xxxHOLiC (xxxHOLiC Rou) Manga Chapter 208
xxxHOLiC Manga Chapter 208 Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Watanuki is in the dream world with Haruka.  With tomorrow being September 9th and the Chrysanthemum Festival (the 9th day of the 9th month on the lunar calendar and also known as the Chouyou Festival) and the two discuss Japanese festivals, their importance, and their markings on the old lunar calendar and the modern calendar.  Since the 9th day of the 9th month is when the sun’s energy is supposed to be the strongest, Watanuki also knows this means it is the most calamitous day as well.

Waking up, Watanuki ponders his conversation with Haruka and decides to do something.  As there are no chrysanthemums around and he specifically wants some with morning dew on the flower petals, he decides to incur a debt and sends a bird with his requirements to Ame-Warashi.  Though she is incensed by the impudent summoning before dawn, Watanuki charms her by stating his reasons for believing she alone could do what he asked.  Even still, she informs him that the cost for this will be pricey.

Taking the flowers, Watanuki notices Zashiki-Warashi’s aura on the flowers.  Ame-Warashi had been prepared to beat him with her umbrella if he hadn’t noticed and informs him that Zashiki-Warashi immediately picked the flowers when she heard it was Watanuki’s wish.  Watanuki requests that his thanks be given as Ame-Warashi explains that Zashiki-Warashi could not come in person due to the day and the strong sun.  The two chat about the modern and lunar calendar with Ame-Warashi’s belief that people will eventually pay for not considering things of the lunar calendar.

Doumeki stops by and is informed by Mokona that Watanuki is outside making chrysanthemum wine.  Doumeki steps out to discover Watanuki has turned the garden into a pond and is hovering over the water while holding the flowers that Ame-Warashi delivered.  Watanuki has Doumeki sit and not move as he performs the magical rite.  After a drop of liquid falls to the water below, Watanuki has Maru and Moro waiting with a large vase, at which Watanuki races over the surface of the water and plunges the chrysanthemums into the jar.  Sealing a lid on top, the flowers dissolve as Watanuki explains that he had alcohol spirits assist him in making the wine and why he did what he did.

With that, Watanuki dispatches his help to get the snacks and asks Doumeki to deliver the beverage to Kohane-chan, the old fortune teller, and Himawari-chan as these are the people he wants to stay in good health along with Doumeki.  Doumeki tells Watanuki to drink some of the wine as well and Watanuki agrees.

Thoughts/Review:

There wasn’t a whole lot highly compelling going on in this chapter, but there was goodness nevertheless.  ^_^

For starters, the surprise guest return was Ame-Warashi.  She’s so awesome and has been from the start with her attitude and such.  That she even responds to a request from Watanuki says a lot.  She may call him impudent for doing it and she is charging a high price (apparently to be paid at a later date, meaning she’ll be back), but the fact is that she did it and I think she has a certain level of respect for Watanuki.  I think she’s always found him of interest at some level even if she couldn’t understand Zashiki-Warashi’s romantic interest in Watanuki.  While she did show some of her classic moments of disdain, she held a normal conversation with Watanuki without that attitude.  I think that fact also shows that she likes the current shop owner in a friendly way.  Can’t wait to see her return.  ^_^

Zashiki-Warashi scores a cameo which is better than nothing.  I hope that she too is able to return and pay Watanuki a visit in a future story.  If Watanuki couldn’t be with Himawari-chan, then I’ve always liked the idea of him pairing up with Zashiki-Warashi.

Speaking of Himawari-chan, she gets a name drop but she still has yet to appear beyond flashback cameos.  I do wonder what CLAMP has in store with her story.

Which reminds me — Watanuki’s bird.  I note that it looks an awful like like Tanpopo, the bird Watanuki gave to Himawari-chan, only in adult form.  It may or may not be that bird.  If it is, I wonder what this means for Himawari-chan.  I saw an unsourced rumor that in chapter 209, it will be revealed that Himawari-chan is married and that it is four years later.  I really hope that isn’t the case but if it is, then I guess the bird really could be the same one.  We’ll see what happens though.

Again, Watanuki shows his incredible power growth.  He really is looking more and more like Clow Reed with his outfits.  His magical abilities are pretty impressive with his turning the garden into a large pond of purified water, hovering over said water, then performing the ritual magic to make the chrysanthemum wine.

So, as I said, not a great deal going on in this chapter but Ame-Warashi’s appearance and Zashiki-Warashi’s cameo were more than enough to make me call this chapter a win.  ^_^