Back in 2006 I was rather scathing of xxxHolic when it came out. I decided to give it another go recently and finished watching it last week. Once I got past the jarring art that pops up every now and then I found I quite enjoyed it. Interesting how perceptions can change over time. 
W/E IT’S TOO MUCH LIKE PETSHOP OF HORRORS IMO
I dunno, I still say your first instinct was correct. The off-model crap in the anime series is absolutely inexcusable. The manga has nice and consistent artwork, but the anime is just absolutely beyond help, visually. At least in my opinion.
Also, Pet Shop of Horrors. Excellent stuff that badly needs its own series. One that’s longer than four episodes and doesn’t just cover manga filler chapters.
THOSE CHAPTERS WEREN’T FILLER YOU ASSHAT JESUS THE OVA JUST SUCKED SHIT
Okay, maybe they weren’t filler, but the OVA coulda picked some better chapters to cover. I mean…the BUNNY CHAPTER? Why the BUNNY CHAPTER, of all things? Man, the opening chapter with the freaky birds or the last chapter of volume 1 with the badass doberman would’ve been AWESOME. Why the BUNNY CHAPTER!?
Welcome to the dark side Mr. Negative Zero. Now go watch the movie and start on the manga.
I saw the movie years ago. And I don’t do manga.