Customer Reviews

X - Eight (TV Series, Vol. 8)

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

 

 

This is the last volume in what has been a remarkable retelling of Clamp's original manga series. The final apocalypse has come, and the two Kamui's (Kamui and Fuma) must face each other to decide the fate of mankind and the earth. Building to this final struggle are a series of battles between the Dragons of Earth and Heaven. Betrayal and counter betrayal crisscross until only these last two, the bearers of the dual aspects of the divine shinken, retain their powers.

I've been looking forward to this DVD for some time. The original film completely bobbled the story from the manga, creating more confusion than anything else. This series has managed to capture the essence of the manga, even while carving out creative ground for itself. I wanted to see how the grim build to the finale and the finale upsurge as the last, true message of the story was delivered. I can honestly say that director Yoshiaki Kawajiri has exceeded my own expectations. While many great series have seen release in the U.S. this year, X is the closest to that indefinable perfection that anime strives for.

The story managed to retain its focus on Kamui's struggle with destiny and fate while polishing each of the characters on both sides of the conflict. My worst criticism is that Fuma, Kamui's twin star, is painted too darkly. While the Dragons of Earth believe that humanity must be destroyed if the Earth is to be saved, I feel that they should be frightening, but not black hearted or evil. Of course, this is a quibble. Kawajiri has chosen to highlight the dramatic difference between the sides, which enhances the impact of the end. I certainly can't say that his interpretation of Fuma was a failure.

Unlike many other series who have shifted to Kabbalistic, Christian, Aztec, or other symbolisms to create an esoteric atmosphere, Kawajiri (and Clamp) have always depended on roots in Japanese mythic and occult processes. This gives the elements of the story a sense of belonging which is often missing when the spiritual layer is only a thin veneer. In any case, the story, acting, art, and music are all superb, with nothing being spared to make this a landmark production.

I really don't understand the other reviewers here who give this volume anything less than five stars. Most of their problems stem from their inability to seperate the TV series from the manga (even after one guy said he wasn't going to compare the two). If you are an anime fan with that same problem, you probably won't really enjoy X8, but I doubt the series could have ever ended in a satisfying way for you in 24 eps. It's apples and oranges folks, so just stop trying to compare stories across different media for crying out loud!

Venting over, now on with the gushing. This volume has everything that makes the X TV series great, multiplied by three. Each episode is jam-packed with great visuals, beautiful music, amazing action, hope, dispair, sadness, joy, defeat, victory, love, betrayal, redemption, and some of the most wonderful characters to ever grace an anime series. Did this volume answer every question and tie everything up nice and neat for us? No. In fact in some ways I have even more questions than before. But it did bring what I consider emotionally and thematically satisfying (though heart wrenching)resolution to all of the major characters and story arcs. If you're a fan of X TV, and why would you be reading this if you're not, then this volume will knock you out. The biggest question I have now is where can I get another anime series that compares to X (I need my fix!)?

From the very beginning, X had me in its pocket. By the time I reached this last volume, I was on pins and needles to find out what would happen.

Each successive episode of this too-short series gives the viewer that much more time to fall in love with the characters, so it's no wonder that all my favorite characters are mysteriously alive at the beginning of this disc. Since it's CLAMP, since it's X, the reality of a bloodbath is inevitable. Rather than feeling rushed or slapped-together, to me the abruptness of some of the action seemed like a Japanese way to end the series. Some characters have to accept their fate so that others can change what was thought to be inevitable.

I only know the anime, not the manga, so I can't compare one to the other. However, taken on its own, X the TV series gives a satisfying, if not exactly happy, ending.

This is a great retelling to Clamps X. I think that this story was very well done. Great CHaracter formation and also great story consept. The one thing I would probably complain about is all the volume were too short. 75 mintues wasnt that long to be telling such a wonderful story. Great Ending. I recommend this for everyone.

This is another beautifully animated, visually stunning volume of X TV. The second episode which focuses on Sorata and Arashi may be the best episode of the entire series. I loved this show as a whole and I will cherish my boxed set of it forever. This is a must for fans of the series and I'd advise new fans to start from the beginning so these episodes have more emotional impact. Well done CLAMP !

The outline that follows is an outline that refers to the entire series and spoilers will be included.

To begin with, if you are looking for an anime that is more in the style of Love Hina, than you should skip this one. If on the other hand, you are looking for an anime that is powerful, emotional, has love/romance, great character development and strong story, than you are definitely right here.

