Characters in the TRS and XH manga come from past Clamp works, such as Card Captor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, X, and Chobits. These are not the same characters as we know them, but are instead different people in an "alternate universe"--travel between many such alternate universes with different versions of the same character is a common theme in TRS.

One of the interesting things about TRS and XH is that Clamp has written them in a way that the same events, on occasion, occur in both series but are presented from different points of view.

As compared to MKR, Mokona is portrayed in similar and different ways in TSR.

(minor MKR volume six and TSR volume one spoilers begin)

Similarities to the Magic Knight Rayearth Manga

• Mokona plays the role of a guide: Mokona leads the Magic Knights to the Legendary Spring of Eterna and the Manshin (Rune Gods) in MKR, and in TSR leads Syaoran to the feathers in various dimensions which contain Sakura's memories
• Mokona is given to the protagonists from powerful people: Emeraude in MRK (actually from Emeraude to Clef, then from Clef to Presea), and Yuko in TSR
• can open gateways to other dimensions, which are accessed through Mokona's mouth (!)
• has hidden wings
• is cute and whimsical; :-)

Differences in the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Manga

• full name is revealed as "Mokona Modoki"
• there are two Mokonas in TSR: Yuko holds onto the dark Mokona, which only has the special ability to communicate with the white Mokona during its journey through different dimensions
• can speak normally (in MKR, Mokona can only say ""Pu", and only Hikaru can understand what the fluffy one is really saying)
• eats (Mokona seems to enjoy apples, which are eaten with one mighty gulp)

(minor spoilers end)

For more on Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, please see the TSR Wikipedia entry.

For more on xxxHOLiC, please see the XH Wikipedia entry.

You can now have your own Mokona figurine! It is found in Clamp no Kiseki, a series of book packages celebrating Clamp's 15th anniversary. The USA version was published in 2005 by Tokyopop, and sold by Waldenbooks and Amazon.com.

There are 12 volumes total. Each package contains a booklet with a Clamp series summary, interview, artwork, a new short comic, and... three chess pieces of characters from Clamp's past works! Each chess piece is made from a rubberized material with a plastic base and felt bottom.

Mokona is represented here as the pawn chess piece. Specifically, both the light and dark Mokona-Modoki from TSC and XH are included. Here are photos of what they look like:

NOTE: Because of Website bandwidth concerns, I kindly ask that you do not link directly to these photos. I will remove them if they are linked to. Thank you.
Light and dark Mokona-Modoki Click for larger version Here are both the light and dark Mokona CnK chess pieces. Additional volumes mostly contain either a single light or single dark Mokona. A few, such as volume one, contain both.	CnK box photo Click for larger version This is the CnK volume one box atop the included booklet. The box has a cutout to reveal the chess pieces.	CnK booklet photo Click for larger version This is the booklet that comes with CnK volume one.

Mokona, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Click for larger version Mokona is depicted as gleefully eating an apple. In TSR manga volume one, Mokona is shown eating an apple in the Hanshin Republic marketplace. Syaoran, Mokona, Fai, and Kurogane go to a grocery stand and comment on how a simple apple looks different from where they originally came from, then purchase several apples. Watch carefully and you'll notice Mokona eat the apple with one gulp! Showing a crossover in xxxHOLiC volume two, you will find a scene when the dark Mokona passes the apple out through its mouth... thus demonstrating a way of "relaying" things between the two Mokonas in different dimensions!

Mokona, xxxHOLiC Click for larger version Mokona is depicted as happily holding a cup and bottle. As shown in xxxHOLiC manga volume two, both Yuko and Mokona have a fondness for Kirin beer as they drink together both in the beginning and end. Mokona, in fact, asks for it several times. ^_^

For more on Clamp no Kiseki, please see:

• Tokyopop CnK release list
• Tokyopop CnK page
• Clamp no Kiseki Wikipedia entry
• momento CnK blog entry

For more on chess, please see the chess Wikipedia entry.