xxxHolic
Ep.18 "Hozuki"
While this episode easily fits into the episodic nature of most of xxxHolic's episode, it does however clarify where several characters stand and suggests what will happen to them in the future.
A major focus of this episode is Watanuki and how his reputation has grown in the spiritual community and hints at how important his future may be. It is because of this that the first scene is such a nice addition as it features numerous items from previous episodes such as the bat from Episode 6 and the butterfly mat seen in Episode 8 that remind us of how Watanuki's adventures started out as well as how big a world he lives in with the largest collection of crossover items seen in the series in one location featuring a much better view of the replica Clow Wand that we glimpsed in Episode 1 and several other previously seen items (see the bottom of this page for a full list).
Amidst all these previously seen crossover items a never before seen item hides, Hikaru's sword from Magic Knight Rayearth! Weather this is the real sword is unknown but it may well be as we know that Yuko has met the original Mokona from Magic Knight Rayearth a while back. Maybe he gave her the sword as a gift or perhaps Yuko met Hikaru herself and they struck up a deal? I'm not sure if we will ever find out an official answer to this question but it sure is fun to speculate!
While Watanuki is cleaning the storeroom where all these items are located he notices a framed picture of a cat. Suddenly it starts to shake and out of the picture pops the cat dressed in kimono and carrying the orange "lantern" from a hozuki (Chinese Lantern Plant) plant.
Yuko enters the room to see what Watanuki is up to (and to order him around) and is pleasantly surprised to see the cat who apparently is an old friend of hers.
Moments later the cat has joined Yuko, Maru, Moro and Mokona on the front verandah for some drinks. They discuss an important event that happens annually. When the cat offers Yuko her lantern, as she has done every year, Yuko stops her and asks if she could give it to Yuko this year. The cat gives Watanuki his lantern, comments and how famous he has become in the spirit world and departs in a burst of flame after materialising another lantern for herself.
At school the next day, Watanuki asks Himawari if she wants to partake in this special event with him (apparently two need to participate). Unfortunately she's busy and before Watanuki can stop her she suggests that Domeki join him instead.
Later that night Domeki and an annoyed Watanuki stand alone in a dark park. Domeki reads a letter that contains instructions on how to start. Watanuki is horrified when Domeki says that they must hold hands as if they were a couple.
After lots of freaking out, Watanuki agrees to do it.
Almost instantly the both of them are transported to another realm (and another animation style!). Around them are hundreds and thousands of demons and spirits all of whom are holding hozuki lanterns and marching in a parade of sorts.
They decide to join the parade and they both comment on how it looks like some traditional Japanese paintings that feature a demons and spirits in a parade.
Several spirits hear them comment on this and laugh at how ridiculous it sounds, that humans would paint such a thing.
The parade leads them along stretches of desert and up a giant mountain until they reach what looks like a giant glowing tree.
While trying to get a better look at what's happening around the tree, Watanuki lets go of the lantern which lets out a loud chime. Suddenly all the demons and spirits seem to realise that they're human and decide to eat them both!
The run for their lives. As luck would have it, the Karasutengu are also participating in the parade (or at least watching it) and decide to help Watanuki as they don't want their mistress to cry again. The Karasutengu called Keith lends the boys his flying surfboard which they use to fly up and away but several of the demons and spirits can fly and the chase continues in the air and leads to Watanuki falling from the board and being caught by the Vestal Spirit ala Episode 11.
Unfortunately, when Watanuki reaches for her hand she gets embarrassed and loses her concentration causing Watanuki to fall again. The Karasutengu catch him but he still ends up landing in the middle of the hungry parade.
Just when all seems lost, a familiar voice cries out for everyone to spare their lives. It's the little fox from the oden stand in Episode 5! He explains how Watanuki is a nice human and that he gave him the arrow head. Suddenly the tree itself speaks to everyone in an awesome voice and announces that it wishes Watanuki and Domeki to approach and have their turn in the parade.
The tree instructs them to hold their lantern up to the tree. They do so and the tree fills it with it's nectar (aka sake). The Vestal spirit and her Karasutengu then carry them both up into the sky and towards a bright white light where they're transported back to the park. As they were travelling, the tree speaks to them and tells Watanuki that while good things can come from a connection, bad things can arrise as well and that the change has already started and that he must treasure the experiences his meeting with a certain individual will bring.
As soon as they arrive in the park, Yuko surprises them buy sliding down a slippery dip and flooring Watanuki. She's more than happy to take the nectar/sake off their hands and immediately begins a drinking party with Mokona in the park. Domeki joins them with a reluctant Watanuki behind him. Soon though, Watanuki takes it upon himself to drink as much as he can because he went to all the trouble to get it and soon falls asleep with Mokona by his side.
Given a moment to talk by themselves, Domeki asks Yuko why she met them here and not at her shop and if she doesn't want him there. She's impressed by this and states that her shop is here and not here at the same time and that it only exists for those that need it. Domeki doesn't need it.
Domeki then says that that means Watanuki needed the shop. Yuko replies by telling him that her shop is always planning for the future and that there are no coincidences in the world, only hitsuzen.
Today's Crossovers
 Hikaru's sword from Magic Knight Rayearth makes it's premiere crossover appearance in xxxHolic sharing an umbrella stand with a certain red bat and Fay's staff!
 The vase stolen in the Legal Drug #2 manga and used in xxxHolic Episode 16 returns in Yuko's store room in this episode. Guess it wasn't needed in the kitchen any more.
 The Chobits ears from Episode 3 return in Yuko's storeroom. I wonder if they'll ever be used again?
 Sakura's first wand from Card Captor Sakura finally gets a more obvious cameo than the one it got way back in Episode 1 which was a blink and you'll miss it experience.
 Fay's wand from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle that was was traded to Yuko in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Episode 9 and used in xxxHolic Episode 8 returns for one more cameo.
My Original Impression
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wow! Talk about a great xxxHolic episode! Not only does Prod I.G. include EVERYTHING from the manga arc, they also expand it, include more characters that actually adds to the story and include lots of crossover items within the first few seconds of the show!
Loved the Magic Knights Rayearth reference. I think that's exclusive to the anime but I'm just going from memory.
This episode definitely lived up to expectations. 5 stars!
<-- Episode 17 -- >xxxHolic Season 1 Main< -- Episode 19 -->
|
This site is hosted by DreamHost who are absolutely awesome. They're super cheap and offer unlimited hosting, bandwidth and power all their servers by 100% green energy! Managing your site is super easy and their customer support is the best I've ever seen. If you're after a web host provider for your website or blog, I can't recommend DreamHost enough! ~ Brad
