xxxHoLIC: Episode 01

Oh, my. A quick reference check to ANN reveals Kazuya Nakai as XXXholic’s Domeki. My heart flutters. *bats eyelashes for effect*

If not for Nakai and Production I.G.’s involvement, I would not have touched this series at all. Take note, I am not exactly a big XXXholic-fangirl. Nevertheless, how bizarre. I managed to take in the entire episode and truly enjoyed the piece.

CLAMP’s XXXholic is a display of detailed and luxurious designs. A true visual feast. However, the manga lacks the very essence I crave for any series: Heart.

Yet the adaptation seems to prove me wrong. The gift of sound lends warmth to the series. It humanizes the detached Yuuko and adds spitfire to the lusterless Watanuki. Perhaps, XXXholic is meant to be heard as well. On the other hand, the Maru-Moro squeaking is potentially aggravating in the long run.

Compelling but still flawed, the season’s pilot episode shatters my shoddy expectations. At least, enough to gear me up for the second episode.

Random questions. Why is this series called XXXholic? How do you pronounce it anyway? Is it “triple-X holic”? Or is it “X-X-X holic”? What does it mean? Is this a secret code known only to uber-CLAMP fans? Will I ever find out in the course of the season? Or will it forever remain a mystery?

I need answers, damnit.