Subculture Anime Blog

OP: “Nobody Knows” by Shikao Suga – I’ve loved Suga Shikao since I heard the work he did in Honey and Clover. I’m really happy that he’s returned for the second xxxHolic, and the song is as catchy as the previous OP.

Summary:

Watanuki sees Himawari while walking down the street, but only through one eye. He energetically approaches her, but he wakes to find that this was only a dream. Watanuki believes that this is the start of a good day while taking Mokona off of his face, when Maru and Moro appear to announce that it is breakfast time. Yuuko is fairly interested in the television program that is showing that morning, as it is about a medium named Kohane. Watanuki turns the television off, however, attempting to get Yuuko’s attention. When he again describes his dream to Yuuko, she implies that this sign is not as positive as Watanuki would hope. Everyone in the house proceeds to tease Watanuki, making him leave in annoyance. Watanuki passes by Doumeki’s shrine on the way to school, finding that he is actually still there and not at practice. Watanuki ends up helping him with his chores, getting into a discussion about Yuuko’s shop. Watanuki recalls that Doumeki has been there once before, but Doumeki is a bit unsure of this. The conversation changes to the day’s lunch as usual, when Watanuki gets his hand stuck on a large spider web. Doumeki simply breaks the web before heading off to school, but a spider hovers over the area afterwards.

Watanuki later has lunch with Himawari as usual, but when Doumeki appears, there seems to be something wrong with his eye. Doumeki puts this off as nothing, but while walking home with Watanuki later, he reveals that a spider web is now covering his eye shut. Realizing that a hospital would not be able to treat such a wound, Watanuki suggests that Doumeki accompany him to Yuuko’s shop. However, Doumeki states that he is not able to enter her shop. Watanuki enters Yuuko’s shop in panic, explaining the situation to her. Taking a thread from Watanuki’s face, Yuuko easily understands what has happened. She suggests that they have done something to create a grudge, and this makes Watanuki remember the spider from the morning. Watanuki does not believe this was a huge deal, but Yuuko makes him realize that the web was an important home to the spider. Yuuko explains why the spider chose Doumeki over Watanuki, making Watanuki wonder how to help Doumeki. Yuuko believes that it is as simple as making the spider transfer its grudge, so Watanuki makes a decision.

Doumeki hears some knocking outside his doors that night, so he opens them to see who is there. Only a large gust of wind passes by him, and when it is over, Doumeki finds that his eye is now open. Doumeki attempts to tell this to Watanuki when he sees him the next morning, but when he finally gets his attention, he discovers that his eye is now covered with a bandage. Doumeki quickly forces this off of him, seeing that Watanuki’s right eye is now vacant. Doumeki then demands that Watanuki call Yuuko for him, since he cannot enter her shop. When Doumeki meets Yuuko that night, he learns about the decision Watanuki made. Of course, Watanuki planned on making the spider hold a greater grudge against himself to cure Doumeki. As this was Watanuki’s wish, Yuuko again explains the purpose of her shop. Doumeki requests to have Watanuki’s eye return, but Yuuko states that this is not possible. This would result in Doumeki losing his eye this time. Looking at his expression, Yuuko wonders if Doumeki is angry. He states that he is not angry at her, but he cannot deny that he is angry at Watanuki. Yuuko confirms that this is okay. She explains that Watanuki takes pain upon himself for others, not realizing how much this hurts those around him.

Watanuki later walks home with Himawari, but he cannot avoid the topic of Doumeki as usual. Realizing that Doumeki’s home is along the way to Yuuko’s, Himawari wonders if Watanuki can give her book to him. Watanuki agrees to, and as he approaches Doumeki’s shrine, he confirms to himself again that he is fine. He becomes disturbed, however, when he sees images in his right eye. Doumeki appears to wonder if Watanuki is all right, so Watanuki radically explains that he is only there to deliver Himawari’s book. Watanuki notices that Doumeki has several other books in his hand, and learns that these have come from his own house. Watanuki learns that Doumeki is investigating many of his grandfather’s books, but Doumeki will not allow him to think about this for very long. When Watanuki mentions this to Yuuko over dinner, he is shocked to realize that Doumeki is searching for ways to cure his eye. Yuuko reveals the request Doumeki had appeared with previously, making Watanuki a bit angry. When Watanuki states that what he did was his own decision, Yuuko suggests that what Doumeki is doing something on his own as well. After Watanuki leaves, Yuuko recalls that Doumeki began to search for answers despite her suggestion that it was impossible. This is why he has no need to enter her shop.

ED: “Honey Honey” by SEAMO feat. AYUSE KOZUE – I’ve never been the biggest SEAMO fan in the world, but I do like a few of his singles. This song is fine for an ED, but I’m honestly not sure if the animation is the most fitting for it.

Preview: Watanuki helps Doumeki search for cures Mushishi style, and a wild cat girl appears.

Impression:

Agh, I’m so excited right now!!! I’ve spent the last two days reading the xxxHolic manga, watching Tsubasa Chronicles, and listening to Suga Shikao to get pumped for this season of xxxHolic. I’m sure most of you have seen the new header by now as well. But wow, I forgot how much I missed this show. Some very popular seiyu return for the second season, including Fukuyama Jun (Lelouch, Code Geass) as Watanuki, Itou Shizuka (Ha-san, Sketchbook ~full color’S) as Himawari, and Ohara Sayaka (Alicia, Aria) as Yuuko (I wonder if the mills on the television were on purpose). Being someone that watches about 300% more anime than I do read manga, I usually have to make this kind of connection. I’m a fairly big fan of Production IG’s work as well, and I really don’t see where all the complaints about animation are coming from. They’re quickly jumping through the manga with the first episode, especially with such an important arc. Some really awesome moments look like they will be coming soon, so I really can’t wait to continue watching. I believe I recall this being set for 24 episodes, so there’s plenty to cover. Anyways, if you can’t already tell, I’m definitely keeping up with this for the next two seasons. What a great way to start the spring!