X/1999, Volume 04: Intermezzo

X [エックス] #4

by Clamp

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. Kamui may be at the heart of the prophecy, but he is not alone. Other people with unique "powers" -- the "Seven Seals, " who seem to be Kamui's allies, and the "Seven Harbingers, " who might be enemies, All are somehow linked to the destruction to come, and all are now gathering in Tokyo.

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[psyche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las Clamp me van a dejar emocionalmente inestable... mientras tanto OMGGGG LOS DOBLES PANELESSSSSSSSS

[SzaraReadsComics · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot thickens and - along with Kamui - we're finally learning more about what everything means and what the stakes are. We're getting to know more and more characters but I feel like the pace at which they're introduced is good enough not to get too lost. I feel that I like Sorata more this time round than when I read this series years ago, I guess I like the goofy-but-actually-clever guys more now than I used to, I don't think I truly appreciated the clever side under all the jokes back then. The art is still very 90s but I still enjoy it very much (I remember it changed/updated as the series went on), the amount of details is astounding and I love the full page spreads, most of them are little works of art. If I wasn't otherwise busy, I think I could read this series all day long!

[✨Meryem✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The issue is that I was spoiled because I watched Tsubasa before reading this, so I remember pretty much what "choice" he will do and who will go with him, but I m doubting myself because of Kotori ....

[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.

[Once upon a Dream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bello è bello ma..

La storia è moolto ripetitiva
Abbiamo capito che kamui deve salvare la terra non c'è bisogno di dirlo 15 volte come non c'è bisogno di dire 729389 volte che sta per arrivare l'Apocalisse, ma mi piacerebbe sapere il PERCHÉ sta per arrivare e PERCHÉ Kamui è così importante e perche tutti lo cercano e lo vogliono 🤷🏼
Oltretutto ci sono una valanga di personaggi e di loro non sappiamo praticamente nulla..
Ok lo so è solo il quarto volume ci sta tutto questo mistero però ho letto quattro volumi dove praticamente si dicono le stesse cose.
Mah 🤔

Poi la parte più divertente è stata quando arriva la zia e Kamui non capisce che assomiglia alla madre ma basta che si toglie gli occhiali da vista che subito lui la riconosce.. 😂
sono solo occhiali da vista!
Mi ha ricordato tantissimo il Team rocket che basta che si mettono un paio di baffi che Ash va in confusione 😂

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kamui dan Sorata akhirnya dibawa untuk menemui Hinoto di bawah Diet Building oleh Arashi. Hinoto memperlihatkan mimpi bahwa bumi akan hancur jika segel-segel di Tokyo hancur lebih dulu. Ketika ia memohon Kamui untuk menyelamatkan bumi, Kanoe menerobos masuk ke dalam mimpinya dan mengatakan bahwa Kamui juga bisa menjadi Dragon of Earth.

Namun, sebelumnya di dalam mimpi Fuuma, dia malah menyuruh Fuuma untuk membunuh Kamui demi menyelamatkan Kotori yang diperlihatkan akan dibunuh oleh Kamui. Halaaaah. Pada pembohong nih dream gazer-nya.

[Daniel Bosé · Rating 4 out of 5]

El inicio parece que está arrancando y la forma en la que nos plantean todo es muy interesante. Realmente no sé si Kamui será el villano o el héroe. Ambas partes parecen ser las correctas a su forma, sin duda es algo que me mantiene intrigado y con ganas de saber más de cada uno.

[Sheila Moreno Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considero que es el peor de los 4 tomos hasta ahora. No me han contado nada, o sea, me han contado muchas cosas, pero nada que lleve a ninguna parte. He tardado días en leerme el tomo. No está mal. Pero para mí, es el peor de los 4 tomos hasta ahora

[Truncarlos]

Acabo de darme cuenta de que estos volúmenes no coinciden en formato de edición con los que me estoy leyendo pero no encuentro los que me estoy leyendo y si los encontrara sería un coñazo cambiarlos así que marcaré hasta el 12 y pretenderé que no hay más.

[Dama Viveros Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6/ 5
I finished this volume and I just want to say... I NEED MORE ANSWERS!!! Despite all the new information related to Kamui's destiny, we need extra context and also to know more about the plot's future.
(｡o_o｡)""

[Doremili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si a esto no le pones atención, no le entiendes

[Ryofire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art continues to be gorgeous. The writing and story continue to be absolutely uninteresting.

[reivant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta este mundo creado por las CLAMP,los personajes son geniales y necesito saber más sobre la profecía

