It seems that our crew of adventurers are settling into their roles as ono-hunters ad café proprietors; they're making new friends, having the occasional drinking party, and continuing to become closer to one another. At least, until a new type of demon shows up - who may not even be a demon afterall, but someone who Sayoran used to know in the Kingdom of Clow. This person seems to hvae control over the oni who populate this country, and his influence is causing quite a stir among the demon hunters. Oni are getting new abilities and attacking civilians, which brings into question who really controls the ono; are they wild beasts or are they a creation of the government to keep the demon-hunters busy? ( )

While I understand that Sakura has lost her memories, why does she have to be such a non-character? In CCS she was a little spitfire with a can-do attitude.

It feels like Syaoran is more the main character. Which maybe he is? ( )

The adventures on Oto continue. In one of my favorite scenes from the earlier part of this manga, Kurogane and Fai encounter oni while on their way to an informant at Clover Bar. They take the creatures down, but Fai is injured, and the two share a very gripping interchange. Kurogane accuses Fai of not caring whether he lives or dies, and Fai doesn't deny the charges. Kurogane tells Fai that this is the type person he hates the most, and Fai accepts the censure with his typical benign smile. Two reasons I love this scene: both characters are fighting together again and they make a great team, and it deepens the dynamic between them. Clearly, they are meant to represent different personalities and life choices, two types of response to immense tragedy; just as clearly, they are forming two sides of an opposites-attract romantic relationship. I really like the scenes between Fai and Kurogane.

While they are beating off Oni and speaking with the singer at Clover Bar, Syaoran and Sakura have their own run-in. A new pair of oni hunters come to check out the cafe, Ryuo and Soma. Ryuo instantly challenges Syaoran to a fight to see who's stronger, but Kasanagi fortunately ends it before Ryuo can completely destroy the cafe. Of course Syaoran and Ryuo became friends, because that's how boys bond. Everyone discusses how the oni are acting oddly, and the informant at Clover reveals that a new oni has appeared that can take the shape of a man. The Syaoran gang continues to seek answers, and Kurogane begins to train Syaoran how to fight with a sword (upper level oni can only be killed with an approved weapon), and more techniques on overcoming his blind right eye. As part of his training, Syaoran is tasked to walk home blind folded, using his intuitive senses instead of his eyes. Syaoran nearly runs into an oni, but Ryuo happens along in time to save him, and the two boys bond some more. On their way home, though, they are attacked by more oni, and this time see a man controlling them: Seishiro, the man who taught Syaoran how to fight. Outmatched, the boys are forced to flee, and they run back to the cafe to share the news with the others.

As I settle into the series, I am still enjoying the adventure, albeit the thrill of jumping into a new story has worn off. I have experienced this in every manga I've read, and especially the long running series. Thankfully, I don't feel that the story has lagged at all, but still is charging ahead at full steam. The switching between worlds helps keep interest high. We get to know three of the major characters - Syaoran, Kurogane, and Fai - much better in this volume, through dialogue and flashbacks. The mysteries in Oto keep piling up, leading me to believe that more is going on in this world than appears on the surface. Now, moreover, we have another character who is not just a world replicate, because he knows Syaoran by name. Is Seishiro a villain or a good guy? I'm guessing the next volume will provide some answers. ( )

Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE Volume 6 by CLAMP is thematically linked with volumes 9 through 11 of xxxHolic. The crew is still in the land of Oto, running the bakery and killing Oni as they look for Sakura's feather.

In training and living in Oto, it becomes apparent that things might not be what they seem. Discussions though with Yuko don't reveal anything except that she expects them to call her more often and send gifts! The local Oto authorities aren't much help either.

The land of Oto plot was the first story arc in the series where I really started to get into the manga for its own merits, instead of reading it as an extension of xxxHolic.

Fans of other CLAMP series will recognize some familiar face ( )

This one had some pretty great moments in it. I particularly liked Fai and Sakura's meow match and Fai and Kurogane's fight against the Oni. As usual this one has left me anxious to read the next. One thing that bugged me was the extreme similarity I found between Sakura's brother and the newest villian, who is actually someone else entirely. ( )