X/1999, Volume 11: Interlude

X [エックス] #11

by Clamp, Fred Burke

Series Description: A tale of dark poetry and prophecy foretelling the end of the world and the fate of the lone young man who holds Earth's destiny in his hands -- Kamui, heir to incredible psychic powers. Alone in the world, with no purpose except to protect his two dearest friends, Kamui finds himself sought by two opposing sets of occult forces. Three months have passed since Kamui learned of the sacrifice his mother made to save the Earth, an act that launched a period of peace. As he and other Dragons of Heaven attend school at Clamp Academy. Fuma is making friends of his own among the Dragons. Then, when Nataku attacks the Sunshine 60 building, two dramatic face-offs occur -- Kamui vs. Fuma and Subaru vs. Seiichiro!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Supernatural, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Dark

184 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

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

[Once upon a Dream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalmente la vera storia sembra essere iniziata e per ora mi sta abbastanza piacendo!

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume made me fall in love with Kamui all the more. He’s so fragile, so haunted, and yet he’s trying so hard to go on with his life; living at the CLAMP Academy with Sora, Arashi, and Yuzurhia (getting compliments on his cooking from Sora about what a great wife he’ll make), going to school, and even making friends with another schoolboy, Keiichi, who seems quite smitten with him. Keiichi is someone unaware of the upcoming battle for the Earth, yet he’s been struck by personal tragedy, losing family to the earthquakes, yet struggling to carry on with a cheerful, boisterous manner. One of the reasons he’s motivated to live again is Subaru who touched him deeply in his heart and understands his heart’s desire. It’s clear Subaru returns the feeling. Perhaps something more is blossoming from this connection, yet both Subaru and Kamui are driven by their wishes, their fixation upon one person. Fuma is Kamui’s other reason for carrying on, yet Fuma is now the Kamui of the Dragons of Heaven. While he can show kindness and does toward Nataku, something Yuto notes, Kanoe is terrified of him. This kindness can turn into tenderness when he’s facing Kamui himself, yet it’s mixed with a playful, intimate sadism. Kamui’s powers seem to be hampered when facing the other Kamui, perhaps because of his wish to save Fuma, to get Fuma back. Kamui’s torment at Fuma’s hands when they meet again becomes even more complicated when Subaru comes to rescue Kamui and Fuma turns into Seishiro, the person Subaru is fixated upon. The ending inspired more questions about just who and what Kamui of the Dragons of Earth is, along with general excitement about what’s going to happen next.

This is a fascinating volume, summarizing the rest of the volumes in a dream, starting out with a tentative breather where Kamui and the other Dragons of Heaven’s new daily life is explored while they wait for the Dragons of Earth to act…until the Dragons of Earth act and everything starts to pick up speed…fast. Breathtaking artwork transporting the characters to new setting and new scenarios drew me in, as the story picked up its pace, getting more exciting, leaving me staring at the last panels for a long time, eager to read what comes next.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Daniel Bosé · Rating 5 out of 5]

De estos 11 tomos que llevo, este se siente mucho más tranquilo (para bien) vemos una faceta y una cara distinta, tanto de Kamui, como de sus amigos y su entorno. Realmente fue lindo conocer este lado sin que se perdiera el hilo y permitiendo el avance de la historia.

Estoy disfrutando muchísimo.

[Don Federico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subaru, te quiero

[Iz Sanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subaru: "Pensar en una sola persona solo es posible con un corazón enfermo."

Suena de fondo "noo es amoooor, lo que tu sientees se llama obsesión"

[方 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a volume revolves around kamui and subaru? instant fav!!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

X Clamp #11


Tiga bulan berlalu sejak pedang suci di segel. Selama itu Kamui dan para naga langit hidup damai dalam perlindungan kompleks perguruan Clamp (ingat Camp Gakuen Tentaiden = Tiga Detektif Cilik Clamp yang ganteng?). Dalam kompleks itu Kamui menjalin pertemanan dan hidup dalam kondisi normal. Namun kedamaian tidak selamanya dapat dinikmati Kamui. Tiba-tiba kembali lagi terjadi gempa yang menghancurkan sebuah kekkai pelindung bumi. Apa tindakan yang dilakukan Kamui dan para naga langit?

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

La parte del chico del instituto, y su historia con el terremoto me partió el kokoro. Creo que eso no sale en el anime, y ahora se me hizo mejor que la historia general de la princesa, el futuro y los dragones.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the seven seals(good people) are trying to stop the "bad people."

[Ricardo Marín]

5 / 5