The stage adaptation of “xxxHOLiC” opened on September 17 at Tennozu Galaxy Theater in Tokyo. Right before the opening day, photos from the dress rehearsal were released along commentaries from the casts Ota Motohiro and Sakamoto Shogo, and the director Matsuzaki Fumiya.

Holding a record of 13 million of copies sold, “xxxHOLiC” is a dark fantasy series by the group of manga creators, CLAMP. The high school student Watanuki Kimihiro is hunted by his ability to see and attract supernatural beings, the “Ayakashi”. The story begins when he stumbles into the so-called “shop” owned by Ichihara Yuko, who has the can grant the wishes the shop’s visitors.

The series started serializing in 2003 at “Young Magazine” and soon was adapted into several medias including an anime movie, a TV anime series, and a live-action drama. The “xxxHOLiC” stage play is performed by an all-male cast.

In a brief interview before the opening, Ota Tomohiro (starring as Ichihara Yuko) mentioned that “I hope I am able to deliver a beautiful experience through the world of ‘xxxHOLiC’ to all the fans coming to the theater.”, while Sakamoto Shogo (starring as Watanuki Kimihiro) remarked “I plan to stay totally immersed and live out the character of Watanuki Kimihiro in this profoundly mysterious and mystical world of ‘xxxHOLiC’ until the very end.”

The director Matsuzaki Fumiya commented that “Hopefully the not only words uttered by Yuko, but also the other things not made into words by her, will reach the audience through the presence of Watanuki. I’ll pray that everyone’s encounter with Watanuki will be and unforgettable one.”

“xxxHOLiC” stage play will run until September 26 at Tennozu Galaxy Theater in Tokyo, and from October 1 to 3 at Kyoto Theater in Kyoto. Without going all the way to the theater venues, fans can still enjoy the performance through a livestream by “Theather Complex” and live broadcast by “BS Sky Perfect TV” and “CS Nippon TV Plus”.

<Full Commentaries Below>

[Ota Motohiro as Ichihara Yuko]

“I felt in my bones very intensely the extreme difficult, in many senses, of bringing the world of ‘xxxHOLiC’ to life during the days of rehearsal. In spite of that I am grateful for this opportunity, for this chance, because I learned so much and was able to experience such a depth and gentleness through this character Ichihara Yuko. I hope I am able to deliver a beautiful experience through the world of ‘xxxHOLiC’ to all the fans coming to the theater.”

[Sakamoto Shogo as Watanuki Kimihiro]

“Now that the curtains are finally lifted I am a bit nervous, but more than that I am also looking forward to performing.
I plan to stay totally immersed and live out the character of Watanuki Kimihiro in this profoundly mysterious and mystical world of ‘xxxHOLiC’ until the very end.
Alongside the audience, I want to be pulled into this world and fully experience it with all five senses.
Best regards.”

[Director Matsuzaki Fumiya]

“I just kept being astonished by the beauty of the performers, who lived up to ‘xxxHOLiC’.
During preparation so many times I caught myself entering this supernatural world, and thinking to myself ‘Yuko is really there’ along with Watanuki.
Without giving away too much or too little, she provides us a clear of picture of the cruel world the characters belong to, one full of unreasonableness and indifference.
She might seem cold at first glance, but I think that’s probably because it’s the only means through which she can “stand correctly” with her own feet.
Hopefully the not only words uttered by Yuko, but also the other things not made into words by her, will reach the audience through the presence of Watanuki. I’ll pray that everyone’s encounter with Watanuki will be and unforgettable one.

”xxxHOLiC” Stage Play

<Dates – Venues>
[Tokyo Performance] September 17, 2021 (Fri) ~ September 26 (Sun) Tennozu Galaxy Theater
[Kyoto Performance] October 1 (Fri) ~ October 3 (Sun) Kyoto Theater

<Project> Okawa Nanase Matsuda Makoto
<Original Work> CLAMP ”xxxHOLiC”(Kodansha)
<Production> Matsuzaki Fumiya
<Script> Hata Masafumi
<Cast>
Ichihara Yuko: Ota Motohiro Watanuki Kimihiko: Sakamoto Shogo
Tomeki Shizuka: Matsushima Yunosuke
Kunogi Himawari: Akazawa Ryotaro
Marudashi: Sueshigu Juki Maeda Musashi (Double Cast)
Morodashi: Nishiyama Rento Masutani Ten (Double Cast)
Zashikiwarashi: Sakurai Keito
Karasu Tengu: Umezawa Yusuke (Umebou) Endo Makoto (Umebou) Igarashi Yuya
Amewarashi: Ohira Shunya
Jorougumo: Mikami Shun
Kuwai Daiki Hashimoto Yuichiro Sato Kendo Nishihara Kenta Kawashima Tatsuki

<Cooperation> Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association
<Assistance> Lawson Ticket
<Sponsor> Nelke Planning
<Ticket Price>
10,500 JPY (all seats are reserved/tax included）
Side Seat: 10,500 JPY (all seats are reserved/tax included）

(C) CLAMP – ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD. / Kodansha