XXXHolic (pronounced as 'Holic') is 24 episodes of a positively peculiar comedy, supernatural anime set in the typical Japanese high-school setting. A unique story lies in wait for those who decide to watch it, episodic as it contains multiple self-contained story arcs. A slight bit of research and this anime is made by the same people who made other anime like Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits and Tsubasa Chronicle. Some of these are great and others not so much, this anime features some cross-overs or the others feature this earlier anime as a crossover too. The short of it is that this an interesting anime and I'd recommend it to most people. Though at times it can get a bit creepy and occasionally it annoyed me.
AnimationFrom the start the animation blew me away. The quality is sufficient for a 2006 anime, I watched in 480p, only because I wanted a dual audio version of the anime, but I'm sure it it's available in HD. But it was the style that amazed me. The intro is very abstract (in a good way) and the animation style overall is very unique. Even the backgrounds, especially in the shop remain very artistic like old Japanese paintings and patterns. The character designs are distictive and of course the only other place this sort of art is seen is in the other anime related to this one, but even they don't have this great overall art style all the time. Once again, I'm glad to say there is no fanservice, despite minor suggestive images and the fact that apparently one of the main characters is supposed to have large breasts. I didn't really notice it, so good realistic character design I guess. I'll also add that Mokona opening it's eyes (it has those typical closed anime eyes most of the time) is a bit freaky, otherwise its adorable. And that rock band outro for the second half is pretty sweet too.SoundThe sound is also very good. The intro and outro music are very nice, not exactly my favourite genre of music, but I can still appreciate the cool jazzyness and atmosphere it gives off. Though the second half of the anime has a different outro which is some sweet rock (Kageruo - Mayfly). The background music also plays appropriately and adds to the animation. No overusage or music playing at the wrong time. And damn is some is the music beautiful, the piano background tracks during some scenes and that sweet outro. Just so mellow and helps one to relax, combined with the adorable dance from Mokona.
The anime is available in both English and Japanese. With a few decent voice actors too. I recognised Watanuki as Todd Haberkorn's voice, who also did Nagasumi Michishio from My Bride is a Mermaid (Seto no Hanayome) and Haruo Nijima from History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, which I watched recently. J. Michael Tatum, the voice of Doumeki has also voiced Erwin Smith from Attack on Titan, Scar from FMA: Brotherhood, Kraft Lawrence from Spice and Wolf, Ikki Takeda from History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi and Seishirou from Tsubasa Chronicle, coincidentally the last anime I watched. Yuuko is voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard, the voice of Riza Hawkeye from FMA, Ayako Matsuzaki from Ghost Hunt, Kisara Nanjo from History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Minai Rou from the Shikibane Hime series and Marie Mjolnir from Soul Eater. Notable voices for secondary characters are Cherami Leigh as Himawari, who voiced Elicia Hughes from FMA Brotherhood, Mai Taniyama from Ghost Hunt, Lunar from My Bride is a Mermaid, Itsuki Yamagami from Shikibane Hime and Asuna from SAO. Mokona is voiced by Carrie Savage, who did roles like Haruka from Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Satsuki from Lunar Legend Tsukihime, Nancy from Read or Die TV, Hina from Shikibane Hime, Rachel Boyd from Shikibane Hime and Artemis from Tsukuyomi ~Moon Phase~. As usual, VAs have been in other anime together, many of which are good.CharactersThe main protagonist of this story is Kimihiro Watanuki, the typical highschool student protagonist who wears glasses and lives on his own. Thankfully, the trope is dissipated by the explanation that he is an orphan who enjoys cooking (he's good at it too), good at doing housework and is generally able to take care of himself. Sometimes he seems to be well reserved and he behaves rather sensibly. But other times he acts like a real jerk, he seems to really hate Doumeki and doesn't get along with him. He also seems to act wierd around his crush, Himawari and seems to completely lack any tact. Of course, there is a reason why he is the main character here, Watanuki has the ability to see spirits (Youkai), attract them and experience the supernatural. In particular, he can smell a foul stench of evil spirits. He doesn't like this and just wants nothing to do with it, he runs away from trouble, but trouble catches up to him. He's often accused of being a crybaby. People are picking on him, especially Yuuko making him pay for all the food and such. He's a bit of a comic relief character, a fool that often gets screwed over. His personality makes the story interesting, but it really annoys me at time.
Shizuka Doumeki is pretty much Watanuki's only friend and another highschool student. He's a bit of a perfect guy: smart, athletic, popular with the girls, he eats a lot and is skilled at archery. He;s very perceptive and notices things quickly, though he may not mention them. He is similarly special like Watanuki, but in the opposite way. He lives at his family's temple. He can't see spirits or experience the supernatural, but is able to repel spirits. He's very stoic and emotionless, he doesn't care for much. While Watanuki doesn't like him, he doesn't mind hanging around with Watanuki, though he makes the occasional cruel remark as any normal guy would towards someone like Watanuki. Like saying he cries and calling him a moron. Despite Watanuki's fears, he doesn't have any feelings towards Himawari or any girl for that matter. A real nice guy and a likeable character, despite the lack of emotions. A shame Watanuki won't make friends with him.
