X
Derek Pryor/ GaoRed X
( images used in this review come from the Truewish website)

Introduction

"If fate is already decided, can nothing against it be done? The end and the future are one. But we keep on living...for the future..."

Probably the most recognized and popular manga artists in Japan, Clamp has seen its other creations, Magic Knight Rayearth, and the recent adaption of its sci-fi offering,
Chobits brought to the small screen as anime series. So it seems only fitting that their signature creation, X/1999, a tale of armageddon and shojo-drama would receive the same treatment. X was first released as a full-length movie in both the US and Japan, where it met with a mixed bag of reviews. The animation was stunning and the manga story was kept relatively intact. However fans were left dissapointed by the lack of character development and the movie's grim and merciless atmosphere. Paticularly, the film's ending.

But all those flaws have been fixed in the recent anime adaption, however. Consisting of 26 episodes released on DVD by Pioneer Animation, X has been met with praise and satisfaction from fans both old and new. The series is directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll), and the animation is produced by Madhouse Studios (Vampire Hunter D, Trigun, Card Captor Sakura).

The story itself takes place in the year 1999. Two factions of paranormals, the Dragons of Earth and the Dragons of Heaven have gathered in the city of Tokyo as soldiers of a secret war to determine the fate of the planet. The Dragons of Earth, led by Kanoe, believe the Earth has been defiled and brought to irreperable ruin by humanity. Believing the only way to save the planet is by destroying it and starting over from scratch,they wish to bring about the end of the world by destroying several of Japan's most noteable landmarks, which also act as supernatural barriers which serve to keep the planet intact. The Dragons of Heaven, led by the Dreamseer, Princess Hinoto are the protectors of these barriers and wish to keep the planet the way it is now.

Enter: Kamui. The series main protagonist. Kamui left Japan six years ago with his mother. But now, after her mysterious death, he returns to claim the Shinken, a divine sword of immense power Kamui's mother entrusted to the master of the Togakushi Shrine. He soon encounters his childhood friends, Fuma and Kotori Monou, who are both stunned and pleased to see him again, but his cold and distant behavior confuses them. Not only has his personality changed, but Kamui is in possession of unbelivable supernatural powers, which he uses with devasting effect and total disregard from those who stand in his way, bringing him to the attention of both Hinoto and Kanoe, both of whom wish to draw them into their fold. For it has been prophecized that which ever side Kamui takes, will hold the fate of the world in their hands. Complicating the matter, however, is the fact that Kamui has no interest in taking a side at all. But regardless of his desires, Kamui will be forced to choose one eventually, and his choice will carry far greater consequences than he--or anyone else suspects.

The Dragons of Heaven

The followers of the Dreamseer, Hinoto, the Dragons of Heaven all possess their own supernatural powers, along with the ability to generate a kekkai, which is a barrier of supernatural force, in which they can do battle with the Dragons of Earth without fear of the outside world being harmed. The interior of the kekkai extends a kilometer in size,
and exists within an alternate dimension and any damage, no matter how extensive or devastating, does not manifest in the outside world unless the kekkai's creator is either critically injured or killed.

Kamui Shiro "I warned you, didn't I? If you get in my way, be prepared to die."
The series main character. Once a kind-hearted and happy child, Kamui--who's name has two meanings: he who acts with God's power, and he who hunts those who act with God's power--, is unconceivably powerful, and as such is coveted by both the Dragons of Heaven and Earth. Morose and indifferent, Kamui claims his only reason he returned to Tokyo at all was to reclaim the Shinken. Or was it?

Sorata Arisugawa "I've decided on you...the person I'll give my life for."
Raised by Stargazer, the head monk of Mt. Kouya. Sorata is a priest and was trained by the monks of the Shingon Sect since the aga of three after being left there by his mother. Outgoing, friendly, and good-natured, Sorata can manipulate and control lightning. Later in the series, he falls in love with his fellow Dragon of Heaven, Arashi.

Arashi Kishu "No one can escape their destiny. It's impossible."
Much like her fellow Dragon of Heaven, Sorata, Arashi was abandoned at a young age. She was raised as a hidden priestess at Ise Shrine before being inducted into the Dragons of Heaven by Hinoto. Cool and utterly impassive, Arashi wields a super-natural sword, which she extrudes from the palm of her hand.

