In agreement with the consensus, I felt that xxxHOLiC has been so-so especially because it’s hard to live up to the superb animation quality of the movie. I also agree that the manga had a darker tone that doesn’t seem to have been successfully adapted into the anime. Watanuki (another one of those good-hearted but intensely whiny male leads) also became more annoying in the anime because I couldn’t just skip over his tantrums like I did in the manga.
This episode recovered some of my enthusiasm for this series. Firstly, there was lots of Yuuko. Love her stage presence and her outfits. Secondly, some scenes felt more complete in animated form e.g. Yuuko’s surprise at the gate of the first fortunetelling venue, her cold disdain during the first session and the odd mix of mystery and soothing of the whole mood of the second session.
I’m no expert at calligraphy but I can’t resist commenting that Yuuko’s brushwork seems to suggest someone who responds to the burdens of the world by being nimble and as light as a feather.
What did Yuuko write? Anyone kind enough to translate it?
The striking world is a dream / The dreams of night are indeed truthful.