CLAMP

In this volume we finally get the whole story behind Toya's awkward behavior around Kaho: apparently they used to date when he was in junior high, but she left him to go study abroad and broke his heart. When Kaho left she predicted that they would meet again and be close friends because they would both love other people, and it looks like her psychic powers were true since she's back but Toya is now in love with Yukito. Though he might be in a slight bit of denial about it...

I'm honestly show more starting to find the abundance of student-teacher relationships to be a bit much, though. There's been three of them so far, and all of the characters are totally okay with it. There's a reason why these kinds of relationships aren't allowed in North America, so either this must be a huge cultural difference in Japan or the relationships are the innocent youthful kind that are more platonic than romantic. Either way, can't anyone date someone their own age??? show less

Syaoran and his friends arrive in another new world, meeting a group of cute and slightly masochistic bunnies, who are tormented by a fierce beast that demands a sacrifice. They mean to offer Syaoran, but he convinces them to let him help, instead, and soon they are best buddies with him. Turns out, the "beast" is a ferocious whirlwind, and the bunnies decided it needed a sacrifice because one of them suggested that it might satisfy their beast, and they soon settled it in their minds that show more the beast told them itself. Sakura senses the loneliness in the whirlwind, and calms it, and Fai brings out the feather that the bunnies gave to him while the others were off beast hunting. This world's adventure is a lighter interlude, and I do appreciate seeing a large variety of different worlds. The easy resolution has darker overtones, though, as Fai and Kurogane discuss the oddities of the bunnies' home, and surmise that the place was a set up. Their conversation reminds readers that mysterious forces are watching everything, manipulating our heroes, and that dark mysteries lie behind the world hopping adventures.

The travelers move on again, only this time when they arrive, Syaoran and Sakura end up with Mokona in one location, and Kurogane and Fai find themselves in a different place. Syaoran and Sakura are in Yuka-ku, a lodging house for a traveling troupe of female entertainers, rather like a circus. Kurogane and Fai wander into a jinja, a sacred area housing the statue of a local god. Fortunately, both places are in the country of Shara and everyone can still communicate. They learn that the women of the Yuka-ku and the men of the jinja are in conflict. The jinja shrine has a statue of Yasha, while the troupe women carry around a statue of Ashura. Whenever the women return to their home town, bringing their statue along with them, ominous portents happen to the town and to the Yasha statue. He cries blood from one eye, and earthquakes shake Shara. The men of the jinja get riled up to the point of attacking some of the women of the troupe, but their leader Suzuran defends them, and then Syaoran protects her. However, Suzuran is hiding a secret of her own, something to do with the Soseki, the leader of the jinja. A secret that makes her sad.

Another enjoyable volume of the series. Sakura is becoming ever more interesting. It's wonderful that she can communicate with the wind, and all lonely and crying souls. The relationship between her and Syaoran is a source of constant sweetness and angst. The adventure in Shara is shaping up to be intense, and I foresee a romantic angle between Suzuran and Soseki. Syoaran has one of his cool moments when he fights off the jerks from the jinja, and it was adorably hilarious seeing him dressed as a girl at the orders of the Yuka-ku. I liked the hints at Fai's bad history and the fact that Kurogane sees through his casual facade. Fai observes that he is watching even when he doesn't appear to be watching. Is he referring to Kurogane or Ashura? Either option is intriguing. The book ended on a cliffhanger - another earthquake, and Mokona's eyes ominously pop open - leaving me eager to find out what happens next. show less

This instalment was so much fun!

Watanuki is endearingly ridiculous about disliking Dômeki (and makes delicious lunches and snacks for him throughout the volume).

Yûko sends them on a mission all by themselves (and I am sure she is thinking long-term, somehow). Well, Himawari, Watanuki’s crush, did ask for help, so… Off they go, and sort of kind of take on some scary spirits.

The conversations between Yûko and Watanuki are hilarious, too – she objects to Watanuki using the word show more “clutches” when talking about her relationships with other people ;)

The main story here is of “be careful what you wish for” variety. By the way, shouldn’t witches know by now that giving someone a curious beautiful thing they want and making them promise not to open it… is probably a bad idea? It makes for a good, creepy supernatural story, though.

I really liked the last short chapter with the fox spirits. show less

“Why are there people suddenly coming out of the sky?”

Watanuki, may I suggest you get used to this kind of thing? There are many more volumes to go!

It was fun to take a look at multiple universes and connections to other manga series. (I did read Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Vol. 1, but never got around to reading the rest for some reason. And I have dipped my toes into Cardcaptor Sakura the anime…) Sakura and Syaoran broke my heart a little in that first chapter.

Then we’re off to show more have other adventures, with Watanuki constantly out of his depth. There are clues of things to come. (Why do these butterflies keep appearing, hmm?)

I loved the ghost stories night: the stories, the scary stuff happening and Watanuki/Dômeki dynamic. The reveal about their supernatural dynamic is very promising indeed.

The art is gorgeous yet again, my eyes were happy :) And here is the required phrase, “I am looking forward to the next volume”, ;) show less