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X [エックス] #1-3
X (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1
X, the epic series from CLAMP, is now available in this deluxe collector’s edition. The pages have been recomposed in the original right-to-left reading order and restored to the highest quality. Each volume contains three of the original graphic novels, along with gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan!
Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. Taken from Tokyo by his mother when only a child, Kamui left behind his dearest friends—the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma—in the aftermath of a terrible incident that claimed their mother's life.
Returning to Tokyo after his mother's death, Kamui is a changed young man—moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. For he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.
Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. Taken from Tokyo by his mother when only a child, Kamui left behind his dearest friends—the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma—in the aftermath of a terrible incident that claimed their mother's life.
Returning to Tokyo after his mother's death, Kamui is a changed young man—moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. For he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.
584 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2011
27 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Clamp
1,194 books3,123 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 63 reviews
August 9, 2025
Reread, 2022: I stand by my original review. This is a little strange to reread, as I remember it for its highs and thus feel caught out by the grind of character introductions and early Kamui, who is more beloved but perhaps no more enjoyable on reread. But those highs--! I love this cast entire; I love rereading Tokyo Babylon to X in order, this time; I love that the unfinished ending is more exciting than disappointing--the bones of it are there, in Subaru as foil, and I'm happy to wonder about Kamui's wish and whether he can determine his own future. Love, love this series.
Original review, 2019: A teenager returns to his childhood home and friends in Tokyo to participate in a battle to determine the fate of the world. This is review of the series "entire", which is 4 stars for the first few volumes and a strong 5 stars by the end. Short version: This is slow to begin, to improves as it goes on to become both strong and particularly tailored to my personal tastes. That it stands unfinished is unfortunate but doesn't lessen the work, particularly because there is closure to a personal favorite and thematically central arc. This is a new favorite Clamp series; I loved & recommend it.
Long version: I read a few tankobon of this series when I was a teen, about the time it was canceled, and never bothered to "finish" it for that reason. This was a mistake! The start is slow, and not just because it's familiar to me--Kamui's early characterization is flat and irritating; numerous character introductions slow the pace, and the apocalyptic good vs evil setup is trite. But it improves dramatically once Fuma's role develops, because this changes everything, forcing dynamic, complex growth in Kamui and making ambiguous the clear divisions of the premise.
On some level, I don't mind that it took me so long to pick this back up, because reading new-to-me Clamp at this point is like discovering them all over again--and discovering how much I love and value their ethos. The shape of the character dynamics, the queer themes, the way that love and desire motivate so much without losing their ethical complexity, the intimacy and efficacy of touch--including violence, the cerebral distance that marks the most important relationships are all phenomenal, enthralling, and highly relevant to my interests.
I regret that the series was never finished, but it doesn't feel unsatisfying or unsubstantiated--in part because I trust that Clamp had a feel for the ending even if they were unable to realize it, but moreso because it runs as long as volume 16 and 17, the climax and resolution of the Subaru/Seishiro arc. It's ridiculously good, and their dynamic parallels Kamui's arc in such a way that it sketches the structure of the end of the series. It doesn't provide closure--whether Kamui adheres or deviates from Subaru's example would have been pivotal--but it's thought-provoking and significantly more than nothing.
Clamp's ornate art, here leaning away from cute and towards gothic/romantic, compliments the apocalyptic themes; there's a Neon Genesis Evangelion-vibe to the imagery: picked for drama more than external logic, but so effective. The humor is a restrained counterpoint to the violence. The large cast and stereotypical characters blossom into an affecting web of relationships which supersede some repetition and backtracking in the overarching plot--and when the plot threatens to stagnate, it's progressed by significant, bold character deaths. I've loved a lot of Clamp. They were formative to my adolescence and they still own my heart of hearts, because this is as good now as it would have been then.
Original review, 2019: A teenager returns to his childhood home and friends in Tokyo to participate in a battle to determine the fate of the world. This is review of the series "entire", which is 4 stars for the first few volumes and a strong 5 stars by the end. Short version: This is slow to begin, to improves as it goes on to become both strong and particularly tailored to my personal tastes. That it stands unfinished is unfortunate but doesn't lessen the work, particularly because there is closure to a personal favorite and thematically central arc. This is a new favorite Clamp series; I loved & recommend it.
Long version: I read a few tankobon of this series when I was a teen, about the time it was canceled, and never bothered to "finish" it for that reason. This was a mistake! The start is slow, and not just because it's familiar to me--Kamui's early characterization is flat and irritating; numerous character introductions slow the pace, and the apocalyptic good vs evil setup is trite. But it improves dramatically once Fuma's role develops, because this changes everything, forcing dynamic, complex growth in Kamui and making ambiguous the clear divisions of the premise.
On some level, I don't mind that it took me so long to pick this back up, because reading new-to-me Clamp at this point is like discovering them all over again--and discovering how much I love and value their ethos. The shape of the character dynamics, the queer themes, the way that love and desire motivate so much without losing their ethical complexity, the intimacy and efficacy of touch--including violence, the cerebral distance that marks the most important relationships are all phenomenal, enthralling, and highly relevant to my interests.
