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東京BABYLON [Tokyo Babylon] #3
CLAMP Premium Collection Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 3
Subaru Sumeragi is an onmyouji and the current head of the Sumeragi clan. When Subaru joins a phone call between three mysterious girls, he is startled when they declare him to be an enemy and use a mantra against him! Will he be able to get down to the bottom of things?
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 1992
8 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Clamp
754 books3,158 followersŌkawa 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.
[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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 13, 2022
yeah maybe the girls were stupid but guess what i was also stupid like that middle school so i can't even judge
June 6, 2022
Seishiro...
I'm afraid I would've been one of those girlies on highschool, oops. They really craved being special, got themselves lost in their delusions and ended up biting off more than they can chew.
Also, the world is ending in 1999, uh? X much?
I'm afraid I would've been one of those girlies on highschool, oops. They really craved being special, got themselves lost in their delusions and ended up biting off more than they can chew.
Also, the world is ending in 1999, uh? X much?
December 7, 2018
No pude encontrar la edición de Editorial Kamite así que elegí está para comentar.
Sabía que Seishiro es el malo , pero no conocía la historia de fondo que tenía el heredero del Clan Sakurasukamori y el Clan Sumeragi
Así como no sabía cómo había muerto Hokuto. Me gusto aunque no fue mi historia favorita
Sabía que Seishiro es el malo , pero no conocía la historia de fondo que tenía el heredero del Clan Sakurasukamori y el Clan Sumeragi
Así como no sabía cómo había muerto Hokuto. Me gusto aunque no fue mi historia favorita
November 23, 2020
En este tomo podemos ver como Subaru trata de ayudar a unas chicas que están haciendo daño sin saber que las artes que manejan les traerán problemas. Pero Subaru solo puede salvar a una de ellas y cae desvanecido por usar tanto poder. Pero Seishira-san terminara el trabajo pero no sera tan amable y les ara pagar por lastimar a Subaru-chan. La verdad es que en este tomo vemos mas de la personalidad de todos y sobretodo de Seishira. Quiero seguir leyendo el próximo tomo.
WEN
WEN
December 17, 2025
Well, it’s confirmed Seishiro does joke about some things, because when he was questioned while having a serious thought, he deflected saying he was having unholy thoughts about Subaru… and we know this was a joke because we know that’s not what he was thinking. Dramatic irony. It makes you question how he actually feels, but what did he mean by the deal he hasn’t yet sealed with Subaru? And that “it’s not over between [them] yet?” So mysterious. I NEED to know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
Vol. 1 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★☆☆☆
Now that I've given up on wanting plot or character development, I start to see the appeal of this series. Previous cases try too hard to impart a lesson, whereas this one is more about random teenagers messing with the occult. Not that it stops Clamp from making it a moral lesson, but it feels less obtrusive this time around.
Vol. 2 ★★☆☆☆
Now that I've given up on wanting plot or character development, I start to see the appeal of this series. Previous cases try too hard to impart a lesson, whereas this one is more about random teenagers messing with the occult. Not that it stops Clamp from making it a moral lesson, but it feels less obtrusive this time around.
May 3, 2022
THERE IS AN ENDING IN THE END OF THE VOLUME !!!! THEY WROTE A SONG FOR THE CHARACTERS !!!!
Good lord, I love CLAMP so much
Good lord, I love CLAMP so much
December 1, 2022
Better than the last two, and Im defeated, i dont care about background and worldbuilding anymore (? just let Subaru be happy pls lmao
February 12, 2025
What the fuck just happened?
November 5, 2025
Clamp c'est toujours une valeur sûre
September 24, 2024
This whole volume was dedicated to three teenage girls who met on a "party line" (very 90s) and formed a haphazard occult club built on their need to feel special, meant for a higher calling, since their daily lives and the people around them made them feel looked down on and unwanted. Timely topics indeed. And disturbing, although certainly plausible...self-hatred can very easily be directed outwards as a weapon.
