×××HOLiC: Difference between revisions

{{quote|''"There is no such thing as coincidence in this world - there is only inevitability"''}}

 

 

The shop is owned by the Witch of the Dimensions, although she has been known by many other names—even Yuuko Ichihara, the name she gives Watanuki, is only a pseudonym. She offers to grant his wish to be rid of his ability to see spirits, but a price of equal value must be paid. Thus, Watanuki becomes a "part-time worker", which usually involves performing housework and odd jobs for Yuuko, until he has done enough work for his wish to be granted.

Chapters/episodes usually involve a customer coming into the shop and asking for their wish to be granted by Yuuko, having usually negative or dubious results, or they involve some (usually risky) task that Yuuko gives Watanuki which requires his ability to see spirits. However, there is also an overarching plotline regarding a set of dark conspiracies and prophecies that becomes increasingly important in the later volumes.

 

 

 

 

The manga has been completed, with 213 chapters in all.

 

{{tropelist}}

* [[Abusive Parents]]: Kohane's mother is seriously messed up in the head.

* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: The Ame-Warashi, being a rain spirit, has blue hair in the manga. In the anime, she has red hair.

* [[The Beautiful Elite]]: Even the ''smoke'' is pretty.

* [[Because Destiny Says So]]: Hitsuzen and the ways to manipulate its effects make up most of the overarching plot.

* [[Bishonen]]: C'mon, it's [[CLAMP]]. Watanuki might qualify as a manga version of [[Hollywood Homely]], since he's much less popular with (human) girls than Doumeki.

* [[Big Eater]]: Doumeki is a chef's worst nightmare—a ''picky'' [[Big Eater]].

* [[Butt Monkey]]: Watanuki. The poor guy never seems to catch much of a break does he?

* [[Bunny Ears Lawyer]]: Yuuko. Kiiiinda crazy for being entrusted with keeping time and space in working order. But when she gets serious, ''she gets serious'', to the point that some people wonder if the above [[Obfuscating Stupidity|is an act]].

* [[Catgirl]]: Subverted twice and played with a bit. The Neko-Musume is the traditional Japanese catgirl- a cat spirit that may take human form and retain some feline qualities, such as cat eyes and agility. Similarly, the {{spoiler|shamisen}} is a cat that takes on the form of a human, only retaining her eyes. On the other paw, Watanuki himself has been pictured with cat ears and a tail a few times, and Himawari thinks of him as a cat so often that she bought him an apron with an angry cat on it for his birthday. This makes the later chapters (involving [[Ho Yay|Doumeki's ideas on the "mating habits of cats"]]) all the more interesting...

* [[Character Witness]]: The fox kid from the Oden cart vouches for Watanuki in the Demon Parade.

* [[Compulsory School Age]]: Subverted. {{spoiler|Watanuki, after Yuuko's death, has decided to take over the shop, and indicated when this trope was invoked by Doumeki that he would no longer be attending.}}

* [[Contemptible Cover|Contemptible Title]]/LostInTranslation: In Japan, the title is fairly innocuous. Stateside...not so much.

** In a studio in-joke, Maru and Moro can be seen playing with [[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex|Tachikomas]] in the second episode of ''Kei'', as Production I.G. animated both shows.

** The manga crosses over with ''Tsubasa'', which is in the same continuity as CLAMP's other fantasy-setting series, unifying both major genres of their work into a single continuity.

*** It doesn't really "cross-over" so much as tell two sides of the same story. The protagonists are even technically {{spoiler|the same person}}.

** Yuuko mentions in the first volume that she's known the [[Tokyo Babylon|Sumeragi twins]] from when they were very young. Whether they're the same people or alternate selves isn't clarified.

** Yuuko makes Watanuki wear a headset shaped like [[Chobits|PersoCom ears]] in the third episode of the anime. She and Mokona also don them at one point.

* [[The Heartless]]: Most of the cases Yuuko deals with and the spirits that attack Watanuki have a "power of negative thinking" element.

* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]: Watanuki is [[Code Geass|Lelouch]], Doumeki is [[One Piece|Zoro]], Himawari is [[D.Gray-man|Lenalee]], and Mokona is... well, [[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle|Mokona]]. And in the dub, Yuuko is [[One Piece|Luffy]] and [[Fullmetal Alchemist|Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye]] and in both languages, she is [[Fairy Tail|Erza]].

* [[Hime Cut]]: Yuuko has one.

* [[Identical Grandson]]: Haruka and Shizuka Doumeki look exactly like each other, except that Haruka smiles.

** This actually {{spoiler|saves Watanuki's life once}}. Haruka says that {{spoiler|he was only able to enter the death-dream and pull Watanuki back from the brink ''because'' he looks exactly like his grandson.}}

* [[Our Souls Are Different]]: THEY GET STOLEN BY {{spoiler|PARASITIC ANGEL WINGS}}!

