...a worthy adaptation that really captures the spirit of the comic.
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The adventures of Watanuki Kimihiro, a young man cursed with the ability to see and attract all manner of supernatural creatures, continues in "xxxHOLiC" volume 2, from FUNimation.
In "xxxHOLiC" volume 1, we were introduced to Watanuki Kimihiro. He is a frantic, selfish, and often cowardly teenager currently in the employ of Yuko, the Dimensional Witch. In exchange for her granting his wish never to see or attract the monstrous creatures that like to follow him around, Watanuki spends his days as a household slave, cooking, cleaning, and essentially being at the beck and call of Yuko until such time that his amount of service is equal to the greatness of his wish.
Yuko's work involves granting wishes to anyone who can see her small shop located in the middle of some downtown skyscrapers. If a customer can see and enter her shop, then there must be a wish they are looking to have granted. The "xxx" in the title of this series is a placeholder for whatever problem or addiction each customer has. Yuko will grant these wishes, but only in exchange for something of equal value to the wish.
The wishes take on all forms, but not all of them are granted or turn out the way that the wisher is prepared for. Watanuki, at Yuko's request, often assists or follows her on her wish granting jobs, and in the process he encounters all sorts of magical and mystical creatures.
Helping Watanuki are two classmates. The first is a cheerful girl named Himawari ("Sunflower"). Watanuki has an enormous crush on her, however, she seems completely oblivious to his obvious affection, and treats him as a friend. Yuko senses something about her, but Watanuki is completely blinded by Himawari's cuteness and friendliness. The next ally is Doumeki, a silent, stoic, young man who Watanuki sees as a rival for Himawari's affections. Doumeki has an unusual ability of his own that makes him very useful to Yuko and Watanuki, even though he is not officially a customer of the shop or employee of the witch. Yuko seems to believe that Doumeki will be very important to Watanuki in the future.
This volumes sees Watanuki running an unusual errand for Yuko and making a good friend in the process, encountering a spirit of nature, and setting a ghost free. Episode 7, "Hydrangea" is the first story to really show the bond that is beginning to form between Watanuki and Doumeki, and it showcases the strength in Watanuki that is beginning to emerge. Like all of the butterfly symbolism that surrounds Yuko, Watanuki is slowly evolving as a person with each new experience and lesson learned through his work. His outwardly fussy, spitting-cat personality hides an inner strength and willingness to help others as much as he can.
"xxxHOLiC" volume 2 contains episodes 5-8 of the 24 episode series. As with volume 1, each episode is fairly self-contained and revolves around either a new customer´s request or an errand ordered by Yuko. However, while each episode has its own small story arc, there is an overreaching continuity that they all contribute to. More creatures from Japanese folklore are introduced here as well.
Volume 2 maintains the enjoyable combination of supernatural mystery and comedy. I really enjoyed the wide variety of elements each episode has to offer. There is action, suspense, comedy, and some very emotional moments. Sometimes the lessons Watanuki learns are very simple and obvious, and other times their meaning is not clear until future episodes.
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