xxxHOLiC◆Kei
Summary: Kimihiro Watanuki's life was never really normal. But in addition to his ability to see spirits, this sequel to xxxHOLiC finds him still slaving away for Yuuko, the bizarre owner of a strange shop, who promised to rid him of this ability. However, this otherworldly woman can only do so when he has worked enough to earn his wish. Such is the way for anyone who finds their way into the shop to have their request granted: a compensation equal to their wish must be paid.
In this odd shop that straddles the world of the living and the dead, Watanuki finds himself doing household chores for the seemingly lazy Yuuko and her companions, while also helping out clients. Along with his classmates, supposed romantic rival Shizuka Doumeki and his crush Himawari Kunogi, Watanuki deals with the many misfortunes surrounding Yuuko's customers, as well as those that closely follow him and his friends.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Kimihiro Watanuki's life was never really normal. But in addition to his ability to see spirits, this sequel to xxxHOLiC finds him still slaving away for Yuuko, the bizarre owner of a strange shop, who promised to rid him of this ability. However, this otherworldly woman can only do so when he has worked enough to earn his wish. Such is the way for anyone who finds their way into the shop to have their request granted: a compensation equal to their wish must be paid.
In this odd shop that straddles the world of the living and the dead, Watanuki finds himself doing household chores for the seemingly lazy Yuuko and her companions, while also helping out clients. Along with his classmates, supposed romantic rival Shizuka Doumeki and his crush Himawari Kunogi, Watanuki deals with the many misfortunes surrounding Yuuko's customers, as well as those that closely follow him and his friends.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
xxxHOLiC◆Kei Pictures
xxxHOLiC◆Kei Review
xxxHOLiC◆Kei — Kimihiro Watanuki's life was never really normal. 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: 8.2). 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◆Kei 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
Gradi, Emmanuel
French
Ichihara, Yuuko
Main
Ohara, Sayaka
Japanese
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Itou, Shizuka
Japanese
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Jeong, Mi Sook
Korean
Kunogi, Himawari
Main
Volpé, Isabelle
French
Watanuki, Kimihiro
Main
Fukuyama, Jun
Japanese
Watanuki, Kimihiro
Main
Créton, François
French
Watanuki, Kimihiro
Main
Eom, Sang Hyeon
Korean
Ame-warashi
Supporting
Yajima, Akiko
Japanese
Ame-warashi
Supporting
Yun, Yeo Jin
Korean
Ame-warashi
Supporting
Marlot, Frédérique
French
Doumeki, Haruka
Supporting
Nakai, Kazuya
Japanese
Doumeki, Haruka
Supporting
Montalto, Jean-Marco
French
Himura, Rikuo
Supporting
Jorougumo
Supporting
Touma, Yumi
Japanese
Kudou, Kazahaya
Supporting
Maru
Supporting
Kojima, Kazuko
Japanese
Maru
Supporting
Julien, Gwenäelle
French
Modoki, Mokona
Supporting
Kikuchi, Mika
Japanese
Staff
Kananiwa, Kozue
Producer
Kawaguchi, Tooru
Producer
Matsushita, Takuya
Producer
Morishita, Katsuji
Producer
Sagawa, Tomoyuki
Producer
Sudou, Naomi
Producer
Tanaka, Junichirou
Producer
Mizushima, Tsutomu
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Screenplay
Wakabayashi, Kazuhiro
Sound Director
Endou, Susumu
Episode Director
Terasawa, Shinsuke
Episode Director, Storyboard, Animation Director, Key Animation
Watanabe, Masahiko
Episode Director
Yamamoto, Yasutaka
Episode Director, Storyboard
Ohkawa, Nanase
Script, Series Composition
Tanimura, Daishirou
Script
Yokote, Michiko
Script, Series Composition
Fukutomi, Hiroshi
Storyboard
Sayama, Kiyoko
Storyboard
SEAMO
Theme Song Performance
Suga, Shikao
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Composition