Promotional Information

Manga goes mainstream! The next installment in the hugely popular xxxHolic series by superstar manga creators, CLAMP!

About the Author

CLAMP is a group of four women who have become one of the most popular manga artists in the world - Satsuki Igarashi, Mick Nekoi, Mokona Apapa and Nanase Ohkawa. They started out as doujnishi (fan comics) creators, but their skill and craft brought them to the attention of publishers very quickly. Their first work from a major publisher was RG Veda, but their first mass success was with Magic Knight Rayearth. From there, they went on to write many series, including Cardcaptor Sakura and Chobits, two of the most popular manga available. Like many Japanese manga artists, they prefer to avoid the spotlight, and little is known about them personally.

CLAMP is also the author of Tsubasa, another title brought to you by Tanoshimi.

Reviews

Although it contains many familiar manga elements, this tale's goth sensibilities, stunning art and nonstop philosophizing sets it apart. Watanuki Kimiharo appears to be an ordinary guy, but he's able to see spirits, who are following him around and causing trouble. One day Watanuki finds himself unwillingly drawn to the shop of Yuko, a beautiful witch. She helps him, but there's a price: he must become her servant. As things progress, Yuko extracts bargains from other damned souls, such as a woman whose constant lying is symbolized by a cloud of black smoke around her, and Hana Hana, an Internet addict whose attempts to ditch the monkey on her back may resonate with many readers. Throughout, Yuko expounds endlessly on fate, predetermination and self-control. Created by Clamp, the all-female artists' collective behind the hit Chobits, this work avoids the more obvious sexual aspects of Watanuki's situation, instead plunging readers into an Edgar Allen Poe-esque world of melting candles, castles beyond time and doomed protagonists. Although the story can be garbled, the art is exquisite, possessing a stunning Pre-Raphaelite sensibility. This book should greatly appeal to teens, especially those with a goth bent. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Adult/High School-Both Tsubasa and XXXholic draw on their creators' long history as manga artists and pull characters from other series. Sakura and Syaoran from Sakura are the main figures in Tsubasa, an alternate universe story. When Princess Sakura is injured and loses all of her memories, Syaoran, her devoted childhood friend, embarks on a quest to rescue her, for she will die if her memories are not recovered. He seeks the help of the space-time witch Yuko, and is ultimately joined by two displaced men from different worlds. Yuko and Kimihiro Watanuki, a young man cursed with the ability to see spirits, are the main characters in XXXholic. Yuko will grant a wish in return for his service. Kimihiro agrees and then has to contend with her many eccentricities. The series share the same art style, with delicate line work, crisp designs, and beautiful men. The main point of connection between the two is the pivotal scene in which Yuko grants the wishes of Kimihiro and the two displaced men. Tsubasa is well on the way to being a grand adventure, while XXXholic is done in a quieter, almost horror vein, with spirits and ghosts. The translations for the most part are well done, with ample notes. Color art at the beginning of the books and preview pages for the next volume and for the companion series are included. These exceptionally well-done titles are sure to appeal to CLAMP fans.-Susan Salpini, TASIS-The American School in England Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.