Elegance in the smoky air.

Who knew such a simple DVD could contain so much beauty? The cover shows Watanuki and Yuko, while the back simply contains a few screenshots, the synopsis, and content listings. Open the case, and through the clear plastic you can see on the back of the jacked is an illustrative spread of Yuko. The DVD menu is actually fairly simple, as well, just like the cover of the case. But it’s the overall look and feel of the animation and character design that brings the beauty out. XxxHolic is, quite possibly, one of the more simplistic, yet elegant, series that CLAMP has created to date. I daresay it rivals Magic Knight Rayearth and X. And to be sure you’re kept on the focus of scenes, the animators have even employed the tactic of making unimportant background people just blank, barely detailed figures to really make the main characters and sub characters pop out even more. Not only this, but the soundtrack meshes so well with the animation and overall mood of the series that it would be impossible to have one without the other. I’m not sure whether or not the female foursome of creators had their hands in the animation, but it surely did their popular manga justice.

Beware your desires…

In terms of extras, xxxHolic: First Collection falls sadly short. The image gallery is merely a slideshow of screen captures from each episode on the disc. That was especially disappointing to a CLAMP enthusiast like myself, because I was so hoping for some of their illustration work from the manga. C’est la vies. There are also textless versions of the opening and ending songs. This extra wasn’t so bad, since both songs are rather catchy. As for trailers, you do get a fair bulk in that department. You get features for Fullmetal Alchemist, Glass Fleet, One Piece, DBZ, Vexille, the Tsubasa-xxxHolic double feature, and xxxHolic. Overall, this is a pretty standard package for anime DVDs nowadays. No more, no less.

My wish was granted…

XxxHolic: First Collection was all I’d hoped it to be. It follows the first portions of the manga almost to a T, and CLAMP’s slinky, simplistic character designs translated very well to the animated medium. The story is engaging, and it’s a series that focuses on lessons of morality and decisions. In that respect, it’s akin to other series such as Boogiepop Phantom and Petshop of Horrors, though it’s not nearly as morbid as those. In fact, you find yourself laughing at Watanuki’s reactions to predicaments as you find yourself furrowing your brow at trying to figure out Yuko’s inscrutable lessons for those who come to her shop. XxxHolic is a good series to cut your teeth if you’ve never had the joy of experiencing a well-woven CLAMP story before (although you might not get any of the small Easter egg elements they throw in from their other series). You’re in for a rare treat in being shown just how small the world can be.