xxxHolic is the sister-anime of Tsubasa Chronicle. We get to see The Witch and her Butler as main characters this time, along with a black version of Mokona and a couple of new characters. I do have to say, though: they both got a total restyling. Every character somehow got more chaotic (yes, even Mokona) and Watanuki and Yuuko’s (the names of the butler and the witch) conversations somehow reminded me of Kurogane and Fye.
As this is a movie, the character art has to be of extremely good quality, everything has to look smooth and consistent and each character has to look beautiful? Guess again. The character art is really messy and inconsistent, the body of each of the characters is even longer than with Tsubasa Chronicle, accompanied by really big hands. I’m having a love/hate relationship with this. At some times it works really well, and contributes to the overall mood. At other times, they bothered me a bit too much.
Even though the character art looks messy, everything else at the graphical department looks top-notch. Everything except for the characters has been done in CG, with magnificent results. Every background looks amazing and the battle choreography makes a very good use out of the messy character art. Even at the music department this series delivers. Every musical piece perfectly fits in the atmosphere.
This anime was probably partially intended as a comedy, and partially as a mystery-show. I have to say, that both of these sides worked out really well. Watanuki is very funny, and Yuuko, Mokona and all the other characters only contribute to that fact. But this movie really shines in the mystery department. Every place in the mansion seems different and especially the plot by the bad guy is very interesting to see. And freaky as well.
The movie ended with a couple of certain cameo’s appearing, who also got a total make-over. For a minute, I was wondering about the sudden change in art-style, but after a bit of research it turned out to be referring to the movie, instead of the series. (Hmm, do I really have to be so mystically about this? Ah well).
Overall: an excellent atmospere, which contributes to an excellent anime. The story’s awesome, the characters are awesome. Watch it.
(PS. During the research part, I took a look at Anime News Network, which suddenly started talking about a third season of Tsubasa Chronicle. I’m very enthusiastic about this. Apparently, this will be another one of those long-running series. Now then, let’s hope it doesn’t drown itself. Although I’m pretty confident about that).
I just finished watching the movie. I wasn’t impressed but then again I’m never impressed with anime movies. Anime movies always lack the story build-up/climax that series have. Character designs – fail. Can you say Neanderthal? What’s up with those uber-long limbs? I prefered Tsubasa’s cleaner designs. xxx-Holic is a clamp manga correct? And the series is coming out in April?
xxx-Holic indeed is being produced by CLAMP. It will air, if I’m not incorrect, on April 6.
I’m wondering if the character designs will stay the same as in the movie. After all, Tsubasa Chronicle also got a total restyle in the Tsubasa Chronicle Movie.
I hope the character desgins in Tsubasa’s 2nd season will stay the same. I had no idea there had been a Tsubasa Movie o_o I wonder if there’s anyway to find out if the animators from the 1st season will be the same as those in the 2nd season. There prolly is but I’m too lazy to do that right now ^_^