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word is coming to an end, the key to its demise lays locked in the mad-made structures of Tokyo. Those involved in coming battle for the Earth’s fate are gathering in Tokyo, but Sorata still finds the time to take both Kamui and Arashi out on a date before taking Kamui to see the dreamseer Princess Hinoto about the upcoming battle and his fate. Hinoto has all sorts of answers for Kamui; wrapped in dreams, visions, and enigma. The enigma becomes even more sinister when Kanoe, Hinoto’s younger sister in spite of deceptive appearances, crashes the dreams and visions, adding her own cryptic comments about Kamui’s destiny. Not that Kanoe is all that trustworthy herself; invading Fuma’s dreams, tormenting him with visions of Kotori dying, and menacing commands about killing Kamui, all the while sending Satsuki and the computer “Beast” to “play” with Kotori via electric tentacles. Not everyone enjoys playing with tentacles as much as Satsuki (and Kanoe?) do. Fortunately for Kotori, less fortunately for Satsuki and Beast, a strapping stranger passing by put an end to the games and saved Kotori, leaving Satsuki singed but curious. All this danger, whether caused by powerful strangers, Kamui, or Hinoto herself doesn’t seem to phase Kanoe or Satsuki at all, just gets them all affectionate with each other and curious while Yuto cheers them on. At least Yuto and Sora are both having fun with their two beauties; Kanoe and Satsuki, Kamui and Arashi. Yuto’s beauties are having more fun than Sora’s; Kamui doesn’t trust Sora’s promise to protect him, Hinoto, and especially not Hinoto’s associates. Arashi isn’t quite sure what to make of Sora or his comments that “she’s the one”, but at least she enjoyed the Korean food Sora treated Kamui and herself to. She appears to have some loyalty to Hinoto, yet feels the beginning of something toward Kamui and the other Seven Seals. And now another is about to appear…

I’ve got to hand it to Sorata and Yuto for continuing to flirt and carrying the humour amidst the upcoming angst and tragedy. At least Kanoe and Satsuki are amused by Yuto’s efforts. Arashi doesn’t seem to know what to make of Sora’s and Kamui is exuding enough back-off vibes for all four of them. Not that Kamui doesn’t have reason to be on edge, considering his recent losses, what he’s learned about his mother and his increasingly justified fear for Fuma and Kotori. Not those two aren’t equally worried about Kamui with equal justification. More was revealed about the intricate backstory and impending future for Kamui, those who’ve appeared, and those whom will appear with the same exquisite beauty as the other volumes. Once I’ve started this series, I can’t stop.

[~ goldie ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four down, fourteen to go. This volume begins with Kotori and Fuuma talking about their parents' deaths, which they still resent and kinda blame themselves for. Sorata explains to the group, which will later consolidate itself as the "Dragons of Heaven", the meaning of the surname Magami, inherited by Kamui's mother - which has a whole meaning intrinsically connected to the end of the world. The Magami family has served as "scapegoats" for centuries, taking it upon themselves to receive all the attacks that would otherwise be aimed at their clients, and whoever they intend to protect. In this case, Kamui's mother was his Magami, and she was killed to prevent this from happening to her son. Sorata takes his group to the Palace where they meet Princess Hinoto, whom Kamui tries to attack; blaming her for invading his dreams. The Princess then shows Kamui a Tokyo deserted by earthquakes, which will be caused by the "Dragons of Earth" and which, in turn, can only be stopped by the "Dragons of Heaven". She says that this is his fate and asks him to protect Tokyo, but she neglects to inform Kamui that there is an alternative. Kanoe, her younger sister, also leader to the "Dragons of the Earth" arrives to tell Kamui that he has two different futures, which makes him a little confused. Fuuma is also confused, wondering about what happened to Kamui when his sister is attacked by the cables of BEAST, the huge machine controlled by Satsuki. Kusanagi arrives in time to save Kotori, and Kanoe reports to the others (her group) that the end has just begun.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

X Clamp #4.

Satu satunya kerabat Kamui diculik dan rumahnya dibakar. Dan Fuuma selalu mendapat penglihatan serta perintah untuk menghabisi Kamui. Siapakah dalang dibalik dua kejadian itu?
Kamui akhirnya mengetahui takdir kelahiran dan arti dari mananya, serta latar belakang orangtuanya yg misterius dari salah satu naga langit, Arisugawa. Dan ketika Kamui bersama Arisugawa bertemu dengan naga langit lainya, Arashi, Arisugawa meminta perempuan ini mempertemukan mereka dengan putri Hinoto.
Dikediaman putri Hinoto, dengan bantuan putri Hinoto, Kamui mengalami penglihatan yg membuatnya terkejut, karena dipundaknya terdapat dua takdir yg harus dipilihnya. Kamui harus memilih takdir sebagai penghancur bumi (naga bumi) atau pelindung bumi (naga langit).

[Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this manga for late night reading. It's the only volume I have at the moment but I saw the anime years ago. So I'm familiar with the premise.

This volume presents to us the main issue of this whole series: Seven Harbingers will destroy the Earth but they can be prevented by the Seven Seals. I found this volume a bit draggy -- took them the whole volume to cover one night -- but highly informative.

[Amina D'Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah là je commence à voir une réelle différence : Fuma qui semble beaucoup plus impliqué dans le mangas que dans l'animé où il est juste spectateur presque. hâte de lire la suite pour voir l'évolution des persos.

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buena historia, la idea de Babylon y Tokyo, la idea de la torre de Tokyo como un pilar barrera... pero la pinche princesa es bien castrosa e inútil. Y tanto mame con Japón como salvación del mundo y todos protegiendo a viejitos del congreso que nada que ver con la historia.. meh

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

[andie]

grey cover red x
isbn 9789812399212

[Scott Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book cover looks very nice.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tokyo = Planeta Tierra... Bueno.

[Ricardo Marín]

5 / 5

[Caitlin ~WordsAreMyForte~]

The introduction of the seven dragons and the wolf spirit was a nice touch. The concept of the shadow sacrifices taking the blows for well-known politicians and imperial rulers is something I hope they touch upon more in the next volumes