I regret that the series was never finished, but it doesn't feel unsatisfying or unsubstantiated--in part because I trust that Clamp had a feel for the ending even if they were unable to realize it, but moreso because it runs as long as volume 16 and 17, the climax and resolution of the Subaru/Seishiro arc. It's ridiculously good, and their dynamic parallels Kamui's arc in such a way that it sketches the structure of the end of the series. It doesn't provide closure--whether Kamui adheres or deviates from Subaru's example would have been pivotal--but it's thought-provoking and significantly more than nothing.
Clamp's ornate art, here leaning away from cute and towards gothic/romantic, compliments the apocalyptic themes; there's a Neon Genesis Evangelion-vibe to the imagery: picked for drama more than external logic, but so effective. The humor is a restrained counterpoint to the violence. The large cast and stereotypical characters blossom into an affecting web of relationships which supersede some repetition and backtracking in the overarching plot--and when the plot threatens to stagnate, it's progressed by significant, bold character deaths. I've loved a lot of Clamp. They were formative to my adolescence and they still own my heart of hearts, because this is as good now as it would have been then.
March 2, 2012
Reason for Reading: The story sounded fantastic; I've never read a series by Clamp before and have wanted to, plus I love these omnibus editions of manga that viz is putting out.
Fantastic art! Especially since this is "old school" manga art to me (I'm a fairly recent reader of the medium). Just gorgeous details and expressive faces. Each volume inside starts with several full colour pages including the original cover art work. Another thing I love (that slightly surprised me for the early '90s art) is that the boys/men look like guys. I really like this in manga. They all have short hair and there is no mistaking the boys from the girls, who are extremely feminine. I also enjoyed the realistic eye shapes, instead of the constant round eyes.
As to the story, not quite so fantastic, but interesting. My main problem is that it is very confusing and I am very glad I got to start with the first three volumes. If I'd only read volume one, I wouldn't have been very excited to go any further as it left me quite dazed. These first three volumes, slowly let the story out of the bag. All the characters, minus Kotori, know to some extent what is going on. Some have full knowledge, others only a brief understanding, but the reader knows nothing until it is revealed by some character on the page. This makes for a mysterious, yet baffling read. And it does take the three entire volumes for the reader to get a grip on what is happening. The ending has left me hanging and my interest piqued but right now, I'm not ready to say I'm hooked. I am interested but it is going to take the next volume for me to decide if this is a series I'll be staying with. I can say with certainty that I am fully intrigued by all the characters at this point and do look forward to seeing if Vol. 2 (which will include the original volumes 4-6) will hook me on this possibly fascinating series.
Fantastic art! Especially since this is "old school" manga art to me (I'm a fairly recent reader of the medium). Just gorgeous details and expressive faces. Each volume inside starts with several full colour pages including the original cover art work. Another thing I love (that slightly surprised me for the early '90s art) is that the boys/men look like guys. I really like this in manga. They all have short hair and there is no mistaking the boys from the girls, who are extremely feminine. I also enjoyed the realistic eye shapes, instead of the constant round eyes.
As to the story, not quite so fantastic, but interesting. My main problem is that it is very confusing and I am very glad I got to start with the first three volumes. If I'd only read volume one, I wouldn't have been very excited to go any further as it left me quite dazed. These first three volumes, slowly let the story out of the bag. All the characters, minus Kotori, know to some extent what is going on. Some have full knowledge, others only a brief understanding, but the reader knows nothing until it is revealed by some character on the page. This makes for a mysterious, yet baffling read. And it does take the three entire volumes for the reader to get a grip on what is happening. The ending has left me hanging and my interest piqued but right now, I'm not ready to say I'm hooked. I am interested but it is going to take the next volume for me to decide if this is a series I'll be staying with. I can say with certainty that I am fully intrigued by all the characters at this point and do look forward to seeing if Vol. 2 (which will include the original volumes 4-6) will hook me on this possibly fascinating series.
September 24, 2021
This is a heavily nostalgic reread. X was my CLAMP intro and first heartbreak. Still love it.
December 3, 2023
Snapshot review: such a delicious nostalgia hit for me. i remember a high school friend being obsessed with clamp which led to my introduction to this series, but i never read the beginning. everything is still in the setup phase even three volumes in. and! i had no idea kamui was such a little edge lord brat, lol.
February 6, 2019
I have complicated feelings about this CLAMP production, and the boys involved.
the girls are annoying, except Lady Arashi.
the boys. I don't even know where to start, but my affection for dark-haired, dark-minded, brooding boys is well-fed by this story and then some. the violence is off the hook even for CLAMP, and a few panels actually shocked me because even after watching some of the anime, I wasn't quite prepared for it, and the manga is actually more brutal.
and in the midst of the blood, butchery, and oh-so-intense drama, there are these gems:
"Where are you?"
"Still in Ikebukuro." (yeah, I immediately thought of Durarara)
"Don't have much of a sense of humor, do ya? You'd never make it in Osaka." (this one speaks for itself)
"I figured you worked at a host club or somethin." (literally laughing out loud)
the girls are annoying, except Lady Arashi.
the boys. I don't even know where to start, but my affection for dark-haired, dark-minded, brooding boys is well-fed by this story and then some. the violence is off the hook even for CLAMP, and a few panels actually shocked me because even after watching some of the anime, I wasn't quite prepared for it, and the manga is actually more brutal.
and in the midst of the blood, butchery, and oh-so-intense drama, there are these gems:
"Where are you?"