* [[Paper Fan of Doom]]: The weapon of the Karasu Tengu.

* [[Pimped-Out Dress]]: Especially in the [[Omake]] art, as is typical with CLAMP's work.

* [[Pretty in Mink]]: Some of Yuuko's dresses.

* [[Red String of Fate]]: Watanuki fantasizes that his pinky is connected to Himawari(oh, the [[Funny Aneurysm Moment|irony]]). Yuuko has said more than once that he's probably linked to [[Ho Yay|Doumeki]]. And then there's the cover for [http://pics.livejournal.com/shaoron88/pic/00005cq3 volume 16], although the red string is tied around Watanuki's and Yuuko's wrists. See [[Ship Tease]] below for further confusion.

** Also, episode 9 of the anime revolved around this concept.

* [[Ret-Gone]]: {{spoiler|The origin of Watanuki's existence, since he was made to fill the space left by the original Syaoran, who gave up his existence in order to save Sakura}}

** {{spoiler|Yuuko}} has also been ret-goned from people's memories in a later chapter, as reality adjusts to have had her die when she, er, died. Reality warps and de-warps make tense usage problematic.

* [[Rule of Glamorous]]

* [[Say It with Hearts]]: Maru and Moro are prone to this, as is Yuuko at times. Mugetsu is an interesting case in that hearts are the ''only'' thing it says.

* [[Self-Fulfilling Prophecy]]: {{spoiler|After setting up his side of the [[Xanatos Gambit]] [[Gambit Pileup|pileup]] in order to save Yuuko from dying/resurrect her, Yuuko apparently sacrifices herself in order to stop him breaking spacetime, thus causing her to die. The last time we saw Fei Wong after this [[Face Palm|he can no longer sense her presence, and starts hatching a plan to resurrect her.]]}}

* [[Serious Business]]: Being a TV psychic. Being accused of giving fake readings is apparently [[What Do You Mean It's Not Heinous?|heinous]] enough for people to physically assault you (even if you're a ''little girl'') and vandalize your house.

** By chapter 205, {{spoiler|it's literal. She's now attending college.}}

** Then, there's Watanuki. {{spoiler|In a partial subversion, he doesn't physically age, but after 10+ years his maturity is obvious. Compare [http://www.onemanga.com/xxxHolic/1/12/ this] Watanuki with [http://www.onemanga.com/xxxHolic/186/06-07/ THIS] Watanuki.}}

** {{spoiler|By chapter 213, we find out that the Doumeki visiting Watanuki at this point is Shizuka Doumeki's great-grandson. Meaning Shizuka Doumeki got married himself and is probably already dead given that Watanuki realizes he's been at the shop for more than a hundred years at this point.}}

** {{spoiler|Not that Shizuka Doumeki/Watanuki really needed any more help sinking, but Rou revealed at the end that Shizuka Doumeki and Tsuyuri Kohane got married. Oh, and Kohane loves Watanuki. So that's another ship sunk.}}

** {{spoiler|Chapter 203's cliffhanger of Watanuki presenting Doumeki a ring was only to give him a purification tool, with the caution that Doumeki should not hesitate in using it to destroy anything malicious - even Watanuki. '''[[Dying as Yourself|ESPECIALLY if it's Watanuki.]]'''}}

* [[Shipper on Deck]]: Yuuko, Himawari, and even ''Larg'' ship Doumeki/Watanuki, and constantly try to hint and push Watanuki to realize Doumeki's usefulness for him.

** For one of his errands, Watanuki has to use a [[Kanon|winged]] [[Cardcaptor Sakura|backpack]] {{spoiler|containing Larg}}.

** Watanuki is forced by Yuuko to wear [[Chobits|Persocom-ear-shaped headphones]]. Moro and Maru can be seen reading "The City With No People" aloud at one point.

* [[Shrinking Violet]]: The Zashiki-Warashi. Complete with the [[High-Pressure Emotion]] listed above.

* [[Single-Target Sexuality]]: Doumeki. It got obvious when he didn't even notice the twins' crushes on him. And now, [[Eye Scream|half an eye]], [[Heroic Sacrifice|a lot of blood]], and [[Time Skip|six plus years]] later, he's still devoted solely to Watanuki.

* [[Sleep Mode Size]]: Mugetsu's pipe-size form.

* [[Smoking Is Cool]] / [[Smoking Is Glamorous]]: Yuuko is smoking something, and though the anime series shows it to be tobacco, it's very likely opium in the manga. Haruka is shown smoking cigarettes (although he's mellow enough for it to be a joint). {{spoiler|As of Chapter 185, Watanuki seems to be trying to pick up the habit, in order to emulate Yuuko's manner.}}

* [[Snowball Fight]]: A filler episode written by the anime staff pits most of the major players, along with the Warashi, in an entertaining one of these, arranged by Yuuko, which also involves building snowmen.

