The xxxHOLiC
We had reported that the CLAMP, the authors of numerous famous works including Cardcaptor Sakura, Tusbasa Reservoir Chronical and of course xxxHolic, had announced that they had every intention of returning to work on their manga xxxHOLiC: Rei, the sequel to the original story, both published in our country by the Star Comics publishing house. The authors have finally revealed that the manga will return in the spring of 2023 in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine!About the manga xxxHOLiC: Rei
xxxHOLiC: Rei is the latest manga of the xxxHOLiC series, and was launched in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine. The series went on hiatus in July 2014 and returned in April 2015. The manga has since been serialized irregularly with the latest chapter published from June 2016 to March 2017. Kodansha released the manga's third volume in October 2016. .The protagonists of xxxHOLiC are back in a sequel acclaimed loudly by fans all over the world… And if the fans call, CLAMP will answer! We will then find the young Kimihiro Watanuki (able to see spirits), the beautiful and mischievous Yuko Ichihara - who treats him like a scullery - and all the bizarre patrons of the supernatural shop, to which new ones will obviously be added, ready to complicate the life of our friends and to involve them in new, disturbing and extravagant adventures!
XxxHOLiC: the original series
xxxHOLiC was initially serialized in Japan in Young Magazine, published by Kōdansha, from 2003 until March 2010; in June 2010 it was moved to Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, of the same publishing house but of shōnen genre, to conclude the publication on February 9th 2011. The 213 chapters were collected and published in tankōbon format also by Kōdansha.In Italy, the manga was also published by Star Comics starting from February 6, 2007 and ended on July 7, 2011 with the nineteenth volume.
‘xxxHolic’: Over-the-top camp casts a lackluster spell
Saying “I loved the cinematography” to a director about their new film is a classic insult, implying that the only thing to praise is the look since the substance is so lacking.
Photographer and director Mika Ninagawa not only invites this sort of snark about her films but positively revels in it. Beginning with her acclaimed feature debut, the 2007 period drama “Sakuran,” her offerings have been riots of visual excess, overwhelming the eye and mind. It’s easy to zone out from the sensory overload, like a dazed kid who has devoured a fruit cake.
Her latest, the fantasy “xxxHolic” (stylized as “xxxHOLiC” and pronounced “Holic”), is over the top in everything from its splendidly gaudy kimonos, which could have been sourced from the “Sakuran” storeroom, to its setting in a floridly imagined world of witches and evil spells that make the “Harry Potter” films look austere.
xxxholic (Holic: xxxHOLiC)Rating2.5 out of 5Run Time110 mins.LanguageJapaneseOpensApril 29Based on a manga of the same title by the Clamp collective, the film promises campy fun, but becomes weighted down by its fortune cookie philosophizing. It’s as if Bill Murray’s obnoxious weatherman in “Groundhog Day,” from which “xxxHolic” takes obvious inspiration, were to respond to his absurd situation — stuck forever in the same day — with “what must be, must be.”
The hero is a high school boy, Kimihiro Watanuki (Ryunosuke Kamiki), who has a strange power: He can see ayakashi (vengeful spirits), which appear to him like dark, spidery clouds. Hating his fate, he is about to end it all when a colorful translucent butterfly lures him into a mysterious shop. The proprietor is a witch named Yuko (Ko Shibasaki), resplendent in a spangly headdress that makes her look like a silent movie star. “We grant wishes,” she tells him, “but at a price.”
His wish is to live an ordinary life and his price is to serve Yuko as cook and housekeeper. He also takes up residence at her shop, with its plants hanging everywhere like a jungle greenhouse and Yuko’s two sprite-like female assistants, Maru and Moro, who help Kimihiro with the household chores.
After his encounter with Yuko, two classmates, the macho Shizuka (Hokuto Matsumura) and bubbly Himawari (Tina Tamashiro), befriend Kimihiro and he begins to feel less lonely and that life might be worth living. All too soon, however, danger appears in the form of a slinky blonde witch, Jorogumo (Riho Yoshioka), and her menacing blond human lover, Akagumo (Hayato Isomura). They scheme against Kimihiro and his pals, for reasons that are unclear at first.
As a result of Jorogumo’s supernatural machinations, Kimihiro ends up repeating April 1 — his birthday — over and over. He embraces his new normal after realizing that by living in the same day, he escapes the hated ayakashi, but he soon comes to see it as a trap.
In the clash between the pure-hearted, passive Kimihiro and the born-bad Jorogumo, Yuko stands out for her sphinx-like ambiguity. Her power to grant wishes can do harm, but she is also Kimihiro’s ally and guide. This is a role Shibasaki, whose sharp-eyed, commanding side appears all too rarely in her films, was born to play. As Yuko she is regal and formidable, but leavened with touches of humor and hints of sly sexiness.
No wonder Kimihiro finds her hard to quit. In his mind, and mine, the “xxx” in “xxxHolic” is Yuko. And, for me, also her look, Theda Bara headdresses and all.
In line with COVID-19 guidelines, the government is strongly requesting that residents and visitors exercise caution if they choose to visit bars, restaurants, music venues and other public spaces.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
SUBSCRIBE NOW