Outline of the story:

The story resolves around the Seven guardians of Heaven and the Seven guardians of Earth. The one group wants to preserve earth as it, believes in humanity no matter what they have done to earth, and hope for a better future. The other group wants to erase humanity from the face of earth so that the planet and its other creatures can life in peace etc.

The `problem' is that when watching the show you will - like it or not - agree with both groups (not to mention the fact that there is no `black - white answer' but a grey version (You will have to watch it in order to understand or otherwise I will give the entire show away, sorry guys)). Apart from it, the age of the group members does not matter much; meaning that you will see in both groups' teenagers and adults fighting side-by-side or against each other till death. Others will fight against the other group for their own personal reasons.

The biggest problem however is that there can be only one Kamui (chosen one) and the side he decides to follow will win; but, it proofs that the real Kamui has a twin star, meaning that there is another Kamui out there as well. This will lead to an explosive mixture of emotions. Lovers, who will belong to the opposing group, will be forced to fight till death against each other, brother against brother, best friend against best friend and so forth. To be honest, the story will get very emotional indeed. No matter the age, the group members will fight and die.

As for the action, you will get more than enough. To begin with, the fights occur in both astral plane and our materialistic world. In order to prevent damages in our world, the group members are able to form a kind of a shield, in which most fights happen, and no matter the destruction our reality remains unaltered. That is, if the fights remain inside the shield, something that will not always be the case. In addition, all group members have their own supernatural `super powers' etc. For instance, some can use the five elements, some others are psychics, some others use magic, some take advantage of technology, some bend reality etc.

Who will win in the end and what will be the cost of this destructive victory?

The genre of this anime could be categorized under: fantasy, supernatural, action, and love / romance.

The music that accompanies the show is very well orchestrated and good. Starts with a rock/pop song and ends up with a melancholic ballad. In-between the music changes in accordance with the shows (very good done).

As for the dub, in my humble opinion, it is very good and professional done, in the same level as CB is done.

The animation is excellent.

As for extras, it has more or less the typical stuff: Textless opening and ending, previews, trailers etc.

As for the box-set: The first DVD comes with the box and every DVD you buy it fits in there; imagine it something like a shelf.

As for the story: It is very emotional, has great character development, solid storyline (that moves forth and back, with flashbacks etc.), many twists and is very mature and character driven.

Tip: The first episode, called X-0, of the first DVD is like a prelude and `summation' of the story. If you don't want anything to be given to you in front but want to be glued to your sits from episode one, that skip this one.

Last but not least, is it worth buying or not? In two words: Definitely yes! However, by collecting all 8 volumes the cost may raise around $200. To be honest, it is worth having in your collection but if the cost might seem to you as an obstacle than try to rent it and to watch it. The show is highly recommended!

I hope that I could help you, if so than please click on the yes button below ^_^

I was very concerned about how the series was going to end. At the end of seven, it seemed like their was still a lot to be answered. Although eight doesn't technically answer them all, if you think about what you have seen it does. This final volume also had a wonderful ending (which is rare in a lot of anime's now adays). The ending remained consistant with everything they had been saying. Everything they predicted did happen. Just not exactly the way they expected it. People who like overly lovey dovey endings should stay clear of this. Make up an ending for yourself or something because the ending is generally sad, but it does have a slight joy to it.

This has got to be one of the best anime series I have ever seen. When I first purchased "X one," I had no idea what I was getting into. I was immediately hooked on it.

"X eight" will leave you satisfied, but the fact that the ending is not the typical ending our society is used to, it leaves you with a sense of unease (which, to me, is all good). Great series overall!

About the plot, all I will say is that the first 2 are about the supporting cast and the last one is the final fight between Kamui and Fuma. Also, for all the action fans, don't have high hopes on a LONG fight sequence. The music and animation is great as always. My only complaint with the anime version is that the director and writers sort of rushed things with the supporting casts since there are a lot. But with a few twist and turns, I think the anime version ends well. Now I can't wait how the graphic novel version ends.

These final episodes of the series are good, but not great. I won't give away the ending but it definetly gives the feel that the writers weren't really sure how to pull everything together to get a conclusion one way or another. The action is amazing, and the graphics are, as always, superb. I would recommend it to anyone viewing the series because, well, it's the end. Maybe you'll get more understanding about the resolution than I did.