Customer Reviews

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 1

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had heard about Tsubasa from a friend of mine, so I decided to pick up the first two volumes. I was immediately drawn to the artwork, which is of much higher quality than some manga I've read. Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE is essentially a fun story. It isn't ground breaking or anything. But it's a nice little story about three mismatched people in search of disparate goals. If you know anything about CLAMP's other works, I think you might get some of the references others might miss (seeing as to how it is a cross-over). Even without this knowledge, it's still entertaining.

DEL REY I think has done a good job. I liked the little section on Japanese honorifics in the beginning. I also liked how they "subtitled" the sound effects, rather than blanking out the Japanese and substituting them with English. I haven't read the Japanese version, but it seems like a good translation. At least, it isn't atrocious.

In sum: if you're looking for a manga that is visually pleasing and fun to read, pick this up. Especially if you like CLAMP's other works.

I wasn't exactly excited when this manga first came out, since I'm leery of crossovers of any kind. They usually mean that the people producing the crossover have run out of ideas and are just sticking their older, better characters into the story for lack of original material. Not to mention that I've become rather tired of CLAMP lately, having not been a fan of their newer series to date! Fortunately, TSUBASA turned out to be much better than I expected, crossovers and all. The artwork is different from older CLAMP works - it's more sketchy, and somehow slightly less detailed, but in a way that really appeals to me. It looks unique and adds to the feeling of the story itself. The book moved quickly and effortlessly, and the mood is mostly serious, but sometimes there are little touches of humor to lighten the mood (and it actually makes me laugh, something most jokes in manga seem unable to do). The crossover aspect is actually quite smooth and the crossovers don't seem "just tossed in", for the most part; they don't interrupt the story's flow.

If there's one nitpick I need to make about this manga, it's all in how Del Ray handled the release. It's a gorgeous book, but the paper quality is a little rough, which means that the quality of the images isn't so great. Large areas of black ink are especially problematic (some areas are darker than others or flecked with white where the ink doesn't seem to have stuck). Also, TSUBASA will set you back $10.95 instead of the seemingly universal $9.99 most people have grown used to. But these are small complaints, and really, the manga is worth the price and worth getting despite those issues.

wonderful story..its nice how CLAMP relates their work together somehow with other books. If you haven't read any of their previous works, I'd reccomend reading Card Captor Sakura, since Sakura is in this book, Magic Knight Rayearth may help a bit as well. It's not necessary to understand the storyline, but its a nice when you can compare how they changed some of the characters...the paper quality could be just a LITTLE better, but nevertheless its a great start off for Del Ray. The publishing price; 10.95 is a BIT expensive, since normal manga sells for 9.99 ea. But they do add on Japanese previews, and other notes at the end...so I guess that compensates in a way...

Sakura is the princess of Clow Country, which is ruled by her older brother, King Touya. Her childhood friend Syaoran is a young archeologist. Sakura is revealed to have strange powers when she has a vision of a mysterious symbol and places she has never seen. Meanwhile, Syaoran discovers the same symbol at the ruins he is excavating. When Sakura goes to the ruins to confess her love for Syaoran, she spots the symbol and recognises it. Ghostly wings appear on her back and a mysterious force begins to pull her into the walls of the ruins. Syaoran rescues her in time, but her wings are scattered across dimensions. The High Priest of Clow Country, Yukito, immediately realizes that Sakura's "wings" were the manifestation of her soul and memories; without her wings, she will die. In order to save Sakura, Syaoran must journey to retrieve Sakura's lost memories.

