XXXHolic Volume 2

In preparation for Anime Boston this week, here's a recent manga purchase. This was picked up at the recent Borders going-out-of-business sale.

Title: XXXHolic
Issue: Volume 2
Date: 2004
Publisher: Del Rey Manga
Writer: Clamp
Artist: Clamp

For those not familiar, Clamp is the collective name of the writing/art team behind Cardcaptor Sakura, Tsubasa, and other manga titles. The title of this series is a bit deceptive, as it has little to do with alcohol and nothing to do with X-rated entertainment.

XXXHolic is the story of a high school student with the ability (or curse) to see spirits. He has become the indentured servant of a sorceress and he hopes that she will eventually free him of his spirit-sight. But in the meantime, he must do the cooking and help with the errands while strange events unfold around him.

This volume got off to a shaky start for me because XXXHolic crosses over with another Clamp series, Tsubasa, which I have not read any of. The first chapter of this volume was heavily involved in the crossover and I didn't feel like I got much out of it.

The book got better as it went on, however, with an extended discussion about fortune telling that was fascinating. In the end, student/servant Kimihiro Watanuki must participate in a "Hundred Ghost Story Night" along with sorceress Yuko Ichihara, and the girl he has a crush on at school, plus his biggest school rival. The night quickly turns into a dangerous encounter with the spirit world.

Clamp's art is beautiful, and the second and third story segments were very strong and more than made up for the beginning, in which a working knowledge of the Tsubasa series is necessary for a full understanding.

Rating: 7/10