Watanuki's otherworldly training continues in the second Xxxholic volume, which introduces the Tsubasa storyline crossover and explores the art of fortune-telling. It seems that Watanuki disagrees with Yuko's methods, but when he is shown the true difference between real and false fortune telling he realized that he didn't know the whole story. While he is being dragged around (and ordered about) Watanuki is also learning that he may be able to solve his own ghost problem, even if he does not like the means of doing so because it means involving his rival from school. ( )

I have absolutely no ability to critically evaluate this series because it's been my favorite since I first started reading manga in like 2004. This time around (I have no idea how many times I've read this series) I'm trying it without also reading Tsubasa. I am curious to see if that's possible, especially later on when the stories become more intertwined. ( )

Watanuki finds out some more about Yuuko. Also finds out that Domeki and he are tied together, and Watanuki can't stand that idea. ( )

We are now getting to the meat of the story. In this volume Watanuki's spiritual eyes do not cause him much trouble but Yuko makes up for that. In this volume we also meet more of the main cast of character's. Watanuki's rival is only a rival because Watanuki thinks that he is. In truth Domeki is a friend who likes to give Watnuki trouble. The ghost stories are fun, especially if you like mythology like I do. Again that index in the back of the book is very useful because it explains the finer details about Japan and its very unique culture. Of course the art is just wonderful. I love that in DEL REY gives full color inserts for the first couple of pages. It just makes the art really pop. More ghost stuff coming up soon!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. ( )

I loved how Watanuki's employment with Yuuko is transcending. It just proves that there's more to their employee-employer relationship. But the "more" is not what you're thinking of. They're really like good friends. And their relationship will blossom more in the upcoming volumes. ( )