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xxxHOLiC: AnotherHOLiC
Introducing the thrilling first novel set in the exotic, mysterious world of xxxHOLiC! Written by bestselling author NISIOISIN, and spectacularly illustrated by CLAMP, this original story features the ever-excitable high school student Kimihiro Watanuki, the mystifying time-space witch Yûko Ichihara, and a host of fascinating new characters.
Nothing could have thrilled Kimihiro more than stumbling upon the bizarre wish-granting shop of the beautiful but unnerving Yûko Ichihara, who solemnly promises to make the spirits plaguing Kimihiro go away just as soon as her fee–rendered in daily afternoon chores at her shop–is paid in full.
Of course, the thrill wears off as soon as Kimihiro realizes that his payment plan bears a disturbing resemblance to indentured servitude . . . eternal indentured servitude. Still he soldiers on, ready for whatever number of adventures lie ahead. But in Kimihiro’s case, three may not be the charm!
His first assignment–to procure a pair of fake eyeglasses–is exceptionally pointless, even by Yûko’s standards. Or at least it seems that way, until Kimihiro watches a woman throw herself into traffic. He soon discovers that the doors of bespectacled perception can swing both ways.
Next, when a classmate seeks help solving a mystery involving text messages from the dead, Kimihiro is glad to play Sherlock. But he must turn to Yûko to determine whether the root of the riddle is otherworldly shenanigans, deceit, or murder.
Finally, however ready, willing, and able Kimihiro thinks he is to face the most unusual of circumstances, he still finds himself completely bewildered by the stranger who chases away his darkest spirits, condemns Yûko as a craven charlatan, and offers Kimihiro a way out of his preternatural predicament–and a fortune besides.
Nothing could have thrilled Kimihiro more than stumbling upon the bizarre wish-granting shop of the beautiful but unnerving Yûko Ichihara, who solemnly promises to make the spirits plaguing Kimihiro go away just as soon as her fee–rendered in daily afternoon chores at her shop–is paid in full.
Of course, the thrill wears off as soon as Kimihiro realizes that his payment plan bears a disturbing resemblance to indentured servitude . . . eternal indentured servitude. Still he soldiers on, ready for whatever number of adventures lie ahead. But in Kimihiro’s case, three may not be the charm!
His first assignment–to procure a pair of fake eyeglasses–is exceptionally pointless, even by Yûko’s standards. Or at least it seems that way, until Kimihiro watches a woman throw herself into traffic. He soon discovers that the doors of bespectacled perception can swing both ways.
Next, when a classmate seeks help solving a mystery involving text messages from the dead, Kimihiro is glad to play Sherlock. But he must turn to Yûko to determine whether the root of the riddle is otherworldly shenanigans, deceit, or murder.
Finally, however ready, willing, and able Kimihiro thinks he is to face the most unusual of circumstances, he still finds himself completely bewildered by the stranger who chases away his darkest spirits, condemns Yûko as a craven charlatan, and offers Kimihiro a way out of his preternatural predicament–and a fortune besides.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
12 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
About the author
Clamp
747 books3,141 followersŌkawa Nanase 大川七瀬
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]
Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]
Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.
In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.
In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]
Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]
Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]
CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.
In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.
In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 4, 2015
This does not even compare to other xxxHolic books. Where's Maru and Moro? Where's black Mokona? Domeki? Himawari? The only good things about this book was the cellphone story, and that I now love to play shiritori.
February 13, 2009
I hate giving this such a low rating, because I'm a huge fan of the manga. But I had a few issues with it. First of all, if you don't read the manga, I wouldn't bother. This book would ONLY be entertaining to those who are familiar with the story.
The three stories that appear in it are in true xxxHOLiC fashion; strange, creepy, and thought-provoking. The writing itself (though this could also be chalked up to translating issues) is a bit too passive for my tastes. You'll be reading pages regarding subjects that could be settled in paragraphs. Some of it is round-a-bout and difficult to understand, while in other instances you'll think "I get it already!!"
Another sad lacking in this book was the near-absence of some of our beloved characters. Black Mokona, the strange twins, Doumeki, and Kunogi are only passingly mentioned. In fact, Yuko and Watanuki are the only familiar characters.
So in the end, if you're a big fan of the manga, you may pick it up to add to your collection. But you could probably live without it.
The three stories that appear in it are in true xxxHOLiC fashion; strange, creepy, and thought-provoking. The writing itself (though this could also be chalked up to translating issues) is a bit too passive for my tastes. You'll be reading pages regarding subjects that could be settled in paragraphs. Some of it is round-a-bout and difficult to understand, while in other instances you'll think "I get it already!!"
Another sad lacking in this book was the near-absence of some of our beloved characters. Black Mokona, the strange twins, Doumeki, and Kunogi are only passingly mentioned. In fact, Yuko and Watanuki are the only familiar characters.
So in the end, if you're a big fan of the manga, you may pick it up to add to your collection. But you could probably live without it.
