I've read the first chapter and it doesn't read as a sequel so I'm wondering how exactly xxxholic rei is related to the original xxxholic. The first chapter of xxxholic rei seemed like just another chapter from around the beginning of xxxholic with a slightly more shounen feel. I was hoping for a straight up sequel so I could find out what exactly the crappy, inconclusive ending of the original xxxholic meant.

If anyone knows how xxxholic rei is related to xxxholic I'd appreciate any explanation you have to offer

Ahahaha! You actually expect clamp to give distinguishable answers and a solid ending!? have you read their stuff? I'm sorry but clamp are the masters of keeping a series on life support for as long as there is a fanbase, and milking it for all they can. To keep the fans coming for more, they make more questions than they do answers. And I should know, I'm a fan as well.

Continuation.
95% sure of it.
chapter one has all the indications.

People, get your facts straight. This series is back because of the currently ongoing live drama series in Japan. Nobody's milking it. This is just for new fans who are interested in the series after watching the drama series. In fact, go watch episode 1, right now.

New fans can just read xxxHolic. They're writing a spin off when they should be writing a sequel. They are milking it.

Absolute rubbish, Argis. It is apparent that you don't know how the world of publishing works. Simply put, the original series is hard to find in bookstores now, seeing as how it has been years since it first came out. Plus, if you create new stories (i.e untold stories) based on the old series, you can print them in current magazines and satisfy both old fans and new fans (obviously not you since you do not belong in either of these two). This is a common method even for anime, so stop acting like this is the first time you've seen this.

Also, you keep asking for some kind of ending or answers even though there are no questions here at all. And the truth is what we all want are case by case stories (i.e Procedural Drama) where Watanuki solves the mysteries and deal with the Ayakashi in each arc, which is exactly what happens in this new series. Don't tell me you want more crossover with the other series? And have you even watched the drama yet? It has a totally different atmosphere to it. Lesser comedy with a more serious mood. Better yet, no crossover of any kind. I think you would enjoy that more. And if you really want a sequel, there are other series where the older Watanuki guest stars in (Blood-C).

All in all, give it up. You're never gonna win this debate when it's justified by just your opinions and dashed hopes for a sequel. In fact, if there's ever a sequel even after how the series has ended properly, that will be the definition of milking a series.

Love or hate this series for what it is, not for what it's not.

OK, after all the drama went on and off here, and... after this series is been for a while, is there something "different" about it and the original? like plot wise.

Argis, I think it's you that doesn't understand how publishing works.

The company can do /more print runs/ of the original series. And if it sells, it'll be /more profitable/ to the publishers themselves than getting CLAMP to do a "new" series. They can even sell it in Kanzenban format for a whole new item to ship. In other words, it is entirely because of CLAMP that this series is getting milked, not the publishers.

Seriously, don't speak if all that will come out of your mouth is melted fanboy shit.

Quote from HikaruYami

Argis, I think it's you that doesn't understand how publishing works.

I think you aimed your post at the wrong person 🤣

Clamp is a money-making machine. It's obvious at this point that their main method for keeping readers is unresolved mysteries; unfortunately, Clamp has no idea how to resolve those mysteries so their work always ends up as hackjob nonsense. They just throw something out there and keep going until they realize they've written themselves into a corner.
Any loser can fill a story with storylines (King of Hell, Bleach) but if he can't resolve them in a creative, logical, and clever manner, then reading his works is just a waste of time.

Clamp has been milking "it" for the last 10 year. The only product that will stand the test of time are the first 3/4 of xxxHolic. And yes i had a look at all their series. That said i hope that Rei will start to get a purpose soon.

I also read EU/US comics and am a librarian.
Manga-Masters, My ANN-Lists + Imdb

isn't this a sequel because of how things are going. there are many indications that tells Watanuki that he needs to make a choice and Doumeki is hiding something like his part of the weird things happening right now, like its some illusion (opening page). I think new reader will not understand whats going on if they don't read the first.