xxxHOLiC Episode 14: Favorites

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

xxxHOLiC Episode 14 – Quick Summary

In xxxHOLiC episode 14, “Seal,” Yuuko and Mokona went shopping, and Watanuki tagged along. They saw twins buying some flounder – nice flounder, flown in from Dover. Watanuki thought Yuuko coveted the fish. But she really saw something disturbing about the sisters. What, she wouldn’t say, but Watanuki had a bad feeling about it. Why was one sister so upbeat and the other so gloomy? What had Yuuko seen? And how many more times will Watanuki buy lunch for Doumeki?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from xxxHOLiC Episode 14

He thinks he realized what’s going on. Now what? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Cooking for other people is weird. If I do household chores for someone, or if I mow their grass, that’s one thing. But cooking feels like something completely different. It’s more personal. It’s almost intimate.

That’s why I get how Yuuko might be right when she said she “lets” Watanuki cook for her. Mind you, with Yuuko, the sentiment might come with a load of teasing. That seems doubly true when Mokona is involved. 

Be that as it may, though, I think Watanuki is aware of how weird it is to cook for other people. He seemed excited as he thought about what he was going to prepare. Suddenly, he froze, and his self-awareness caught up.

He said (05:44), “I get the feeling that I’m brimming with joy and willingness because she’s letting me do this. She got me!”

I think he was a little reluctant to say that, because I think he really does enjoy cooking for the Yuuko household. Still, I can see how he’d feel a little put upon!

Favorite Moment from xxxHOLiC Episode 14

I don’t know for sure, but she doesn’t look too scared to me! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: It Might Be Nothing, But…

I noticed something interesting as researched for this post. I couldn’t find the names of the twin sisters. I thought, “Oh, that’s okay. I remember the younger one seeing Watanuki and Doumeki in the restaurant. I even remember she chided her sister for not asking for Watanuki’s name (10:23)! I’ll bet she introduced herself!”

She didn’t ask Watanuki’s name. Nor did she introduce herself. I wonder if that’s significant? Yuuko did say that they’re human (15:42). Which reminds me: I would watch an entire episode of Yuuko juggling. But now I’m off track.

I present to you… Yuuko juggling! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I can’t find their names in any Wiki or other literature. And they didn’t introduce themselves. Why is that? The reason I ask is a) I’m curious and b) I don’t remember this episode at all. I’m sure I didn’t skip it the first several times I watched this series.

Maybe they broke the fourth wall and messed with my mind? Or maybe I’m just forgetful. Occam’s razor probably favors the latter!

So, I’m torn about my favorite moment. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Yuuko juggle. She seemed so festive! But instead of that moment, I’m going to pick a character moment. It’s something that felt perfect for who Watanuki is.

Delivery: Watanuki Missed The Point – Didn’t He?

Watanuki and Doumeki took the sisters on a movie date. Watanuki had observed the older sister (the one who acts gloomy) acting in a way that suggested she might like Doumeki. While they watched the scary movie, Watanuki watched as the young sister, the one who acted more outgoing, cling Doumeki’s arm during a scary moment. She even said (20:10), “It’s scarier than I thought it would be. You’re a lifesaver for coming along. Like I can relax!”

The look she gave him spoke volumes.

Watanuki, though, thought (20:25), “I wonder if regular people can sense Doumeki’s ability to ward off spirits.”

It’s got to be hard, living in the world Watanuki does. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I think he missed the point, didn’t he? The younger sister didn’t look in the least bit afraid. She just wanted to have a socially acceptable reason for grabbing onto Doumeki. From where I sat, it looked like she was really enjoying herself! But Watanuki could only see the scene in terms of the spiritual monsters clustered all around them. Seeing such a natural, innocent flirting scene set in that context was itself fascinating. Seeing how Watanuki interpreted it was even better.

My life just feels happier when I encounter well-written characters interacting with a well-crafted world.

What did you think of the older sister’s forehead bleeding at the end? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!

xxxHOLiC Episode 14: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• My Anime List (must be logged in to view): xxxHOLiC Episode 14 Discussion
• Star Crossed Anime: xxxHolic – 14 – Twins and Vibrations

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

• xxxHOLiC Episode 01: The Inevitable
• xxxHOLiC Episode 02: Falsehood
• xxxHOLiC Episode 03: Angel
• xxxHOLiC Episode 04: Fortune-Telling
• xxxHOLiC Episode 05: Game of Letters
• xxxHOLiC Episode 06: Indulgence
• xxxHOLiC Episode 07: Hydrangea
• xxxHOLiC Episode 08: Contract
• xxxHOLiC Episode 09: Pinky Promise
• xxxHOLiC Episode 10: Lamplight
• xxxHOLiC Episode 11: Confession
• xxxHOLiC Episode 12: Summer Shade
• xxxHOLiC Episode 13: Transfiguration
• xxxHOLiC Episode 14: Seal
• xxxHOLiC Episode 15: Release
• xxxHOLiC Episode 16: Reunion
• xxxHOLiC Episode 17: Self-Mutilation
• xxxHOLiC Episode 18: Ground Cherry
• xxxHOLiC Episode 19: Unreasonable
• xxxHOLiC Episode 20: Atonement