What do you think?
Rate this book
東京BABYLON [Tokyo Babylon] #6
Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 6
Subaru is visibly upset about Seishirou getting his right eye torn out while protecting him. The experience has penetrated Subaru's dreams, where he teaches a lesson to a bunch of punks. Will the visions allow Subaru to see the true meaning of life?
163 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1993
3 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Clamp
752 books3,149 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 12, 2018
This felt very short and intermediary, with no supernatural action and not much happening other than Subaru being upset about what happened to Sei in the previous volume. It was nice to see Hokuto expressing her feelings in a more sincere manner, rather than being so over-the-top twee.
Looking forward to the denouement!
Looking forward to the denouement!
April 14, 2025
As I read through this new edition of Tokyo Babylon, I thought I remembered it having six volumes. But the end of this volume is inconclusive and has a major cliffhanger, so I looked it up and found there are actually seven. I remember a major spoiler about the ending, but nothing about the events directly leading up to it.
Ohkawa's writing here in v. 6 is still somewhat too stiff, obvious or pedantic for my taste--a frequent complaint of mine with CLAMP's stories from the early 90s--but some interesting experimentation in the art made me give it an extra star. I expect even more improvement in the next volume, as Mokona gains more experience and confidence.
Ohkawa's writing here in v. 6 is still somewhat too stiff, obvious or pedantic for my taste--a frequent complaint of mine with CLAMP's stories from the early 90s--but some interesting experimentation in the art made me give it an extra star. I expect even more improvement in the next volume, as Mokona gains more experience and confidence.
May 3, 2022
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
thank God I bought the whole series at once ! THANK GOD !
thank God I bought the whole series at once ! THANK GOD !
February 10, 2025
Mi corazón de pollito sabe que sufría con el siguiente volumen
Read
March 31, 2025El perrito😭
December 1, 2022
I really love how in such a short manga CLAMP manages to talk about so many serious topics, and its so sad to think they are still an issue today
December 30, 2025
This has got to be one of the most emotionally heavy volumes of this already emotionally heavy series yet. We pick up where the last left off, with Seishirou having lost his right eye (or the vision in it anyway) from interfering when Yuuya's mother attacked Subaru. We spend some more time with Subaru, Hokuto and Yuuya, even as Subaru continues to struggle through realizing his feelings for Seishirou.
Though it feels as if the story regarding Yuuya might fall by the wayside, I do want to see a conclusion to that. I can only hope that I get such a conclusion with the final volume. Additionally this volume did have the pleasant surprise of talking about disability and service animals! Considering the age on this series, I believe that it was written some time in the late '90s or early 2000s (if memory serves) and the discussion Subaru has with an older blind gentleman is a very stark snapshot of how Japan actually was (and likely still is, based on things I've learned) with regards to its disabled population and the slow adaptation to more accessibility in society.
The volume does show us glimpsing more of Subaru's past, and the mystery of his connection to (and the mystery OF) Seishirou seems to be coming to a head with this cliffhanger ending. Here's hoping volume 7 sticks the landing!
Though it feels as if the story regarding Yuuya might fall by the wayside, I do want to see a conclusion to that. I can only hope that I get such a conclusion with the final volume. Additionally this volume did have the pleasant surprise of talking about disability and service animals! Considering the age on this series, I believe that it was written some time in the late '90s or early 2000s (if memory serves) and the discussion Subaru has with an older blind gentleman is a very stark snapshot of how Japan actually was (and likely still is, based on things I've learned) with regards to its disabled population and the slow adaptation to more accessibility in society.
The volume does show us glimpsing more of Subaru's past, and the mystery of his connection to (and the mystery OF) Seishirou seems to be coming to a head with this cliffhanger ending. Here's hoping volume 7 sticks the landing!
August 22, 2025
Me esperaba más del guión, se queda muy flojo el final. La ilustración impecable de las autoras ;)
April 23, 2021
Wow this is getting really interesting. I can't wait to read the final one!
