xxxHOLiC
Summary: Kimihiro Watanuki can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. On the way home one day, while plagued by some spirits, he is inexplicably compelled to enter a strange house. There, he encounters Yuuko, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to rid him of the ability to see and attract the troublesome creatures—for a price. She demands that he work at her "store" that grants wishes to people, and thus begins Watanuki's adventures through weird and wonderful events.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Kimihiro Watanuki can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. On the way home one day, while plagued by some spirits, he is inexplicably compelled to enter a strange house. There, he encounters Yuuko, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to rid him of the ability to see and attract the troublesome creatures—for a price. She demands that he work at her "store" that grants wishes to people, and thus begins Watanuki's adventures through weird and wonderful events.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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xxxHOLiC Trailers
xxxHOLiC Pictures
xxxHOLiC Review
xxxHOLiC — Kimihiro Watanuki can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.97). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, xxxHOLiC offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Nakai, Kazuya
Japanese
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Tatum, J. Michael
English
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Schmidt-Foß, Dennis
German
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Chesman, Yuri
Portuguese (BR)
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Song, Jun-seok
Korean
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Gradi, Emmanuel
French
Doumeki, Shizuka
Main
Torres, Jhonny
Spanish
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Ohara, Sayaka
Japanese
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Clinkenbeard, Colleen
English
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Zimmermann, Katrin
German
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Aponte, Rebeca
Spanish
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Gaidarji, Tânia
Portuguese (BR)
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Yang, Jeong Hwa
Korean
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Fu, Catherine
English
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Noël, Colette
French
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Itou, Shizuka
Japanese
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Leigh, Cherami
English
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Fernandes, Samira
Portuguese (BR)
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Jeong, Mi Sook
Korean
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Truncale, Lily
English
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Kawaguchi, Tooru
Producer
Matsushita, Takuya
Producer
Morishita, Katsuji
Producer
Nakayama, Yoshihisa
Producer
Sudou, Naomi
Producer
Tafu, Naohiro
Producer
Kananiwa, Kozue
Assistant Producer
Tanaka, Junichirou
Assistant Producer
Mizushima, Tsutomu
Director, Episode Director, Script, Storyboard, Screenplay
Wakabayashi, Kazuhiro
Sound Director
Baba, Makoto
Episode Director
Iwasaki, Tarou
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kuroda, Yukio
Episode Director
Mukainakano, Yoshio
Episode Director, Storyboard
Terasawa, Shinsuke
Episode Director, Animation Director, Character Design, Key Animation
Watanabe, Masahiko
Episode Director
Hirami, Miharu
Script
Ohkawa, Nanase
Script, Series Composition, Executive Producer
Sakurai, Yoshiki
Script