September 5, 2015
شي غريب وممتع تقرأ فانفكشن رسمية وكلامب رسمو مقدمات فصولها "وبوستر هديه".
الأسلوب اقترب بشكل كبير لكلامب، مع استبدال الحوارات القصيرة المركزة "قليلة الإنفجارات العاطفية" بأخرى طويلة ومفصلة لإغلاق فجوة الخلفيات والرسم الذين اعتدنا كقارئين لهوليك وكلامب لكونه عنصر فعال ومتحرك وأساسي في المانجا.
القصص الثلاث اللي تطرق لها نيشيون هي: ١- فتاة ترفض السعادة " وبه صفحات تقتبس بكاملها عن مفهوم وثقل السعادة"
٢- عن فتاة تستغل موت صديقتها المقربة بشكل غريب لتستطيع ضمان عدم نسيانها لها
٣- عن "ثمن الأمنية" التي يعمل لها واتانوكي: وهل الفراغ الذي سيأتي من تحقيقها حقاً هو مايتمناه؟
القصص الثلاثة وتركيبها تشي لك بمتابع متحمس وفاهم تماماً لكلامب وأسلوبهم القصصي وتركيب الأحداث عندهم: الثيمات، الجو العام، والمحاضرات الطويلة من يوكو كُلها تجعلك تشعر وكأنك حقاً تقرأ لكلامب.
كذلك تداخل بعض السطور بالأحداث الحقيقية التي حصلت في المانجا منذ بدايتها للنهاية وكثرة النكات المتعلقة بالبوب كالتشر اليابانية يجعلانك تؤمن حقاً أنك تقرأ لكلامب: نوعية مواقفهم الكوميدية المعقدة ماتشوفها دايم، خاصة المرتبطة بالكلمات ورسمها \ تاريخها.
استمتعت جداً بالقراءة، وكان بالمجلد مجموعة من الرسمات المفضلة لي من كلاب، كنت حزينه لأن الرسومات التي تفصل بين القصص الثلاثة مرتبطة بالنص وبسبب ذلك لا أستطيع تمزيقها وتعليقها بالجدار : (
تعديل:
تذكرت!
الشيء الوحيد اللي أزعجني حقاً وخرب من جمال القصص هو أن الكاتب جعل يوكو شخص أكثر قسوة ولامبالاة من المانجا، كذلك رأي واتانوكي بها كان قاسي جداً ومتكرر اللامبالاه، بعكس المانجا : - كلنا نعرف رأيه عنها-. فهذا أمر كان مزعج شوية، لكن يمكنك تجاهل ذلك بإقناع نفسك بأن رأيه بها "والقصص حصلت خلال أول ثلاثة شهور من عمله في متجرها
الأسلوب اقترب بشكل كبير لكلامب، مع استبدال الحوارات القصيرة المركزة "قليلة الإنفجارات العاطفية" بأخرى طويلة ومفصلة لإغلاق فجوة الخلفيات والرسم الذين اعتدنا كقارئين لهوليك وكلامب لكونه عنصر فعال ومتحرك وأساسي في المانجا.
القصص الثلاث اللي تطرق لها نيشيون هي: ١- فتاة ترفض السعادة " وبه صفحات تقتبس بكاملها عن مفهوم وثقل السعادة"
٢- عن فتاة تستغل موت صديقتها المقربة بشكل غريب لتستطيع ضمان عدم نسيانها لها
٣- عن "ثمن الأمنية" التي يعمل لها واتانوكي: وهل الفراغ الذي سيأتي من تحقيقها حقاً هو مايتمناه؟
القصص الثلاثة وتركيبها تشي لك بمتابع متحمس وفاهم تماماً لكلامب وأسلوبهم القصصي وتركيب الأحداث عندهم: الثيمات، الجو العام، والمحاضرات الطويلة من يوكو كُلها تجعلك تشعر وكأنك حقاً تقرأ لكلامب.
كذلك تداخل بعض السطور بالأحداث الحقيقية التي حصلت في المانجا منذ بدايتها للنهاية وكثرة النكات المتعلقة بالبوب كالتشر اليابانية يجعلانك تؤمن حقاً أنك تقرأ لكلامب: نوعية مواقفهم الكوميدية المعقدة ماتشوفها دايم، خاصة المرتبطة بالكلمات ورسمها \ تاريخها.
استمتعت جداً بالقراءة، وكان بالمجلد مجموعة من الرسمات المفضلة لي من كلاب، كنت حزينه لأن الرسومات التي تفصل بين القصص الثلاثة مرتبطة بالنص وبسبب ذلك لا أستطيع تمزيقها وتعليقها بالجدار : (
تعديل:
تذكرت!
