X (TV series)
| Industry | Animation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Anime television series, original video animation |
X, frequently referred to as X TV, is a Japanese anime series adapted from the Clamp manga of the same title. Created by Madhouse and helmed by director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the 24-episode series was broadcast on WOWOW between October 2001 and March 2002. Set in the year 1999, the narrative centers on Kamui Shiro, a young esper who returns to Tokyo after six years away, tasked with determining humanity’s destiny amidst two rival factions pursuing him and another esper with comparable abilities.
Plot
Due to the manga being on hiatus during the anime’s release, the series explores alternative conclusions for Kamui Shiro. Upon returning to Tokyo following his mother’s final wishes, Kamui discovers he must align with either the Dragons of Heaven or the Dragons of Earth, representing the forces fighting for humanity or nature respectively. Driven by his affection for childhood friend Kotori and companion Fuma Monou, Kamui opts to defend mankind as a Dragon of Heaven. Meanwhile, Fuma undergoes a drastic transformation, becoming Kamui’s adversary as a Dragon of Earth; he kills Kotori and demands Kamui end his life, which leaves Kamui in a catatonic state. Subaru Sumeragi, a fellow Dragon of Heaven, intervenes through telepathic means, urging Kamui to confront reality and act upon his true desires.
Kamui joins forces with the Dragons of Heaven but initially lacks the ability to generate a protective shield. After Hinoto’s suicide unlocks the Sacred Sword—greatly enhancing Kamui’s powers—Fuma employs former Dragon of Heaven Arashi against him but is thwarted by Sorata’s self-sacrifice. Fuma then kills Nataku and assimilates his flesh to regain strength. Although Kamui learns that his defeat may be preordained, he battles Fuma but suffers grave injuries after abandoning his convictions. Just as Fuma is about to deliver a fatal blow and conclude the Armageddon, Subaru intercepts it and encourages Kamui to pursue his wishes, even if they appear selfish.
In the climactic confrontation, Kamui sacrifices himself to erect a barrier shielding humanity and transfers his will to Fuma, restoring Fuma’s original persona. The epilogue depicts survivors moving forward with their lives while Subaru’s deceased sister Hokuto joins Dragon of Earth Kakyo Kuzuki in the afterlife.
Production
Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri opted to emphasize Kamui’s stoic personality over his backstory during the early stages of the X TV series. Kawajiri regarded Kamui as powerful yet emotionally reserved, revealing his vulnerability gradually throughout the story. Voice actor Kenichi Suzumura initially had limited exposure to Kamui’s character due to minimal dialogue in previous original video animations; however, he found portraying Kamui complex as it required balancing strength and fragility. Suzumura also made his singing debut with an X soundtrack CD. Portraying Fuma’s dual nature posed challenges for voice actor Junichi Suwabe, who aimed to fulfill audience expectations given the manga’s popularity; Suwabe developed a close rapport with Suzumura during production. For the television adaptation, Kawajiri reimagined Kotori as a more typical teenager, contrasting her more delicate depiction in the manga.
The series’ announcement came from original creators, artist group Clamp, in October 2000. The screenplay was crafted by Hiroko Tokita, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Kenji Sugihara, and Yuki Enatsu. Koshinori Kanemori adapted Clamp's character designs and took on art director duties alongside Yuji Ikeda. Music composition was handled by Naoki Satō, with two original soundtrack albums released on 19 December 2001 and 6 March 2002. The opening theme "eX Dream" performed by Masatoshi Nishimura (credited as "Myuji") and ending theme "Secret Sorrow" by Kohei Koizumi were featured in the TV series. The OVA’s ending theme is "STRENGTH," also by Kouhei Koizumi.
A central motif throughout X contrasts fate versus autonomy, highlighting Kamui as uniquely capable of determining his own course. While the film adaptation concentrates on Kamui confronting fears and battling Fuma directly, the television series places greater emphasis on Kamui exercising free will to resolve the core conflict.