June 25, 2025
We accept too easily that the things we see on tv or in the papers are true. It may be that most of the news is fact. But the news doesn't usually include the feelings... of the perpetrators or the victims what their families go through. In most cases, we only know... the "reality" of what happened. Not the truth behind it.
And it's true that there are a lot of tv shows that interview the victims or the perpetrators... but it's not as if we can ask them questions directly. But you, yuya-kun... you can ask your mother.
I didn't know much about this manga series but I couldn't resist picking it up when I saw the complete set in a local charity shop. The artwork is classic which made sense when I saw it was released back in the early 1990s.
This volume continues directly from Vol 5 in the aftermath of the violent attack on Seishirou, leaving him with permanent injuries and blindness in one eye. Subaru is wracked with guilt, believing Seishirou stepped in-front of the attacker due to his indecision.
Meanwhile Hokuto is starting to suspect Seishirou isn't all that he seems and as the issue progresses we learn more about Subaru's childhood and the now infamous cherry tree. The volume sets up the final confrontation and I can't wait to read the final installment.
This has been a cracking series so far. 5 stars.
And it's true that there are a lot of tv shows that interview the victims or the perpetrators... but it's not as if we can ask them questions directly. But you, yuya-kun... you can ask your mother.
I didn't know much about this manga series but I couldn't resist picking it up when I saw the complete set in a local charity shop. The artwork is classic which made sense when I saw it was released back in the early 1990s.
This volume continues directly from Vol 5 in the aftermath of the violent attack on Seishirou, leaving him with permanent injuries and blindness in one eye. Subaru is wracked with guilt, believing Seishirou stepped in-front of the attacker due to his indecision.
Meanwhile Hokuto is starting to suspect Seishirou isn't all that he seems and as the issue progresses we learn more about Subaru's childhood and the now infamous cherry tree. The volume sets up the final confrontation and I can't wait to read the final installment.
This has been a cracking series so far. 5 stars.
September 13, 2013
Several little things going on here and all sorts of people getting upset, but not outrageously so. Nothing astounding happens, but Subaru's end summary is rather nice. The artwork is particularly good which is great, because Manga is more than just a story.
April 6, 2025
Oh things are getting so serious and intense. And knowing what the big climax is from X/1999 makes it so hard to read! Love getting to see more of Hokuto this volume as well - she seems more insightful than she acts.
January 26, 2025
"Yo quiero a Seishiro"
Esto dolerá mucho.
Subaru entendió sus sentimientos y es momento de la apuesta 🥹
Esto dolerá mucho.
Subaru entendió sus sentimientos y es momento de la apuesta 🥹
July 24, 2025
The penultimate volume and oh my god, does CLAMP know how to build up tension and tell a good story. I am eager to read the next volume!
October 16, 2025
Review for volume 1-18
While arguably less famous than some of CLAMP'S other works such as Card Captor Sakura, Tsubasa and xxxHolic, I personally believe X/1999 to be CLAMP's true masterpiece. It is all the more a shame that this series has been left as incomplete with only little hope of there ever being a conclusion. While on one hand, I would recommend this as a masterful manga, it always comes with the grain of salt that you will be left with more questions than answers.
Kamui returns to Tokyo where, much as he would like to see them again, he avoids meeting his childhood friends Fuma and Kotori. Strange things seem to happen around Kamui - earthquakes one after the other shatter the city. Soon, mysterious people called the Dragons of Heaven and the Dragons of Earth try to recruit Kamui to join their cause: one to save the earth, and one to destroy and reform it.
Although one shouldn't expect any less from CLAMP, X/1999's art is stunning. The characters are beautifully drawn with intricate details and there is no other word than dedication to describing the Tokyo backdrops. The art does change significantly between the first and latest volume, which is quite natural to a longer running series.
