xxxHolic anime ep 18

So I downloaded ep 18 to see what all the hubub was about, and I have to agree with the other fans. Well, not so much about the general trend of things in the anime cuz I think a lot of the changes are due to the anime trying to fit everything into a single year rather than the longer timespan indicated by the manga. But I do agree that the presence of the Zashiki Warashi in the demon parade story served no purpose and actually detracted from what should have been the central message of that story.

Also, the fact that the magic tree's words about meeting that one special person, etc. was said to the image of the Zashiki Warashi in the ep, instead of like in the manga where the subtext is definitely talking about Doumeki. I dunno... it does seem like to me that the anime is pushing for a Watanuki/Zashiki Warashi relationship that isn't even hinted at being anything but one-sided in the manga. And...eww, het. :p

Along those lines, read manga chapters 114-5 on that msn group... if anyone know where I can download the zip files that'd be nice. It seems that in the manga at least Watanuki is finally becoming consciously aware / willing to face the fact that Himawari isn't good for him. I have to say that relationship-wise, manga Watanuki has progressed much further with the other major characters (Doumeki, Himawari, Yuuko) than the anime Watanuki who hasn't even begun to with any of the other characters even though there's been enough eps to see at least kind of growth in him...

Iono... just feels like to me with this ep and the boring previous filler ep that the anime is really letting down on the expectations that CLAMP put into xxxHolic.