Release
Prior to the debut of the series, an original video animation (OVA) named was distributed directly to DVD on 25 August 2001. Kawajiri, who both directed and scripted the OVA, used it to foreshadow upcoming conflicts through the visions of Kakyō Kuzuki, a dreamseer serving the Dragon of Earth. This OVA acted as an introductory piece for audiences not yet acquainted with Clamp's manga. The television series was broadcast on WOWOW satellite channel from 3 October 2001 until 27 March 2002, comprising a total of twenty-four episodes. In Japan, Bandai Visual issued twelve DVD volumes, each containing two episodes, between 25 February 2001 and 25 January 2002.
In March 2002, Pioneer Entertainment (which later became Geneon USA) revealed plans for an English-language release in North America, featuring a dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment. The series and OVA were distributed over eight DVD volumes from September 2002 through November 2003, followed by two comprehensive DVD box sets released in January 2005. Geneon later launched the X TV Series Re-Mix in 2006—a remastered five-disc DVD collection with enhanced video and remixed 5.1 Dolby Digital AC3 surround sound for both Japanese and English audio tracks—also offered as a collector’s edition box set.
Funimation acquired the rights to both the series and OVA in September 2009, subsequently reissuing the complete series on DVD in June 2010 using the original Geneon English dub. Additionally, the series was made available for streaming on Hulu during 2010.
Reception
The extended format of the 2001 television adaptation allowed for a more thorough exploration of the original mythology and character histories via flashbacks. Critics often regard this series as a superior adaptation compared to the 1996 film, largely due to its enhanced focus on character development. Zac Bertschy from Anime News Network noted that Fuma’s descent into villainy appeared more believable within the series context. Comic Book Resources highlighted that while the TV adaptation emphasizes a darker apocalyptic atmosphere, the film remains more aligned with the manga’s core themes.
Kamui’s character initially seemed either frail or anti-heroic but gradually earned audience empathy through revelations of his troubled past and moral choices. Andy Hanley of UK Anime Network praised Kamui’s emotional complexity, which rendered him engaging despite imperfections. Chris Beveridge commended Subaru’s entrance for delivering significant emotional weight following Hokuto’s demise. Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network observed that the series aimed to cater to a broad audience range and nearly achieved this goal. Otaku USA recommended X as an evocative apocalyptic narrative, particularly appealing to fans awaiting the cancelled 2021 adaptation of Tokyo Babylon.
Among antagonists, Subaru and Seishirō are recognized for their layered personas, with Subaru’s arc continuing from Tokyo Babylon. Their showdown received acclaim for updated character designs. THEM Anime Reviews identified Sorata and Arashi’s bond as one of the most well-crafted relationships in the series, enriched by unexpected plot developments. Beveridge regarded Kamui and Fūma’s rivalry as a major highlight, though he found their concluding battle somewhat underwhelming due to the manga’s incomplete storyline. DVD Talk praised the portrayal of intense interpersonal dynamics alongside escalating violent sequences in later episodes.
From a visual standpoint, reviewers consistently lauded the high-quality animation and accurate character representations. Beveridge found the designs aesthetically pleasing and well-balanced compared to other Clamp projects such as Code Geass or Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. The climactic duel between Kamui and Fuma was noted for its somber and tragic mood. Some critics pointed out occasional reuse of animation frames throughout the series. Opinions on English voice acting varied; Michelle Ruff’s performance as Kotori Monou received widespread acclaim, whereas Steve Cannon’s portrayal did not resonate as strongly when compared to Kenichi Suzumura’s original Japanese interpretation. Tomokazu Sugita’s voice work as Subaru was also positively regarded.
Clamp's lead writer Nanase Ohkawa mentioned that production personnel retained full autonomy over scriptwriting and casting decisions, with Clamp positioning themselves as viewers rather than direct controllers. They considered this television adaptation faithful despite the manga remaining unfinished at that time. In 2011, Kenichi Suzumura married singer-actor Maaya Sakamoto; Clamp honored this event with an illustration depicting Kamui holding Tomoyo from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, a character voiced by Sakamoto.
Namco producer Masa played an active role overseeing X both professionally and personally. Upon learning about the launch of the 2001 TV anime, he aspired to recreate its universe within a video game format; however, achieving an accurate translation proved difficult. The resulting game was released for PlayStation on 22 August 2002.