الشيء الوحيد اللي أزعجني حقاً وخرب من جمال القصص هو أن الكاتب جعل يوكو شخص أكثر قسوة ولامبالاة من المانجا، كذلك رأي واتانوكي بها كان قاسي جداً ومتكرر اللامبالاه، بعكس المانجا : - كلنا نعرف رأيه عنها-. فهذا أمر كان مزعج شوية، لكن يمكنك تجاهل ذلك بإقناع نفسك بأن رأيه بها "والقصص حصلت خلال أول ثلاثة شهور من عمله في متجرها
March 5, 2010
I was surprised when I first learn that xxxHolic has a written novel so I decided to pick it up. I realy like the morals in each of the 3 stories and I have to say that the description of Yuko-san was, somewhat, more cruel and mysterious in Watanuki's view compare to the Yuko-san expressed in the manga and anime.
But overall, this is another great book written by NisiOisiN and I'm looking forward to read more work from him
But overall, this is another great book written by NisiOisiN and I'm looking forward to read more work from him
October 26, 2017
One thing I must say about this is NisiOisiN seems to have decided not to write the other characters at all. i.e. Himawari and Doumeki were referenced by name but never appeared. Maru and Moro were not even named at all. I guess he also doesn't like mascots that much because Mokona isn't a big a presence here either. So if that's what you're here for, then it might be good to give this a miss.
That said, Landolt Ring Aerosol--a title so confusing one can only guess it was written by a Japanese person, since they are known to just go with what sounds 'cool'*--remains quite true to what CLAMP have set out to write in the manga. (In fact, I think one story made it into the anime.) But what exactly is that?
Now I can't say that I actually followed Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (I liked it but xxxHolic is more up to my speed because of its genre) so I probably missed a lot of the layers close to the end of xxxHolic's original run, but for me it's always been about the mysterious. Maybe that's not exactly the word, but we'll run with it. It doesn't matter if it's yokai or the human psyche. Sometimes things happen that are hard to explain. Maybe 'singular' is the word?
In LRA, NisiOisiN wrote about three different people who wished for something. That's normal enough right? All stories start because someone wanted something.
First story is about a woman who can't accept happiness.
A pretty straight-forward story with the xxxHolic twist. Fit enough for them to include in the anime.
Second story is about a university student who was being 'haunted' by a friend who died in a train accident. Humans are very complex things aren't they? I quite liked this one.
Third story is about, well, about Watanuki himself. And I had a hard time really getting into this story because the stranger Watanuki met was just really unlikeable. And he knows it. There's something so repellent about him that even if I didn't dislike him (he wasn't really doing anything for me to dislike) I didn't want to read about him. Kudos to you on getting that across, Nisio.
But the main thing, the thing that I really loved about this whole novel, is actually something that guy wrote. I don't have my copy with me, so to paraphrase: don't think that the world in your eyes is the same thing as the world in everyone else's. I'm a softy, so I cried.
It's that feeling of loneliness, but at the same time, knowing that everyone else is just as lonely as you are makes you feel less alone. For that I'll add that one star.
*Turns out Landolt Ring does have something to do with the story.
Also, shout out to Andrew Cunningham for managing to give us as close to the original feel of the novel as possible. Not an easy feat considering this is Nisio, who is known for his puns. But even harder because that second story literally can't make sense without Japanese.
That said, Landolt Ring Aerosol--a title so confusing one can only guess it was written by a Japanese person, since they are known to just go with what sounds 'cool'*--remains quite true to what CLAMP have set out to write in the manga. (In fact, I think one story made it into the anime.) But what exactly is that?
Now I can't say that I actually followed Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (I liked it but xxxHolic is more up to my speed because of its genre) so I probably missed a lot of the layers close to the end of xxxHolic's original run, but for me it's always been about the mysterious. Maybe that's not exactly the word, but we'll run with it. It doesn't matter if it's yokai or the human psyche. Sometimes things happen that are hard to explain. Maybe 'singular' is the word?
In LRA, NisiOisiN wrote about three different people who wished for something. That's normal enough right? All stories start because someone wanted something.
First story is about a woman who can't accept happiness.
A pretty straight-forward story with the xxxHolic twist. Fit enough for them to include in the anime.
Second story is about a university student who was being 'haunted' by a friend who died in a train accident. Humans are very complex things aren't they? I quite liked this one.
Third story is about, well, about Watanuki himself. And I had a hard time really getting into this story because the stranger Watanuki met was just really unlikeable. And he knows it. There's something so repellent about him that even if I didn't dislike him (he wasn't really doing anything for me to dislike) I didn't want to read about him. Kudos to you on getting that across, Nisio.
But the main thing, the thing that I really loved about this whole novel, is actually something that guy wrote. I don't have my copy with me, so to paraphrase: don't think that the world in your eyes is the same thing as the world in everyone else's. I'm a softy, so I cried.
It's that feeling of loneliness, but at the same time, knowing that everyone else is just as lonely as you are makes you feel less alone. For that I'll add that one star.
*Turns out Landolt Ring does have something to do with the story.
Also, shout out to Andrew Cunningham for managing to give us as close to the original feel of the novel as possible. Not an easy feat considering this is Nisio, who is known for his puns. But even harder because that second story literally can't make sense without Japanese.
May 15, 2025
Una historia que solo se puede tomar definitivamente como otro mundo, separado del xxxHolic real.