"Still in Ikebukuro." (yeah, I immediately thought of Durarara)
"Don't have much of a sense of humor, do ya? You'd never make it in Osaka." (this one speaks for itself)
"I figured you worked at a host club or somethin." (literally laughing out loud)
Read
December 17, 2019Listen I can't give this a star rating because I loved CLAMP as a teenager and I still do so like any of their stuff just has a place in my heart.
Also god I really do LOVE how they draw hair.
Also god I really do LOVE how they draw hair.
March 30, 2021
They say that the four women that made up the manga artist collective CLAMP - Satsuki Igarashi, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Nanase Ohkawa - churned out 90 finished pages of art and story each week. Aside from that being an astonishing volume of work, even for an artists’ group, the art of X has a breathless feel to it, as if the visual and narrative pacing of the manga is mirroring the frantic weekly press deadlines faced by Japanese mangaka.
Reading this is the closest I've come to feeling the action-packed rush of shonen-inspired anime in manga form. Double page spreads bulge, contort, and explode off the pages as if the end of the earth can be avoided if only the drawings can break free into reality. (DON’T get the e-version eg for Kindle - it will kill the experience). The drawings themselves are raw, rough and gloriously elegant all at once. Don't expect the refined, beautiful character drawings you find in some of today's manga. Sometimes, in X, the characters feel like they've been drawn with the hacking strokes of an ax.
But, oh, stop and look for a moment. Swirling loops, visceral textures, implied lines of slashing diagonals swoop through each two-page spread, creating an all at once cinematic experience. Clearly these artists know what they are doing - there's draftsmanship enough to spare in the torqued perspectives and the dreamscapes with their complex rhythms of positive-negative reversals - but the sum total has the feeling of a brutalist cris-de-coeur.
As for the story and characters: Tortured hero must face the forces allied to bring the end of days, but is the hero actually carrying the greatest threat to life and those he cares for in his damaged psyche? There's viscous, gory death, dystopian cityscapes, angst-ridden dreams, and mysterious strangers throughout.
This is only volume 1, containing 3 “seasons” of storytelling. There's something like a bazillion more volumes to go. Not sure if I'll get through the entire series, but I’ll likely try the next few volumes soon. I've read plenty of mangas - and plenty of novels, for that matter - that haven't given me the visceral experience, the driving, gotta-turn-the-page-and-turn-off-my-inner-critic-and-just-feel that I got from this remarkable work.
It's even more remarkable that I don't feel very attached to any of the characters nor am I invested in the story. By contrast, I’m passionate about Yuko Fumino’s I Hear The Sunspot series, from characters to plot to art. (Don't get me started on Fumino’s work - I won't stop). As for X? Let the world explode, the heroes die, I don't much care. Plot and characters are all tropey ciphers. But what an incredibly entertaining visual experience. That alone is worth the cost of the print edition.
Reading this is the closest I've come to feeling the action-packed rush of shonen-inspired anime in manga form. Double page spreads bulge, contort, and explode off the pages as if the end of the earth can be avoided if only the drawings can break free into reality. (DON’T get the e-version eg for Kindle - it will kill the experience). The drawings themselves are raw, rough and gloriously elegant all at once. Don't expect the refined, beautiful character drawings you find in some of today's manga. Sometimes, in X, the characters feel like they've been drawn with the hacking strokes of an ax.
But, oh, stop and look for a moment. Swirling loops, visceral textures, implied lines of slashing diagonals swoop through each two-page spread, creating an all at once cinematic experience. Clearly these artists know what they are doing - there's draftsmanship enough to spare in the torqued perspectives and the dreamscapes with their complex rhythms of positive-negative reversals - but the sum total has the feeling of a brutalist cris-de-coeur.
As for the story and characters: Tortured hero must face the forces allied to bring the end of days, but is the hero actually carrying the greatest threat to life and those he cares for in his damaged psyche? There's viscous, gory death, dystopian cityscapes, angst-ridden dreams, and mysterious strangers throughout.
This is only volume 1, containing 3 “seasons” of storytelling. There's something like a bazillion more volumes to go. Not sure if I'll get through the entire series, but I’ll likely try the next few volumes soon. I've read plenty of mangas - and plenty of novels, for that matter - that haven't given me the visceral experience, the driving, gotta-turn-the-page-and-turn-off-my-inner-critic-and-just-feel that I got from this remarkable work.
It's even more remarkable that I don't feel very attached to any of the characters nor am I invested in the story. By contrast, I’m passionate about Yuko Fumino’s I Hear The Sunspot series, from characters to plot to art. (Don't get me started on Fumino’s work - I won't stop). As for X? Let the world explode, the heroes die, I don't much care. Plot and characters are all tropey ciphers. But what an incredibly entertaining visual experience. That alone is worth the cost of the print edition.
December 8, 2022
TW/CW:blood and gore, graphic violence, death, body horror, nudity
This is my first CLAMP, and it did not disappoint! I love the retro 1990s aesthetic. The composition is reminiscent of Akira, although both have their own unique signature art. I guess because the apocalyptic setting draws similarities. Even Princess Hinoto reminds me of Lady Miyako from Akira, who also has psychic powers. There’s religious and mythological symbolism in here too. I also love that for each volume, there’s a major arcana tarot card depicting the characters. So far, we have The Magician, The High Priestess and The Empress. I love all of the coloured art. They’re absolutely breathtaking!!
