Forum - View topicX (manga)
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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So, I have read all 18 volumes that are available right now. I have to say, that this is probably one of the better series by CLAMP that I have read. Even Tsubasa would rank second to this one. I was especially impressed with the characters, the secrets and demons behind them, and their development.
The story is also compelling, as I found myself reading through and sometimes having to go back to make sense of another scene when there was something being explained. Action was also a plus, the sequenses were very fluid. You never know what's going to happen until it does, and there are some parts that I found to be dumbfounding for me in the sense that I would never have expected it to happen. Like many others who have read the series, I am somewhat disappointed that we cannot have more of the series. According to what I have heard, the series was put on hiatus citing it was getting too violent, however I did not see that in the last volume, unless it was in the five chapters that have not been put into tankobon. With that aside, I do hope that one day CLAMP will get to finish this series, truly one of their best. |
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marie-antoinette
 Posts: 4136 Location: Ottawa, Canada |
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Interesting. Even though I just love the anime (the series, not the movie), I was never able to get into the X manga. I found that the pacing early on was just far too slow though given what I know happens in later volumes it must pick up eventually.
Plus the lack of an ending is rather not fun. If they ever finish the series (something I am not holding my breath about, because the claims surrounding why it was put on hiatus don't really hold water ten years after the fact) I might try it out again, especially if Viz re-releases it with a better translation (Harbingers?) and in unflipped format. But as it stands, I'm not going to spend the money to buy 18 volumes unless I have an ending promised to me (and they claim that there will only be a few more volumes, if they do finish things). |
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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This I can agree with you on. It seems to me that around the first two to three volumes the pacing was kind of slow, but when it picks up, it really does bring in a pace for you to read at. I found a lot of times that a majority of the action scenes would just have the action, with minimal dialogue and even sound effects. Still, the character designs undoubtedly give off that CLAMP feeling to it all. |
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aya_honda
 Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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For me this manga has been again a case of "seeing the anime first, later discovering the manga". As an old fan of Clamp (my first manga was "Tokyo Babylon" through an interesting incident, especially because it's quite an "old" work), I too love this manga the best. Not just for the stories that are developed there but also for how it has been put into images. However here I would like to add the fact that sometimes the manga has been exceptionally hard to read. As fighterholic mentioned, there were occasions when I had to go back and re-read some of the scenes for a better understanding. This might have been one of the reasons that the manga is being avoided; for instance a couple of friends of mine who have read the manga complained about the complexity of it.
The other one is of course the ending that has not appeared yet and I'm afraid that it won't be coming out anytime soon. As an ignorant that I am, I didn't know that the manga wasn't finished until I reached volume 18 and discovered that that's about it. Imagine my disappointment! Therefore there aren't many people who would like to read the manga knowing that it isn't finished. Damn, I hate to discover an opened finale or even worse a manga on hiatus, so I perfectly understand the frustration of those that have read the manga and those that haven't yet. For me however it was also a possiblity to see what happened to Subaru Sumeragi who was the main character in Tokyo Babylon, as he appears also in this manga as spoiler[ a Dragon of Heaven ]. I was interested to see what happened next between him and spoiler[a certain Dragon of Sky  ] Nevertheless, I must add here that I was more interested in the story of the other characters and how they develop rather in the story between Kamui and Fuma. The chemestry and the intensity of the conflict between these two characters didn't impress me too much, and even the tragedy that strikes Kamui spoiler[Kotori's death]didn't impressed me either. Perhaps because I knew what would happen from the anime? I don't know but still, it lacked something.
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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One thing I have also found compelling about the manga in itself has been the tradgedies that have come out of it. And there are many of them too. Such as spoiler[Kotori who knew that she was destined to die, and could do nothing to prevent it, other than exclaim that the future was not set.] And there are many more too. Loved ones dying, love stories, the whole works. Things that really draw you to this series.
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Celes
 Posts: 223 Location: Madison, WI |
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I own all 18 volumes of the manga, I haven't finished them yet, but I enjoy it and I am pissed that there is no ending for us right now. However, I hope this won't discourage fans who want to discover the series from buying up the graphic novels. I treasure mine, since they are going out of print now, they will soon be getting harder and harder to find...
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aya_honda
Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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I found the tragedies compelling for me for another reason: I am the type of person that hopes for a happy ending even in the most difficult situation therefore you can't possibly imagine how I felt to see for instance Sorata's spoiler[destiny to have to sacrifice for the woman that he loved, Arashi.]I loved this character so much especially for its kindness and for the generous way in which he sees the world. I wanted to scream at one point to Clamp (Thank God they weren't there  ) I know that the battles for spoiler[ saving earth needs sacrifices but why must be so many? Almost all the Dragons of Heaven die or lose someone dear to them. ] 
Of course there's also a big mistery about the manga too: I mean what could have whispered spoiler[Seishiro to Subaru] I like to think it was something nice, but their story is a very tricky one and it's pretty difficult to say that one's right. |
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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I don't think it could have been anything good, I mean, look where spoiler[Subaru is now. In exchange for getting his sight back, he joined Fuma-Kamui and the Dragons of Earth. On top of that Seishiro killed Subaru's sister, but she let him do that in order to put a spell on him, which I think is one of the most confusing ways you could hope to put a spell on someone. I want to say it's stupid, but I'm sure there was a very good motive behind it that I don't think I'll be able to understand.] The love story between spoiler[Sorata and Arashi has come to a tragedy I think. If you look and see what was developing between them, there was a relationship that was coming into bloom. However when Arashi was in danger, Sorata's guardian angel came for her, although at the sacrifice of his own safety, no matter where he was. What I thought was more sad was their intimacy. You would have to think Arashi knew what would happen if she consummated herself. Yet that was the choice she made. Now she has lost her powers, and it seems more implied that she will become a Dragon of Earth, because there is currently a seat open.] |
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aya_honda
Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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Of course, coming from spoiler[Seishiro, nothing good could have come up especially since he has always been so mysterious. I was hoping that he might redeem himself after he had killed Hokuto and he had that curse upon himself. I think that by cursing him she was hoping that he would never try to kill her brother again. Therefore again I have to ask: which were the reasons behind Seishiro's atack? What made him want to kill Subaru or at least pretend to kill him? He knew what would have happened if he did that and yet... And now, it seemed that Subaru would become a Dragon of the Earth because he has taken upon Seishiro's eye and therefore not only becoming an assasin as his beloved but also a Dragon of the Earth, which to me was rather an unconvincing story. Too many complications.! ] It's (to me) one of the most confusing episodes in the manga. As for the story between spoiler[Sorata and Arashi] I agree that from the very beginning the story was doomed especially because spoiler[tragedy was about to hit both of them ]but I was still hoping for the best. 