Subaru, of course, does his best to save the girls, since that always becomes his priority...even though they've been harming other people by casting a variety of spells through phone calls, to people they've deemed "the enemy." Seishirou has a less positive view on the situation and stays close to ensure Subaru remains safe.
I'm not sure what the "bet" he refers to at the end is about - I don't think we've seen that? - but Seishirou again demonstrates a ruthlessness that's directed at everything other than Subaru. He does treat Hokuto gently, but that's likely because she's Subaru's sister, rather than a genuine connection to her as well. But perhaps he did grow to like them both.
Still not a huge amount of progress on what I'd call an overarching "plot" front, although the end of the world in 1999 deal might actually be accurate, even if the girls were inflating their own importance in it. Perhaps it's Seishirou who's the "demon" they were preparing to fight against?
I don't know when the rest of the volumes will be out, but I'll definitely be buying them as they release. And I should get started on some of those other CLAMP series while I wait.
Subaru, of course, does his best to save the girls, since that always becomes his priority...even though they've been harming other people by casting a variety of spells through phone calls, to people they've deemed "the enemy." Seishirou has a less positive view on the situation and stays close to ensure Subaru remains safe.
I'm not sure what the "bet" he refers to at the end is about - I don't think we've seen that? - but Seishirou again demonstrates a ruthlessness that's directed at everything other than Subaru. He does treat Hokuto gently, but that's likely because she's Subaru's sister, rather than a genuine connection to her as well. But perhaps he did grow to like them both.
Still not a huge amount of progress on what I'd call an overarching "plot" front, although the end of the world in 1999 deal might actually be accurate, even if the girls were inflating their own importance in it. Perhaps it's Seishirou who's the "demon" they were preparing to fight against?
I don't know when the rest of the volumes will be out, but I'll definitely be buying them as they release. And I should get started on some of those other CLAMP series while I wait.
July 4, 2025
Personal notes: This is so dated but in the best possible way. Loving the early 1990s vibe this is giving, pre-internet, pre-mobile phones. I guess I'm a little bit nostalgic. Loving CLAMP's aesthetics in this series, the art style is so cool (jazzy?), with their stylish use of screentone, the inserts of high contrast b&w photographs of Tokyo, the retro patterns, the line work, the fashions (huge shoulder pads!). It's a fun quick read.
This volume contains the story about girls on 'party lines', the phone version of online communities and social media, foreshadowing internet echo chambers, groupthink, and spreading of conspiracy theories.
This volume contains the story about girls on 'party lines', the phone version of online communities and social media, foreshadowing internet echo chambers, groupthink, and spreading of conspiracy theories.
August 15, 2021
This volume was not one of my favourites I think the growing relationship between Subaru and Seishiro creeps me out alot a adult dating a high school student is not something I find cute especially as it is made to look normal throughout the story.
I love the hidden meaning in each volume especially as all of the warnings relate to many of us today in life maybe not through religious spiritual links as can be confusing to it's part in the story.
I love the hidden meaning in each volume especially as all of the warnings relate to many of us today in life maybe not through religious spiritual links as can be confusing to it's part in the story.
July 31, 2024
Je trouve le tout assez confus. J'ai eu du mal à comprendre comment les 3 filles en sont arrivé à croire en leurs pouvoirs ? Où ont elles trouvé l'info sur l'apocalypse ? Vu les références à 1999, ça m'a surtout donné envie de découvrir X.
De plus, toujours pas à l'aise avec la relation Seishiro/Subaru présenté comme une romance. Le moment où Seishiro "blague" sur Subaru qui est tombé dans les pommes était tout simplement horrifiant pour moi.
De plus, toujours pas à l'aise avec la relation Seishiro/Subaru présenté comme une romance. Le moment où Seishiro "blague" sur Subaru qui est tombé dans les pommes était tout simplement horrifiant pour moi.
May 9, 2017
Lo extraordinario de este mundo son aquellas personas personas que con los pies en la tierra se esfuerzan cada día viviendo una vida normal. Cada mañana se levantan temprano, cada día van a la escuela, cada día trabajan... Lloran, ríen, se preocupan y sufren, viven en la realidad con todas sus fuerzas...