Kamui certainly doesn't start off as the most likeable protagonist. But that changes fast enough once we become more familiar with his circumstances and also see his change toward others. Although this story has a lot of action, I believe it is foremost a character-driven plot. In addition to the seven Dragons of Heaven and the seven Dragons of Earth, there is still quite a vast cast of important and also lesser characters. What makes X/1999 so special is that they all have their legitimate intentions and wishes. If you like grey characters, well, this series consists of nothing but. There is really no saying which character is in the right or wrong - as the characters themselves point out - there is no ideal outcome in which everyone can be happy.
Not only are all characters relatable, they all have their own story to tell and are anything but flat characters. There must be at least one character everyone can adore, and - ok - relatable or not, I confess, I don't like Satsuki - at all. But apart from her? I can't say there is a single character who I don't care for. You'd wish each and everyone one of them could have their happy ending - unfortunately, you know it won't happen. And to make matters worse, we likely never will find out. I think, X/1999's status of being incomplete will forever be one of my personal biggest manga tragedies.
On another note, for those who have read Tokyo Babylon and/or CLAMP School Detectives, characters from both make a comeback in this series and the truly open ending of Subaru and Seishirou receives a somewhat decent conclusion. I say somewhat because, although their story continues and comes to a close of sorts, the last volume of X/1999 takes on a new turn which could go anywhere, so it's questionable whether it can really be called a satisfying conclusion.
April 13, 2019
A physical change has come over Sakurazuka Seishiro and an emotional revolution is taking place within Sumeragi Subaru. We’re coming close to a climax, which Sumeragi Hokuto fears will take her brother away while Seishiro decides to remove the mask he’s been wearing once and for all.
One can feel these tension in the beautiful images of the Sumeragi twins, dressed in their unique iconic style, the dialogue and exchanged glances between them and Seishiro, along with the two other characters they interact with. Subaru has finally discovered what his true feelings are for Seishiro, due to a talk he has with Hokuto and a blind man with a seeing-eye dog that Subaru rescues. We get a hint that Subaru, like Seishiro, may have been holding back his true strength. Not that Subaru is hiding behind a mask like his would-be suitor, but he’s keeping his power in check out of fear of hurting others. A brief fight with a group of young men twice his size, accompanied by the look in Subaru’s eye hints that our tender-hearted protagonist may have a darker side. There’s a sweet moment where Hokuto reveals she’s going out on a date with the young woman she met in Volume 2, that she’s even brought her back to her apartment to meet Subaru. There’s a tender scene where Subaru comforts Yuyu-kun, the little boy whose mother lost it and attacked Subaru, injuring Seishiro when the news reporters are talking about his mother’s breakdown. There’s an equally sweet scene where Subaru talks to a blind man whose seeing eye dog he’s just rescued, where the man senses how much Subaru cares about Seishiro. Seishiro himself shows remarkable indifference to his own blind eye, revealing a detachment that’s as much of a warning as his intense, sinister smiles which are appearing more and more frequently. More people than just the Sumeragi twins will be hurt if anything happens to them, but will Seishiro be one of them? All of this was depicted in exquisite art panels, depicting the beauty and unique fashion which Hokuto dresses herself and Subaru in, the sinister seductiveness of Seishiro beneath his kindly expression, along with the emotions of everyone else around them. For all of these qualities, I give this five stars.