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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I think one thing implied spoiler[between them is that somehow they were drawn to each other, possibly in love? And then that brings about the question, who was really important in Subaru's life, Hokuto or Seishiro? ]
I have no doubt that even if and when spoiler[Arashi crosses over to the Dragons of Earth side, Sorata will still end up falling in battle for her, but what I fear is that in the end Sorata might as well have to face her himself, possibly to try and bring an end to it, all in the name of love.] |
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Not a Jellyfish
 Posts: 539 Location: Boston, MA |
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It's been a LONG time since I have read this series. But it is my favorite manga EVER. Seriously. And definitely CLAMP's best next to Clover. spoiler[At risk of being attacked, I think Tsubasa is relatively over-rated. I enjoy it, but CLAMP can drag out a story for freaking ever and have nothing really important happen (Hey, they did it in X, too!). Like I said I enjoy it, but there's something missing from it.] X is IMHO, perfect. Except for the fact that it doesn't end. One of the beautiful things about the series is that they really develop every single character. And change the characters, too. I really wish they would finish it. Or at least say how it's really supposed to end, since the movie and TV have different endings.
Anyway, I love this series for the aesthetics as well. There's beautiful symbolic imagery on just about every page as well as great layouts and awesome action scenes. Plus really beautiful character designs. I think another reason that X is still on hiatus is because of Mokona Apapa. She does have arthritis now and Nekoi is their lead artist. That probably has a significant amount to do with it. |
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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Ahh, glad to see another X fan here. I tell you the truth, when I read it, I got so into it. And you are right how they really were able to develop all of the characters, that is something you can tell about what goes on in the series. They are even able to give some interesting background about really minor characters, such as spoiler[Kamui's friend who by unfortunate chance lost both his parents in the earthquakes in Tokyo.]
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aya_honda
Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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Talking about the complexity of the X characters, I was thinking at the fact that somehow their lives are doomed for the begining to take a certain course. Many of them knew already what they must do and that they have to fight on one side of the barrier or the other. spoiler[For instance we all know too well that Sorata knew from a very young age that he is a Dragon of Heaven and that he will die protecting the woman that he loves. ] I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with the fact that one's destiny is unchangeable and that sometimes, not matter what we do or what we try to do, the things will remain the same. I was hoping somehow that Clamp would show situations where spoiler[lives can be turned over and tragedies can be avoided like Sorata's pain and not just his, also Arashi's.]
It is interesting to see that the Dragons of Heaven spoiler[have the power to fight for the world as long as they have someone to protect. Moreover they have the power to summon those kekkai who protect the innocent people from the fights and which make the damages disappear. However the kekkai can disappear when the Dragon of Heaven dies or is badly wounded. Or the kekkai disappears when the certain Dragon has no one to protect anymore. ] fighterholic wrote:
I honestly believe that they were actually spoiler[in love. Well, actually we get only Subaru's feelings because we never seem to penetrate Seishiro's feelings towards him and those whispers may be anything. I think that at first, after Hokuto died, Subaru only wanted revenge and followed Seishiro for this sole goal. Later he realized that no matter what he would do he couldn't ban the feelings that he has for the Sakurazukamori and if I remember correctly he wants to be killed instead. He also picks habits that take him closer (in his opinion) to Seishiro, like for instance smoking. And also Subaru had those seals on his hands that practically made Seishiro always know where the young man was. Anyways, it's a complicated story and I'm still not fully convinced of the finale that the story might have since even if Seishiro has died there's still Kamui and Subaru has developed a strong relationship with this character because they seem to have similar lives. Wouldn't he deserve to be protected? ] But there are also some very fascinating characters among the Dragons of Earth as well. Fuma is one of my least favourite characters but I like spoiler[Kusanagi a lot (I put the spoiler because this fact is revealed later in the manga). It's interesting to see that though he has a strong connection with the planet and he feels the most the pain of the nature, he is the least warrior like. I mean he really treasures life and he believes that it shouldn't be wasted very easily. Moreover he becomes friends with Yuzuriha (well, in her eyes there's something different ) ][/spoiler]
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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I would love to see where that story actually goes and what would happen in the end. spoiler[Kusanagi knows that Yuzuriha is a Dragon of Heaven, but his feelings are such that he does not go with the will of what the Dragons of Earth are and fight her. And thankfully for her, he has not revealed himself as a Dragon of Earth even though he knows that she is a Dragon of Heaven. But one can only imagine the pain that Yuzuriha will have to go through if and when she finds out about Kusanagi being on the opposite side of her.] |
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