xxxHOLiC: First Collection
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DVD details
Actor: Colleen ClinkenbeardBrand: Funimation
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); English (Dubbed)
Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-03-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Model: 0
Studio: Funimation Prod
DVD Reviews of xxxHOLiC: First Collection
DVD Review: xxxHolic - Anime DVD Series based on Popular Book Series
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
xxxHOLiC: First Collection
I love the xxxHolic book series, which can best be described as philosophical anime with a dash of high school angst and the supernatural. I think most people who are drawn to this TV version will be fans of the books xxxHOLiC, Volume 1. While I still like the writing that has made its way to the show, not all hard-core fans will be pleased with the DVD version.
The Story
Our main character Watanuki can see spirits, who seem to be drawn to him. He stumbles upon Yuko, who seems to already know his problem and is willing to solve it for a price. Yuko's ability to grant wishes is reminiscent of many stories about the devil, who always has a price. Watanuki's price is that he becomes her servant, and a series of adventures ensue.
Like all high school boys, Watanuki has a crush, Himawara, and a nemesis, Doumeki. In an ironic twist, he is forced to join with both of them to complete his tasks.
Once again, hard-core fans will already be familiar with the basic story.
The Good
The writing includes a lot of riddles and philosophical dialogue to make you think. So in that sense this is a thought provoking anime. Still, there's a lot of childish elements too, including the two girl helpers and the talking doll which I personally might have toned down. In that sense, this anime can appeal to younger and older fans alike.
Still the core elements of the books are here. That includes some beautiful character silhouettes and beautifully done art sequences for the opening.
There are some funny and clever double entendres here, one in particular to open the second episode. In that sense, this anime is perhaps more engaging than many others. Still, the high school themes highlight the fact that just like most anime this one is geared towards kids too. Precocious kids, but kids nonetheless.
While the first episode is somewhat light, laying the foundation, the other three get progressively better.
The Bad
The first negative I have to note isn't about the episodes but rather the extremely small amount of content on this disk. These episodes are meant to last 30 minutes with commercials, making the DVD versions about 20 minutes. I just feel that they could have either included more episodes or priced these better.
There are no real special features to think of either. The disk includes some images and the opening and closing themes to the show without the credits. They are both catchy Japanese pop, but I have a feeling that most Japanese people would not consider these the best music they have to offer.
Another thing I was not happy with, which I noticed on another Clamp release as well, is the lack of Japanese character subtitles. I find original character subtitles helpful in deciphering some questionable translations.
I also like to read subtitles even with the English dub just to make sure I catch everything. Strangely, the English subtitles are only activated when Japanese is spoken, which isn't very useful. In order to access subtitles, you have to choose the Japanese option and then the English subtitles come up. I personally always like to see subtitles even with voice-overs.
Comparing the japanese translations to the voice over dialogue reveals some interesting variances and some cultural differences that were certainly lost in translation.
As far as the animation goes, like I said I love the opening sequence and several elements. But they seem to have done too many direct transfers from the book series, which sometimes leads to two-dimensional images of characters. While some characters, particularly Yuko, always seem to be animated with great detail, Watanuki looks like more time could have been spent enhancing his character for the screen.
Conclusion
I think the starter set is a better value than the first collection, because at least you get a box to hold the disks xxxHOLiC: Starter Set. No doubt, if you're a hard-core fan of Holic, you will be buying all the coming collections anyway. The second collection is soon to be released in May and the third collection is due in June. While I think this series is cool and will still please many hard core fans, it may only appeal to a small audience beyond those core fans.
Enjoy!
Description of xxxHOLiC: First Collection
XXXHOLIC FIRST COLLECTION - DVD MovieDevotees of the four-woman collective Clamp have eagerly awaited the 2006 series based on their manga XXXHolic. High school student Kimihiro Watanuki possesses the dubious ability to see evil spirits. While fleeing one of the amorphous creatures, he stumbles into the shop of Yuko, the Dimensional Witch inTsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. Yuko will grant any wish--for a price. She half tricks/half bargains Watanuki into working for her in return for relieving him of his supernatural gift. He spends his after school hours running errands, cooking, and fussing. Doumeki, the girl he adores, and Doumeki, the boy he loathes, join him to form a mismatched trio. The aura of sensual power that surrounds this version of Yukois broken by her outrageous demands for food and saké, and the squeaks of the obnoxiously cute mascot Mokona. Although the animation is often very cartoony, XXXHolichas the vaguely decadent look of a Symbolist painting. Eerie and off-beat, the series will delight Clamp's many fans. The related feature A Midsummer Night's Dream (2005) was released in a package with Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle: The Movie: The Princess in the Birdcage. The Starter Set comes with a box for the discs.(Rated TV PG: comic violence, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
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