What’s more, I love how the magic is portrayed especially the Kekkai. Plus, all of the characters seem so cool!! My current favourite is Sogawa. Only three out of seven seals and angels have been revealed so far. I think there’s a meaning behind number 7 in tarot. Maybe!!! Or am I overthinking it??? I sense a big cast for this series! I can’t wait to continue. This omnibus covers volumes 1–3. Let’s hope that I can find the other volumes. I got this one from a secondhand bookstore. :’)
This is my first CLAMP, and it did not disappoint! I love the retro 1990s aesthetic. The composition is reminiscent of Akira, although both have their own unique signature art. I guess because the apocalyptic setting draws similarities. Even Princess Hinoto reminds me of Lady Miyako from Akira, who also has psychic powers. There’s religious and mythological symbolism in here too. I also love that for each volume, there’s a major arcana tarot card depicting the characters. So far, we have The Magician, The High Priestess and The Empress. I love all of the coloured art. They’re absolutely breathtaking!!
What’s more, I love how the magic is portrayed especially the Kekkai. Plus, all of the characters seem so cool!! My current favourite is Sogawa. Only three out of seven seals and angels have been revealed so far. I think there’s a meaning behind number 7 in tarot. Maybe!!! Or am I overthinking it??? I sense a big cast for this series! I can’t wait to continue. This omnibus covers volumes 1–3. Let’s hope that I can find the other volumes. I got this one from a secondhand bookstore. :’)
August 17, 2015
God. I used to love this manga. I unexpectedly got it for my birthday this year and I devoured this omnibus of the first 3 volumes in hours. The beginning is a little slow, and I forgot how annoying Kamui is (does he get better? I don't even remember). I also don't like the art as much as it is in Cardcaptor Sakura. It's heavier here, and kind of dated... everything about it constantly reminds you it was made in 1993. Which is appropriate, I suppose, seeing as the story revolves around the year 1999. Anyway I'm going to keep going for sure. Oh CLAMP.
March 12, 2016
I watched the anime based on this manga years ago and I loved it. Always wanted to read the original manga though as I was told that the storyline is more paced and we get to know the characters better.
It does feel like that and I am very excited to revisit the world and the characters again.
Highly recommend to people who love gorgeous manga art and fantasy/end of the world/the chosen one stories.
It does feel like that and I am very excited to revisit the world and the characters again.
Highly recommend to people who love gorgeous manga art and fantasy/end of the world/the chosen one stories.
July 5, 2016
. . . okay. Why did I like this so much, after spending the past ten years completely making fun of this series? I'm shocked. More later, including an analysis (?!). I had the same revelation when I watched the Tokyo Babylon OAV again a couple of years ago and found that I really enjoyed it. There's . . . strangely a lot about man's relationship with nature and modernity, as well as like . . . stuff about Japanese politics.
This is weird. Stop making me feel weird, X.
This is weird. Stop making me feel weird, X.
December 5, 2011
I'd forgotten how much of a brat Kamui is.
July 12, 2018
Read 07/07
This is a reread. I read this series... oh god, how long has it been? Over a decade at least. I read it online from some sketchy site to get the art in it's original, un-mirrored state. I read this after Tokyo Babylon (and other CLAMP, but that's less relevant) knowing that there were reoccurring characters. I read it when I was so deep in fandom, that I have memorized fanfic for this series. I've memorized original fiction that was very loosely based on X fanfic, way before Meyer dreamed of Edward Cullen and James wrote bad BDSM. Like, this is deep cut, formative stuff here. X/1999 is one my OG loves.
What prompted this reread was Anime Expo. Elvis gave me a gift, but he also made me not want to read ANY books. I just wanted manga. I looked on my shelf and of course, X/1999 called to me. I cried when Cindy got me the first three (fully restored, un-mirrored, with color art) bind ups btw, because this series is so much to me. Yet, it's been so long since I read X/1999. I had to re-read it, at least volume one, I thought.
SO. X/1999 is about the world ending in 1999, and the Japanese teenager Kamui, with a destiny unknown, but quality revealed to be twined with the end of the world, and at least fourteen others who are trying to save Tokyo, the linchpin holding the planet together, or destroy it and end humanity once and for all. It's also about these character'a relationships with each other, fate v free will, man v earth, and losing eyes.
Because CLAMP.
Re-reading this a single, entity, apart from what I know of the future, I think it's a solid, explosive beginning. The bind up has three volumes in one, and I think that's for the best. It keeps you reading, and hooks you in for more of the series.
We meet some of my favorites, Sorata, and Arashi. Some of my favorite scenes. (Yuuto on the tree, for example.) Upon the re-read I also saw things that I missed, like how significant it is that all the players in the end of the world are from separate temples. I caught world building about the kekkai, and how they work. I appreciated other characters more, like Sorata. I feel like my last memories of X/1999 love were so focused on S&S that I needed to remember to appreciate Sorata. I also caught on to things about the prophecies and foreshadowing (which is blatant, but I mean for little things.)
I forgot how long into the series the TB ties come in. Like, they aren't in this bind up like, at all.
Excitement is high.
