So it’s been well over a year since I picked up the previous volume in this lengthy series. Whoops… But what can I say? They were boring me. The format hasn’t really changed in this collection (the group are still traveling the worlds trying to collect Sakura’s scattered memory-feathers), but I was a lot more into reading this volume than previously so maybe I just needed a break. In this story, the group are competing in a drag race of sorts where the prize is another memory-feather, so we get some nice references to other stories which use the same device (Star Wars: Episode I pod-race anyone?) and we get stunning artwork to showcase the action of the competition. Drawing this activity is no small task, but Clamp’s organic style and careful sense of composition succeeds admirably. The race isn’t over yet, though, so I’ll have to pick up the next book sooner rather than later - preferably before I forget all the details! ( )

This is probably the longest arc in the manga thus far - not that it's a bad thing. I really enjoy this arc and I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Look for a longer review on Bureau42. ( )

2012 Review:
Sadly, the whole book was taken up with the Piffle race and the fact that someone" is breaking rules, for unknown reasons.

Not a big fan of Tomoyo-chan in the Tsubasa incarnation...


2007 Review:
the race for Sakura's Feather continues. Only the top 6 make it through somebody's sabotage of the race so far. And I like the Black Makona in XxxHolic better. The White Makona is just too "wanna-be-cute". Of course, White can't hold his liqueur like Black, so that is hilarious." ( )

The Piffle World Dragonfly Race is being sabotaged and Tomoyo is having a hard time getting to the bottom of it. However, that doesn't stop her from dressing Sakura in the finest handmade outfit since Cardcaptor Sakura!

This was certainly a more playful entry into the series with plays on Tomoyo's Sakura obsession and Fai's funny yet freaky references to Kurogane as "Daddy". Also, I was rather tickled to be proven right about my suspicion that the dimensional travelers would have no idea about "White Day" and would be in big trouble with Yuko for not providing the right gifts, after all the trouble she went to (or more particularly the trouble she had Watanuke go to) in xxxHolic to ensure their gratitude. ( )