El autor dice ser fan de Clamp, pero hay cosas que muestran que por deseo o por obligación la historia está más encaminada a la literatura japonesa (con sus referencias culturales y temas tabú para llamar la atención), que en sí sobre Clamp, xxxHolic o los temas.
Yuko aquí es una perra que en verdad maltrata a Watanuki, y los demás personajes igual pasan sobre él y pareciera que los protagonistas de los 3 casos son la misma persona: piensan igual, actual igual y hablan igual.
Definitivamente, los 3 temas o las 3 problemáticas se entienden desde el primer párrafo, el debate es extremadamente largo y repetitivo para las ideas que maneja y la "resolución" es bastante obvia desde un principio. Con Yuko apenas teniendo que aparecer o ayudar. Como debate está bien, pero desde una sola perspectiva es que se vuelven tan tediosas las maneras de pensar.
La última historia o planteamiento me gustó bastante, daba para toda una novela si es que hubiera tenido un verdadero tratamiento. Qué humano (no mágico en el mundo de Clamp) puede tener el poder para "exorcisar" o alejar tanto a Himawari, Domeki, espíritus y Yuko en general. También tiene su explicación, sobre cómo cada cabeza es un mundo y todo, y otras cosas por ahí bastante interesantes. Pero de nuevo la historia es más para pensarla y filosofar que una narrativa con cierre como tal.
De no ser por esa última historia, le hubiera dado una estrella al libro.
El autor dice ser fan de Clamp, pero hay cosas que muestran que por deseo o por obligación la historia está más encaminada a la literatura japonesa (con sus referencias culturales y temas tabú para llamar la atención), que en sí sobre Clamp, xxxHolic o los temas.
Yuko aquí es una perra que en verdad maltrata a Watanuki, y los demás personajes igual pasan sobre él y pareciera que los protagonistas de los 3 casos son la misma persona: piensan igual, actual igual y hablan igual.
Definitivamente, los 3 temas o las 3 problemáticas se entienden desde el primer párrafo, el debate es extremadamente largo y repetitivo para las ideas que maneja y la "resolución" es bastante obvia desde un principio. Con Yuko apenas teniendo que aparecer o ayudar. Como debate está bien, pero desde una sola perspectiva es que se vuelven tan tediosas las maneras de pensar.
La última historia o planteamiento me gustó bastante, daba para toda una novela si es que hubiera tenido un verdadero tratamiento. Qué humano (no mágico en el mundo de Clamp) puede tener el poder para "exorcisar" o alejar tanto a Himawari, Domeki, espíritus y Yuko en general. También tiene su explicación, sobre cómo cada cabeza es un mundo y todo, y otras cosas por ahí bastante interesantes. Pero de nuevo la historia es más para pensarla y filosofar que una narrativa con cierre como tal.
De no ser por esa última historia, le hubiera dado una estrella al libro.
April 27, 2018
The book is of three separate stories. Watanuki learns of people who have “supposedly” had a run in with the supernatural, and he brings them to Yuko’s magic shop to have their wishes granted.
The way things are handled is very different from how stories are portrayed in the manga. And having read several of Nisioisin‘s other work, I could easily identify his style. It’s more similar to Bakemonogatari, only shorter and even more simplistic.
Also Watanuki And Yuki are the only characters from the manga that appear. Domeki And Himawari are mentioned but not seen. Some of the new characters were likeable enough though.
The way things are handled is very different from how stories are portrayed in the manga. And having read several of Nisioisin‘s other work, I could easily identify his style. It’s more similar to Bakemonogatari, only shorter and even more simplistic.
Also Watanuki And Yuki are the only characters from the manga that appear. Domeki And Himawari are mentioned but not seen. Some of the new characters were likeable enough though.
August 6, 2024
While working for Yuko at her shop of wish granting, Watanuki must contend with three unique and baffling cases without the aid of his friends, from handling a woman who always gives into her worst urges, to a girl receiving texts from her dead friend, and a crude man dispensing a new world theory. NisiOisiN and CLAMP provide xxxHolic fans an engaging trio of short stories, intriguing plots with some good flow and humour, though its lacking of familiar supporting characters and weak final tale leave it an overall empty experience. Will Watanuki be able to handle these cases on his own, or is the Dimensional Witch toying with him?
April 20, 2019
disturbing and heartbreaking - Watanuki and Yuko's relationship is still relatively new and he has no idea what he's in for, but his feelings are more complicated than he realizes. I was thrilled with the Azumanga Daioh reference (YES!) and well, not surprised by the psychological mess within these pages.
December 31, 2022
I’ve enjoyed each of the 3 stories in here, it was very reminiscent of how Holic felt to me watching the show and reading the Manga. Although the writing could be a bit awkward sometimes (I’m assuming it’s because of it English/Japanese writing structure). When I finished it I was happy, walked away with new perspective, and as I made my way to my bookshelf, a tear fell from my eye.