This is a reread. I read this series... oh god, how long has it been? Over a decade at least. I read it online from some sketchy site to get the art in it's original, un-mirrored state. I read this after Tokyo Babylon (and other CLAMP, but that's less relevant) knowing that there were reoccurring characters. I read it when I was so deep in fandom, that I have memorized fanfic for this series. I've memorized original fiction that was very loosely based on X fanfic, way before Meyer dreamed of Edward Cullen and James wrote bad BDSM. Like, this is deep cut, formative stuff here. X/1999 is one my OG loves.
What prompted this reread was Anime Expo. Elvis gave me a gift, but he also made me not want to read ANY books. I just wanted manga. I looked on my shelf and of course, X/1999 called to me. I cried when Cindy got me the first three (fully restored, un-mirrored, with color art) bind ups btw, because this series is so much to me. Yet, it's been so long since I read X/1999. I had to re-read it, at least volume one, I thought.
SO. X/1999 is about the world ending in 1999, and the Japanese teenager Kamui, with a destiny unknown, but quality revealed to be twined with the end of the world, and at least fourteen others who are trying to save Tokyo, the linchpin holding the planet together, or destroy it and end humanity once and for all. It's also about these character'a relationships with each other, fate v free will, man v earth, and losing eyes.
Because CLAMP.
Re-reading this a single, entity, apart from what I know of the future, I think it's a solid, explosive beginning. The bind up has three volumes in one, and I think that's for the best. It keeps you reading, and hooks you in for more of the series.
We meet some of my favorites, Sorata, and Arashi. Some of my favorite scenes. (Yuuto on the tree, for example.) Upon the re-read I also saw things that I missed, like how significant it is that all the players in the end of the world are from separate temples. I caught world building about the kekkai, and how they work. I appreciated other characters more, like Sorata. I feel like my last memories of X/1999 love were so focused on S&S that I needed to remember to appreciate Sorata. I also caught on to things about the prophecies and foreshadowing (which is blatant, but I mean for little things.)
I forgot how long into the series the TB ties come in. Like, they aren't in this bind up like, at all.
Excitement is high.
November 28, 2019
I have always loved this series. I watched episode 0 of the anime approximately 50 times, and I watched the movie on repeat as well.
I put off reading the manga in the hopes that it would one day be finished, but I finally just gave up.
I don't understand why CLAMP won't finish this. It's close to the end, and a very good and fast paced story. But I guess it's not my call, no matter how much I wish it would get a proper ending.
I love the characters in this. Kamui starts off as a little bitch but is actually just a really messed up kid who is super sweet.
The Dragons of Heaven are a way better group as a whole. Arashi and Sorata deserve 8000 happy endings, I love them. Sorata on his own is also just fantastic. He's a great character. Yuzuriha is a sweetie. I love Karen, and Aoki is just very cheerful.
Subaru has had his own series and at least his past with Seishiro was finalized, even if the series as a whole wasn't.
The Dragons of Earth...
Eh.
Fuma as a whole I want to like more. But he's just kind of either boring as normal Fuma, or a giant bitch as Kamui. And I hate his little glasses.
Kusanagi is okay, and so is Kakyo I guess.
Nataku is just kind of there. I probably dislike him more than I like him.
Yuto however is a treasure. And I love Seishiro as well.
But Satsuki I outright hate. Can't stand her.
Every time she's on a page I just get angry.
Story wise. It's very fast paced. I was surprised given CLAMP doesn't always have super fast pacing in their longer series. But it's well done and fitting for the plot. I enjoyed it. It does get repetitive, especially with Kotori saying the same line on repeat. And "Kamui I am your..." x200.
Maybe takes the shock value out since I already knew the outcome. But very repetitive. I feel like if they didn't cover the same portion five times over maybe the series could have been finished. 😂
The art is great. CLAMP has always had a tendency to make shoulders stick out 20 feet, but it's not as distracting in X like it is in some of their older series.
They just work well as a group and nothing is ever sloppy or rushed. It's very well done, as per usual.
I just really, really wish this series would get the ending it deserves. But for now I think it's just safe to say that dream should stay dead. :(
I put off reading the manga in the hopes that it would one day be finished, but I finally just gave up.
I don't understand why CLAMP won't finish this. It's close to the end, and a very good and fast paced story. But I guess it's not my call, no matter how much I wish it would get a proper ending.
I love the characters in this. Kamui starts off as a little bitch but is actually just a really messed up kid who is super sweet.
The Dragons of Heaven are a way better group as a whole. Arashi and Sorata deserve 8000 happy endings, I love them. Sorata on his own is also just fantastic. He's a great character. Yuzuriha is a sweetie. I love Karen, and Aoki is just very cheerful.
Subaru has had his own series and at least his past with Seishiro was finalized, even if the series as a whole wasn't.
The Dragons of Earth...
Eh.
Fuma as a whole I want to like more. But he's just kind of either boring as normal Fuma, or a giant bitch as Kamui. And I hate his little glasses.
Kusanagi is okay, and so is Kakyo I guess.
Nataku is just kind of there. I probably dislike him more than I like him.
Yuto however is a treasure. And I love Seishiro as well.
But Satsuki I outright hate. Can't stand her.
Every time she's on a page I just get angry.