Yuzuriha Nekoi "This is the first time I've ever met anyone who can actually see Inuki."
Granddaughter of the Mitsumine Shrinemaster, where the dog-spirit, Inuki is worshipped, Yuzuriha is the youngest of the Dragons of Heaven. She is cheerful and sweet, making her well-liked by her fellow Dragons of Heaven, including the normally morose Kamui, and even by some of the Dragons of Earth. Yuzuhira's powers are unknown as yet, but her protector is a spiritual familiar in the form of a dog named Inuki, who can only be seen by certain people.

Subaru Sumeragi "I've been looking for you...in order to turn my wish into reality..."
1,000 years ago, the Onmyouji, or Yin-Yang Masters studied astronomy, astrology, geography and other sciences, acting in advisory capacities to the emperors and politicians of the time. Subaru is the current head of the Sumeragi clan and the leader
of Japan's Onmyouji. His sister, hokuto was murdered seven years ago by Seishiro Sakurazura, one of the Dragons of Earth. A quiet person by nature, Subaru, who commands the five elements of nature--tree, fire, soil, gold, and water through the use of
pentagram talismans, has become even more withdrawn, and lives only to avenge his sister's murder.

Seiichiro Aoki "Do you honestly think that nobody would cry if you died?"
Seiichiro is a editor at a sucessful publishing company in Japan. A happily married man and devoted father to his young daughter, Yuka, Seiichiro is kind-hearted and compassionate, but a bit scatter-brained at times. He is a wind master, capable of generating powerful air effects, including gusts of wind that can cut through solid objects with no effort.

Karen Kasumi "There's no such thing as a creature with no emotions. You just think that you don't have them." A "worker" in Japan's red-light district, Karen's life has been a difficult one. Abused by her mother and branded as an "akuma" (demon) because of her pyrokinetic powers, one would think she would be embittered and angry. But Karen is a warm, loving woman, and remains true to her Christian principles and beliefs.

Princess Hinoto "Kanoe! Don't bring 'Kamui' into your fold!"
The Dreamseer and defacto leader of the Dragons of Heaven, Hinoto lives beneath the Diet Building (House of Representatives), where she acts to support the Japanese Government. Although childlike in appearence, she is much older than she appears to
be. Hinoto is both blind and deaf, but her tremendous mental powers more than compensate for the lack.

The Dragons of Earth

Led by Kanoe, the Dragons of Earth seek to destroy the kekkai in the city of Japan that hold the world together, thereby releasing the imprisoned Dragon of Earth itself and bringing about the end of the world. The kekkai are actually buildings constructed over the different points in Japan that bind the planet itself, consisting of the Diet Building in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, and the Sunshine City Building in Ikebukuro.

Fuma Monou "The earth is longing for a revolution- a revolution that human beings will not interfere with." Fuma is Kamui's childhood friend and the son of the Togakushi Shrine master, who is also the current guardian of the Shinken. In spite of his towering appearence, Fuma is a soft-spoken and kind person. Little does he realize that Fate will cast him into a most unexpected role.

Kakyo Kuzuki "Even though I forsaw your death, I wasn't able to do anything."
Dreamseer for the Dragons of Earth, Kakyo was raised seperately from the outside world because of his powers. After one of his visions foretold the death of Subaru's sister, Hokuto. Kakyo tried to prevent it from happening, only to be shot by a night watchman, and left in a coma as a result. But he was able to save Hokuto's soul in the Dream World.

Satsuki Yatouji "Answer me, Why is killing human beings considered wrong?"
From the age of six, Satsuki developed a fascination for computers. She soon developed a mastery of controlling and manipulating them, which brought her to the attention of Kanoe, who suppiled her with an incredibly advanced super computer called "Beast". Satsuki can physically connect with "Beast" and travel anywhere in the wired world. A total sociopath, Satsuki is as cold and detatched as the machines she surrounds herself with.

Nataku "I feel...I don't want to be apart from you. Because you look like my father."
Nataku is an artificial lifeform created through genetic manipulation as part of a secret project funded by an unknown pharmecutical company. Althoug biologically human, Nataku is genderless and apparently possesses no emotions. Although a meeting with one of the Dragons of Heaven may soon bring that observation into question. Responsible for the theft of the Shinken from the Togakushi Shrine, Nataku wields a ki-charged scarf as a highly formidable weapon.

