This week we have another review of XxxHolic, with a volume that could change the dynamic of the series entirely.

General Information

Title: XxxHolic, Volume 10
Written & Illustrated by CLAMP
Translated by William Flanagan
Lettering & Touch-Up by Dana Hayward
Originally Serialized in Kodancha’s Weekly Young Magazine

Available from Amazon & RightStuf

Premise

(Chapter Titles invented by the reviewer)

Watanuki & the Well – Yuuko tasks Watanuki with retrieving some water from a particular well. While doing this, he sees a mysterious woman in the house’s window. While investigating, Watanuki makes a pinkie promise with unfortunate repercussions.

High Points

[spoiler]Himawari’s tragic reveal is executed incredibly well, and really does make me wonder what the next arc of her story is.[/spoiler]

Low Points

This volume is incredibly slowly paced, and save for the opening and closing, is very supernatural-light.

Content Notes

There’s a lot of blood in this volume, but no gore or nudity.

Scores

Originality: This is radically different from many of the earlier volumes. Much more talky, and with less focus on horror and the supernatural (though it’s still there). 4 out of 6.

Story: While the story is paced much more slowly, it is incredibly well written. 5 out of 6.

Artwork: The art in this volume is still as good as the art from earlier volumes. I did, however, have problems telling Doumeki & his Grandfather apart. 4 out of 6.

Characterization: Doumeki & Himawari are fleshed out incredibly well, with some particularly strong moments. 6 out of 6.

Emotional Response: This is the most affecting part of the series thus far. 6 out of 6.

Flow: 6 out of 6.

Overall: this volume doesn’t change everything in the series, but it definitely changes it’s character dynamic. 6 out of 6.

In total, XxxHolic Volume 10 gets 37 out of 42.