Story wise. It's very fast paced. I was surprised given CLAMP doesn't always have super fast pacing in their longer series. But it's well done and fitting for the plot. I enjoyed it. It does get repetitive, especially with Kotori saying the same line on repeat. And "Kamui I am your..." x200.
Maybe takes the shock value out since I already knew the outcome. But very repetitive. I feel like if they didn't cover the same portion five times over maybe the series could have been finished. 😂
The art is great. CLAMP has always had a tendency to make shoulders stick out 20 feet, but it's not as distracting in X like it is in some of their older series.
They just work well as a group and nothing is ever sloppy or rushed. It's very well done, as per usual.
I just really, really wish this series would get the ending it deserves. But for now I think it's just safe to say that dream should stay dead. :(
April 6, 2021
This book and I had kind of a rough start.
When I first got it, I immediately opened it to admire CLAMP's artwork and bask in the nostalgia of getting to re-read the (still unfinished) series...
Only for the book to instantly split into three pieces in my hands. The cover completely separated and I had the first half of the book in one hand and the last half of it in the other hand, completely bewildered as to what just happened.
In my defense, I don't open the books all the way, like any book obsessed person I like keeping my books pristine, spine included. So the mere act of opening it slightly, broke it.
Not the best way to convince me to continue this $20-a-book series on my own dime.
I had to exchange it for a new one and when it came in I refused to open the package for a solid two weeks, convinced as soon as I touched it would fall apart again and debating if I should return it outright and not bother or give it another shot.
Obviously, I ended up giving in and reading it, thankfully it didn't fall apart the second time...but still, buyer beware the binding is cheaper than the paper inside it.
The story itself is exactly what I remember it, a pretty typical CLAMP story starring: a selfish guy (who is secretly sensitive) and a pretty, selfless girl who is going to suffer a terrible fate unless she's saved by the selfish guy. It starts off pretty confusing but clears itself up along the way...yada yada yada. Typical CLAMP.
The most interesting aspect of this story is the dynamic cluster of background characters on both the "good" and the "bad" side. They are generally not what you expect (like a happy go lucky Osakan Buddhist Priest or a slightly airheaded government employee). I remember they pretty much carried the series before it was cancelled, not the main character.
Anyway, long story short: worth a read but you can't judge the (unfinished) series by the first book. The entire three volumes is basically a set up, it doesn't start picking up until later.
Just mind the shoddy binding work. Or you might find yourself with three separate volumes instead of an omnibus.
When I first got it, I immediately opened it to admire CLAMP's artwork and bask in the nostalgia of getting to re-read the (still unfinished) series...
Only for the book to instantly split into three pieces in my hands. The cover completely separated and I had the first half of the book in one hand and the last half of it in the other hand, completely bewildered as to what just happened.
In my defense, I don't open the books all the way, like any book obsessed person I like keeping my books pristine, spine included. So the mere act of opening it slightly, broke it.
Not the best way to convince me to continue this $20-a-book series on my own dime.
I had to exchange it for a new one and when it came in I refused to open the package for a solid two weeks, convinced as soon as I touched it would fall apart again and debating if I should return it outright and not bother or give it another shot.
Obviously, I ended up giving in and reading it, thankfully it didn't fall apart the second time...but still, buyer beware the binding is cheaper than the paper inside it.
The story itself is exactly what I remember it, a pretty typical CLAMP story starring: a selfish guy (who is secretly sensitive) and a pretty, selfless girl who is going to suffer a terrible fate unless she's saved by the selfish guy. It starts off pretty confusing but clears itself up along the way...yada yada yada. Typical CLAMP.
The most interesting aspect of this story is the dynamic cluster of background characters on both the "good" and the "bad" side. They are generally not what you expect (like a happy go lucky Osakan Buddhist Priest or a slightly airheaded government employee). I remember they pretty much carried the series before it was cancelled, not the main character.
Anyway, long story short: worth a read but you can't judge the (unfinished) series by the first book. The entire three volumes is basically a set up, it doesn't start picking up until later.
Just mind the shoddy binding work. Or you might find yourself with three separate volumes instead of an omnibus.
May 2, 2021
-I’m happy that I read the omnibus of this series because the third volume created a really good cliffhanger to end on.
-The way this manga is done is like a freakin masterclass in how to create a mange. The pacing is great and every moment has a moment to breathe. Every panel is extremely detailed and I can only imagine the amount of time that probably went into every drawing. I also enjoyed how a lot of moments were drawn just aesthetically told the story. Like there would be a large image of Kamui with angel wings being held by his mother or the little girl who could see the future and destiny, would be holding the world and weeping (I’m just trying to remember pictures, this isn’t word for word what they were), we don’t see that so often in many manga, everything is literal and a picture of reality and I just thought that this was a cool creative way to tell a story and deliver a plot point. I’m always so impressed by the amount of detail CLAMP can do in a panel and there’s so much happening but it never feels cluttered or unclear. This is just a beautiful piece of artwork and as I said a masterclass in how to design a manga.
-I thought the beginning was really funny when the neighbourhood is talking about Kotori and Fuma and they are talking about what great kids they are and that if, I remember correctly, Fuma saved someone from drowning like a week ago??? Lol
-I definitely was into shipping Fuma/Kamui but then I was like are they cousins? I really thought they were calling Kamui’s mom Aunt because they were all so close. ALSO they can’t be cousins cause then Kamui would have blood relations??? Am I stupid lol
-This definitely feels like a series I’ll probably need to read the next volume sooner than later before I forget the details.
-The way this manga is done is like a freakin masterclass in how to create a mange. The pacing is great and every moment has a moment to breathe. Every panel is extremely detailed and I can only imagine the amount of time that probably went into every drawing. I also enjoyed how a lot of moments were drawn just aesthetically told the story. Like there would be a large image of Kamui with angel wings being held by his mother or the little girl who could see the future and destiny, would be holding the world and weeping (I’m just trying to remember pictures, this isn’t word for word what they were), we don’t see that so often in many manga, everything is literal and a picture of reality and I just thought that this was a cool creative way to tell a story and deliver a plot point. I’m always so impressed by the amount of detail CLAMP can do in a panel and there’s so much happening but it never feels cluttered or unclear. This is just a beautiful piece of artwork and as I said a masterclass in how to design a manga.
-I thought the beginning was really funny when the neighbourhood is talking about Kotori and Fuma and they are talking about what great kids they are and that if, I remember correctly, Fuma saved someone from drowning like a week ago??? Lol
-I definitely was into shipping Fuma/Kamui but then I was like are they cousins? I really thought they were calling Kamui’s mom Aunt because they were all so close. ALSO they can’t be cousins cause then Kamui would have blood relations??? Am I stupid lol
-This definitely feels like a series I’ll probably need to read the next volume sooner than later before I forget the details.
May 23, 2025
Having read many of CLAMP’s works but not this one, I can see how this is the blueprint for many of the tropes and character archetypes of their future works. The art is stunning, and has more gore than I expected. It really leans into the apocalyptic vibes in that way! The action scenes are very cool to see, as we don’t get as many of them anymore in their work. The pacing seemed a bit slow this first volume, and kind of repetitive to me. I’ll be curious how it does or does not speed up/diversify in future volumes. I haven’t really attached to any of the characters yet, but there are some good ones for sure.
One gripe I have for this edition is the end note context: reading this on a digital version means waiting until the very end of 3 volumes to get translation/cultural notes. I especially wish they’d added the comments on the illustrations with them - squinting at the tiny thumbnails to see what was said about them was not an enjoyable way to get context on this gorgeous art.
One gripe I have for this edition is the end note context: reading this on a digital version means waiting until the very end of 3 volumes to get translation/cultural notes. I especially wish they’d added the comments on the illustrations with them - squinting at the tiny thumbnails to see what was said about them was not an enjoyable way to get context on this gorgeous art.
April 30, 2025
Para empezar conocer a Kamui y a sus seres queridos es lo más dramático de este inicio del manga. Tengo estos tres primeros tomos en separado, y las contra portadas tienen a las oraculos de los sueños y a kamui respectivamente. Que forma tan intensa de empezar una historia. si no fuera por que las CLAMP me garantizan ratos increíbles y universos con probabilidades de cruces, -aunque me parece que en este no se irá más lejos que el guiño a SCC -lo hubiera requetedejao, o tal vez no... Solo la forma en su narrativa visual -si no fuera aficionada -me haría pensar en continuar; además no es nada superficial y tienen la sutileza de ser puntualísimas en los hechos que marcan a los íntimos de Kamui, lo que nos abre la puerta para dejarnos conocer sus personalidades un poco más. Entonces ya no se trata solo del fin del mundo en las manos de un niño de preparatoria.
June 27, 2018
Oh, my childhood in book form. I was obsessed with X/1999 when I was a teen though I never read the entire manga given how expensive they were way back when. But hey, now my library has them all so it's time to binge read this nostalgic series filled with angsty teens with really pointy chins. X is about the end of the world, and filled with Clamp's usual problematic relationships. It's a teenagers dream read with lots of pretty people and FEELINGS. Plus fight scenes and an overly dramatic plot! The manga adds depth to the story that neither the anime or movie quite capture. Despite its age (and Clamp's... quirks), it still holds up as a dramatic apocalyptic read with teenagers. It's kinda ridiculous, but what else do you expect from Clamp?
March 2, 2024
¿Que si me gusta empezar un manga que aún no tiene final y que posiblemente nunca lo tenga? Bueno... sí. Pero en mi defensa es un clásico de CLAMP y siempre escuche hablar mucho de esta historia.
La verdad es que CLAMP tiene unas ideas más que interesantes (y más teniendo en cuenta que se publicó por primera vez 1992). Es un poco confuso al comienzo porque seguramente ellas ya tienen la idea de hacia donde quieren ir y cómo hacerlo y explicarnos lo que pasa, pero no sucede muy rápidamente esta explicación entonces uno queda como un poco perdido. Pero conociéndolas, se que muchas de las incógnitas que tengo se irán desarrollando más adelante.
Visiones, un apocalipsis, el elegido... personajes más que complejos y un arte maravilloso. Es CLAMP.
La verdad es que CLAMP tiene unas ideas más que interesantes (y más teniendo en cuenta que se publicó por primera vez 1992). Es un poco confuso al comienzo porque seguramente ellas ya tienen la idea de hacia donde quieren ir y cómo hacerlo y explicarnos lo que pasa, pero no sucede muy rápidamente esta explicación entonces uno queda como un poco perdido. Pero conociéndolas, se que muchas de las incógnitas que tengo se irán desarrollando más adelante.