One can feel these tension in the beautiful images of the Sumeragi twins, dressed in their unique iconic style, the dialogue and exchanged glances between them and Seishiro, along with the two other characters they interact with. Subaru has finally discovered what his true feelings are for Seishiro, due to a talk he has with Hokuto and a blind man with a seeing-eye dog that Subaru rescues. We get a hint that Subaru, like Seishiro, may have been holding back his true strength. Not that Subaru is hiding behind a mask like his would-be suitor, but he’s keeping his power in check out of fear of hurting others. A brief fight with a group of young men twice his size, accompanied by the look in Subaru’s eye hints that our tender-hearted protagonist may have a darker side. There’s a sweet moment where Hokuto reveals she’s going out on a date with the young woman she met in Volume 2, that she’s even brought her back to her apartment to meet Subaru. There’s a tender scene where Subaru comforts Yuyu-kun, the little boy whose mother lost it and attacked Subaru, injuring Seishiro when the news reporters are talking about his mother’s breakdown. There’s an equally sweet scene where Subaru talks to a blind man whose seeing eye dog he’s just rescued, where the man senses how much Subaru cares about Seishiro. Seishiro himself shows remarkable indifference to his own blind eye, revealing a detachment that’s as much of a warning as his intense, sinister smiles which are appearing more and more frequently. More people than just the Sumeragi twins will be hurt if anything happens to them, but will Seishiro be one of them? All of this was depicted in exquisite art panels, depicting the beauty and unique fashion which Hokuto dresses herself and Subaru in, the sinister seductiveness of Seishiro beneath his kindly expression, along with the emotions of everyone else around them. For all of these qualities, I give this five stars.
October 17, 2018
This volume was quite angsty, but there were also quite a few take-aways:
The whole world might be saying one thing while you feel the opposite. While sometimes reality dictates that what everyone saying is true, your feelings are also true and more important and relevant to your situation at that time. The ~your emotions are valid~ theme continues in earnest!
Don't bully service animals! They're working hard for their human partner. CLAMP has a blind character who says "Japanese society is not very kind to those who are handicapped." Through their storytelling, they urge readers to be more understanding and kind.
Hokuto is a lot more observant than she usually lets on. She is more intense about explaining things than Subaru, but her feelings and ideals fall along the same path as evidenced with her interactions with Yuya. She is aware Seishiro is not what he appears, which seems to really startle Seishiro. Also she might have a girlfriend?! I hope that wasn't a translator error!
-glares at Seishiro- Subaru has figured out his feelings and I really don't trust you... -continues to glare- I'm watching you...
The whole world might be saying one thing while you feel the opposite. While sometimes reality dictates that what everyone saying is true, your feelings are also true and more important and relevant to your situation at that time. The ~your emotions are valid~ theme continues in earnest!
Don't bully service animals! They're working hard for their human partner. CLAMP has a blind character who says "Japanese society is not very kind to those who are handicapped." Through their storytelling, they urge readers to be more understanding and kind.
Hokuto is a lot more observant than she usually lets on. She is more intense about explaining things than Subaru, but her feelings and ideals fall along the same path as evidenced with her interactions with Yuya. She is aware Seishiro is not what he appears, which seems to really startle Seishiro. Also she might have a girlfriend?! I hope that wasn't a translator error!
-glares at Seishiro- Subaru has figured out his feelings and I really don't trust you... -continues to glare- I'm watching you...
April 18, 2024
Kenyataan bahwa Seishirou buta sebelah matanya untuk menolong dirinya dari tikaman ibu Yuuya membuat Subaru kacau. Dalam kondisi begitu ia tetap berusaha menghibur Yuuya yang shock karena ulah ibunya sampai diliput media. Gara-gara rangkaian kejadian itu Subaru menyadari kalau dia menyukai Seishirou.
Aku suka volume ini karena membawa isu soal Jepang yang saat itu masih belum ramah pada orang-orang dengan disabilitas. Isu ini dibawakan ketika Subaru bertemu dengan lelaki buta dan anjing penuntunnya yang diganggu sekumpulan siswa berandalan. Keberadaan anjing penuntun saat itu masih langka di Jepang sehingga banyak restoran dan tempat-tempat lain yang menolak para anjing itu untuk masuk ke tempat mereka.
Damn! Harusnya CLAMP bikin lebih banyak karya yang bawa isu sosial di Jepang kayak Tokyo Babylon. Now I know kenapa Tokyo Babylon dulu begitu populer.
Tapi kurasa Jepang yang sekarang udah berubah, ya? Mereka lebih menfasilitasi kaum disabilitas. Tapi kalau buat yang mental health issue... enggak tahu, ya.
