Manga Review – XxxHolic Vol. 10

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

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

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.