Yuuko Ichihara is the apparently well-endowed owner of the shop where Watanuki works. She grants wishes for a price (something worth a similar amount) and her catchphrase is "there are no coincidences, only inevitability". She seems to have a decent and interesting sense of fashion too, wearing all sorts, though nothing inappropriate. Like the other two, she also has some sort of supernatural powers, which she is able to handle much better than the others do theirs. She is very mischievous and likes to abuse her authority over Watanuki and sent him into trouble. Though she usually has faith and just knows that he'll be alright. She has many bad habits like drinking excessive alcohol, smoking a lot and generally acting mean and childish. When bad things start to happen to people, she doesn't necessarily always help them and sometimes she lets them suffer. She just too mean in my opinion, I kinda don't like her.
Himawari Kunogi is another of Watanuki's classmates, a pretty girl with pigtails upon whom Watanuki has a crush on. She's always nice to both Watanuki and Doumeki and always has a positive demeanor. It seems obvious that she doesn't have any feelings for either of them. Even though she often comments how lovely and romantic things are. She feels like too much of an accessory or add-on character.
Yuuko has two girls Maru and Moro (twins apparently) living with her, along with the adorable rabbit-monster-thing Mokona. Yuuko allows Maru and Moro to slack off and run around doing what kids do. Heck, there's one scene where they are trying to hit a butterfly on a carpet with baseball bats and the like. Mokona is Yuuko's best friend, or the closest thing as it shares the same like, dislikes and opinions as Yuuko. I don't quite like it, but Mokona also likes to drink alcohol with Yuuko, kinda like a child copying and adult. Mokona is also a character in Tsubasa Chronicle and while I love it there, the Mokona here is actually quite annoying, despite being cute.
There are few other recurring characters since most appear for a single episode. The pipe fox looks cute, but is just annoying in my opinion as it drags Watanuki by pulling him by the neck when it's wrapped around it. It does seem to be attached to him and follows him around like a faithful pet. The rain sprite thing Ame-Warashi is pretty damn mean to Watanuki and not in a tsundere way either. Though she seems to like Doumeki. Just a typical egotistic meany. On the other hand, the shy Zashiki Warashi is quite the opposite and likes Watanuki so much that she even has a crush on him. She cries tears of happiness often and this alerts her 5 protector creature thingies to unnecessarily attack Watanuki.Story
Watanuki randomly stumbles into Yuuko's strange shop where she tricks him into working for her. He takes care of customers to the shop and even does all of the housework and is essentially Yuuko's personal servant, depsite his protests. Yuuko's shop grants people wishes, for a price of equal value. Fairly soon, Doumeki ends up helping him out with work at the shop (or rather outside of it). Yuuko doesn't take direct action to serve her customers and help them, but she gives them the ability to do so for themselves.
I must add the main story is 23 episodes, the 24th is a flashback side-story, though one could argue there is no difference. The plot is quite literally episodic, each episode is a different story tackling a different issue. There is no overarcing plotline, but there is enough progression in each episode so it isn't lacking in narrative. The various plots tackle everyday issues and supernatural dilemmas too. Some of these episodes can be very creepy like the one involving ghost stories or the token beach episode with the eerie beach house. I enjoyed those episodes, though I was ignoring some of the beach episode since I was trying to catch up on writing this review. I was so immersed in the anime itself, that I was too busy watching to write much XD Anyhow the topics this anime tackles in it's self contained episodes also involve serious matters and here I uncovered some subtext/social commentary. Episodes include things like people dealing with personality disorders, insecurity, addiction, depression and more. I felt like there are somethings to learn from this anime. Looking at episodes in general Watanuki and Doumeki gain experience in helping people with problems and dealing with the supernatural. A lot of philosophy lies in this anime and I enjoy that aspect, it makes one think more about both this anime and life in general. Often Yuuko is the one who emparts it. It makes this anime a bit more than just a cast of characters in a story to enjoy.
There are some parts of the overall story that feel pointless, like Watanuki never learning to tolerate Doumeki and never realising that he isn't a threat to his feelings for Himawari. Incidentally, he can never get anywhere with her, whether its his own cowardice in not being able to ask her out or whether its other people and problems getting in the way. She always has plans and can never spend time with him, leaving Doumeki escorting him instead. Yuukoalways goes on about giving and taking things of equal worth yet she takes (seemingly) infinitely more from Watanuki than she gives him. The occasion episode can be rather predictable too. It gives a positive atmosphere and dashes it with attempts for laughs when Watanuki gets screwed over by the likes of Yuuko.
ConclusionThis anime kept my attention most of the time and was mostly enjoyable to watch. There were a few things that got on my nerves like the characters, but overall the episodes were enjoyable and entertaining. While this anime is a unique one, I'd recommend that everyone at least try it for a good few episodes. It can make for the occasional laugh and even suspense from the freaky bits. Family-friendliness Rating: 2/5 Nothing too offensive besides a little suggestion, excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption (lower is better)Overall Rating: 8/10 (higher is better)