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Aslan’s fury

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Banana Fish commission..

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xxxHolic Rei - Chapter 62 Review

After a brief hiatus due to the holidays, we're back with another chapter of xxxHOLiC: Rei.

Right from the start, we see Watanuki reflecting on his encounter with Yuuko — which took place shortly after the revelation that he was in a world where he had returned to being a student. In this world, he still worked at the shop, with Yuuko alive (though without Mokona).

Since living in that world would create a paradox — after all, he is now the “Owner” of the shop — Watanuki had to take on the role of his former self, giving up his memories and carrying only the recollections of Doumeki and Himawari.

While searching for what Syaoran and his group needed, Watanuki wished to be in a world where Yuuko existed. And it was at that moment that a “conversation” with Yuuko occurred — a conversation in which she never actually responded — culminating in the beautiful (and tragic) panel below.

By the way, it’s important to highlight what Watanuki says to Yuuko in this dream:

“Even so, people make wishes...” “At that point, it’s no longer ‘that person’. It’s someone else.” “...She wouldn’t have lived the same life. Wouldn’t have the same memories.” “A life, once lost, never returns.” “People don’t come back to life.” “Even if the soul is the same. Even if they are reborn…” “…to meet that person once again.”

Watanuki comes to this conclusion based on the reunion between the two Syaorans, back in Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Nirai Kanai-hen. The items they sought were needed so Syaoran’s group could “move forward.” Watanuki shares Syaoran’s pain upon reuniting with his clone, comparing it to the moment when he himself had to say goodbye to Yuuko in that world.

It may not be a direct answer, but Watanuki’s reflection makes it clear that the answer lies in choosing to let go. It’s a choice. If it weren’t for Watanuki’s wish, he would never have “met” Yuuko again, even if in another world. And now, as he himself points out, it was those choices that led to “that moment” — which we can assume is related to the current situation involving the Zashiki-Warashi, the lookalike, and the “Book.”

Of course, this is still speculation. But as we already know, the plotlines tend to intertwine. Shizuka commented a few chapters ago: “The threads have already been connected/connections were already formed.” The lookalike, aside from resembling the Zashiki-Warashi, is being pursued by something that wants to kill her — something that, curiously, takes the form of Yuuko. It’s also worth noting that the phrase she says — “What must be, will be” — directly evokes the concept of hitsuzen, the inevitable, a notion associated with Yuuko herself. I wouldn’t be surprised if this lookalike was, in fact, the consequence of someone’s wish. If Watanuki’s wish allowed him to reunite with Yuuko (in another reality), couldn’t the Zashiki-Warashi’s wish have led her to find this Watanuki? Just something to think about.

The rest of the chapter returns to the mystery of the client whose deceased husband keeps coming back home. When she says “it didn’t stick properly,” the verb 貼り方 (harikata) refers to the way of attaching or applying something — like talismans or seals — while 使い方 (tsukaikata) refers to the way something is used. So we can understand that a talisman was given to the client but had no effect. She even admits that, deep down, she might actually want her husband to return.

This moment reconnects with the theme from the beginning of the chapter and with Rei’s return after its hiatus. We know that Watanuki wishes, above all else, for Yuuko to return. Even if his decision isn’t firm and resolute, his unconscious — his heart — longs for that. And it is precisely that wish that triggers so many problems. Rei exists because of it, after all.

The client’s situation subtly mirrors Watanuki’s. The editor’s note at the end of the chapter raises the question: is what Watanuki is seeking to solve the client’s problem somehow connected to what’s needed to save the Zashiki-Warashi?

Saving the Zashiki-Warashi, helping the lookalike, understanding the role of the “Book,” the client’s wish, Watanuki’s choice, Doumeki’s decision... it all seems to be converging, little by little. And fortunately, with just a few chapters left until the conclusion of Volume 5, we might finally begin to get some answers.

Chapter 63 is scheduled to be published in Young Magazine issue no. 36/37, set for release on August 4. Until next time!

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So we’re all just gonna ignore the fact that Ash was the one with his head in eiji’s lap and then somehow magically by morning it’s eiji draped over Ash

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🍌🐟

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You and me, or “we”

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The summer Hikaru died but it’s NO.6

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as a society we need to normalize platonic soulmates. please. like literally live with your best friend. raise a kid/pet with your best friend. why should people have to "be alone" and not experience some parts of life just because they never fall in love. stop making the world revolve around fucking romance.

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mob mob mob

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Eiji :)

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everyone wants a piece of aslan @/based on that pedro pascal vanity fair cover