by Sandra Scholes
xxxHolic's frustrated and undermined assistant to the ever demanding Yuko, Kimhiro Watanuki first started serving his mistress when he accidentally bumped into Yuko's shop and needed her help to get rid of the bunch of spirits who had followed him home. Unfortunately for Watanuki, the price of her helping him meant he had to come work for her, tending to her every need, which meant cooking and running errands for her.
Lucky for Yuko, Watanuki is a first-class cook, but as time goes on, he also develops other talents that don't go unnoticed.
He has a kind heart even if he does whine a lot , mostly at Yuko's requests, but his main frustration comes from his relationship with high school jock, Domeki who also helps out at the local shrine. As Watanuki is in love with Himawari, he thinks that Domeki being the handsomer of the two might sweep her off her feet, but throughout the episodes, Domeki never makes a move for her, and Yuko tells him there is a reason Watanuki should be friends with him.
No matter how much Yuko tells him go get on with Domeki, Watanuki still takes no notice, much to her disappointment as Domeki is more helpful to Watanuki than even he realises. As Watanuki grows up through the episodes, xxxHolic intertwines with CLAMP's other manga, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle where Watanuki and Yuko battle even crueller odds.
Then, a new series is born, xxxHolic Rou where a handsomer, still bespectacled Watanuki has taken up the mammoth task of running the shop while Yuko has disappeared. There he continues to grant wishes and takes on Yuko's personality traits of having her pipe around, wearing flashy yukata and behaving in a more adult manner. He knows later that Himawari and he weren't made for each other, but merely a boyish fantasy - his real love interest is in someone else. Other manga xxxHolic Rei and later xxxHolic Ro, plus an older Watanuki having a cameo in the twelve episode anime Blood-C commenting on Saya's return after many years.
It's not surprising that Watanuki has established himself as a hot guy after years of acting the fool, using exaggerated movements when he's annoyed or excited at having Himawari and Domeki around. It's about time he was calling the shots in that wish granting shop.
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