April 8, 2021
It was super good to retrieve Watanuki-kun through 3 new stories. I really like the new view point we didn't have in the manga, the story is mostly focus on Watanuki and how it feels and understand the world around him and Yuko-san.
September 18, 2021
Slightly disappointed with the second story, but I get the feeling that Samurai Flamenco's partly to blame for that. However the first story was interesting, and I absolutely loved the third, which would've been four stars if on it's own.
October 20, 2011
Spin-off-и по извести манга заглавия има всякакви и от най-различен характер, но лично за мен това е първи сблъсък с точно подобен тип spin-off и съм приятно изненадана до някъде. В интерес на истината, ако не бях толкова запалена по поредицита на CLAMP, XXXHolic нямаше и да погледна тази новела. Убедена съм, че на голяма част от феновете на мангата тя може да не се хареса особено много, но лично аз се радвам, че успях да я прочета и въпреки това горещо ще я препоръчам на всеки фен на XXXHolic, пък кой знае. Може и вие да се останете приятно изненадани.
А защо ли всъщност тази новела заслужава да й обърнете внимание? Ами, основната причина е, че тя дава възможност за един страничен и нов поглед над света на XXXHolic. Когато четеш манга или гледаш аниме, голяма част от емоциите, състоянията и мислите на героите се показват само, чрез изражения и читателя много често трябва да отгатва, за какво си мисли героя в определената ситуация. При книгите обаче, за да успееш да предадеш какво се случава малко или много нямаш друг избор освен да опишеш състоянието на героя, което дава една много по-подробна представа за него и от такава гледна точка начина на представяне на Юуко и особено на Уатануки е особено интригуващ. Освен това, в сериите като цяло вътрешното състояние на клиентите, които посещават магазина на Юуко остава засегнато само и единствено по отношение на желанието им и начина, по който ги вижда и приема Уатануки. В новелата обаче, във всяка една от трите части, ролята на разказвача често се сменя от третото лице на външния разказвач към самите клиенти, а това на свой ред дава още една точка на наблюдение и върху това, как всъщност се чувстват хората, които идват в магазина при сблъска си с Юуко. Аспект, който ми допадна особено много, но и аспект, който може да се окаже твърде труден за възприемане от повечето фенове.
Атмосферата в новелата цялостно е близка с тази в мангата. Начина на изразяване на Юуко, дългите диалози, объркани и оплетени с трудна за възприемане логика за заобикалящиния ни свят, са си на място. Шегите, закачките и препрадките към всевъзможни митологии, филми и други популярни манги също са на лице и от тази гледна точка нямам забележки към NisiOisiN, защото опделено са успели да хванат и предат всяка част от света на XXXHolic много точно.
По отношение на историите. Новелата разказва само три, всяка от които сама за себе си разглежда тема незасегната в мангата. От трите, моето лично мнение е, че първата като че ли най-добре, успява да се вмъкне в хода на всичко, което се случва в мангата. Едиствено нея бих включила да кажем някъде в края на първи или втори том и то без да видя видима разлика с оригинала. По отношение на другите две... Имам смесени чувства. Харесват ми като съдържание и начин на предаване, сами за себе си, но като че ли ми бяха малко "out of character" ако мога така да се изразя и честно казано трудно бих ги вписала в мангата по някакъв начин без да изглеждат малко не на място.
От друга страна пък, цялостно историята, която най-много ме заинтригува бе последната. Чувството за "out of character" при нея е най-силно и идва от факта, че тя разглежда тема, която ако включиш или опиташ да свържеш по някакъв начин с оригинала, дава възможност за един съвсем различен развой на събитията и те кара да се замислиш за много неща, особено за това, какво би се случило ако Уатануки всъщност имаше друг избор да се справи с "дарбата си", но той не включва магазина на Юуко. Историята е силна и заинтригуваща, но е и толкова "out of character", защото имаш чувството, че не случва в света, който познаваш, а в някой от другите светове, за които често се говори в XXXHolic
И след всичко казано, едно малко предупреждение. Тази новела е само и изключително за хора, запознати със света и героите на XXXHolic. За да разберете и осмислите, това което се случва в нея трябва да сте чели основната история, защото иначе рискувате да останете силно разочаровани и с чувство за незавършеност и липса на цялостност. Това е, защото новелата не описва съвсем напълно героите с които работи, както и света където се развива действието. Тя започва да се развива от един определен момент, който води началото си другаде, а не на страниците й, затова ако не сте се докосвали до мангата или анимето на CLAMP просто забравете за съществуването на тази новела, защото тя определено не е за вас.
