Customer Reviews

X/1999, Vol. 5: Serenade

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I should begin this by admitting that I am an avid CLAMP fan. Their artwork has always been fabulous, their stories detailled and dreamy. This series, "X/1999", is no different. CLAMP combines together various elements from numerous religious interpretations of the "End of the World" masterfully in this series. The fact that many of their older works ("Tokyo Babylon", "Clamp Campus Detectives", "20 Faces Please", etc.) crossover into this story allows for die-hard fans another chance to see their favorite characters one last time, as well. Pure BONUS!

Viz does a fair job of translating this work for the reader, attempting to explain in understandable words the various Japanese cultural phrases that most English-speaking audiences wouldn't understand. I *am* disappointed, however, that they do not print the character tarot card references that the original Japanese releases have on their inside covers. Perhaps Viz has plans to release the tarots for the readers to see at some later point? I would hope so, as the Cabbalist mysticism surrounding "X/1999" is a very important aspect to understanding the plot.

Overall, this is an excellent series, and this volume continues that tradition nicely. This is a nicely bound book, a convienent carrying and reading size, and the price is not bad, considering the print quality. Highly recommended!

This is a great story, and i highly recomend it but for all you people that don't know anything about music-like me-here is the order of the books. The First is:prelude,the second:overture,the third:sonata,the fourth:intermezzo, and the fifth:serenade.--Hope this helps you out!

I love Clamps style and I love this manga. In this story we find out about how Kamui has a choice about the future. He can either choose to save the earth or destroy it.( Now lets think, hmmm what a real tough decesion) Kamui is determined not to partake in his destiny, but he does want to save Fuma and Kotori. Our dashing young hero also trips down memory lane with his dareling Kotori. We also learn about the sad fate of our funny man Sorata. This particular volume of X was published in AnimericaExtra which is continuing to publish the rest of the story. Luckily AnimericaExtra is doing so or I would go crazy waiting for the next graphic novel to arrive.

CLAMP is undoubtedly the most gifted creators of shoujo manga to have reached the United States commercially. In fact, X (Viz changed the title to X/1999) was the very first shoujo manga title to be released in the United States...and it deserves the distinction.

The artwork of X is among the most visually stunning of any shoujo manga that I have seen, translated or untranslated, and it is worth the price just for the pictures. Each successive volume grows every more detailed and exquisite; "Serenade" is the most beautiful yet.

However, the story is nicely composed also and is told in a layered style, with each new revelation thickening and complicating the plot. Viz's translation has a pleasant, consistent register which, if not always as strictly accurate as purists may prefer, is succinct and specifically intended for the American reader.

In the fifth volume of X, two new characters make their first appearance, and Kamui's motivations and true personality are further revealed. One of these characters has a massive online following, both from X and another CLAMP title that he has previously appeared in.

I give this manga my highest recommendation!

I have to admit it. I'm a diehard X/1999 fan, commonly called "X" in Asian countries. I've read through the Chinese version through number 14, and I definitely have experience with CLAMP.

CLAMP has wonderful artwork, with some of the most breathtaking scenes ever. However, some of these scenes should NOT be viewed by younger children or by anybody who is squeamish with gore at all. CLAMP loves to go into detail with some of the more gruesome parts of the novel. But the artwork is overwhelming. The characters and the scenes are all drawn to perfection, anime-style.

However, CLAMP seems to be dragging out the series for an indefinite period of time. We're sitting in the year 2001, and it seems the whole 1999 theme has not faded away in the novel. So readers beware -- if you hate cliffhangers, stay away. Viz is doing a great job of translations, but unfortunately they are going a little slow. And the plot moves slowly from each manga to the next.

Nevertheless, if you're a dedicated reader who is willing to stay with the series for the long haul, then go ahead! You won't be disappointed!

Any CLAMP fan, of course, ought to buy this book. Still before the darker (If you think the first couple books are dark, you aren't comparing them to the most recent few) books in hte series, and somewhat older art (having been originally published, I think, in 1993 or 1994- I know book 6 is '94). The art in X is always deliciously surreal and generally involoves a lot of wings. The Japanese version of this book also features Aoki Seichiro, and his tarot card (not included in American prints -_-0) is the Heirophant. Anyhow, this book features the entrance of Yuzuriha Nekoi.

This is a fantastic series.It was started by CLAMP years ago and they are only just now starting it back up.It's a dark story about the end of the world and a single boy, Kamui.The art is fantastic, the battles are magnificent in their brutality.Don't read this if your under the age of thierteen.It's a good story that leaves you eager to know what happens next as Kamui fights for the lives of those he loves.

I found this manga to be one of the best I have ever read. I am 12 years old and just cant stay away from it. The fighting scenes are great. I really love the english translation and I love being able to get into the character. It is great to be able to get into the main character and in this book I found that you really could get into the character. I think that all anime lovers will love this manga. When you are watching the series and you dont read the manga dont watch episode 0 you'll ruin it all for you. You want to know the plot before you watch episode 0. So even if you havent read it and you just want to watch and ruin the plot go right ahead. But if youre one for reading and not ruining the plot then get the manga and read. Im sure youll enjoy yourself even if you dont like reading. It isnt hard to enjoy this book and even if you dont like anime I beleive you will love this series. THE END

This is a great series but I wish it had a bit more action and less melodramatic dreams.I do have to applaud Mixx for a very nice translation job,its tough to get all those abstract ideas americanized but Mixx does it well.I give the translation 5+ stars.

Overall, X/1999 is an increadible series. CLAMP is knownfor its breathtaking pictures. The story is semi-gothic. There ishumor, and some romance, and a lot of action/battle scenes, and somegore. Even though it is a "save the world" type story, it is much darker than other mangas, such as Sailor Moon. It is a bit more mature,and gruesome. An added bonus is the side story that concentrates on one character, at the end of the book.

This book introduces two dragons of heaven-Karen (who looks like she stepped out of a Victoria's Secrets catalogue, and Yuzuriha Nekoi, a chipper 14 year old girl who slightly resembles Hikaru from "Magic Knights Rayearth" (in personality.)

Overall, this is one of the best manga's I've ever read. While the story may at first appear to go too slowly, there is a slew of interesting characters that are developing, and the most beautiful artwork of ANY manga. END