XXXHolic volume 7

Today's post is on XXXHolic volume 7 by CLAMP. It is 176 pages long and is published by Del Rey. As it is the seventh in the long series you need to have read the first six to understand the story. The cover has Yuko on the front and Watanuki on the back looking cool. The intended reader is someone who likes mythology, ghost stories, and great art. There is no sex, no language, and no violence in this volume. The story is told from Watanuki's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Kimihiro Watanuki has a wish on layway with Yuko Ishikawa, the sultry time-space witch who can grant anyone's deepest desire... for a price! Still, working like a slave in Yuko's shop hasn't dampened Kimihiro's enthusiasm for his cute classmate Himawari-chan, nor his irritation with his too-cool rival Domeki, the guy who always seems to be around during Kimihiro's most embarrassing moments.
But when Domeki, trying to be a good Samaritan, inadvertently becomes the object of a terrible grudge, Kimihiro seeks Yuko's help. However, the cost for her assistance is steep: Kimihiro's would be permanently impaired! Is such a sacrifice worth it for someone he would rather have disappear?

 

Review- More world building and Shintoism. All beings have spiritual power and affect each other. So Domeki runs into trouble and Watanuki, who feels that he owes him, makes it go away. But then that causes trouble with Domeki, who did not want Watanuki to help. Of course we see more that Himawari is bad news for Watanuki but still do not know why and Watanuki himself still does not see it.  But the real theme that is still being explored is that Watanuki does not value himself. Because he cannot see his own self-worth it affects how he sees himself with others. He does not understand why Domeki cares about him or why others would sacrifice for him. The art of course is just beautiful and is as important to the story as the plot. The art gives so much character to the story both in development and to enriching it. Good stuff all around.

 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.