Seishiro Sakurazuka "Your wish is to kill me? The one who killed you dear elder sister, is that it?" An assasin for the "Sakurazukamori", The group is a rival with the Sumeragi clan, led by Subaru. Cool and malevolent, Seishiro wields the same Onmyouji elemental techniques Subaru does, but his are dark in nature. The killer of Subaru's sister, Hokuto, Seishiro lost his right eye protecting Subaru in an accident seven years ago.

Yuto Kigai "Well, probably because there would be people who would be sad."
Yuto is a public servant for the local district. He seems to be cool and friendly on the surface, as his good-natured aproach to fighting Sorata when they first met, as well as his close relationship with Kanoe suggests, but there is clearly more to who he is than that. A charming pretty-boy type, Yuto is a water manipulator, but his normal weapon of choice is a whip with a lightweight blade at the end.

Kusunagi Shiyu "That's a good dog. A bit strange maybe, but still a good dog."
Kusunagi serves with Japan's Self-Defense Force. A lover of animals and nature, Kusunagi, in spite of his rough-cut appearence, has no real desire to fight with the Dragons of Earth, and has no contact with Kanoe. His love of animals is also with brings him into contact with Yuzuriha and Inuki, as he is one of the few people who can actually see the dog-spirit.

Kanoe "Sister, I'll give you proof that your dream was indeed correct."
The leader of the Dragons of Earth and the younger sister of Princess Hinoto, Kanoe is the assistant of the Governor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the gathering place of the Dragons of Earth. While not possessed of her sister's powers, she can peer into Hinoto's dreams. While she brings the Dragons of Earth together to bring about the end of the world, Kanoe's real wish is to free Hinoto from what binds her now.

Other characters

Kotori Monou "If you see my brother and Kamui, please tell them that...the future has not been determined yet." Fuma's younger sister and Kamui's other childhood friend, Kotori has been in love with Kamui since they were children. Quiet and loving by nature, Kotori has been experiencing strange, prophetic dreams of Kamui's return to Tokyo. She has no idea that she possesses the power of a Dreamseer, or what that strange power will hold for her future.

Hokuto Sumeragi "Nothing's absolute in this world, Kakyo. Come on, let's get out of this dream." The twin sister of Subaru, Hokuto was killed by Seishiro seven years ago when she challenged him in order to save her brother's life. A stark contrast to her brother's introverted personality, Hokuto was a very cheerful and enthusiastic person.

Daisuke Saiki "He can't possibly be the true Kamui!"
Although not a Dragon of Heaven like his uncle Seiichiro, Daisuke is a devoted follower of Princess Hinoto. He is also a wind master, but he is almost killed in a confrontation with Kamui.

Review

X is a stunning acheivement for an anime series. The animation is without equal in quality, especially in the character's emotional expressions. The story is masterfully told. From the very beginning, you are made aware of the impending doom lurking on the horizon, and that Kamui, as the central character, is well aware of the consequences that lie with his desicions, in spite all his attempts to deny and distance himself from it. The characters themselves, like the dynamics between Sorata and Arashi, are what truly drive the series along at times. Friendship, family, betrayal, discrimination, love--Each Dragon of Heaven or Earth has a memorable story to tell, most of them sad, but extremely dramatic not to take notice.

Another amazing thing about the characters and their design is that there is a strong sense of balance on both sides. Not all of the Dragons of Heaven are staunch supporters of defending the Earth, and driven by a desire to live, and not all the Dragons of Earth, although they wish to end the world, are dark and brooding individuals with evil intent. The Dragons all recieve significant screen time as well as character development, most notably in the cases of Subaru and Seishiro, who were taken out of the the movie, and given a fantastic fight scene displaying their individual powers.

While not as violent as the manga, in which decaptitations and blood abound at times, X does have its moments of violence, as seen in the battles and duels between characters, as well as in the series most crucial turning points. But nothing ever truly reaches horrific levels of bloodshed. Even so, this is NOT a kids show by any means. The series is now up to Volume 6 on DVD with more still to come. I reccomend X highly to anyone and everyone. If you were one of the many who saw the movie and were left feeling disspointed at its ending, make it a point to grab every single volume of this outstanding series. You will NOT be sorry you did.

Derek Pryor/ GaoRed X