CLAMP in Context

by Dani Cavallaro

Since its debut manga RG Veda, CLAMP has steadily asserted itself as one of the most widely renowned teams of manga artists, leaving a durable imprint in every established genre while also devising novel formulas along the way. Endowed not only with stylistic distinctiveness but also comprehensive cultural structure, CLAMP's output is distinguished by unique worldbuilding flair and visual vitality. Exploring a selection of CLAMP manga as well as anime it inspired, this volume examines CLAMP's broader philosophical underpinnings, its dedication to the invention of elaborate narrative constructs, its legendary passion for multilayered universes, and its symbolic interpretation of human identity. Throughout, the work highlights the team's incremental creation of a graphic constellation of unparalleled appeal.

Genres: Manga

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2012

About the author

Dani Cavallaro is a freelance writer specializing in literary studies, critical and cultural theory and the visual arts. Her publications include The Gothic Vision<?em>, Critical and Cultural Theory and Cyberpunk and Cyberculture.

Reviews

[Nick Tramdack · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rated this book one star, because it contains content plagiarized from Wikipedia.

Compare these two passages and notice how the sentence structure and content is identical, but Cavallaro adds academic filler to disguise the source of her content.

Wikipedia article on Magic Knight Rayearth:

[Differences in the anime adaptation] --- The first season remains mostly faithful to the first arc of the manga aside from the inclusion of the original character Inouva and a multitude of subplots, but the second season shows a rapid departure. Most notable differences are the creation of two anime only antagonists, Nova and Lady Debonair, who were born from the intense despair of Hikaru and the people of Cephiro respectively after the death of Princess Emeraude.

CLAMP in Context, p.67:

It is worth pointing out in considering the story's migration from the manga world to the screen, that the first season remains by and large loyal to the first arc of the manga, except for the inclusion of the original character Inouva and a chain of subplots, whereas the second season departs more radically from the parent text. The most remarkable difference, in this respect, consists of the ideation of two new personae indigenous solely to the world of the anime, Nova and Lady Debonair, who are said to have emanated from the deep grief experienced by Hikaru and the people of Cephiro respectively in the aftermath of Princess Emeraude's demise.

Not worth $35.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative and in depth look at the World-renowned CLAMP manga and anime artists. This book is extremely comprehensive and contains many popular works such as Code Geass and Chobits. This book covers the content, influence, and significance of these works. This book, “examines CLAMP's broader philosophical underpinnings, its dedication to the invention of elaborate narrative constructs, its legendary passion for multilayered universes, and its symbolic interpretation of human identity."