** There's one of these in a filler manga chapter too.

* [[Squirrels in My Pants]]: Watanuki ends up going through this a few times thanks to the Pipe Fox spirit Mugetsu, who has no concept of personal space.

* [[The Stoic]]: Doumeki seems to have about two facial expressions, at best. It comes with being the [[Tall, Dark and Snarky]] with a [[Sugar and Ice Personality]].

* [[Sugar and Ice Personality]]: Doumeki. Also Yuuko - her sweet smile at the start of Volume 12 reflects this; it is a far cry from her usual [[Cheshire Cat Grin]] or knowing smirk.

* [[Tall, Dark and Snarky]]: Doumeki, in a classic CLAMP [[Seme]] role.

* [[That Makes Me Feel Angry]]: Watanuki in [http://www.mangafox.com/manga/xxxholic/v16/c190/9.html chapter 190].

* [[The Vamp]]: Lady Jorogumo {{spoiler|whose most recent appearance in Chapter 195 definitely invokes the trope. Watanuki manages to keep his mind [[Not Distracted by the Sexy|off her charms]] See [http://www.onemanga.com/xxxHolic/195/07/ here]. Or [http://www.onemanga.com/xxxHolic/195/09/ Exhibit B.]}}

* [[Time Skip]]: More than once. About 2-3 times, to be exact. {{spoiler|Everyone's gotten older leaving Watanuki behind. Such is the downside of immortality.}}

* [[Through His Stomach]]: How Watanuki pays [[Big Eater|Doumeki]] back for favors (such as saving his life). A lot of their [[Ho Yay|bickering]] is normally over Doumeki making ridiculous requests for Watanuki's cooking.

* {{spoiler|[[Tomato in the Mirror]]}}: In one episode, a girl comes to the shop. She thinks her house is haunted, and wants get be rid of the fear. Turns out, {{spoiler|she's the ghost.}}

* [[Unknown Rival]]: Doumeki, who more often than not is involved in Watanuki's [[Embarrassing Rescue]].

* [[Unlimited Wardrobe]]: Yuuko never appears twice in the same outfit. As in, when she does, Watanuki panics {{spoiler|and with good reason, since this suggests she's dead}}. On the other hand, Watanuki and company usually just wear their school uniforms.

* [[Urban Fantasy]]: The Shop itself is placed between the skyscrapers of Tokyo and some scenes take place near well-known landmarks.

* {{spoiler|[[Vampire Invitation]]}}: Happens in Chapter 194 {{spoiler|when Watanuki, at the suggestion of another spirit who is doing a service to him, ends up invoking this - and allowing the Jorogumo (the spider woman who ate his eye) to enter the shop despite its wards.}}

* [[Woobie of the Week]]: The premise, basically.

* [[Word Salad Title]]: Takes it even a step further by screwing with the title's capitalization.

* [[Words Can Break My Bones]]

* [[Work Off the Debt]]: Watanuki's original wish is almost a [[MacGuffin]] to put him in this situation.

* [[Xanatos Gambit]] / [[Batman Gambit]]: Three words: Fei Wong Reed. (Arguably he's got Xanatos Nesting Dolls going on, the outermost doll being held inside the innermost doll.)

** [[Gambit Pileup]]: Fei Wong's gambits interact with Yuko and Clow's gambits, and both "Syaoran" ( {{spoiler|aka Male Tsubasa}} and [[Cardcaptor Sakura]] try their hand at it at least once or twice.

* [[Yandere]]: In Chapter 207, {{spoiler|a woman in love with Doumeki comes to Watanuki to try and get him to fall in love with her, and is so desperate that her soul actually detaches from her body}}.

* [[Yank the Dog's Chain|Yank The Cat's Chain]]: Watanuki having [[Throw the Dog a Bone|good things]] taken away from him.

** Same could be said for [[Iron Woobie|Doumeki]], honestly. He dedicates himself to protecting Watanuki no matter what, even though the latter generally acts like a jerk towards him, and seems to finally be making some headway in getting closer to Watanuki (who actually starts displaying [[Tsundere|comparatively]] overt gratitude for all he's done)... {{spoiler|and then Yuuko dies and Watanuki shuts himself in the shop and distances himself from everyone}}. [[True Art Is Angsty]] indeed.

* [[Yaoi Fangirl]]: Yuuko enjoys teasing Watanuki about his closeness with Doumeki, and hints multiple times that maybe Doumeki is the one destined for him instead of Himawari. Heck, to a degree, ''Himawari'' herself ships Doumeki/Watanuki, often commenting on how cute they are when they interact.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Anime]]

[[Category:Manga]]

[[Category:Fantasy Anime and Manga]]