X Illustrated Collection 2: X∞ 〔INFINITY〕

by Clamp

Illustrated collection. Language; Japanese

Genres: Manga, Art, Shojo, Fantasy

Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Ōkawa Nanase 大川七瀬
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]

Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]

Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]

Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]


CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.

In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.

In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.

Reviews

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for volume 1 & 2



This is, hands down, one of the best art books I've come across. Or more accurately, this set of two art books. When it comes to CLAMP, I go in expecting fantastic art, so I'm rarely left surprised or amazed. But not only is this a set of two, but both volumes are filled to the brim with quality artwork with only very little extra bits. Some people might prefer an art book with those said extra bits, but I have found myself disappointed time and time again when opening an art book only to discover there's more information than illustrations. With the X ZERO art book, you get just what I would expect - the art!

Interestingly, I always found that CLAMP sticks to one distinct style for each of their series. These art books break that trend - the first volume includes many illustrations that I would consider typical for X, yet there are also a few illustrations that remind of other works like RG Veda sprinkled throughout. The second volume strongly reminds of Tsubasa's art, but that might also be due to X's long running time. Both books also contain a few more experimental works that are wholly different from the rest.

A lot of illustrations include the symbol 'X' somewhere, which also made it quite fun to try and find them - they never seemed to run out of ideas of where to place the 'X'! It's also great that these books show the characters in daily life situations as well as darker ones that relate more to the story. As a whole, it's perfect for people who love the characters from this series, though it also adds salt to the wound of knowing all the sad fates awaiting them.

Once again, one of the best art book sets out there that is definitely worth trying to get a copy of. Though, I am utterly confused by what some of the other reviewers were referring to when saying there are only a few illustrations... the only explanation I could think of is that they perhaps got the wrong copy?

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este artbook es precioso!!!!