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- Brad
What a great finale to the xxxHolic Kei anime! While last weeks episode offered more of a plot finale, this week we get a celebration of the whole series with almost all of the characters they've met throughout the first season and xxxHolic Kei showing up.
I loved spotting several of the human characters in the street scenes and the inclusions of all the spirits Watanuki has met at the fox oden stand in the second half of the episode was a great idea.
We also got a Legal Drug crossover with Kazahaya appearing briefly in the shopping centre.
I also loved the subtle nod to the xxxHolic Movie when Watanuki asks Yuko about why Domeki is with them in an almost exact same way he did it in the film.
The animation was great and the pacing very well done with some fast and humorous development in the first half and a more slow, relaxing character moment in the second half.
This was a great finale to xxxHolic Kei and leaves me curious as to what is in store for xxxHolic in the future as in the manga the plot becomes more and more reliant on it's connections to Tsubasa I see the only possible anime continuation to be either back to back films/OAVs like the movies or an anime dealing with both sets of characters on the one show.
Mokona (the CLAMP artist, not the character) is apparently working on an "anime project" which could be anything... but this is also how she referred to Tokyo Revelations before it was officially announced.
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Wow.... just.... wow. The animation and character design quality in this episode really impressed! All of the characters just looked so fresh and natural and very well represented. Out of all the episodes of the series this one was by far the best drawn. Some shots were even on par with the xxxHolic Movie!
Voice acting was top notch and the script was so well written, incorporating everything from the manga arc such as the flashbacks to the episodes, Angel and Lamplight from xxxHolic's first season. I kind of missed a shot of the monkey paw from Contract but I won't hold that against the episode.
The episode built to a great emotional finish closing with a beautiful collection of music only shots featuring several new themes.
If I was rating this episode I would give it 5 out of 5!!! Simply brilliant!
Next week is the final episode of xxxHolic Kei and seems to follow the electrical demon / spirit / god they find while looking at fridges. Am very curious to see how it plays out. Always good to finish on a fun note.
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While the Kohane episodes really bored me to tears and almost turned me off the series completely, this episode which finally dealt with Himawari after seasons of hints as to her mysterious true nature.
Flashbacks were done really well (and I hope they do more in the next episode to show just how much she influenced Watanuki's life), Himawari's voice actress finally got to express more than one emotion and the animation was simply top notch!
Great music and use of almost every major character in the series. This episode was also very well adapted from the manga arc with a slight change regarding Kohane and the balloon due to how her arc was adapted.
In short a really well worth while episode and I look forward to part two next week and then the final xxxHolic Kei episode the week after.
Time sure flies! Only two episodes to go!
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For Christsakes, I'm more than aware that the hitting of children is common practice in Japan but, come one! This woman just took it to the next level.
In brief:
Episode 9 was 95% boring, with the boiling water scene almost saving it.
Episode 10 was better but I'm REALLY glad the Kohane arc is over.
Next week looks really great! Finally the Himawari arc that deals with her mystery, some great character designs and just some all around coolness!
Only three episodes left of xxxHolic Kei! Can't wait to see what happens!
What a great finale to the xxxHolic Kei anime! While last weeks episode offered more of a plot finale, this week we get a celebration of the whole series with almost all of the characters they've met throughout 
Just a quick update to let you know I've just finished the illustrated summary / episode guides for three more 
Wow.... just.... wow. The animation and character design quality in this episode really impressed! All of the characters just looked so fresh and natural and very well represented. Out of all the episodes of the series this one was by far the best drawn. Some shots were even on par with the 
While the Kohane episodes really bored me to tears and almost turned me off the series completely, this episode which finally dealt with Himawari after seasons of hints as to her mysterious true nature.
Been a Hell of a week for me and didn't get 'round to writing my impression of xxxHolic Kei Episode 9 so this week you get my impression of 9 and 10!