Yukito sends Syaoran and the unconscious Sakura to the Witch of Dimensions, Yuuko, who is one of the main characters in XXXHolic. There he meets Kurogane, a rough-mannered ninja banished from his world by Princess Tomoyo, and Fai (or Faye) D. Flowright, a magician who fled his world to avoid King Ashura, a mysterious figure frozen in crystal. Each of them must pay with what he values most in order to gain the power to cross dimensions. For Kurogane, it is his sword Ginryuu, and for Fai, it is the tattoo on his back which allows him to use his magic. (Fai later reveals that he still possesses magic, but has taken an oath that prevents him from using it without the tattoo on his back.) Syaoran, on the other hand, must pay with his relationship with Sakura: even if he is able to retrieve all the rest of her memories, she will never remember anything about him or their relationship. (This sacrifice also pays Sakura's "toll" to Yuuko.) Only when the three agree to her terms does Yuko present them with the power to cross dimensions: a pocket-sized version of Magic Knight Rayearth's Mokona. While traversing through worlds to find Sakura's feathers, the four travellers and Mokona are forced to overcome many dangers and opponents, some of whom are figures from Syaoran's past who wish to collect Sakura's feathers for their own reasons. I found this series to be highly amusing in all it's respects, and initially approached it because I had loved Sakura and Syaoran from CCS. However, these aren't exactly the same, and there are amusing little facts that you find hard to apply to the original characters- such as how, after a night of drinking, only Syaoran gets a hangover while Sakura remains cheery in the morning. Tsubasa is a whirlwind of Clamp character references that come thick and fast from all of their books that will leave you flipping back and forth upon realizing that, say, Syaoran's kudan in the second book is actually Rayearth. Hence, I think these books would lose some of their appeal if you are new to the genre or just aren't a Clamer. Longtime fans of their work will find the constant cameos and references a delightful tribute that can border on fanservice at times. Be prepared for a slight commitment though- the books are currently at 12+ volumes in Japan, but the great thing about Clamp is that they also know when to say "the end." For those looking to spot everybody from Clamp manga past, here's the compiled list up to Volume 11 of every spottable character. You might have to look hard! Also, be aware for references in the names of places and things. Enjoy hunting for them! NOTE: Certain characters appear in multiple worlds, as each world has it's own version of a character!
Clow Country
Syaoran (Syaoran Li) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Sakura (Sakura Kinomoto) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Touya (Touya Kinomoto) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Yukito (Yukito Tsukishiro) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Fujitaka (Fujitaka Kinomoto) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
The former King (Sakura and Touya's father) (Clow Reed) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)

Kingdom of Japan/Nihon
Princess Tomoyo (Tomoyo Daidouji) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Souma (originally from RG Veda)

Seresu Country
Chii (originally from Chobits)
King Ashura (originally from RG Veda)

Japan (Modern Day)
Yuuko (Yuuko Ichihara) (originally from XXXHOLiC)
Watanuki (Kimihiro Watanuki) (originally from XXXHOLiC)
Maru (originally from XXXHOLiC)
Moru (originally from XXXHOLiC)
Mokona=Modoki (Mokona) (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
The white Mokona (who travels with Syaoran and the others in Tsubasa) is named Soel while the black one (who remains with Yuuko and Watanuki in XXXHOLiC) is named Larg.

Hanshin Republic
Sorata Arisugawa (originally from X/1999)
Arashi Arisugawa(Arashi Kishuu) (originally from X/1999)
Kudan(The Rune Gods - Rayearth, Selece, and Windam) (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Shougo Asagi (originally from X/1999: The Movie)
Masayoshi Saitou (originally from CLAMP School Detectives)
Masayoshi's Kudan(Sang Yung) (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Primera (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)

Koryo Country
Chun'yan (Chun Hyang) (originally from Legend of Chun Hyang)
Girl on the Magazine Cover (Ringo Seto) (originally from Angelic Layer)
Chun Hyang's mother (Wall-Mae) (originally from Legend of Chun Hyang)
The Kiishimu (Debonair) (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth the anime)
The Amen'osa (Nokoru Imonoyama, Suoh Takamura, Akira Ijyuin) (originally from CLAMP School Detectives)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)

Jade Country
Princess Emeraude (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)

Outo Country
Minoru's persocoms (originally from Chobits)
Blanche (originally from Angelic Layer)
Yuzuriha Nekoi (originally from X/1999)
Inuki (originally from X/1999)
Kusanagi Shiyu (originally from X/1999)
Ryuu-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Souma (originally from RG Veda)
Eri (Erii Chusounji) (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Kentarou (Kentarou Higashikunimaru) (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Takeshi (Takeshi Shukaido) (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Caldina (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Oruha (originally from Clover)
Misaki Suzuhara (originally from Angelic Layer)
Ohjiro Mihara (originally from Angelic Layer)
Tamayo Kizaki (originally from Angelic Layer)
Karura-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Garuda (originally from RG Veda)
Qiang Ang (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Sang Yung (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Souhi (Kurogane's sword) (originally from X/1999)
Hien (Syaoran's sword) (originally from X/1999)
Utako Ohkawa (originally from Man of Many Faces)
Makoto Ohkawa (originally from Man of Many Faces)
Hinata Asahi (originally from Suki)
Shirou Asou (originally from Suki)
Vayu (originally from RG Veda)
Varna (originally from RG Veda)
Umi Ryuuzaki's parents (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)
Touya (Touya Kinomoto) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Yukito (Yukito Tsukishiro) (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Seishiro Sakurazuka (originally from Tokyo Babylon and X/1999)
Sumomo (originally from Chobits)
Kotoko (originally from Chobits)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)
Possible crossovers
Seiichirou Aoki (originally from X/1999)
Koutarou Kobayashi (originally from Angelic Layer)
Souhi and Hien (as girls) (originally from X/1999)

