Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle Vol 4-5

[meganbmoore]

Finishing up the AU version of Clamp's AU version of the story of Chun Hyang *head hurty just following that* we jump over to a fairy tale world with a story loosely based on The Pied Piper of Hamelin...or at least, a story with a legend based on it.  To those familiar with such storytypes: the legend of the noble who took the children centuries ago, the ghost of the noble, the seemingly interfering rich local, the helpful person admired by all, etc., the eventual outcome is obvious, but getting there is fun.  

But then we get to the downside: The Country of Oto.  If I remember my first foray into Tsubasa correctly, about the end of this arc, I quit, convinced that the main story was never going to go anywhere and that the whole thing was just an excuse for Clamp to have AU versions of all their properties.  From what I've heard, I'm pretty much right about the AU excuse(I mean, the core story is pretty much an alternate version of Cardcaptor Sakura, if I understand correctly.)  Going into it remembering the eventual revelations of the world, though, it's not quite as annoying...the silly RPG setup, exposition, and seeming stupidity of the welcome center girl all make sense now.  Theoretically, having been assured that what I'm entering is a low point and that it gets much, much better (and having been promised things like clones and eye los and vampire twins and other context-less crack) it will work better.

I sincerely hope so, as I do find it to be a very interesting story.  it's just frustrating to wait for Clamp to stop fooling around and go ahead and have the book live up to its potential.

I'm still not overly into the Sayoran/Sakura romance, which is a pity, as it's one of the driving forces of the book.  The thing is...I do like both characters...I'm just not incredibly interested in them.  Sakura's a sweet heart and wants to help...but not much else.  Syaoran is so determined and earnest and hardworking that I kind of want to pat him on the head and give him a hug, but there still doesn't seem to be much more to his personality than "the boy who loves Sakura."  I like them ok, and I like their story, I just don't find them compelling.  I think, though, that that will change when (as I'm promised will happen) the book starts focusing on the main story, instead of just random worldjumping.

I do, however, continue to love Fai and Kurogane.  Especially Kurogane who, lets face it, if you've read the book, you know he's the type I always like best.  He also seems relegated to scooping smaller beings out of trouble, holes and such on a regular basis, and seems very fixated on Sakura's sleeping habits(probably her ability to randomly fall asleep anywhere without warning.)

A quick question:  Do we know yet if there's any significance to Watanuki and Sakura having the same birthday?  No details, please(directly spoil me and get locked in  a padded cell for 24 hours with two very bored Mokonas...contextless teases only please)  just "yes" "no" or "we don't know," and if there's confirmation, what volume(or chapter) of which series(so I know when to look forward to it.)