Slim and sassy.

The boxed set of xxxHolic comes compact in two slim cases and a slip box containing four DVDs (two per case). On the cover of the slip box is an illustration of Yuuko, Watanuki, and Doumeki with inner illustrations of Yuuko. On the back of the box is the series synopsis, another image of Yuuko and Watanuki with some tiny screenshots. The DVD cases themselves are clear to reveal dual sides to their jackets, each of which being a full-spread illustration of the xxxHolic cast and episode listings for each volume. As noted in the packaging, xxxHolic is a series full of beautiful art style and sleek, elegant character designs as is the norm for a series by CLAMP. Each DVD menu also incorporates more artwork from the series. The only thing that could possibly ruin the series is watching it with the English dub track on. The voices are sub par and tend, more often than not, to not fit either the mood or the characters’ personalities. The Japanese audio, however, is fabulous. The series also has some awesome music that really adds to the overall feel of the show.

A wish unfulfilled.

After seeing the paltry extras of the individual DVDs for xxxHolic when they first came out, one might expect a little extra oomph for the release of the boxed set. If you expected that, you were wrong and silly. Each DVD is pretty much the same as the original releases and possessing only Funimation trailers and textless opening and ending songs. The songs are all pretty entertaining, but if you’ve watched every episode it’s pretty redundant to hear them over and over again in viewing and then go see them again sans text. It’s pretty disappointing that they couldn’t have added an art gallery or anything, but it’s nothing that mars the quality of the series.

Absolutely alluring.

xxxHolic is one of those series that forms a strong definition for itself as memorable. I wouldn’t go so far as to call the characters deep, but they certainly are interesting. And the strange stories of morality strike a cord with the viewer in most instances in finding themselves relating to one or more of Yuuko’s customers. And then there are other characters, such as Maru, Moro, and the pipe fox that give the series some definite charm and whimsy. xxxHolic is a series that is great for both the casual viewer and fan alike, and the boxed set for the complete series is quite reasonably priced.