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At first glance, Kimihiro Watanuki appears to be a normal high school student; but little do people know that not only is Watanuki able to see spirits, but he's also a magnet for them! One day, after being chased by one such spirit, Watanuki happens upon a strange building. There he meets a mysterious witch named Yuuko, who claims she can get rid of his ability to see spirits - for a price: Watanuki must work as her housekeeper until he has paid off the cost of granting his wish. Now Watanuki's eyes are being opened to an entirely new side of the world as he assists Yuuko in her work, all while balancing the housework, his schoolwork, and most importantly, ensuring that Yuuko is never out of sake!
Both of these manga are about a mostly ordinary boy/teen learning about youkai and other supernatural entities with the help of an older female mentor who is extremely knowledgeable about such things. Nonnonba has a historical setting, and is like a realistic, more down-to-earth version of xxxHolic, which has a bunch of fantasy elements. However, both have very similar set-ups and story progression, so may appeal to the same audience.
The mysterious Count D owns a pet shop in Chinatown. However, it's no ordinary pet shop: D sells exotic and rare pets that often have the appearance of a human in the eyes of their new owners. Since these animals are so special, each one is only sold if the customer signs a contract agreeing to abide by the instructions provided, or suffer the dire consequences, all whilst conveniently releasing the shop itself from any responsibility. However, when some customers break their contracts and a series of incidents occur as a result, this small business doesn't go unnoticed. Inspector Leon Orcot begins to investigate D, suspecting him of slave smuggling; but can he get to the bottom of the events surrounding the shop, or will he just be dragged into the Count's pace of afternoon tea and cake?
Both Pet Shop of Horrors and xxxHolic both feature episodic chapters with both supernatural and moralistic themes. Both look at the follies of mankind linked by supernatural punishment, though PSoH focuss on this more than Holic.
If you like mysticism and the darker side of its power, you may enjoy Sengoku Nights and xxxHolic. Both of these manga contain supernatural situations and examine their consequences. Likewise, there's often a touch of humor at someone's misfortune in both series, so it's a pretty good match! ^_^
Kantaro Ichinomiya has been able to see youkai and befriend them since he was a young child, but there is one particular spirit that he has always wanted to meet. Intrigued by the tale of the legendary demon-eating tengu, Kantaro’s goal for many years has been to make friends with the strongest youkai of all. Now, as a young adult Kantaro works as an exorcist, yet he has never forgotten his true desire, and one day his dreams come true when he breaks a holy seal, releasing the fabled demon-eating tengu. As the spirit’s new master, Kantaro names his new friend Haruka and now the pair work together to solve the city’s supernatural problems.
Both Tactics and xxxHolic are supernatural-based manga that are heavily rooted in Japanese culture and mythology. Though xxxHolic has more of a mysterious fate-oriented plot, if you like one, it's worth trying the other.
Recently died and have unfinished business? The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is your ticket to a worry-free, eternal rest! Made up of spirit communicator Kuro; embalmer Keiko; leader Ao; body dowser Makoto; and Yuji, a boy who communicates with aliens through a hand puppet, the group handles everything from suicides to murders with ease. Whether you need a message delivered or want vengeance for your death, the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service can help you out - for a price. And while the team often has to end up working on a volunteer basis, they'll still get the job done with a sarcastic smile!
Both of these series are steeped in Japanese culture (Kurosagi more modern while xxxHolic more traditional), both concern strongly with the supernatural but take place in a realistic setting, and both are about the fulfillment of wishes.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service help the dead achieve their last desire, hopefully for a cash payment. In xxxHolic, customers come to the shop of a witch to have their wishes granted at the right cost and usually end up learning hard lessons.
xxxHolic readers, be warned that Kurosagi can be pretty graphic and is definetely meant for an older audience. Kurosagi readers, be warned that xxxHolic is by CLAMP and thus caters (a bit) to yaoi fangirls.
