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louiseluxSo I am writing xxxHolic fic for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
springkink, and I just felt the need to write down what I think the plot of the manga is, so far (up to the end of vol 8). It's one of those mangas where I can never quite keep everything straight in my head, so this is more an explanation to myself, although I'd dearly love any comments on it... and I don't mind being spoiled for later vols.
Watanuki is an orphan. His living arrangements aren't clear, but he seems to look after himself, hence his skill at cooking and general housekeeping. He can see spirits and has been able to see them all his life, but they are starting to take over his life. He meets Yuko, who is described as a 'spirit witch' in the blurb. In any case, she is a powerful mystical force and she has the ability to grant wishes, although she exacts a high price for these. One day, Watanuki stumbles into her 'shop'.
She says Watanuki finds her because of 'hitsuzen', which is a concept similar to fate, but has some other additional nuances that I really don't grasp. She says she'll grant Watanuki a wish - that he stops seeing spirits, but that Watanuki will have to pay (in cooking, cleaning, solving mystical mysteries and being her dogsbody, it is very cute).
Often, Watanuki is the only person who can resolve some spirit's distress and there is a theme that each person he meets changes him. Yuko often points this out, usually in an obscure way and also with an obscure little smile. Yuko reminds me of Count D: yes, she'll grant your wish, but there are no guarantees that this will make you happy.
Domeki is in the archery club at school and also has a mystical talent. He can repel spirits, so he's a handy person for Watanuki to have around, except that Watanuki can't stand his calm and patronising manner. Yuko says they have a 'deep bond' and it's true, they do seem to. Domeki saves his life at one point and so Watanuki makes him lunch, often. It is also very cute. The cuteness often revolves around cooking. Reading it makes me hungry, often.
But Watanuki and Domeki take each other's insights and warnings very seriously. Domeki once stood for 10 hours in the rain to make sure that Watanuki was safe. When Domeki lost an eye to a spider with a grudge (I love being able to type sentences like that), Watanuki gives him his own eye, and then Domeki forces him to take half of it back. The result is that Domeki gets random glimpses of things Watanuki is seeing. I'm not sure of it works the other way round too?
Domeki lives in a house next to temple that his grandfather used to look after. He can't go into Yuko's shop, because, as Yuko points out, Domeki doesn't need any wishes granting. Watanuki often goes to Domeki's house and, in later vols, meets the ghost of Domeki's grandfather, who looks exactly like Domeki, but who is very charming and smokes.
Watanuki has a crush on Himawari, who is at school with Watanuki and Domeki. She is always smiling, but there is something not quite right about her. I don't think she's evil but, as Yuko says, she's not Watanuki's 'good luck goddess'. Domeki calls her by her first name.
Maru and Moro are girls who live with Yuko in her shop. They can't leave because they don't have souls, which I find deeply creepy.
springkink, and I just felt the need to write down what I think the plot of the manga is, so far (up to the end of vol 8). It's one of those mangas where I can never quite keep everything straight in my head, so this is more an explanation to myself, although I'd dearly love any comments on it... and I don't mind being spoiled for later vols.Watanuki is an orphan. His living arrangements aren't clear, but he seems to look after himself, hence his skill at cooking and general housekeeping. He can see spirits and has been able to see them all his life, but they are starting to take over his life. He meets Yuko, who is described as a 'spirit witch' in the blurb. In any case, she is a powerful mystical force and she has the ability to grant wishes, although she exacts a high price for these. One day, Watanuki stumbles into her 'shop'.
She says Watanuki finds her because of 'hitsuzen', which is a concept similar to fate, but has some other additional nuances that I really don't grasp. She says she'll grant Watanuki a wish - that he stops seeing spirits, but that Watanuki will have to pay (in cooking, cleaning, solving mystical mysteries and being her dogsbody, it is very cute).
Often, Watanuki is the only person who can resolve some spirit's distress and there is a theme that each person he meets changes him. Yuko often points this out, usually in an obscure way and also with an obscure little smile. Yuko reminds me of Count D: yes, she'll grant your wish, but there are no guarantees that this will make you happy.
Domeki is in the archery club at school and also has a mystical talent. He can repel spirits, so he's a handy person for Watanuki to have around, except that Watanuki can't stand his calm and patronising manner. Yuko says they have a 'deep bond' and it's true, they do seem to. Domeki saves his life at one point and so Watanuki makes him lunch, often. It is also very cute. The cuteness often revolves around cooking. Reading it makes me hungry, often.
But Watanuki and Domeki take each other's insights and warnings very seriously. Domeki once stood for 10 hours in the rain to make sure that Watanuki was safe. When Domeki lost an eye to a spider with a grudge (I love being able to type sentences like that), Watanuki gives him his own eye, and then Domeki forces him to take half of it back. The result is that Domeki gets random glimpses of things Watanuki is seeing. I'm not sure of it works the other way round too?
Domeki lives in a house next to temple that his grandfather used to look after. He can't go into Yuko's shop, because, as Yuko points out, Domeki doesn't need any wishes granting. Watanuki often goes to Domeki's house and, in later vols, meets the ghost of Domeki's grandfather, who looks exactly like Domeki, but who is very charming and smokes.
Watanuki has a crush on Himawari, who is at school with Watanuki and Domeki. She is always smiling, but there is something not quite right about her. I don't think she's evil but, as Yuko says, she's not Watanuki's 'good luck goddess'. Domeki calls her by her first name.
Maru and Moro are girls who live with Yuko in her shop. They can't leave because they don't have souls, which I find deeply creepy.