А защо ли всъщност тази новела заслужава да й обърнете внимание? Ами, основната причина е, че тя дава възможност за един страничен и нов поглед над света на XXXHolic. Когато четеш манга или гледаш аниме, голяма част от емоциите, състоянията и мислите на героите се показват само, чрез изражения и читателя много често трябва да отгатва, за какво си мисли героя в определената ситуация. При книгите обаче, за да успееш да предадеш какво се случава малко или много нямаш друг избор освен да опишеш състоянието на героя, което дава една много по-подробна представа за него и от такава гледна точка начина на представяне на Юуко и особено на Уатануки е особено интригуващ. Освен това, в сериите като цяло вътрешното състояние на клиентите, които посещават магазина на Юуко остава засегнато само и единствено по отношение на желанието им и начина, по който ги вижда и приема Уатануки. В новелата обаче, във всяка една от трите части, ролята на разказвача често се сменя от третото лице на външния разказвач към самите клиенти, а това на свой ред дава още една точка на наблюдение и върху това, как всъщност се чувстват хората, които идват в магазина при сблъска си с Юуко. Аспект, който ми допадна особено много, но и аспект, който може да се окаже твърде труден за възприемане от повечето фенове.
Атмосферата в новелата цялостно е близка с тази в мангата. Начина на изразяване на Юуко, дългите диалози, объркани и оплетени с трудна за възприемане логика за заобикалящиния ни свят, са си на място. Шегите, закачките и препрадките към всевъзможни митологии, филми и други популярни манги също са на лице и от тази гледна точка нямам забележки към NisiOisiN, защото опделено са успели да хванат и предат всяка част от света на XXXHolic много точно.
По отношение на историите. Новелата разказва само три, всяка от които сама за себе си разглежда тема незасегната в мангата. От трите, моето лично мнение е, че първата като че ли най-добре, успява да се вмъкне в хода на всичко, което се случва в мангата. Едиствено нея бих включила да кажем някъде в края на първи или втори том и то без да видя видима разлика с оригинала. По отношение на другите две... Имам смесени чувства. Харесват ми като съдържание и начин на предаване, сами за себе си, но като че ли ми бяха малко "out of character" ако мога така да се изразя и честно казано трудно бих ги вписала в мангата по някакъв начин без да изглеждат малко не на място.
От друга страна пък, цялостно историята, която най-много ме заинтригува бе последната. Чувството за "out of character" при нея е най-силно и идва от факта, че тя разглежда тема, която ако включиш или опиташ да свържеш по някакъв начин с оригинала, дава възможност за един съвсем различен развой на събитията и те кара да се замислиш за много неща, особено за това, какво би се случило ако Уатануки всъщност имаше друг избор да се справи с "дарбата си", но той не включва магазина на Юуко. Историята е силна и заинтригуваща, но е и толкова "out of character", защото имаш чувството, че не случва в света, който познаваш, а в някой от другите светове, за които често се говори в XXXHolic
И след всичко казано, едно малко предупреждение. Тази новела е само и изключително за хора, запознати със света и героите на XXXHolic. За да разберете и осмислите, това което се случва в нея трябва да сте чели основната история, защото иначе рискувате да останете силно разочаровани и с чувство за незавършеност и липса на цялостност. Това е, защото новелата не описва съвсем напълно героите с които работи, както и света където се развива действието. Тя започва да се развива от един определен момент, който води началото си другаде, а не на страниците й, затова ако не сте се докосвали до мангата или анимето на CLAMP просто забравете за съществуването на тази новела, защото тя определено не е за вас.
May 7, 2024
I do really like Nisioisin brainfucks
September 1, 2025
As a novel on its own, it’s one with intriguing psychological explorations and ideas, but as a xxxHolic novel, it feels a bit off in tone. Just a bit too sharp and cynical and mean
March 27, 2015
Let me start off by saying that I have never read the xxxHOLiC manga, nor have I seen the anime. I'm a fan of CLAMP and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, but this light novel was my first venture into the story of Watanuki Kimihiro. I'll admit that there were a few moments when I was a bit lost, if only because I wasn't familiar with the original story, but it wasn't really that hard to figure out what was happening once I got further into the stories.
This book is comprised of three stand-alone short stories - the first is about a girl who can't help but break any taboo that she comes across (if the pedestrian light is red, she'll cross the street, if a sign says 'do not enter,' she enters anyway); the second story is about a girl who seems to be receiving text messages from her dead best friend; and the third story was about an obnoxiously rude man who can see demons but also has the power to 'unsee' them if he wishes. All stories feature high school student Watanuki Kimihiro and the dimension witch, Ichihara Yûko, and are tied together through the idea of wish granting.
While I liked the stories well enough, I do have to say that the writing was a bit flat. This may be because it was translated into English from the original Japanese novel, but it felt a bit unattached, as though I were watching an anime with no sound and having to rely only on subtitles. This bothered me quite a bit, but as the stories themselves were pretty interesting, I was able to keep reading - they each had a unique spin on some oddities of human behavior, which I found entertaining.
