xxxHOLiC Manga Chapter 201

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Watanuki awakens with the Crimson Pearl and immediately, Jorô-Gumo comes by, irritating the Kuda-Kitsune but pleasing Mokona as Mokona thinks of the possibilities of adult beverages. Jorô-Gumo asks Watanuki what he thought the girl is. His response is that she is a Yao-bikuni — a human who has consumed the flesh of a mermaid and thus extended their life. Jorô-Gumo confirms this and points out that while time goes on, Watanuki will outlive his human friends.

Jorô-Gumo explains that Yao-bikuni was always seeking companionship from humans over time. She also knew that Yao-bikuni was being abused and that the girl did not heal herself in order to not frighten away her human companion. As such, she had to bear the pain of her wounds, something Jorô-Gumo notes of Watanuki when she nicks his neck for some blood. Jorô-Gumo ponders if Watanuki will still be human or more like the non-humans like herself once he becomes more powerful. Watanuki doesn’t have an answer but states he’ll be happy as long as he can help humans and non-humans alike with his abilities.

Watanuki tells Jorô-Gumo to go see Yao-bikuni. He believes Yao-bikuni is waiting for someone to keep her company and Watanuki believes that to be Jorô-Gumo. As he hands Jorô-Gumo the Crimson Pearl, he tells her it is her decision, leading Jorô-Gumo to comment on Watanuki’s cuteness.

Thoughts/Review: I didn’t know the Japanese had mermaid (ningyo) lore, so I had to do a bit of research. The “Yao-bikuni” story is an old one in Japan. I discovered Takahashi-sensei’s Mermaid Saga, something I’ve obviously not read.

I suddenly thought that maybe I should do a little research into Jorô-Gumo since she too is based on Japanese lore. Interesting stuff.

Now educated, I see how the story makes a bit more sense to me, at least from Yao-bikuni’s standpoint. However, I’m not clear on the relationship between herself and Jorô-Gumo. Clearly they’ve communicated in the past so I still don’t know why Jorô-Gumo didn’t just get the Crimson Pearl herself. Why go through Watanuki? Why does she want this pearl? Why would he then imply that Yao-bikuni is waiting for a companion like Jorô-Gumo? There also seems to be the implication that Jorô-Gumo is lonely as well and thus she and Yao-bikuni could become great friends.

I wonder if CLAMP is hinting at another time-leap for the manga at some point. Based on Jorô-Gumo’s chat with Watanuki, exploring Watanuki’s near immortality as Doumeki, Himawari, and Kohane get older may be something CLAMP does. We’ll see though.

I don’t know if that’s it for Jorô-Gumo as it would seem that a visit from Himawari-chan would come next. Whatever happens, I’m looking forward to the next chapter.