xxxHolic is a 2013 Japanese supernatural dark fantasy drama miniseries based on the manga series of the same name by manga artist group CLAMP. The miniseries was written and directed by Keisuke Toyoshima with Jun Tsugita as a co-writer, and stars Anne Watanabe as Yuko Ichihara and Shōta Sometani as Kimihiro Watanuki. The miniseries was broadcast on Wowow between February 24 and April 16, 2013.
Contents
Premise
xxxHolic follows the story of Kimihiro Watanuki, a high school student that is plagued by ayakashi spirits, who stumbles upon a shop that grants wishes. He meets the owner, Yuko Ichihara, a mysterious and esoteric witch of many names. She offers to grant his wish to be rid of spirits, but for a price: to become Yuko's part-time cook and housekeeper.
Cast and characters
Anne Watanabe as Yuko Ichihara, a shop owner that grants people's wishes.
Shōta Sometani as Kimihiro Watanuki, a teenage boy that can see and is plagued by ayakashi.
Masahiro Higashide as Shizuka Dōmeki, Kimihiro's classmate that lives in a shrine.
Karen Miyazaki as Himawari Kunogi, Kimihiro's love interest and classmate.
Rika Kawashima and Tsumugi Hatekeyama as Maru and Moro, two artificial beings that keep Yuko's shop in existence.
Yumi Adachi as Jōrogumo, a yōkai that is linked to spiders.
Production
In September 2012, it was announced that CLAMP's manga series, xxxHolic, would be adapted into a live-action television miniseries. Anne Watanabe was announced as the role of Yuko Ichihara, while Shōta Sometani was to play Kimihiro Watanuki. The series is directed and written by Keisuke Toyoshima with Jun Tsugita as a co-writer, and aired on Wowow on February 24, 2013. It was announced that the series would run for eight episodes. Suga Shikao, who provided many theme songs for the anime series, provided the miniseries' opening theme song, "Aitai" (アイタイ).
Reception
Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku felt as though Shōta Sometani's portrayal of Watanuki's character was appropriate, but believed Anne Watanabe, who played Yuko, overshadowed him.