October 15, 2025
Review for volume 1-18
While arguably less famous than some of CLAMP'S other works such as Card Captor Sakura, Tsubasa and xxxHolic, I personally believe X/1999 to be CLAMP's true masterpiece. It is all the more a shame that this series has been left as incomplete with only little hope of there ever being a conclusion. While on one hand, I would recommend this as a masterful manga, it always comes with the grain of salt that you will be left with more questions than answers.
Kamui returns to Tokyo where, much as he would like to see them again, he avoids meeting his childhood friends Fuma and Kotori. Strange things seem to happen around Kamui - earthquakes one after the other shatter the city. Soon, mysterious people called the Dragons of Heaven and the Dragons of Earth try to recruit Kamui to join their cause: one to save the earth, and one to destroy and reform it.
Although one shouldn't expect any less from CLAMP, X/1999's art is stunning. The characters are beautifully drawn with intricate details and there is no other word than dedication to describing the Tokyo backdrops. The art does change significantly between the first and latest volume, which is quite natural to a longer running series.
Kamui certainly doesn't start off as the most likeable protagonist. But that changes fast enough once we become more familiar with his circumstances and also see his change toward others. Although this story has a lot of action, I believe it is foremost a character-driven plot. In addition to the seven Dragons of Heaven and the seven Dragons of Earth, there is still quite a vast cast of important and also lesser characters. What makes X/1999 so special is that they all have their legitimate intentions and wishes. If you like grey characters, well, this series consists of nothing but. There is really no saying which character is in the right or wrong - as the characters themselves point out - there is no ideal outcome in which everyone can be happy.
Not only are all characters relatable, they all have their own story to tell and are anything but flat characters. There must be at least one character everyone can adore, and - ok - relatable or not, I confess, I don't like Satsuki - at all. But apart from her? I can't say there is a single character who I don't care for. You'd wish each and everyone one of them could have their happy ending - unfortunately, you know it won't happen. And to make matters worse, we likely never will find out. I think, X/1999's status of being incomplete will forever be one of my personal biggest manga tragedies.
On another note, for those who have read Tokyo Babylon and/or CLAMP School Detectives, characters from both make a comeback in this series and the truly open ending of Subaru and Seishirou receives a somewhat decent conclusion. I say somewhat because, although their story continues and comes to a close of sorts, the last volume of X/1999 takes on a new turn which could go anywhere, so it's questionable whether it can really be called a satisfying conclusion.
July 20, 2019
This volume reminds me a bit of one of the darker stories in Jigoku Sensei Nube, but with a definite CLAMP twist. Subaru has been hired by a phone company to research a group of dumb teenagers that make apparently innocent prank calls on any phone number that includes a 99 in it in order to perform a curse that harms the poor sap who answers the call. As always, the ever jolly Seishiro quips that he got one such call on the job and the instant he presumed it was a spam call, he left the phone seated next to a bunch of barking dogs under the prankster hanged up.
Apparently the culprit phone club is like a 1990's version of a messaging group by voice only where anyone can call the aforementioned number and join the fun. Little does Subaru know, the culprits are three disgruntled female teenagers with a chip on their shoulders who they all believe they will become the saviors of the world when it ends in 1999. Huh? Are we getting a bit of an X vibe over here?
The exorcist trio all think the pranksters are nuts, but when Subaru attempts to reason with the girls, he gets attacked by a poorly performed spell by an uninitiated wannabe exorcist and falls ill. Can Subaru grow a spine and destroy the malignant spells that have been summoned by the three girls? Or will Seishiro remove his jolly alter ego and prove to us how terrifying he truly is?
With a story that is taking a more horror oriented turn, Tokyo Babylon is sure to keep you interested until the very end!
4 1/2 stars!
Apparently the culprit phone club is like a 1990's version of a messaging group by voice only where anyone can call the aforementioned number and join the fun. Little does Subaru know, the culprits are three disgruntled female teenagers with a chip on their shoulders who they all believe they will become the saviors of the world when it ends in 1999. Huh? Are we getting a bit of an X vibe over here?