Edonisu Country
Chitose (Chitose Hibiya) (originally from Chobits)
Hatoko Kobayashi (originally from Angelic Layer)
Madoka Fujisaki (originally from Angelic Layer)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)

Sharano Country
Karen Kasumi (originally from X/1999)
Yasha-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Gigei (originally from RG Veda)
Ashura (originally from RG Veda)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)

Shurano Country
Ashura-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Yasha-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Kumara-ten (originally from RG Veda)

Piffle World
Tomoyo Daidouji (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Tomoyo's bodyguards (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Ryuu-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Yuzuriha Nekoi (originally from X/1999)
Nokoru Imonoyama (originally from CLAMP School Detectives)
Suoh Takamura (originally from CLAMP School Detectives)
Akira Ijyuin (originally from CLAMP School Detectives)
Shougo Asagi (originally from X/1999: The Movie)
Masayoshi Saitou (originally from Clamp Campus Detectives)
Sorata Arisugawa (originally from X/1999)
Arashi Kishuu (originally from X/1999)
Chun Hyang (originally from Legend of Chun Hyang)
Erii Chusounji (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Kentarou Higashikunimaru (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Takeshi Shukaido (originally from Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders)
Karura-ou (originally from RG Veda)
Karen Kasumi (originally from X/1999)
Oruha (originally from Clover)
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)
Ohjiro Mihara (originally from Angelic Layer)
The announcer (originally from Angelic Layer)
Tamayo Kizaki (originally from Angelic Layer)
Takashi Yamazaki (originally from Cardcaptor Sakura)
Chitose Hibiya (originally from Chobits)
Ichiro "Icchan" Mihara (originally from Angelic Layer)
Tokiko Magami (originally from X/1999)
Primera (originally from Magic Knight Rayearth)

Rekoruto Country
Miyuki (originally from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland)
Yuzuriha Nekoi (originally from X/1999)

(this review is a review of both Tsubasa 1 and 2)

As a CLAMP fan I was excited to see volumes of XXX Holic and Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE at my school's bookstore. (Though I would have been more excited to see the final volume of X/1999 I've basically given up on it). As someone who dabbles in translation myself, I was hoping that Del Rey would come out with a professional translation that would match up with the flavor and power of the original, but I ended up a bit disappointed. But more on that later.

Anyhow, Tsubasa is about Syaoran and Sakura. If the names sound familiar its because they're being borrowed from CLAMP's other manga "Card Captor Sakura." Except they really are borrowed. They aren't the same characters at all. They come from a different world than their original manga counterparts, and it's actually kind of refreshing. Many other characters are borrowed from other CLAMP manga, some of which are currently being released by Viz and Tokyo Pop. We meet Arashi and Sorata from X, Tomoyo from CCS who is a princess of another world, and Touya and Yukito from CCS as well. Many more ideas are borrowed from other CLAMP manga including the spirits from Rayearth which end up corresponding to "kudan" (some sort of spirit powers) that the three main characters receive in the second volume. As a fan it's fun to see where they're pulling things from, and they don't really detract from the story since CLAMP has managed to create something new and different from their old pieces, which is actually a pleasant surprise considering how much they've borrowed from themselves.

So far the story is that Sakura's memories have been scattered to different dimensions and Syaoran has to collect them to save her. Along the way he meets up with Kurogane, a ninja sent by Princess Tomoyo on a journey to become more compassionate, and Fai Flowright who is running from the god Ashura (RG Veda) and is the creator of this world's Chii (Chobits). The three of them become companions when they meet at the house of Yuuko the Dimension Witch (a crossover character from XXXholic). She gives them Mokona and sends them off to another world. So far the story seems solid, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

What does detract from the story, however, is the shoddy job Del Rey has done in their translation of the manga. I can't speak to the translation itself, but there are glaring inconsistencies in the manga that remind me of issues Tokyo Pop had with their first release of Magic Knight Rayearth (which they subsequently fixed in their second unflipped release of the manga). First and foremost there are pages that are unreadable. There are pages with white text on a black background that are so faint they're impossible to read. This is completely outlandish in a manga that is supposed to be professionally done. In the first volume of XXXholic there are also pages with black streaks on them from the xerox or scanner. Then there are issues with the names that are transliterated one way on one page and differently on the next. For instance Fai D. Flowright's name is changed to Fai D. Florite in the character descriptions at the back of the book in volume 1. In the second volume I noticed that his name was transliterated as Fai Flolite in a small aside comment. This all could have been aleviated by the use of an editor who paid more attention to detail. Certainly the fans of CLAMP comics will be paying attention to the manga.

What Del Rey does do right is something I had hoped would be done in manga for a long time; they explain honorifics in the beginning. I've always believed that manga translations should take non-anime fans into account when they translate terms. Although Del Rey does assume some knowledge on the part of the reader, most of the jokes and Japan-isms are explained. Though surprisingly they've done scant research on where the different CLAMP characters and themes come from, I personally think that it makes it that much more fun for a fan like me who knows who Shougo Asagi is. (He's actually from the movie version of X but again that's me being a fangirl).

In any case, I'll be reading Tsubasa to at least see what happens in the plot. At points like these I think to myself that it might be better to get the Japanese version until Del Rey works the kinks out of their manga scanning and translating process. I guess only time will tell eh?

First of all, let's deal with the elephants in the room. Is this massive crossover including star turns and cameos from most of CLAMP's most famous works a love letter to their favorite characters or a cynical bid to milk their cash cows? The answer is probably somewhere in between. Do you need to read all of CLAMP's works beforehand? Of course not - but the more inside references that you're aware of the more you'll probably like Tsubasa, and certainly you should probably have read Cardcaptor Sakura beforehand and should probably follow the companion series xxxHOLIC alongside it.

With that out of the way, on to the story itself. The lives of alternate universe teenage versions of beloved Cardcaptor characters Sakura and Syaoran are turned upside down when Sakura is suddenly stricken with a mysterious condition - her memories have been turned into feathers and scattered to different dimensions. The girl will die if the feathers are not retrieved, so they are sent to xxxHOLIC's Yuko (in this dimension) for aid, as she is the only one with the power to consistantly jump dimensions. Even with paying the price of that most precious to them - their shared memories with eachother - it's still not enough to allow Yuko to grant them multiple jumps. Therefore, she suggests combining payment with two other travellers who also desire dimensional jumps and who couldn't be more different from eachother: Hot-tempered, macho ninja Kurogane, who was exiled for willfully ignoring the order of his princess (the alternate universe Tomoyo from Cardcaptor) to refrain from using deadly force to protect her and has given his precious sword as payment; and fey, coolheaded magician Fai, who we first see leaving a massacre for which he may or may not be responsible and has given use of his magic in payment. While Kurogane is adamant that he wants nothing to do with the others and Fai airily claims he'll be happy to help the kids out as long as it doesn't put him in danger, it's quickly obvious that the children's plight has gained the sympathy of both men although they have their own problems. So with an unconscious Sakura and two adult guardians, Syaoran begins his journey - knowing full well that even if Sakura recovers her memories of him can never be returned...

So far, the story is off to a good start. It's fun seeing the Cardcaptor characters (as well as some others) again; and the inclusion of Kurogane and Fai give the story just enough new elements. I'm eager to see what direction it will take.

First, please excuse the terrible pun in the title of this review. (Tsubasa = 'wings' in Japanese.)

Second, any fan of CLAMP's works should not be allowed to miss this series for two separate reasons, which are as follows:

1. The series is, in and of itself, a highly inventive, enjoyable, and engrossing series. I had trouble adjusting to the long-limbed style of the characters after spending so long with their younger counterparts in Cardcaptor Sakura, but it grew on me quickly. It is at times romantic, at times action-packed, at times silly, at times intense, and ALWAYS fun.

2. Characters from CLAMP's other series make cameos throughout the entirety of the series. For instance, in Volume 1, you may recognize Chi from Chobits; Sakura, Syaoran, Touya, Tomoyo, and Yuki from Cardcaptor Sakura; Yuko and Watanaki from xxxHolic; Mokona from Magic Knight Rayearth; and Arashi and Sorato from X (X/1999). If you look really, REALLY hard, you might even see the Rune-god Rayearth himself as well as Sang Yung from Magic Knight Rayearth II. Picking up on connections is a kind of fun independent of the enjoyment the series itself offers.

The story begins with Sakura, princess of Clow, greeting her friend Syaoran, a young archaeologist passionate about the past - and about Sakura. Before she can tell him that she, too, loves him, she is drawn into ancient ruins, where her memories, in the form of feathers, are scattered across multiple worlds. Syaoran goes with the dying Sakura to Yuko, the time-space witch, who grants him, along with new characters Kurogane and Fai D. Flowright, the ability to travel across worlds to seek out the feathers- for a price...

Don't miss this phenomenal new series by the always-wonderful CLAMP! (Wow, do I sound like a commercial, or what?)

Tsuabasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE - review

I know a lot of people get disappointed when they find out the Tsubasa is not the continuation of CCS (CardCaptor Sakura). In fact, I used to be a fan of CCS myself, but I think this series is great!

Syaoran and Sakura have grown up a little (Probably about 14-16 years old, but their age aren't revealed yet.) Sakura is a princess of a country named Clow and Syaoran is her childhood friend. As I said before, this series has nothing to do with CCS, but their love for each other still hasn't changed. Even though Sakura is ready to tell Syaoran about her feelings, Syaoran is a little uncomfortable - liking a princess and all.

When Sakura is just about to tell Syaoran that she likes him, a pair of wings (tsuabasa) grows on her back. Syaoran saves her just in time, but all her feathers - her memories, flew away into different dimensions. To save her life, Syaoran gets sent to Yuko (crossover character from xxxHOLiC) by Yukito.

There, he meets Kurogane, a rough mannered ninja, and Fai, an over-optimistic magician. Yuko tells them that they all want to do the same thing - to go to a different dimension. She tells them that sending them all to the place they desire to go "costs" too much, but if they all "pay", she'll be able to make them go to many different dimensions - if they go together. Kurogane "pays" with his sword, Gin-Ryu (which means silver dragon) and Fai pays with his tattoo. When it's Syaoran's turn to pay, Yuko tells him that that his "money" is his relationship with Sakura. This means that even if Syaoran finds all of Sakura's memories (feathers), her memory of his will never come back. Although this was painful for him, Syaoran gave his relationship to Yuko. Yuko gives them a magical creature named Mokona who "swallows" them every time they go to a different dimension. And so, an adventure begins...

This series is just like an all-star cast - this series include many characters from other Clamp mangas. This series is so great - I want to know the ending, but I don't want this story to end! If you're a fan of Syaoran and Sakura, or if you're a fan of Japanese mangas, I'd say you should definitely get Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE. It's a wonderful story filled with love, humor, sorrow, adventure, action, and mystery. As you read through this series, a lot of questions will pop up in your mind. For example, there is a tattooed figure that looks a lot like Syaoran floating in a tank, captured by Fei Wong. There are many questions that aren't answered yet, but I'm hoping Clamp will answer them soon and that this story will end with a happy ending.

Only CLAMP could continue to revive their characters time and time again and keep it fresh. This book is not only for Cardcaptor Sakura fans..if you a fan of any CLAMP series, I definatly recommend this. The best characters never die! They just get recycled, tastefully :)

HOWEVER! Tsubasa is a GREAT story~! It is so wonderful I can't wait for it to be completed~!

This is a dimensional traveling sereis. Sakura and Syaoran are from Cardcaptor Sakura (originally ^-^) and they are just as wonderful in this as they are in it.

Volume Summary: (Um...I've read the Japanese version, so...Name spellings and things might be off from the release).
Syaoran and Sakura live in the Clow Country where Sakura is the princess; Touya is her elder brother (as in CCS) and Yukito is the priest/mage person. Syaoran works at an excavtion of ruins. And one day, Sakura goes there to the ruins to see her childhood friend Syaoran and ends up loosing all of her memories~!

So...Yukito sends Syaoran and Sakura to see a woman who allows them to find the featers of Sakura's memories (but at a cost).

Fye (a character original to this story) who knows Chii (Chobits) in his dimension leaves his world before his king Asura (RG Veda) wakes up. He goes to the woman and meets Syaoran.

Kurogane--an assasin--who serves Princess Tomoyo (CCS) is sent away from his world due to his actions. He meets the witch--the woman--as well and desires to go home.

Each have their wishes and have to work together but only after they pay the price for their wishes. Then they recieve Mokona (Magic KNight Rayearth) and began their journey to find the feathers.

First off they meet Sorata and Arashi (X), gain the uses of magical beasts/gods while in that world (Syaoran's looks remotely like Rayearth ^-~) in hopes to find the feather...

So...how will it all turn out? ^-^ Looks like ya'll have to stick to this one to descover.

Oh, and look for cameos of Miyuki-chan in the background. :)

Hope that helped.

Overall~I love it!

If you like CLAMP stories and like to see your fav characters again (at least some of them) they are probably here. Emeraude (MKR) is in Volume 4. Personally, I find the series worth it to have seen Sorata and Arashi have a happy life, together at that. :) But...I'll leave your judgments to you.

^-^