Its partner series, Tsubasa, ended quite a while ago, so for XXXHOLiC, it seems the end is inevitably nigh. So you would expect a lot of action leading up to the finale, right? Err, not exactly. This volume – especially compared to those in the past – seems to enjoy taking it slow and easy. With Watanuki taking up the mantle of Yûko completely and Domeki assuming the role of the reluctant assistant, it doesn’t look like it will be concluding anytime soon unless something incredibly drastic happens in the last two volumes. It’s a solid book but there aren’t many major momental events in this volume and at this point in this series, it’s more of a drawback that a plus.

Read the rest of my review over at Nagareboshi Reviews! ( )

Watanuki seems to be really settling in to his role as the shopkeeper; he is wearing very Yuko-esque clothing, has taken up her pipe-smoking habit, and even seems to have adopted her laid back attitude. His cool-colleced-calm mantra really shows when the spider-woman shows up - yes, the same one who ate his left eye - and he doesn't even react. Instead he agrees to help her retrieve a very rare red pearl, even though he has no idea what the endeavor may entail due to his lack of experience and still-growing powers. But Watanuki manages to complete his task, and in the meantime learns more about the magical beings who frequent Yuko's world, which also apparently seems to be giving him more of an idea who he really is. ( )

  This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by express permission of this reviewer   Title: xxxHolic #17, 18 & 19 Series: xxxHolic Author & Artist: CLAMP Rating: 5 of 5 Stars Genre: Manga Pages: 165-185'ish   Synopsis: The series wraps up with several clients showing up and showcasing how powerful and comfortable Watanuki has become as the shop owner. And it all leads to one final dream, Yuko's dream.   My Thoughts: During the whole time that I was reading these 3 volumes, I was simply shaking my head in wonder and amazement. Gone are the silly arguments between Watanuki and Domeki, gone are the times of Watanuki making a complete fool of himself for Himawari's sake and gone is Watanuki's self-effacing timidness.   Time is the main casualty in these volumes. We never know how much time has passed and while CLAMP sometimes shows things [Himawari &  Watanuki talking on the phone about her marriage for example] happening that take time, nothing is truly concrete. CLAMP does try to show changes in some of the characters, Kahone-chan for instance, but the art style doesn't lend itself toward subtle changes and so everyone pretty much looks like their starting ages.   One thing that I REALLY liked was that Watanuki grants a wish to the Tsubasa crew so that the quest they began at the end of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles appears to be near the end.   Speaking of endings, another thing that I really liked in this series was that things were wrapped up. Himawari gets married to someone else and is actually happy. Domeki and Kohane-chan, who is no longer really a "chan", are on course to get together and are happy. Mokona is still drinking like a sponge and is happy. Maru and Moro are still sustaining the shop and are happy.   And most important of all, Watanuki sees Yuko's last dream and hence gets to see her for one last time and sees how she has confidence in him. And he is happy. I am satisfied with how this series has ended. I am seriously considering reading xxxHolic: Kei now.   To whit, this series is one of the best manga I've read to date. It has some action, enough humor, is supernatural, a tiny bit of terror, awesome characters, a convoluted plot and most of all, it has Yuko the Time/Space Witch. " ( )

We get to see how Watanuki run the shop in this volume. Domeki helps him because of their shared eye if Domeki sees a place then Watanuki can walk there in his dreams. When the blurb says that he must help everyone who enters the shop, it is not something special that was the way the shop worked for Yuko too. The spider is interesting in this one, she is not a villain this time. She is someone who wants something that was promised to her and needs Watanuki to get it for her. She does try to be scary but because of everything that Watanuki has been through, she just does not sacre him anymore. That annoys her but I like the development that Watanuki has gone through. Only two more volume before the end of this series.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. ( )

xxxHolic Volume 17 by CLAMP takes place a few years after the last volume. Time though seems to have stopped within the bounds of the shop, now helmed by Watanuki. The longer he stays, the more like Yûko he becomes, wearing her kimonos, smoking her pipe and drinking her sake.

The big case, though, comes with a big surprise in the return of an old enemy. Watanuki though is well prepared and manages to get down to business with her.

As Watanuki must stay in the shop to keep the shop from reverting back to an empty field, he can only travel through dreams. Like the last issues with Yûko where Watanuki couldn't tell dream from reality, now he uses dreams to shape reality. When that isn't possible, Domeki acts as his gopher.

Although the series is winding up, there's no big battle. It's a nice break from the typical series wrap up. Sure, Domeki is an archer but none of the previous volumes have been about fighting. They have always been the quiet half of the Tsubasa / xxxHolic story. I don't know how it's going to end but I see it doing it quietly, with perhaps Domeki and Himuari making personal sacrifices. ( )