The exorcist trio all think the pranksters are nuts, but when Subaru attempts to reason with the girls, he gets attacked by a poorly performed spell by an uninitiated wannabe exorcist and falls ill. Can Subaru grow a spine and destroy the malignant spells that have been summoned by the three girls? Or will Seishiro remove his jolly alter ego and prove to us how terrifying he truly is?
With a story that is taking a more horror oriented turn, Tokyo Babylon is sure to keep you interested until the very end!
4 1/2 stars!
June 22, 2025
The rules governing spiritual powers are very strict. Even a single spell takes a great deal of practice. The power of the spell depends on the abilities of the user... and the greater a spell's power... the greater the consequences of failure. A professional would be very much aware of that risk. That's why a true professional would never violate the taboo.
I didn't know much about this manga series but I couldn't resist picking it up when I saw the complete set in a local charity shop. The artwork is classic which made sense when I saw it was released back in the 1990s.
This volume sees Subaru having to investigate a doomsday cult who believe the the Millenium will bring about the end of civilization. Using a telephone chat room the cult curse unsuspecting strangers but their tentative steps into magic has unexpected consequence.
A lot more tension as the story fills the whole volume. We also see a different side to Seishirou which hints towards future storylines. 5 stars again.
I didn't know much about this manga series but I couldn't resist picking it up when I saw the complete set in a local charity shop. The artwork is classic which made sense when I saw it was released back in the 1990s.
This volume sees Subaru having to investigate a doomsday cult who believe the the Millenium will bring about the end of civilization. Using a telephone chat room the cult curse unsuspecting strangers but their tentative steps into magic has unexpected consequence.
A lot more tension as the story fills the whole volume. We also see a different side to Seishirou which hints towards future storylines. 5 stars again.
May 25, 2024
Being ordinary isn't enough when the world is about to end. You and a couple of other girls who you've met on a pay-per-minute party line* are the chosen warriors who will save those ordinary folk who remain once the apocalypse starts. Your parents' phone bills are going up, but you keep calling, because that's the only way you can coordinate with the other warriors and share your progress on learning the spells to keep your enemies at bay.
* something like a 900 number was in the US, in its day
You're special. You're exceptional. Magic has no price for you.
Or does it? Evil spirits are outside the window, and coming up through the floor. Something's wrong. You set up a paper talisman on the door to protect you, just like the book you found said, but they're still coming.
Is that young voice intruding on your call the enemy, or a savior? Should you listen to what they have to say and accept the help they're claiming to offer, or should you send your magic against them?
* something like a 900 number was in the US, in its day
You're special. You're exceptional. Magic has no price for you.
Or does it? Evil spirits are outside the window, and coming up through the floor. Something's wrong. You set up a paper talisman on the door to protect you, just like the book you found said, but they're still coming.
Is that young voice intruding on your call the enemy, or a savior? Should you listen to what they have to say and accept the help they're claiming to offer, or should you send your magic against them?