Visiones, un apocalipsis, el elegido... personajes más que complejos y un arte maravilloso. Es CLAMP.
November 16, 2024
3.5 star read for me.
I decided to try to read this again with the hopes of getting past the first volume which thanks to this 3-1, mission accomplished.
It's been years since I last picked up "X" and I might have been too young to understand it then because just rereading these last pages made more sense to me now. I've read other of Clamp's work and now know that there's going to be a slow build up, lots of characters thrown at me from the start and beautiful art, which this one has but there's also within it's pages the looks of an intricate story, one steeped in blood and death so I am definitely intrigued to see how the rest plays out.
I decided to try to read this again with the hopes of getting past the first volume which thanks to this 3-1, mission accomplished.
It's been years since I last picked up "X" and I might have been too young to understand it then because just rereading these last pages made more sense to me now. I've read other of Clamp's work and now know that there's going to be a slow build up, lots of characters thrown at me from the start and beautiful art, which this one has but there's also within it's pages the looks of an intricate story, one steeped in blood and death so I am definitely intrigued to see how the rest plays out.
October 25, 2017
Ammetto che per i primi volumi potrebbe sembrare che abbiate sbagliato titolo, convinti di aver letto di una trama apocalittica e vi siete ritrovati in mano tutt'altro .___. ed effettivamente i primi volumi sono decisamente soporiferi e particolarmente noiosi anche per me ^^""
Difatti si parte con un bel prologo dove si presentano un pò tutti, si distinguono gli schieramenti e scelte di alcuni; la trama vera e propria partirà molto lentamente come ho già accennato dopo almeno una decina di volumi.
Seppure inconclusa da decenni è una serie che per me merita tutte le stelle del firmamento!
Difatti si parte con un bel prologo dove si presentano un pò tutti, si distinguono gli schieramenti e scelte di alcuni; la trama vera e propria partirà molto lentamente come ho già accennato dopo almeno una decina di volumi.
Seppure inconclusa da decenni è una serie che per me merita tutte le stelle del firmamento!
Read
June 9, 2022Omnibus 1: [2.5 stars]
Omnibus 2 [2 stars]
Omnibus 3: [5 stars]
Omnibus 4: [∞ stars]
The only thing that saved the first 6 volumes is the art tbh. They were slow and repetitive to a painful degree. But as CLAMP always does, once the second act kicked off, it kicked off spectacularly.
Although truthfully, half of the reason why I love X so much lies in my love for Tokyo Babylon (the prequel to X/1999)
Omnibus 2 [2 stars]
Omnibus 3: [5 stars]
Omnibus 4: [∞ stars]
The only thing that saved the first 6 volumes is the art tbh. They were slow and repetitive to a painful degree. But as CLAMP always does, once the second act kicked off, it kicked off spectacularly.
Although truthfully, half of the reason why I love X so much lies in my love for Tokyo Babylon (the prequel to X/1999)
January 24, 2024
The first three volumes were a bit complicated to understand at first, there are a lot of characters and a lot of information displayed. However I never get tired of seeing CLAMP’s artstyle as it is absolutely stunning in this series.
I really like the concept of this story and I think that even today it still delivers an dreadful message about environmental catastrophes especially for Japan and earthquakes.
I really like the concept of this story and I think that even today it still delivers an dreadful message about environmental catastrophes especially for Japan and earthquakes.
May 27, 2017
ah this book was cool! The art was exceptional, better than most manga art I have seen (with the exception of Shinkai) and the religious imagery was EVERYTHING. If I.were to criticise, it was super violent, a bit extreme, but the story and ideas are so captivating I feel obliged to read on! If it gets more violent though I may have to abandon ship...
December 26, 2018
Full disclosure, magna isn't my thing. This was the first book like it I'd read and likely will be my last.
I needed a book that had the letter X in the first word for an A-Z challenge.
The artwork was so beautiful, which ultimately bumped it up to 3 stars for me. I don't know what I was expecting from the actual story, but it was just "meh".
I needed a book that had the letter X in the first word for an A-Z challenge.
The artwork was so beautiful, which ultimately bumped it up to 3 stars for me. I don't know what I was expecting from the actual story, but it was just "meh".
May 10, 2019
The first omnibus in the series, it blends dark fantasy and drama with a certain “end of the world” plot that revolves around a unexpected reunion between three estranged siblings that puts them in danger. It’s full of CLAMP’s amazing art, but the story can be a little confusing at times (Grade: A-).
April 6, 2020
I am back from cave haha. I promise I will start being more active again!! Please let me know how all of you have been! ❤❤❤
As for the manga, it was just okay. There were parts of the story that I didn't really understand, and the world-building was not that well executed. I still did know what was going on in the end, but the artwork was quite nice haha.
As for the manga, it was just okay. There were parts of the story that I didn't really understand, and the world-building was not that well executed. I still did know what was going on in the end, but the artwork was quite nice haha.
January 25, 2020
This is essentially a reread for me and I can say this still remains one of my favorite manga of all time.
This 3-in-1 edition Viz published several years ago is really nice. I'm glad I waited for these omnibus editions rather than buy each individual volume.
This 3-in-1 edition Viz published several years ago is really nice. I'm glad I waited for these omnibus editions rather than buy each individual volume.
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