Customer Reviews

Clover 1

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Finally, after years of horrible binding, printing, translating, and formatting, Tokyopop redeems itself completely with Clover. The design of the book is virtually identical to the original. The text on the front and back covers is Japanese, and there is a translucent white dust jacket with English translations in silver ink that overlay the Japanese underneath. Inside the front and back covers are full-color spreads on thick, glossy paper, such as have never been seen in the translated manga industry. Even the publishing & copyright info was tastefully moved to the inside of the back cover so as to be unobtrusive. The translation is also excellent! I was really surprised at how little censorship there was, esp. since this is Tokyopop we're talking about. Sexual references are left in, which is vital when you're reading CLAMP.

As far as the content itself, well, it's CLAMP, what do you expect? The story is fascinating, the characters are intriguing, and the art is incredible. There aren't so many complicated two-page spreads as there usually are with CLAMP. Instead, they experiment with blank space and unusual angles. It gives the book a clean, austere feel that none of CLAMP's other manga has.

Buy this already!

The futuristic cyberpunk world the Clover characters inhabit is one of amazing technology. One can have a prosthetic arm one moment, then have a long, cybernetic sword the next. Illusion and reality are no longer at odds with each other, but instead work hand in hand. Like many of Clamp's works, fate takes a hand...

In the first volume, Kazuhiko has been asked by the military he formerly worked for to take a 'special package' to an unknown place. Until he arrives where the 'package' is located, he doesn't even know what it is. When he gets to this mysterious package, he finds that it's actually a young a girl. This girl, named Suu, is special - a 'four-leaf clover' - something which should not exist, but does. Outwardly, however, and except for the rare occasions in which she uses her own mechanical wings, she appears to be a perfectly normal girl with a strange and sad loneliness, and with a special wish to go to a certain place.

The artwork is clean and sparse (in a good way). It's not filled to the brim with images like Clamp's usual works (which I also adore). This serves to reinforce the mood of isolation and gives the whole manga a film-like feel. A beautiful work that any fan of cyberpunk, Clamp or excellent stories/art will enjoy.

I'll start off by saying the Japanese version of Clover is a masterpiece. The cover artwork is beautiful, as is the cover, which consists of a paper-back cover with a somewhat transperant dust cover, providing for a very ghostly and beautiful effect. Considering Tokyopop/Mixx is the new translator, I didn't expect much, most likely the same old Xerox-quality cover that's already worn at the seams. Oh, how wrong I was. At first, I thought I was looking at the Japanese version, for they are exactly identical in every aspect. Two thumbs up.

Now for the story...I'll admit it's a bit obscure, I sometimes have trouble determining who is talking, but considering CLAMP and how talented they are in both their artwork and story skills, I think this is the effect, considering that the main character is overall somewhat confused about her life and purpose. Anyway...I noticed right away that the translation seemed a notch better from how it was printed in SMILE magazine. The reason for this is censoring. SMILE is a magazine for the younger set, and some of the situations are a bit older. A job well done, Tokyopop.

I advise everyone to pick up a copy of this book. It's very impressive for an English-translated novel, and the story will leave you begging for more!

The first time I read Nausicaä, I was impressed on how much was being told with words (this is by far the most text-heavy manga I have ever read), but reading this manga I was impressed otherwise, on how much was being told WITHOUT words, and this is where beginners will feel unconfortable with this exquisite title, as the clean and refined art talks for itself on a way that many trying to actually just read will have a really hard time reading it.

So, beware if it is the first time ever you are going to read manga, even if it is the first manga from Clamp. Don't let the likes of easy-reading mangas fool you that this is bad, because this is more towards art than actually storytelling, and as so, sometimes you must feel it, not just want to have it given away to you.

I have read about everything on manga, from the silly romatic-comedy Oh! My Goddess!, classics such as Akira and Nausicaä to deep and polytical stories as Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed, but I have never seen something come close to this so far. Give it a try, it may surprise you. I just hope it surprise you in a good way, as this is a piece of art you can purchase without giving out tons of money.

If you find a four leaf clover, it will bring happiness. But don't tell anyone where it's white flowers bloom, or how many leaflets from its stem extend. The four leaf clover. I only want you happiness, knowing I can never be yours to share it.

That is the opening poem to an amazing manga. This is like nothing you have ever read before. The story centers around Suu (meaning 4), a girl who, for reasons that are unknown, can not be happy. She is joined by Kazuhiko, an ex-black ops soldier. Together, he an Suu journey to Fairy Park, a place that will bring her happiness- they hope. However, people keep trying to stop them left and right. Why? What makes this so wonderful is the way it is told. Clamp designed each page to read like a movie- and it works. Also, as the book progresses, a beautiful song is played, adding to the 2 dimensional cinematography. How ever, this song seems to have a strange connect to both of our main characters... A wonderful story told by the most popular Shoujo artists in Japan! Do yourself a favor and BUY THIS BOOK! I can't wait till I get the second part!

I've always loved CLAMP's works, and Clover is my favorite. The style is minimalist and moving, with each page containing layers of hidden meaning not initially obvious. The most interesting part of Clover for me were the different layers of meaning and plot contained within. In the first two books, you get one story; in the third, a totally different story; and in the fouth, yet another. The different subplots are most moving after reading all four books-- and once you do, you'll want to read them again and again! The moving images of cages, wings, songs, and clovers all blend together into an intricate weaving that tells the simple story of love and freedom. Simple, yet so complicated, and underneath it all, simple yet again.
I often regret buying manga (graphic novels) because they are so expensive, and often only read them once or twice. Clover, on the other hand, I can read over and over and over... and always discover something new! This is one of the best purchases I've ever made, and I encourage everyone to go out and read it!

But
Don't tell anyone
Where the clovers
Bloom white flowers
I only want your happiness
But I cannot be yours.

In my opinion, Clover is simply beautiful. The use of heavy contrasts between black and white, and the songs in the book are just beautiful, and the whole story is deep and sad.
I would recommend buying 1 and 2 together, as they are a story in themselves.
Actually, I bought 4 first, then 3, and finally 1 and 2. Why? Because, 4 is actually the one that happens first, chronologically. 4 is the prequel to 3, and 3 happens before 1. It makes a little more sense to buy it like that, I think. It explains who Ora (Oruha) is before you read 1, so you don't end up wondering.

The only thing I can slate it for is the font they used- Times New Roman?! I HATE that font. Also, my colour pages fell out easily.. maybe I shouldnt have stared at them so much ^_^;;

I enjoyed Clover 1 very much, but I feel I must point out that this part of Clover is little more of set-up for the plot. The main fireworks for the characters takes place in Clover 2, which picks up literally from where this book ends. For best reading, be sure to have both 1 and 2 for the whole story. 1 sets the plots up, and 2 rams it home.

I must first comment that the person who said this is at all edited just wants to play with your mind. I read it three years ago in Japanese and the english is identical and was translated very well. (Picture the child in her room thinking of ways to mess up the world and coming up with that!) Beyond that, Clover plays with the same ideas as Evangelion, only in a very differnt way. There is a lot of plain white and black space, but it's done for effect. I really can't say much but that this is an excelent read for anyone - manga fan or not. It explores the deepest pieces of humanity - what it means to be alive, and what it means to die.

This is one of the most beautiful manga I have ever seen; the graphics are absolutely fantastic (but of course, who would expect anything different from CLAMP??) and the plot is woven together in the most thoughtful and intriguing way, with some flashbacks of the past that at first don't seem to relate to the story, but suddenly do. Throughout the story beautiful songs are interlaced, and though their words may seem pretty simplistic, the further along you get in the story, the more they start to hold meaning. =^-^= However, for all you sensitive manga readers Clover may not be for you, as it starts to get very, very sad. I cried at the end of the third book, it was so sad (and I've never cried over a book, NEVER! =^-^=). Overall this series, Clover, is very good, but make sure that when you're reading to have a box of tissues nearby! =^-^=