In order to lose such powers, Watanuki begins to work for Yūko Ichihara, a witch who will grant his wish once he pays the price for her services.

Kimihiro Watanuki initially generated mixed responses from manga and anime publications, whose reviews criticised his behaviour, while his maturity and wiser characterisation in later chapters was better received.

Similarly, his return in the spin-off xxxHolic Rei also earned a positive response for friendlier interactions with the cast, despite acting like his younger persona.

[4] The constant interactions between Watanuki and the Other Syaoran were made to build up why both of these characters are important in their respective series as well as to explore more the crossover element Tsubasa has with xxxHolic.

[5] Anime Director Tsutomu Mizushima of Production I.G referred to Watanuki as his favorite character from the series because of his personality, saying that he identifies with him.

Fukuyama was attracted by how his character was often part of the tsukkomi, a Japanese inspired comedy gag where Watanuki acts irritated when dealing with people most notably Yūko.

[11] Fukuyama aimed to work originally in Tsubasa based on Watanuki's role and felt in retrospective that he also enjoyed xxxHolic during its debut.

[8] During the ending of the anime by Production I.G, an episode focused on Watanuki's childhood that moved multiple members of the staff.

[11] For the character's role in Blood-C: The Last Dark, Fukuyama needed to portray Watanuki as a mature despite not aging from his appearance in xxxHolic.

[23] He meets a young medium named Kohane Tsuyuri and attempts to bring her a new life after learning how much abuse she has suffered.

[24] After nearly dying falling from his school's second floor, Watanuki learns he is related to a teenager named Syaoran, who paid Yūko for his health along with Himawari and Dōmeki.

[26] In xxxHolic and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, it is revealed Syaoran created to replace his identity after he decided to turn back time.

[38] In the original video animation (OVA) xxxHolic Rō, Watanuki, as the new shop's owner, receives a tape with Yūko's voice.

[39] In the second OVA, Adayume, the spirit of Dōmeki's grandfather, Haruka, asks Watanuki to investigate his grandson's dreams now that his son is marrying Kohane.

[44] He also appears in other works from Clamp, including the seventeenth episode of the anime adaptation of Kobato, where he receives a package from one of the series' characters.

[46] Other works include a CD drama where Yūko tells Watanuki how she created the two Mokonas with a sorcerer named Clow Reed.

Nekoi believed this was because of his kind-hearted personality rather than his appearance, while head writer, Nanase Ohkawa, felt it was because of his multiple skills.

[59] Manga News was harsher, stating that Watanuki lacks depth and sensitivity, describing him as superficial with a "humorous side, bordering on hysteria".

[60] Carlos Santos from Anime News Network criticised Todd Haberkorn's work as Watanuki's English voice actor for making the character sound annoying rather than funny.

[62][63] Despite Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle ending, MangaNews stated that readers should check xxxHolic as it was still being written as such series had yet to finish Watanuki's story.

[64] In regards to how Watanuki's relationship with Domeki is handled, Kathryn Hemmann said it is widely discussed and accepted by Japanese fans of the series.

[65] The Manga News site praised Yūko's death in xxxHolic because of the newfound will to live Watanuki finds in her last moments.

[66][67][68][69] Manga News claims that Watanuki became a tragic character in the finale because of his loneliness, as his close friends died while he kept the shop, still waiting for Yuko's return.

[70] Clamp received multiple letters from fans who were saddened by Watanuki's decision to remain in the shop in self-exile, even after one hundred years, rather than return to society when given the option.

Domeki is also seen as another opposite to Watanuki due to their different built and linked their close bond to that of a shōjo manga romance.

[75]: 60  Watanuki's changed characterization following Yūko's death was commented multiple times, with critics finding him to act similar to his mentor, and more mature, making him a fitting new protagonist.

[77] The portrayal of Watanuki in the spin-off xxxHolic: Rei was the subject of mystery based on how he is most active by The Fandom Post and Anime News Network.

[80] Kotaku's Richard Eisenbeis was critical of the Watanuki's cameo in the Blood-C: The Last Dark movie, describing it as low-quality fan service.

[81] Eisenbeis felt Shōta Sometani's portrayal of Watanuki's character was appropriate, but believed Anne Watanabe who played Yūko overshadowed him.