xxxHolic
Ep.14 "Seal"
I always loved this arc concerning the twins in the manga. As with most xxxHolic stories, it features a very strong morale, in this case teaching us the power our words have on other people, no matter how innocent our intentions.
It's kind of one of those obvious lessons that we all think we don't need to be told, but honestly, after reading the arc in the manga, I've become a lot more careful and considerate with my sarcastic remarks and comments towards people I know and those I don't.
This story isn't a big one continuity wise say compared to Episode 11 yet it really is an interesting idea that stays with me despite no major ramifications coming from the story's conclusion.
The episode starts in a location which is very unexpected for the xxxHolic series, a department store (in Shinjuku by the looks of it). Watanuki is very impressed by the surroundings and Yuko and Mokona are after some food, as they want a change from Watanuki's cooking (despite how much they actually love it).
While in the food court downstairs, the trio spot a pair of identical twins who are shopping for meat (sounds like they live together). One wants to buy the expensive meat, the other says that she'll screw it up and that they should buy cheap meat as a backup. Yuko believes that they'll be eating the cheap meat.
Later, on his way back to Yuko's shop, Watanuki runs into one of the twins from before. It seems that she's lost a contact lens. Watanuki offers to look for it thought the woman suggests that they won't find it anyway.
After dinner that night, Yuko listens to what happened and is not surprised to hear that they couldn't find the missing lens. She goes on to explain that there are many "chains" in this world and there is only one that humans can wield.
At a crappy fast food restaurant (imagine McDonald's with no standards and smoking allowed) the next day, Domeki and Watanuki talk about the twins but are interrupted by... one of the twins, who they think is the one from the day before. This one apologises for her sister (apparently she forgot to ask Watanuki's name the other day) and ends up suggesting that the four of them go on a double date!
On the day of the date, the twins arrive late (much to Watanuki's disapproval) and they begin to walk to the restaurant. On the way there the positive twin (who'll I'll call "Twin A" from now on) and Domeki have an interesting conversation about cakes (seriously) and the negative twin (I'll call her "Twin B") apologises to Watanuki about his name and mutters how her and her sister are nothing alike.
Suddenly waves start to flow from Twin B's forehead. Watanuki has felt this before; when they were looking for the contact lens.
At the restaurant it becomes obvious that Twin A likes Domeki. Twin B does too but is too shy to say anything about and instead begins to emanate more waves.
After lunch, Twin A takes the initiative again and suggests they all go see a movie. Watanuki mentions that theatres don't agree with him though he eventually agrees to go out of concern for the twins. Twin B is feeling even worse as her sister continues to put her moves on Domeki.
At the shop, Yuko is playing Hacky Sack with.... Mokona hacky sacks! Watanuki isn't interested in this however and asks Yuko for an explanation about the strange feelings he's feeling. She explains that they're "waves" though doesn't tell him that much else besides that the girls are indeed human and not spirits.
At school the next day, Watanuki is talking to Himawari about the cake shop while trying to keep who he went with a secret. However, Domeki shows up and and brings up their upcoming double date with the twins. Funny.
At the theatre (which is filled with ghosts and spirits which is why Watanuki doesn't like theatres), Twin A makes a move on Domeki which frustrates Twin B more. Watanuki wonder's up she's okay and asks her as much though she simply mutters how she should hurry up as "freedom" is what she wants.
Suddenly huge waves start flowing from her body, the spirits start to act strangely and blood starts to drip from her forhead.
To Be Continued...
Today's Crossovers
 Soel, the white Mokona from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle was referenced briefly through the use of the Mokona hacky sacks. Not really a major event, but it was a nice, subtle, little inclusion in the episode.
My Original Impression
Monday, July 17, 2006
A lot of people have been panning this episode due to the overly simple character designs of the two twins, and I'm going to have to agree. These designs are some of the least creative I've ever seen and so basic that it just distracts from the episode as a whole. I do have a feeling however that, as with all xxxHolic episodes, it will look ten times better when the widescreen version is released!
That being said I liked this episode and have always liked this story (being a twin myself) and the anime writers pulled it off nicely and with a nice surprise at the end... it's a two parter! That's right, this episode marks xxxHolic's first "to be continued" ending!
This episode also saw the ending credits, Reason replaced by a very cool new one, Kagerou.
<-- Reason -- >xxxHolic Season 1 Main< -- Episode 15 -->
|
