xxxHolic 4
Overall Rating: 
xxxHolic 4 provides a nice blend of character development on Watanuki’s part, some interesting customs surrounding Valentine’s Day and White Day, and a few spirits of Japanese mythology.
Like in the US, Valentine’s Day in Japan is all about chocolate – however, instead of guys shelling out money for candy, it’s up to the girls to confess their love by buying their favorite guys chocolate. Guys aren’t let off the hook that easily, though, as they must return the favor with an obligatory gift on March 14, White Day.
This volume begins with Yuko asking Watanuki to make her chocolate fondue for Valentine’s Day. After she’s had her fill, there are still a few pieces left, so she divvies them out. Some go to Syaoran and friends while Watanuki gets the last piece to give to Himawari.
Things don’t go quite as planned when Himawari is out sick from school and Domeki gobbles down her chocolate. Worse, as the boys make their way home, a well-intending Zashiki Warashi spirit stops them, pulls out the chocolate Domeki just ate from his stomach along with his soul and flies off. It’s up to Watanuki to go after her and save his rival.
The second story arc is a tale of a verbally abusive relationship between two twin sisters. The older one lacks self confidence while the younger one adds insult to injury by suggesting the older one is accident prone and shouldn’t bother trying. When Yuko explains to Watanuki that words can cut deeper than physical scars, he takes her advice to heart and has a talk with the older twin.
There’s also some nice character growth on Watanuki’s part. While he admits he doesn’t want to help his rival, Domeki, regain his soul, he knows he’d never be able to live with himself knowing he’s responsible for Domeki’s condition so he pays his price to Yuko to help. This growing perception and awareness of others continues as he interacts with the twins and starts to realize that if he doesn’t at least try to help out, he’s just as bad as the older twin who has already given up before she started.
Keeping in sync with previous volumes, there are two crossover scenes with Syaoran and friends that shed light on the time differences between Tsubasa and xxxHolic. On Valentine’s Day, Yuko sends them chocolates, coinciding with their time in the Country of Jade. By White Day, a month later, Team Syaoran is in the Country of Oto, where Mokona reveals they just set up a coffee shop and need a name. Yuko suggests one based on her favorite manga.
Overall, this is a solid volume. As I was lamenting Watanuki’s cluelessness in the last volume, it’s really nice to see him do something other than whine about Domeki or drool over Himawari. Yuko continues to add depth to the story with her wisdom, knowledge of human nature, and of course, her self centered, comedic anecdotes that involve more presents for her.
The volume also contains color panels of the first few pages, extensive translation notes on Japanese Valentine’s and White Day customs and mythology, and a Japanese preview of volume 5.
Category: Manga Reviews
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