Aku suka volume ini karena membawa isu soal Jepang yang saat itu masih belum ramah pada orang-orang dengan disabilitas. Isu ini dibawakan ketika Subaru bertemu dengan lelaki buta dan anjing penuntunnya yang diganggu sekumpulan siswa berandalan. Keberadaan anjing penuntun saat itu masih langka di Jepang sehingga banyak restoran dan tempat-tempat lain yang menolak para anjing itu untuk masuk ke tempat mereka.
Damn! Harusnya CLAMP bikin lebih banyak karya yang bawa isu sosial di Jepang kayak Tokyo Babylon. Now I know kenapa Tokyo Babylon dulu begitu populer.
Tapi kurasa Jepang yang sekarang udah berubah, ya? Mereka lebih menfasilitasi kaum disabilitas. Tapi kalau buat yang mental health issue... enggak tahu, ya.
January 1, 2021
Ya había olvidado lo bello que es leer a las Clamp. Además del dibujo, me encanta cómo distribuyen los paneles, logran una atmósfera que ningún otro autor que yo haya leído alcanza.
El primer capi es el aftermath de Seishirou perdiendo el ojo y se pone como loco. El segundo, explica la conexión entre Subaru y Seishirou.
La ropa de Hokuto sigue siendo la onda y ella sigue siendo hermosa como siempre. Subaru también es el cinnamon roll más cinnamon roll de todos y Sei... Tiene la inteligencia emocional de una lechuga y es complicado.
También me gusta cómo Subaru le explica al niño que debe de tener un pensamiento crítico y que Hokuto siga viendo a la chica de la que se hizo amiga en volúmenes anteriores... Pobre chica, se queda sin su única amiga.
El primer capi es el aftermath de Seishirou perdiendo el ojo y se pone como loco. El segundo, explica la conexión entre Subaru y Seishirou.
La ropa de Hokuto sigue siendo la onda y ella sigue siendo hermosa como siempre. Subaru también es el cinnamon roll más cinnamon roll de todos y Sei... Tiene la inteligencia emocional de una lechuga y es complicado.
También me gusta cómo Subaru le explica al niño que debe de tener un pensamiento crítico y que Hokuto siga viendo a la chica de la que se hizo amiga en volúmenes anteriores... Pobre chica, se queda sin su única amiga.
November 24, 2020
No tiene nombre todas las cosas que pasaron en este tomo, la verdad sale a la luz de apoco y de forma muy oscura. Las personas o son lo que aparentan y Subaru y Hokuto sufre.
La verdad es que no puedo dejar de leer ya quiero el próximo tomo pero tengo miedo de como terminara todo y tengo la sensación que nada saldrá bien.
WEN
La verdad es que no puedo dejar de leer ya quiero el próximo tomo pero tengo miedo de como terminara todo y tengo la sensación que nada saldrá bien.
WEN
December 27, 2021
Obligée de lire les deux derniers tomes en scan, et on voit clairement que la traduction anglaise est plus subtile et agréable que la traduction française du début des années 2000. C'est très frustrant parce que ça a beaucoup joué dans mon appréciation (parfois mitigée) des premiers tomes. Maintenant il ne me reste plus que le septième et dernier tome à lire. Et je pense que je vais pleurer.
July 12, 2023
The story still isn't all that great, but the way it touches on accessibility in Japan is really neat. It's sad that the cartoonish way ableism is depicted here is realistic and somewhat tame in comparison to modern acts of ableism. It's also neat to see .
May 5, 2022
The art in this volume is just stunning, it really helps to land the emotional blows and show how upset Subaru is that Seishirou has been hurt protecting him. Some of my favourite panels are in this volume, and the reveal at the end just *hurts*.
September 7, 2021
It's a temporary setback.
April 5, 2025
I'm scared how this is gonna end
October 27, 2025
6 tomos y no ha pasado nada. check
November 6, 2025
Full thoughts here: https://youtu.be/nsVrCSKsOXM?si=N5PLc...
December 19, 2025
Unfortunately I don’t have a more refined way of saying Subaru is fucked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews