xxxHOLiC Omnibus 1

I feel a little silly even reviewing this, because what can there be said about xxxHolic that hasn't already? My personal favorite manga series, it's one of the best series of the 00s, and to my mind some of CLAMP's best work.xxxHolic opens in modern-day Tokyo with Watanuki Kimihiro, a teenage boy who can see spirits. The problem is, spirits can also see him. It's when he's being chased by a spirit that he comes across the mysterious shop owned by Yuuko Ichihara, a sorceress who grants wishes. Yuuko tells Watanuki that their meeting was fate, or hitsuzen. She also offers to grant Watanuki's wish of not attracting spirits anymore - but she charges for the wishes she grants, and the price is steep. Watanuki will have to work off his debt to her in the shop before she's able to grant his wish.In practice, it becomes clear early on that Yuuko views this as a sort of apprenticeship for Watanuki - he follows her as she grants wishes to other clients, and eventually begins solving supernatural mysteries on his own. He's joined by frenemy Doumeki, grandson of a famous exorcist, and his crush Himawari, who has secrets of her own. How Watanuki's relationships with these two deepen over time is one of the great pleasures of this series. If you're familiar with the "group of teens investigates spooky goings-on" genre at all, you'll be generally aware of what you're getting into, but the Japanese setting and folklore set the xxxHolic trio apart from the various Scooby gangs, as does the overall melancholy atmosphere of the series. And while the initial stories in Volume 1 are not too scary, be prepared for some truly creepy moments in later volumes.It's worth noting that this series crosses over with Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. While I don't believe it's necessary to read Tsubasa to appreciate xxxHolic, it helps to be aware of the characters therein, as well as the characters of Cardcaptor Sakura. It's also helpful to read up on CLAMP's conception of their multiverse: essentially, CLAMP tend to reuse characters in different settings, with the explanation that these characters exist simultaneously in various alternate universes. This idea becomes more explicit in Tsubasa, but it's present in xxxHolic as Yuuko is the only person in all of the CLAMP multiverse with the power to send people to dimensions not their own. She also frequently references characters from other series, whom we're generally meant to understand exist in xxxHolic universe as well.That all sounds complicated, but it's a fairly minor part of xxxHolic, and certainly not necessary to understanding the action. If you do want to read Tsubasa alongside xxxHolic (it's also a great series), make sure you look up a reading guide to avoid one series spoiling the other.

I love the xxxholic series and I'm happy that new readers can have their own pristine copies of the manga at a reduced price.The production quality is fine, and if you haven't read this series yet, there is no better way to get started than with this omnibus edition. Also, if you've lost track of your old copies and want to re-read. There isn't any new material.Initially, I give it only 4 stars because it contains no color pages. Then I give one star back because it is inexpensive.However, my order of this book was a mistake as I thought I was getting a copy of the fan-book. That was my fault, and it gave me an opportunity to re-read the first 3 volumes once again. Always delightful.

This is one of my favorite manga from CLAMP, surpassed only by Cardcaptor Sakura (a couple of characters from which make appearances!). A good blend of comedy, slice of life, and spooky mysticism make for an excellent read!

Great Japanese cultural read with spooky stories, Spirits, the Occult, and Shinto religion elements. Plus a wacky teenager who has the ability to to attract and see spirits. Yuko, the Medium , is also wonderfully eccentric and very powerful spiritually. I love the stories that Clamp fashion along with their strangely attractive art style. The art is jarring at first, but you get used to it. Willowly thin long angular figures with lots of leg. Wonderful series! Getting all the omnibus series!

As said In the title this is the beginning to an amazing series which runs the gambit from sad, to funny, to hopeful, and everything I'm between. Dealing primarily with the occult and Japanese mysticism, xxxHolic really comes into its own when dealing with addiction and human vices. Much as the title suggests.

Was a bit disappointed with the size of the omnibus I would of hoped it was bigger. The panels are a bit smaller than in normal mangas, but you get used to it. The bigger omnibus measure at 7x10.

I was a big fan of the anime, but the manga is better. I highly recommend this if you enjoy the anime or if you like quirky, supernatural, funny mangas, check this out.

I like omnibuses, especially for saving money and keeping volumes together. Xxxholic is such a good manga and anime. If you're considering trying it out, you definitely should. It's a very deep story.