X/1999
A Viz manga review
by Matt McConnel
More
Info: www.viz.com
If
you have ever seen anything from Clamp studio, you know exactly
what to expect from X/1999. While it is odd that Viz continues
to insist on translating and publishing X, while leaving its
precursor Tokyo Babylon by the wayside, X remains a stand
alone in both context and content. One can easily pick up
the beginning of X, and enjoy it while being blissfully unaware
of the existence of Babylon. Regardless, X and Tokyo Babylon
represent a significant portion of Clamp's working portfolio,
while both series are closed, they are incredibly long and
complex (volume 7 has just been published here in the States).
There
is little to be said about the art. Clamp always produces
highly stylized and gorgeous artwork in the so-called Shojo
or 'girl's style'. The strength is, as with much of Clamp's
work, in the story. The short of it is that Kamui returns
to Tokyo following the death of his mother. He left six years
prior leaving his best friend as well as his best friend's
sister. Understandably, these two are concerned and frightened
when they see Kamui again at school and he blows them off.
Fuma and Kotori (the brother and sister) also find out that
strange things have been picking fights with Kamui. Fuma swore
to protect Kamui, but Kamui seems to be perfectly capable
of protecting himself with mysterious powers. Then Fuma begins
to manifest these powers as well. Kamui is approached by individuals
calling themselves the Seven Seals, nominal protectors of
order in the world, and in direct opposition to the Seven
Harbingers, those who would use their powers to destroy. The
Seals are so concerned about marshaling their own forces and
convincing Kamui to help them, against the Harbingers that
they miss Fuma's jump in potential. Since Kamui and Fuma are
linked somehow, Kamui's awaking to his own potential has also
made Fuma come into his own. The Seven Harbingers immediately
recruit Fuma, and that is only the end of the third volume.
Kotori
has a part to play yet, but seems to be little more than the
link between Fuma and Kamui. The intresting part comes when
the reader figures out that the Seven Seals and Harbingers
are in fact not, as one might expect, good and evil, but rather
order and chaos, yin and yang. The Harbingers want to protect
the Earth and its continued existence by causing global catastophy
and pearing down the human race to the strongest and most
intelligent that then can be taught, while the Seals want
to preserve the human race and guide it towards a better future
through subtlety and behind the scenes workings. Ok, well,
it is more complex than that, chess to checkers really.
My
own feelings towards X are mixed at best, while I like the
art, and appreciate the storyline, I do not empathise with
any of the characters save Subaru (stop laughing, it is his
name), main character from Tokyo Babylon, who is revealed
as one of the Seven Seals. He opposes one of the Harbingers,
each Seal has their counterpart Harbinger like Fuma and Kamui,
who is also a holdover from Babylon. The interplay between
these two is great, but it is only a facet, and the actions
of the rest of the cast hold little interest for me. Kamui
is too cold, Fuma is too bull headed, Kotori is vapid, and
the reasons for the two sides fighting seem a bit too clear
cut. I find myself wishing that Kamui and Fuma would make
everyone else get out of the sand box and go back to the classroom.
But, owing to the complexity, that is impossible and I must
content myself with the art and brief interludes with Subaru.
However, as with my dislike of Robert Jordan (yup, hate him
too), this is a very personal reaction, and should not color
anyone else's opinion on the books. If anyone likes great
art, and a devilishly complex story these are the books for
you.
Matt
McConnel is our anime guru. He says, "Dammit, Viz! Bring
out Tokyo Babylon!".
Email Matt's grumpy ass here.
|
