Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
xxxHOLiC Episode 24 – Quick Summary
In xxxHOLiC episode 24, “Side Story: Reminiscence,” as a young boy, Watanuki began to see strange things – like a forearm with an attached hand hanging in a tree. Since no one else could see it, he tried to ignore it. But that tactic failed when the arm began following him. Finally, it cornered him against a river bank. Can these things actually hurt Watanuki? If so, how can he avoid injury? And just how fast can that hand move?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from xxxHOLiC Episode 24
Clearly, this is a pre-spazz Watanuki. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Watanuki seems like he was a smart young man. He was also very observant, like when he noticed the pale forearm in the tree. It’s not his fault his fellow students didn’t see it!
I’d like to add that he has some courage, too. When he saw the hand sticking out of a fence on his walk home, he didn’t scream and run away. He simply stated that the sight was distributing. I guess at this point I should also mention his talent for understatement.
Which plays into my favorite quote. As he examined the hand protruding from the fence, he noticed it moved.
“That’s no mannequin,” he said (03:16).
Observant, brave, and gifted with understatement (except where Doumeki is concerned): that’s Watanuki in a nutshell! I guess the spazz elements came in later.
Favorite Moment from xxxHOLiC Episode 24
Yuuko always knew exactly what to say. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Yuuko and Space/Time
Even though most of this episode was a backstory, and even though the previous episode provided an emotionally satisfying end to the series, I think that this episode added a happier, more up-beat take on Watanuki’s journey. It also showed he has come a long way in learning to deal with Yuuko!
To the latter point: did you see what happened when she surprised him under the cherry tree? He had no idea why she was there. Acting as if she were angry with him, she asked if he had forgotten.
“Yes! I’m so sorry!” he said, bowing (19:24). “Um, what is it?”
Watanuki was very, very sorry. He just wasn’t sure what for. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Lesson One for dealing with Yuuko: Yuuko is always right. Lesson Two? See Lesson One.
Actually, that lesson has implications for real life. I’ll leave them to your imagination!
Delivery: Watanuki’s Journey’s End – For Now
My favorite moment was when Watanuki looked back to see Doumeki, Himawari, Mokona, and Yuuko enjoying the food – the food Yuuko insisted Watanuki prepare. In the earlier part of the episode, Watanuki had confined in his new friend that he thought eating with people was a wonderful way to get closer to them. Now, obviously feeling wistful, he turned away.
“Watanuki,” Yuuko called (21:49). When he turned, she said, “Isn’t it nice to know that you have people that you get to enjoy food with?”
It’s a common sentiment. I’m not saying Yuuko somehow knew Watanuki had said those words before. On the other hand, I’m not saying she didn’t. Space and time mean different things to Yuuko than they do to you and me.
Regardless of their origin, her words made Watanuki look at the scene again. After a moment of reflection, he smiled and said, “Yes!”
Watanuki at the end was much happier than the Watanuki at the beginning. It was a lot of fun to experience his journey! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
When we first met Watanuki, he was alone and tormented by spirits. Now, at the end of the first season, he has friends and a mentor who plays with the fabric of reality like I play with Plottr. Or maybe she just reads reality like I’d read Plottr. My point is: Watanuki is in a much better place. I was glad to share the journey with him!
What did you think of the hands surrounding him at the end? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
xxxHOLiC Episode 24: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- My Anime List (must be logged in to view): xxxHOLiC Episode 24 Discussion
- Star Crossed Anime: xxxHolic – 24 – More like a Backstory, not a Sidestory
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
- xxxHOLiC Episode 21: Nail Clipper
- xxxHOLiC Episode 22: Tempations
- xxxHOLiC Episode 23: Choices
- xxxHOLiC Episode 24: Side Story: Reminiscence
Oo, this was a wonderfully creepy side story that shows how Watanuki has been dealing with troublesome spirits for a long time. You’re right, this was a happier ending to the season than the previous arc. Now you need to watch the XXXHolic/Tsubasa crossover movie!
I’ll try to find it! Thanks for the reminder! I’m really bummed that the second season isn’t legally available for streaming in my region. At least as far as I can find.
Yeah. That bummed me out too. Doesn’t Amazon have it or someone like that?
I just checked again, and I didn’t see it. MAL doesn’t list any, either. I bought the DVDs years ago, but I bought them through eBay, and they came from Malaysia. In fact, I think it was that purchase that taught me that some countries are less strict about copyright than others!