April 16, 2024
Apa pun zamannya, apa pun medianya, orang-orang halu yang merasa dirinya punya kekuatan supernatural itu eksis, ya. Past life lah. Kesatria di kehidupan sebelumnya yang harus menyelamatkan dunia di masa sekarang lah 😂 Main pake mantra aje, astaghfirullah. Greget banget volume ini 😂
Di sini Seishirou beneran makin memperlihatkan sisi sadisnya dengan mengakibatkan luka psikis yang sangat dalam bagi dua gadis yang main mantra. Sampai dirawat di RSJ, bok. Udah gitu di ending bisa-bisanya dia dengan santai bilang kalau Jepang enggak seterbuka itu dalam menerima kasus gangguan mental seperti di Amerika. Aiyaaaa xD
Di sini Seishirou beneran makin memperlihatkan sisi sadisnya dengan mengakibatkan luka psikis yang sangat dalam bagi dua gadis yang main mantra. Sampai dirawat di RSJ, bok. Udah gitu di ending bisa-bisanya dia dengan santai bilang kalau Jepang enggak seterbuka itu dalam menerima kasus gangguan mental seperti di Amerika. Aiyaaaa xD
September 6, 2021
Okaaaay, Seishiro es el antagonista y eso es todo lo que entendí. Por más que Subaru piense que no, ya dejamos en claro que es demasiado ingenuo y no confío en él como narrador. Tiene que existir una ley de equilibrio o balance o algo por el estilo, porque Subaru se desgastó hasta desmayarse, pero todavía no logro dimensionar el alcance de los poderes de su clan o qué sucedió cuando era niño. No entiendo nada, pero los outfits y el diseño de CLAMP me atrapan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
Pour le moment, c'est le meilleur tome. J'ai adoré le côté satanique avec les trois filles et leurs incantations. Mais je ressors de cette lecture en me demandant s'il y avait bien ennemi à combattre, et si c'est le cas, qui est-il. Je me pose aussi des questions sur Sei. Il ne semble pas honnête à 100%, même si ses sentiments pour Subaru ont l'air sincères. Il paraît aussi assez puissant. À voir comment tout ça va évoluer.
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November 17, 2025Je sens poindre la fin dramatique: et on parle de Clamp, autant dire que si elles ont décidé que ce serait triste...
A part cela, je trouve que ça n'a pas aussi bien vieilli que d'autres œuvres des mêmes autrices... Surement parce que les nouvelles technologies et la mode (et je parle bien sur de celles des années 90...) sont assez présentes, et sont complètement obsolètes aujourd'hui...
A part cela, je trouve que ça n'a pas aussi bien vieilli que d'autres œuvres des mêmes autrices... Surement parce que les nouvelles technologies et la mode (et je parle bien sur de celles des années 90...) sont assez présentes, et sont complètement obsolètes aujourd'hui...
May 5, 2022
If I pretend that Suburu is older, their age difference doesn't bother me as much. Japan/CLAMP has a weird thing with big age gaps, and as a teen I definitely thought it would be fine to date a 25 year old. But you get glimpses of their relationship developing, and it's quite cute.
May 22, 2024
This one had a bit more to work with regarding the story here! I loved the party line (so 90s!) case - and the horror elements really jumped out here! I wish the translation could be a bit cleaner with how it conveyed certain quirks of the characters, but that might just be me. Enjoyed this one!
May 23, 2024
Even though I read these books year's ago, rereading them is just as amazing!
I swear each volume gets even better as they go on! I enjoy seeing more of Seishirou's real personality and protectiveness. Kind of makes you wonder, eh? 😉
I swear each volume gets even better as they go on! I enjoy seeing more of Seishirou's real personality and protectiveness. Kind of makes you wonder, eh? 😉
June 8, 2024
This was so deliciously dark. I love these instances where CLAMP dials up (lol) the horror elements in their work. More and more I'm disappointed I didn't read this when I was in high school, I would have eaten it up!
July 24, 2025
Por fin terminé el tercer tomo. Estuvo muy entretenido y los dibujos top.
Maldito Seishiro, lo sabía, pobre Subaru.
Hokuto, serás mi favorita por siempre.
Creo que desde ahora no podré ver a los árboles de cerezo de la misma manera.
Maldito Seishiro, lo sabía, pobre Subaru.
Hokuto, serás mi favorita por siempre.
Creo que desde ahora no podré ver a los árboles de cerezo de la misma manera.
February 1, 2026
La trama de las tres chicas que se siente especiales, no sé porque pero pensé en su obra de "Las guerreras mágicas".
Estuvo muy buena esa parte y Seishiro, ya no falta mucho para que muestre su verdadera forma de ser ante Subaru... voy a llorar.
Estuvo muy buena esa parte y Seishiro, ya no falta mucho para que muestre su verdadera forma de ser ante Subaru... voy a llorar.
August 31, 2017
the moral of today's story kids: don't skype with strangers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews