Chobits, Vol. 2

ちょびっツ [Chobits] #2

by Clamp, Shirley Kubo (Translator)

Hideki is used to getting the short end of the stick. He can't get into school, his parents cut off his allowance, and he's a 19-year-old virgin. So when he found a perfectly good humanoid computer - a persocom - lying in the garbage, it seemed like his luck was finally starting to turn around. Chi isn't like any other persocom ever created. She is self-teaching - a true artificial intelligence - and best of all, she's hot. Hideki should have know it was too good to be true. The diagnostics said that Chi's memories were erased, but something, or someone, is hidden away in her cybernetic soul, and now it is trying to contact her. If Hideki doesn't figure out her mystery soon, he may lose Chi...to herself.

Chapters 13-24

Genres: Manga, Romance, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Seinen

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2001

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

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very interested in the mystery of the persocoms.
I'm not at all interested in these horny-boy characters and the fan service.
The art is good, but honestly I'd rather skip to the sci-fi parts.

[Jesus Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chobits 2

Aqui Chi ya empieza a tener más interacción.

Vemos lo de la otra Chi, eso suena interesante, y ¿que con la casera??

Eso si, el cuentito extra esta super cute y algo filosofico.

Y me quede intrigado con la compañera de trabajo, que habra ocurrido que tiene esa actitud con las persocom?

Buen volumen, amplia las tramas y el misterio

4 star

[☾❀Apple✩ Blossom⋆｡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

aw Chii 😔

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chi is just so damn cute, I love the little “Town With No People” mini subplot going on in this; I’ve cried over it before 😭

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

We begin to get some hints about Chi’s background. At least one character seems to know more than they’re letting on. The main story in this volume involves Chi looking for a job to help out with Hideki’s finances. And are we surprised that said job is of the pervy variety? You must be new to CLAMP titles … And are we surprised when Chi’s would-be exploiter gets more than he bargained for? Again, you must be new … Yes, there's all sorts of fan service lurking just above the surface (not below. CLAMP is never that subtle.) Nothing graphic is shown, but if you aren't raising an eyebrow at least once every other page, well, you're probably not reading carefully enough.

As is typical of CLAMP titles, there's a certain deftness to the storytelling that makes even the most bizarre concepts seem perfectly reasonable, and the character designs are superb. Recommended!

[Tyler Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

This is so much deeper than I would have expected. Also hilarious. Also I wonder what is going on? Though my hubby has already spoiled it a bit but insures me there is more I am unaware of yet. And I wanna knoww. Why did that just happen? What is going on?! (don't wanna spoil)

Edit: I need to quit talking to him. Now I know more. Still enjoying it none-the-less but he doesn't understand I don't want all these spoilers and think's it's funny. Even so I am really enjoying this storyline!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha dejado con la miel en la boca,es decir, con un buen sabor de boca, queriendo leer el siguiente para ver que es lo que pasa.Plantea algún tema interesante, que puede hacer reflexionar.

[Angelika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 2021: This was GOOD! In this one the story definitely goes a bit faster! I found it sweet of Chi to find a job, but I still wished someone had come along with her to help her out... because we see where she ended up now... which also leads to consent and how even a persocom should have that. If she doesn't want to touch herself, then it is no. We also have a new picture book, while not the most interesting for me, I do like them as they belong to the story as a whole and give some good information on Chobits/what they are. We also learn some new things on Chobits, on Chi, on the landlady, and boy, I was just wishing for more because it was so exciting!
While I loved that Hideki had a girl interested in him (though I am still not 100% sold on it, I guess my mind still remembers details from the first times I read this manga, though cannot get all the details up), I did feel sorry for Chi.
Also loved seeing a certain relationship, though it also worries me.
I loved Chi's outfits, they are so CLAMP and I would love to wear most of them.
All in all, can't wait to re-read the next volume, I am excited! That ending!

[Nyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review will be for Chapters 13 - 24 in the Chobits: Omnibus, Vol. 1 omnibus edition.

Original Review - March 5th, 2013 (Rating: 4) :

The mystery deepens as we, the reader, learn that not everyone is who they say they are...

What is it about Chi? What is Chi? Even she doesn't know...yet.

Additional Thoughts - May 31st, 2015 (Rating 3.5) :

I hate to fuss, really, but Hideki's cluelessness, plus his constant state of panic and anxiety seems more aggravating this time around. Between his two friends I would have expected him to attempt to learn more about persocoms in general, and at the very least try to put Chi to good use, even if just as a simple computer. Everyone has told him that she needs to be taught yet he takes absolutely no initiative to try to teach her much more than how to say hello and goodbye correctly. I really hope he gets his act together soon.

On a positive note, the mystery of Chi, and those around her, is confusing, but quite interesting.

[Radwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is taking a new direction, it's getting more mysterious, and while I loved the cute tone in the first volume, I don't mind this!

I'm more interested in Chi, more than Hideki, I mean his classmate is more interesting than him, I wish they could give him sentences other than "Chi is so cute" or "Yumi is so cute"

Overall, I love the way Chi is learning bit by bit, and I love that little middle-school boy whose name I forgot, he's so cool and mysterious, and he's got a cooler backstory than Hideki (up till now.)

[Shannara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t quite as adorable as the first in the series, but it seems we’re digging deeper into the Chi mystery. I’m anxious to see where this is going. Still, Chi is just the cutest Persocom ever! I can’t help but adore her and so far, this series!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se desarrolla las relaciones entre secundarios a la par que se profundiza aún más en Chii, revelándose pequeñas cosas respecto a su pasado antes de ser formateada. También comienza a comportarse más como una humana, algo que no deja indiferente a Hideki.

Por otro lado, Hideki comienza a fantasear más con toda mujer que se le pone por delante (para variar xD) aunque queda claro con quienes no tiene oportunidad alguna.

[Vendea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zatím jedna z nejlepších mang, které jsem kdy četla. Depresivní, smutné... Chii...

4/5*

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my complete thoughts, please check out this reaction vlog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM47u...

[Ady Weasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

El misterio que rodea a Chii es lo que atrapa en esta historia.
Chii quiere apoyar a Hideki, pero se mete en una situación complicada que termina con un final inesperado para este tomo

[Tres Trece · Rating 3 out of 5]

ke está pasando?! no recuerdo nada, vi el anime hace 50 años 😭

[AP · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am in the process of rereading manga I haven't read in years. Now I remember why I never reread this one. Artstyle is alright... The content however never sat right with me the first time I read through the story and it definetly does not now as I have grown older. I'm not even an activist and generally couldn't care less about anything, but to know this series is written by women and what it entails throughout, baffles me at times.
So in short it didn't age well at all for me. Years ago it was a 2,5-3 because of the artwork, now I'll hand the grade I should have handed it back then as it does not at all sit well with me anymore. This series will be unhauled.

[Sam C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every other woman in this manga have dark hair. But not Chi, nope. She's a special snowflake. She's a Chobit. And despite all the women surrounding the virgin Hideki, he is bound to pick Chi, the one thing he can't have because she's a machine. But that's okay because this volume started with two chicks waking up on the same bed.

This is like wank material for teenage boys.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Hideki may not know much about computers, but he does know he is lucky when he finds one abandoned on the trash. Computers with human appearance are increasingly more common and people are starting to prefer their company over fellow humans. Hideki is sure he knows his computer, named Chi, isn't human, yet he too can't help but react to her very human behaviour.

Chobits was one of my first manga and so it definitely gets nostalgia points. This is also one of my favourite works when it comes to CLAMP's art - it's gorgeous throughout! Chi has a beautiful design and, whether programmed or not, has such a cute personality. Hideki is also a nice guy - I mean, he's perfectly average and there's nothing that really stands out, yet I can't help but like him for his kindness.

The plot, however, isn't quite my thing. Even when I read it the first time around, I remember thinking it was moderately boring at parts and the finale was lacklustre. The characters are all likeable and it's nice how the supporting cast is included in the story, but there are just some elements that feel very off about this story. There is a certain amount of fan service which doesn't suit the rest of the story. The fanservice is nowhere as extreme as you can get it in other manga, but it didn't match well with the philosophical take CLAMP was trying to pull off.

To make matters worse, the whole philosophy aspect was a bit of a miss too. The story raises many questions along the lines of spending too much time with computers rather than fellow humans or what it means to love an object, one you know doesn't have a soul. Somehow, I feel as though CLAMP threw common sense into the wind and went with the less rational choice; loving objects is perfectly natural and equal to loving a human. I'd honestly rather have had some conclusion of computers being able to develop human emotion rather than just it's ok to love something that's not real.

I didn't quite get the point of the ending, there seemed a lot of build-up and drama but then nothing big happened. But even though I've had a lot to complain, I'd be lying if I'd say that I don't like Chobits. The beautiful art, the nice characters and many individual scenes really make up for the so-so plot - and of course, nostalgia.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hideki diajak kencan oleh Yumi, gadis SMA yang bekerja di tempatnya melakukan paruh waktu. Yumi sangat imut dan sikapnya menyenangkan. Namun, setiap membicarakan persocon, Yumi selalu tampak sedih. Minoru Kokubunji mengingatkan Hideki agar tidak jatuh cinta pada persoconnya. Yuzuki, persocon Minoru rupanya dibuat berdasarkan kakak Minoru yang sudah meninggal. Karena itulah Minoru jadi terikat pada Yuzuki. Banyak pengguna persocon yang kemudian lebih suka bergaul dengan persoconnya daripada dengan sesama manusia.

Chitose Hibiya tampaknya mengetahui asal-usul Chii. Dia punya foto Chii dan satu Chobits yang mirip Chii di rumahnya. Dia bahkan memberikan gaun yang katanya adalah milik Chii. Dalam diri Chii ada program pelindung, sosoknya adalah Chii berpakaian hitam yang menyebutnya dirinya sebagai, "dirimu yang lain". Program itu terus mewanti-wanti Chii untuk menjaga diri sampai Chii menemukan orang yang mencintainya.

Ketika Hideki kehabisan uang, Chii memutuskan bekerja sambilan di tempat prostitusi lubang intip. Chii yang polos manut aja ketika pemilik tempat itu menyuruhnya membuka baju untuk disiarkan di internet. Minoru menyadari hal itu dari internet dan menghubungi Hideki. Hideki langsung mencari Chii dengan panik. Di tengah jalan, tak sengaja Hideki melihat Shinbo yang tampaknya punya hubungan spesial dengan Shimizu-sensei. Padahal, gurunya itu sudah menikah. Hideki lalu minta tolong Shinbo untuk menghubungi Minoru agar dia bisa menemukan Chii.

Di tempat lubang intip, pemilik tempat menyuruh Chii menyentuh bagian organ vitalnya. Padahal, di situlah tombol untuk mengaktifkan Chii. Jika tombol itu ditekan, Chii akan direstart. Chii lalu kabur dari tempat itu dan pergi ke tengah kota. Para persocon langsung berhenti berfungsi begitu melihat Chii sampai para pemiliknya jadi panik. Chii baru sadar begitu Hideki datang. Setelahnya baru semua persocon kembali berfungsi. Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi?

[Maddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of CLAMP. I really loved their double series Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and xxxHolic. I did read the first volume of Chobits in high school but it didn't interest me as much. I thought I'd give the series another try since the first two volumes were only a dollar each at the local used book store. Though I'm still a CLAMP fan, this series still really isn't for me.

The interesting dilemma of "how human are computers with A.I.?" is touched on by this series multiple times already just within the first two volumes. This question will likely better apply to our society the further our technology progresses. Even though this story was written in the early 2000s, this still feels like the not-so distant future.

Chi is different from the other "personacoms" which are computers that look mostly human. Her data is corrupted and hidden within her. She has a hidden version of herself that talks to her sometimes. This hidden version of Chi is going to drive the plot since she keeps making Chi freeze other personacoms. There is also a possibly shady connection between Chi and Hideki's landlady who may have built Chi or is somehow related to her backstory.

I sympathized with Yumi, the high school girl who was jealous of the personacoms. As far as I could tell, the personacoms were all made to look like "perfect, pretty" women or girls. They were in some cases "replacing" human women which was a little upsetting to say the least. I liked that the CLAMP team addressed how the rise of an A.I. computer woman would affect a girl's self-esteem. The story wasn't entirely male fantasy though there were many elements of it, no doubt.

I'd give these two books two and a half stars. I'd probably read more of the story if Chi and some of the other female characters weren't so sexualized. This isn't typical for CLAMP at all, honestly.

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful volume.

Hideki now has a whole range of women on his radar -
Super cute Chi his AI perscom,
Yumi, his bubbly co-worker and now girlfiend,
Ms Shmizu his teacher - who may just be having an affair with his best friend
Ms. Hibya his attractive landlady who is definitely more than she seems.

But is he really Chi's person just for her? and what exactly would that mean? can AI and human fall in love?

And then Chi goes out and finds a job as a peepshow stripper - just how will Hideki react?

This one really does play with some complex and dark issues for a seemingly cutsie shojo manga - It explores human/AI relationships in many different forms (Hideki/Chi, Minoru and the android he's created to be his dead sister, the sex industry and of course culture in general as humanity becomes obsessed with perscoms)

we also have the forbidden teacher/student affair

The nature of self as Chi meets her alter ego (why do you have the same face as me?/It's because I'm you) - this is pretty deep stuff - then there's the beautiful allegorical series of children's books - A city with no people, that explore some of the more philosophical ideas in the story.

And lastly a coming of age story as virgin Hideki unravels his feelings for the different women in his life.

Artwork is beautiful and I love the combination of a fairly simple surface plot with a lot of deeper meaning in the background.

[Lynn Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first manga I ever read: an 8-volume series by CLAMP titled Chobits. I loved the cute girl on the covers with her fancy dresses, but what was even more intriguing was the fact that she’s a computer! In these books, “persocoms” (humanoid computers) are the latest advancement in technology. When poor student Hideki finds Chi (the girl on the cover) tied up and abandoned in the trash, he takes her home, thinking he’s gotten himself a free piece of software. Only, when she boots up, he discovers that she’s not your average persocom – there’s much more to her than meets the eye.

What was so fascinating about this series is how it explored the relationship between human and technology. Computers and other pieces of tech are designed to make our lives easier, and the persocoms in this book are no exception. They function as store clerks, secretaries, personal assistants – all the functions of your laptop or smart phone, but with the ability to walk, talk, and interact like a person. Only it doesn’t end there. Throughout the series, there are examples of “relationships” between the persocoms and their humans. Whether or not an artificial life form can have feelings or fall in love is in fact the crux of this manga.

I have more to say on this manga (and others!) in my blog! Check it out here:
http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog...

[47Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume explores the relationship some owners have with androids, especially hot ones. Since human relationships are often complex and difficult to maintain, some people resorts to engaging with artificial counterparts. Even intimate relationships with other humans are ignored in favor of having an android confess its love for its owner. This is when androids become destructive to social life. Other than that, most of this volume is padded beyond belief and totally skippable.

Shimizu offers to share some clothes with Chi. She knows more about Chi's past and gives her a gratuitously-sexy outfit. What other purpose is there than apparently to mess with Hideki's mind right when he gets close to his coworker Yumi Omura who has always been attracted to him? Shimizu wants Chi to find someone to love her... it... just like 'he' wanted. Whoever he is. Hideki's delusional apartment manager Hibiya Chitose hopes the same. Are these people insane?

Hideki values a relationship with a human more that one with an android, which distresses Chi. Man, they grow up so fast! When did she have time to learn about jealousy? Hideki and Yumi hit it off while Chi tries to get a job. She finds one easily, apparently servicing glory holes. Not kidding. Hideki searches frantically for her, while she goes into some sort of advanced function where she unintentionally disables all the persocoms around her, flys into the air and lands in Hideki's arms.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hideki is adjusting to life with Chi, teaching her the ways of human life and trying to protect his ignorant persacom from making foolish decisions. Chi just wants Hideki to be happy so decides to get a job to help with Hideki's money issues...except she accidentally gets in over her head at a "shady business". We also learn that the landlady, Ms. Hibya has a mysterious connection to Chi, knowing who she is and dropping layered "hints" and reminders of her lost programming. Yumi, Hideki's cute coworker, gives him extra attention and even takes him on a "date". Both Yumi and Minoru warn Hideki not to fall in love with Chi, reminding him she may look human but she is actually a computer. The volume ends with Chi seeing another "her" and wigging out...causing all other persacoms to malfunction as she floats on a lamp post.
Although the majority of this series is just fluffy silliness, I feel the volumes are appropriately paced with enough nuggets of the mystery being revealed each volume to keep the major plot moving forward. Chi's development is still a bit slow and if I remember, changes rather abruptly. However, I feel that the characters are fun and the plot light enough to maintain an easy read. Reader beware, there are strong adult situations in this volume.

[Dominique "Eerie" Sobieska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chobits is one the most memorable mangas of the early 20th century. Exploring the relationships that can be formed between humans and persocons, Chobits takes you to the heart of mending a broken heart anew. Chi, as she is named by Hideki, a rebooted persocom learns to interact with the world like a newborn. She slowly learns words other of "chi" and cares for her master Hideki. Hideki comes to care for Chi as time passes and learns of her mysterious past, the shadowy figure and the circumstances that lead him to finding her.

Originally I read Chobits as a child and found the characters and the story cute, romantic and simple. Today as an adult, I found it much less compelling. The characters design flawed, the image of the ideal woman could or are perceived as and the a very simplistic dialogue with nothing to show for. I would recommend X/1999 instead if you are looking for something from CLAMP.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel expanded the story in a very interesting way and provided an important rule for the romance aspect, Chi is not allowed to touch or be touched down there. This is quite interesting since the series is clearly exploring a lot of the Japanese entertainment industry in the early 2000s, and appears to be slowly subverting expectations of what romance would entail.

There is also a build on the philosophic dilemma, can persocons replace humans? Minoru, Yumi, and Hideki are all saying no, with Minoru having personal experience in his attempt to replace his sister while Yumi believes humans are ready to replace women in particular with persocons as they are “more perfect” in every way. Still heavy on fan service scenes, but I can see that there’s a shift in the narrative focus, so I’m interested to see how this pans out.

[Seshastet · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW

En este segundo tomo de revelan muchas cosas, cosas súper importantes entorno a Chi

Pensé que saldría más adelante, pero no, en este segundo tomo se nos revela más información sobre el pasado de Chi, quién pudo ser su creador y se ve la conexión entre ella y la historia que ocurre dentro del propio manga

He de decir que este segundo toma está muchísimo mejor que el primero. No sólo por toda la información que se da y que hace que cada capítulo sea un plot twist, sino por qué también vemos cómo la trama de cada personaje se complica más, además de ver el potencial de Chi.

Por otro lado, la historia es tan entrañable. De verdad que Chi es super cuqui 😍

Muy contenta de haber empezado este manga la verdad

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

En definitiva (y más con el soundtrack de fondo) no se puede negar que la historia es medio hentai, y enfocada a hombres o a las fantasías de muchos hombres sobre la "esposa perfecta" (y el necesario debate y educación sobre el tema).

Pero también hay más en la historia, la profesora teniendo un romance con un alumno (medio parecido a Sakua, o tal vez lo que tanta popularidad evitó que saliera en esa historia); una chica que se siente fea, gorda o tonta con todo le bombardeo de "robots perfectos"; un pobre morro que se podría interpretar "sin futuro" por no tener dinero ni haber logrado estudiar una carrera. Y otros temas que se van desenvolviendo, y que llaman la atención para seguir la trama.