so many hands were involved in the series, and it looks like it was farmed out to several animation houses, perhaps to keep the schedule. Kudos for coordination!

But it's a small quibble. You'll enjoy the animation, even the variety, and it's not static cels, nor are there many reused ones. Just good quality, familiar animation as derived from the first series, yet as produced by Production I.G. and getting a solid 8 in rating.


Sound: The voice actors reprise their roles, and are really on top of their game. I'm certain that nobody can voice Yuuko better than Sayaka Ohara (Raquel Casull in Scrapped Princess, Miya Asama in Sekirei), and she is both sexy and mysterious in the way only a mature woman can sound. Jun Fukuyama as Watanuki is given a lot of opportunity to be Hare-like, as he's both over the top and thoughtful in turn. Foley is outstanding, and the sound design is inventive. Soundstage is full, and directional (at least in my fansubs), as good as you would expect from the sound director for Ghost In The Shell TV (Kazuhiro Wakabayashi). No misses at all, earning a 9 and just missing a 10 by not having enough taiko and shamisen (now you know my preferences). OP and ED are standard JPop, catchy and clever and just fine without being something to dance to.


Story: The threads follow Watanuki's ill fortune and indentured service to Yuuko, and explain both the source and the risk he faces. Each episode has a moral point to make, and sometimes two; the analogies that Yuuko makes are sometimes the most fun in the episode. Watanuki makes the series in the same way that Hare made Hare + Guu; he's got an internal chorus that keeps him on the straight path, and he's being teased by Yuuko as Hare was Guu (though without physical pain). The stories are each little gems, and although there was precious little character development, the plots are interesting and amusing. I'm only put off by the fact that they didn't end the series, merely concluded it with a sweet, almost directionless episode 13. Story gets an 8 from me, losing points on ending only. There just has to be a third season!!


Character: This series has some of my favorites characters in anime! Well, almost; they are darn near perfectly voiced, interestingly framed, and their motivations are usually clear (except for Doumeki-kun, who seems a tad cardboard at times). I liked the fact that you understood the direction each character is going. Character design is similar to season one, so it's quite similar to the first outing. Character gets a  8 (all fanboy raving aside), losing points because there isn't a lot of character development in this short series.


Value and Enjoyment: I am collecting this in DVD when it comes out, as I did for the first series. That says I'm willing to part with money in order to see it again. So, yes, I guess it's worth the time, and worth the effort, to see this series. I wished it had been a full season (26 eps) and I look forward to another season of merriment, perhaps when the manga writers give them something more to do. Value is 9, enjoyment a 9.


Conclusion: If you liked Tsubasa, or the first season of xxxHolic, you'll enjoy this one too.  It lacks a real ending, but it's still quite enjoyable and worth the viewing and maybe even the collecting.