Introduction
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]
Audience reviews
9 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Connoisseur5910
WELL,
xxxHOLiC◆Kei is the captivating sequel to the original xxxHOLiC, picking up right where the first season left off. Kimihiro Watanuki is still stuck working for the enigmatic witch Yuuko Ichihara in her wish-granting shop, paying off the "price" to rid himself of his annoying ability to see and attract spirits. This time around, the series shifts from mostly standalone episodes to a stronger sense of continuity and overarching plot threads, making it feel more connected and purposeful while still delivering those signature supernatural case-of-the-week stories.
What stands out most is the deeper character development—Watanuki matures noticeably, moving beyond his initial frantic, over-the-top reactions to a more introspective and capable version of himself. Yuuko remains as mysterious…
Read at the sourceAnimelover875
Ahh, xxxHolic: Kei. A fitting sequel of the series introducing consistent plots, like ones about Watanuki's eye, Doumeki's grandfather, Himawari's true self, and more. What could possibly go wrong? Well, let's consider to start with that the season only has 13 episodes; this somewhat puts it on a timer to wrap up old plot threads, something that it honestly...doesn't really take the time or care to do properly. Most of the characters are still the same as they were, with Doumeki making Watanuki freak out and him gushing over Himawari still being consistent elements. Despite a hope that you know, some people may have hoped to actually develop their friendship. Some other storylines weren't really fully explained or seemed forgotten, like what exactly happened with Haruka. And other times, t…
Read at the sourcecameronrb24
Quick Thoughts:
The less episodic format led to improvements in some areas, but ultimately this season still suffers from many of the issues I had with the first season, like character designs and the repetitive interactions between characters.
Story:
Instead of being mostly episodic like its first season, xxxHOLiC Kei is presented in loosely connected arcs 2-4 episodes. This should've helped by allowing more time for developing more in-depth stories and settings, but outside of one arc towards the end the arcs felt mediocre. The couple plot twists they attempted were too predictable, and most the new characters introduced weren't interesting enough to carry the story.
Character:
I think they dropped the ball in their attempts to develop Watanuki's friend group. In the first few episode…
Read at the sourceReviewholic
xxxHOLiC started off as with an episodic formula. Although it showed almost no exposition to the mystery behind the core premise, it managed to introduce most of the important characters and established strong emotional bonds between them.
xxxHOLiC Kei, is where the wheels start rolling. Instead of the previous relaxed episodic format, this sequel drastically transforms itself with a deadlier, serious tone and arc format. The main characters finally face true danger, despair and challenges that were subtly warned from the prequel. There were a lot of stakes and sacrifices, nailing a good depth in the characters' development. There are still some comedic and relaxing breathers in between to lighten up depressing mood. The pacing is perfect. Overall, it's a solid anime.
HOWEVER, there's s…
Read at the sourcejohnbradshaw
Xxxholic: kei is everything that its first season tried to do and failed miserably. Therefore, combining with the whole, it gave a huge step-up to xxxHolic series, made the ride of watching the anime is somewhat memorable.
By getting rid of its episodic nature, both the story and the characters got well-developed over a short period of time. The pacing is faster and the overall tone of the series is more serious than ever I would say. That's a great thing cause I was very annoyed at how comedy was played out in this anime, they're just too much and not even funny. I blame CLAMP for that.
And again, by developing the story, it cleared lots of mysteries that was presented in the first season. I also loved how the characters became more mature and honest along the way. It made me investiga…
Read at the sourceWanderAgain
XXXHOLIC KEI (XXXHOLIC Season 2)
Rating: C+ (7.6/10)
Episodes - 13
Worth Watching?: Watch season 1, then decide.
Directed by Tsutomu Mizushima (of CLAMP) _ Aired in 2008
Welcome to WanderAgain's very biased review!
Story 2.2/2.5: Season 1 drew me in with it's entrancing portrayal of folklore and mysticism. This season did very little of that. Perhaps, it wasn't a mistake. Although the many magical layers of season one were one of xxxHolic's strongest points. Somehow, in some way, CLAMP managed to pull it away from that focal point and still do a great job. Kei was a more character-centric season, with minor magical elements mixed in. Much of it, interestingly, reminded me heavily of episodes from Jigoku Shoujo (Hell Girl). These episodes were surprisingly enjoyable, and even made me fee…
Read at the sourcegame8910
***I have decided to change the format of my reviews to provide more to-the-point ups and downs of the subject in review. I hope people like this new style since the old essay style reviews are tl;dr and just take too long to write. Anyways here is the first anime I'll review under this new format***
xxxHOLiC - Kei is the sequel to the first xxxHOLiC anime which is an adaptation of the CLAMP manga of the same name.
Story:
+ A great plot that leaves you wanting to know what happens next
+ Very deep symbolisms and philosophy are presented
+ A bigger focus on character development
+ An actual sense of continuity unlike the first season's more episodic format
+ Great mix of supernatural elements into a slice of life anime
- Fans who prefered the episodic format might be let down
- Less frea…
Read at the sourcechinaboat
First let me say I truly enjoyed the first season and the art is just as striking but Kei is a total waste of characters with tremendous potential. - Try this out: the rain sprite, the Ame-warashi, standard mood is bad but she always sees the good in people; the vestal sprite, the Zashiki-warashi, is innocent and virginal she lives on pure, as in virginal, energy and is very susceptible to evil energy; the beautiful human spider, Jorougumo thrives on that evil energy; almost all the other secondary characters are just as vivid and unique - and CLAMP doesn't do a damn thing with them. To top it off the lead female, Yuuko, could have been one of the great females in anime but they turn her from the super dominant, supernatural witch of the first season into an insipid drunk whose only purpos…
Read at the sourcedoge_senpai
Still creepy, still mysterious, still fascinating, and still cryptic, xxxHOLiC Kei is the follow up to the first Holic, bringing along with it a new raft of ideas.
The new season does many of the same things as the previous. There's more of the supernatural, more cultural insights, and more social commentary. Ghosts, spirits, and psychics all return en masse, escorted by Mahjong lessons and the depravity of internet media.
Kei almost did everything the first Holic did brilliantly. "Almost" because there was just one element I found lacking compared to the original. There was decidedly less of the extremely creepy vibes that resonated from the first Holic. I wanted Kei to have its scary moments just like its predecessor, but alas, there were none. (Of course this is also the most subject…
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