I now think that I'd like to check out the original xxxHOLiC manga to get a better grasp of the story-line - the idea of a boy working as an indentured servant to a wish-granting 'dimension witch' in exchange for losing the ability to see and attract demons is rather intriguing. But for now, this particular story collection gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
This book is comprised of three stand-alone short stories - the first is about a girl who can't help but break any taboo that she comes across (if the pedestrian light is red, she'll cross the street, if a sign says 'do not enter,' she enters anyway); the second story is about a girl who seems to be receiving text messages from her dead best friend; and the third story was about an obnoxiously rude man who can see demons but also has the power to 'unsee' them if he wishes. All stories feature high school student Watanuki Kimihiro and the dimension witch, Ichihara Yûko, and are tied together through the idea of wish granting.
While I liked the stories well enough, I do have to say that the writing was a bit flat. This may be because it was translated into English from the original Japanese novel, but it felt a bit unattached, as though I were watching an anime with no sound and having to rely only on subtitles. This bothered me quite a bit, but as the stories themselves were pretty interesting, I was able to keep reading - they each had a unique spin on some oddities of human behavior, which I found entertaining.
I now think that I'd like to check out the original xxxHOLiC manga to get a better grasp of the story-line - the idea of a boy working as an indentured servant to a wish-granting 'dimension witch' in exchange for losing the ability to see and attract demons is rather intriguing. But for now, this particular story collection gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
April 24, 2015
Esta novela está basada en el manga xxxHolic de Clamp, uno de mis preferidos de las autoras, así que cuando descubrí que había una novela quise leerla.
Para los que no sepais de qué va xxxHolic, resumiéndolo mucho, trata sobre Watanuki, un chico que acaba trabajando para una tienda muy extraña, una tienda dirigida por una mujer llamada Yûko donde te conceden tu deseo más preciado a cambio de un precio justo. Él acaba trabajando allí como "pago" por cumplir su deseo: que es dejar de ver espíritus.
Ahora la novela: en ella encontramos 3 historias. Lo que lleva a los clientes a la tienda es del mismo estilo que las que podemos encontrar en el manga, sin embargo, aquí se acaban todos los parecidos.
Sobre todo en el principio de cada parte tenía la sensación de que había más "texto de relleno" que algo de provecho. Me refiero a escenas de 4-5-8 páginas que en manga no habrían sido más de 3-4 viñetas.
Y luego están los personajes. De todos los protagonistas y secundarios que aparecen en el manga sólo Yûko y Watanuki aparecen, y están un poco fuera de caracter: leyendo el manga nunca he pensado que Watanuki fuera medio tonto, ni que Yûko fuera cruel y mala por diversión (la manera de hablarle a Watanuki es alucinante).
Reconozco que escribir basándote en personajes que no son tuyos es muy difícil, y es imposible contentar a todo el mundo. En mi caso, la imagen que tengo de los dos protas poco se parece a esta, así que es como si hubiera leído una novela sobre algo parecido a xxxHolic, pero no me ha gustado tanto como el original.
Para los que no sepais de qué va xxxHolic, resumiéndolo mucho, trata sobre Watanuki, un chico que acaba trabajando para una tienda muy extraña, una tienda dirigida por una mujer llamada Yûko donde te conceden tu deseo más preciado a cambio de un precio justo. Él acaba trabajando allí como "pago" por cumplir su deseo: que es dejar de ver espíritus.
Ahora la novela: en ella encontramos 3 historias. Lo que lleva a los clientes a la tienda es del mismo estilo que las que podemos encontrar en el manga, sin embargo, aquí se acaban todos los parecidos.
Sobre todo en el principio de cada parte tenía la sensación de que había más "texto de relleno" que algo de provecho. Me refiero a escenas de 4-5-8 páginas que en manga no habrían sido más de 3-4 viñetas.
Y luego están los personajes. De todos los protagonistas y secundarios que aparecen en el manga sólo Yûko y Watanuki aparecen, y están un poco fuera de caracter: leyendo el manga nunca he pensado que Watanuki fuera medio tonto, ni que Yûko fuera cruel y mala por diversión (la manera de hablarle a Watanuki es alucinante).
Reconozco que escribir basándote en personajes que no son tuyos es muy difícil, y es imposible contentar a todo el mundo. En mi caso, la imagen que tengo de los dos protas poco se parece a esta, así que es como si hubiera leído una novela sobre algo parecido a xxxHolic, pero no me ha gustado tanto como el original.
February 29, 2020
xxxHolic; Anotherholic
The book consists of 3 short stories that revolve around Kimihiro Watanuki.
I really liked how the characters are very consistent in comparison to the manga, the characters didn't feel out of place, and the pop culture references were on point
The first story is called "outerholic";
It's about a woman that suffers from what she calls "urges", those urges are urges to break taboos.
After Watanuki watches the woman throw herself into traffic he decides the best course of action is for her to see Yûko
The second story is called "Underholic" this story is about a girl who receives text messages from her dead friend.
Watanuki hears about this from a classmate and decides to investigate those incidents.
The culprit was surely an unexpected one.
The final story is called "Afterholic" this story is about a day when Watanuki woke up without being able to see spirits, his wish is actually fulfilled by someone other than Yûko, he realizes something very important about himself and questions why he's even working for Yûko.
So yeah, Nisioisin did a great work writing an xxxHolic novel spin-off
The book consists of 3 short stories that revolve around Kimihiro Watanuki.
I really liked how the characters are very consistent in comparison to the manga, the characters didn't feel out of place, and the pop culture references were on point
The first story is called "outerholic";
It's about a woman that suffers from what she calls "urges", those urges are urges to break taboos.
After Watanuki watches the woman throw herself into traffic he decides the best course of action is for her to see Yûko
The second story is called "Underholic" this story is about a girl who receives text messages from her dead friend.
Watanuki hears about this from a classmate and decides to investigate those incidents.
The culprit was surely an unexpected one.
The final story is called "Afterholic" this story is about a day when Watanuki woke up without being able to see spirits, his wish is actually fulfilled by someone other than Yûko, he realizes something very important about himself and questions why he's even working for Yûko.
So yeah, Nisioisin did a great work writing an xxxHolic novel spin-off
March 15, 2011
I wish I could give this a higher rating, but I can't in good conscience. This book is essentially broken up into three stories. The first two are quite good and keep the spirit of what we see in the anime/manga series. The third story is the biggest let down. My biggest issue with it was that it bends the rules of the canon a little too much for my liking. Some fans may not like that only Watanuki and Yuko are the only familiar faces, but for this book I think it works well enough. These two are the central characters and as far as the first two stories go I think putting in Himawari or Domeki would've felt forced. However, I think that with the lack of Yuko in the final story having another familiar character from the regular series put in could've helped it a bit. Overall, I enjoyed this book for what it was despite its flaws.
November 13, 2008
This is a novel written by NISIOISIN, also, based on Clamp's xxxHolic manga. It is also disconcerting to me to read in written words about characters I'm used to learning about through manga/graphic novel form. (Like NISIOISIN's novel about L.)
Like in the manga, this book does teach lessons about people and relationships. Some parts were a little convoluted, (like when Yuko is trying to explain) but I got the overall drift. Good lessons, too... It's a bit shocking to see how...rude Yuko can be, or insulting. The tone I got across in the manga was of good-natured ribbing whereas in this book it was a little more condescending and pejorative. Also, where were the other three habitants of her store???
Like in the manga, this book does teach lessons about people and relationships. Some parts were a little convoluted, (like when Yuko is trying to explain) but I got the overall drift. Good lessons, too... It's a bit shocking to see how...rude Yuko can be, or insulting. The tone I got across in the manga was of good-natured ribbing whereas in this book it was a little more condescending and pejorative. Also, where were the other three habitants of her store???
February 5, 2010
This was quite a bit of a disappointment....I am a big fan of both the manga and anime of xxxHoLic, but this book really fell flat. It was confusing to the point where I couldn't understand it, and the stories were un-engaging and lacked imagination. The only half-way decent one was the second story about the girl and her dead friend. The writing style was lacking and the vivid CLAMP characters were not used to their full potential. All-in-all boring, I only finished because I am such a big CLAMP fan.
December 10, 2008
This is a very odd one. It feels sort of incomplete, as though not all of the story's being told. Not a problem exactly, but you're left to your own devices to fill in some blanks. It has a surreal kind of feeling, but the characterizations are thin enough that it's a bit hard to care too much. Enjoyable, but certainly not stellar.
August 1, 2009
This book was a new way to see the xxxholic series. You got a chance to view the story from the point of view of characters that you never normally would. Additionally it was less comical then usual because you got to see inside Watanuki's head, which gives him more depth then he has in the graphic novel.
November 7, 2008
I was actually impressed, because I learned a few more things about characters that you don't get from the manga. Though I had a strange sense of deja vu when I read the first story, because I'd just seen the anime episode adapted from it!
November 16, 2008
So the idea that Watanuki hates Domeki because spirits are trying to keep him away from the exorcist is an interesting one. But overall this was a really weird book and not nearly as compelling as the manga.
October 1, 2013
I thought this book was really good and i liked the story however it was a little hard to read towards the end and felt like i was dragging myself through mud. If you like the Anime you will enjoy this book.
January 7, 2013
It's a nice novel that explores the supernatural and of the concept-each people has their own world in the sense that the world an individual sees is different from another even though they are in the same time and space. Also what is real for you may not be real for me. Very psychological indeed.
June 30, 2014
As others have said, coming at this as a massive fan of he anime and manga I was a little disappointed. The author didn't seem to capture Watanuki or Yuko's character at all (only their negative sides). it lacks so much, but was still relatively entertaining, being xxxholic and all
March 4, 2009
A must-read for fans of the series and fans of the author!
August 4, 2009
Kapan2 beli buku aslinya ah ^_^
Dari beberapa cerita yang ada, baru baca 1... Walaupun bukan Ohkawa (CLAMP) yang menulis, tapi kerumitan dan 'twisted plot'nya sama.
Dari beberapa cerita yang ada, baru baca 1... Walaupun bukan Ohkawa (CLAMP) yang menulis, tapi kerumitan dan 'twisted plot'nya sama.
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