Anime: xxxHOLiC Shunmuki 515m6x

There is a problem with Shunmuki, and it’s that it lacks both start and an end. I know, it’s sure to sound silly at first to complain that something that’s both a sequel and a prequel to other parts of an adaptation doesn’t have start and end, but here me out.

What I mean is that usually even separate seasons and OVAs/specials have their own smaller arcs, even when part of a larger storyline. The start is clearly intended as a start, and the end finishes at least some plot thread. Shinmuki however fells more like a clip compilation than an anime by itself.

The strength of xxxHolic is that it’s a compilation of interconnected stories and that it’s better than the stories would be by themselves if judged on their own. Unfortunately, the selection here lacks the impact of interconnection, it’s just bunch of seemingly unrelated scenes (other than sharing the characters). There is just a lack of direction that would tie it together instead of being bunch of scenes that should have been incorporated into the main series.

The only important and interesting part are the last 6 minutes of the 2nd episode, which isn’t exactly great ratio. Well, there is one more important story scene to be fair, but it’s for a whole different anime altogether. Which sure, some might thing is an interesting thing to do, but still…

Not unique to this OVA, but I still have to mention the animation. CLAMP manga has a certain style to it, and it works out in manga form. However, for anime adaptation they should have really toned down the infamous two meters tall noodle people. The visual look fine until the camera pans out into a full body shot of a male character, then it’s so jarring and weird and goofy, looking more like an animation error than stylization.

Overall, if you’re a fan of the franchise or of CLAMP works of general, surely you’ll enjoy this. But I just can’t call this good for above mentioned reasons.