Review: X (TV)

Episode Reviewed In: Episode 48

Alternate Titles: None

Original Japanese Release Date: 2001

Episode Length/Run-time: 24 ( 24 mins ea. )

Summary:

Kamui Shiro, a 15 year old psychic, returns to Tokyo on the year of Destiny after disappearing for 6 years, to protect his childhood friends Fuuma and Kotori. However, the twists of fate and destiny are sucking in Kamui, along with the ones he holds dear. It is his fate to decide the fate of the world and mankind, regardless of whether or not he wants the role.

Review:

Quite an epic story if you ask me.

The end of the world draws near in modern day tokyo. Scions representing the heavens, elemental forces, and different religions divide into groups, preparing for a final battle to determine the fate of the world. These groups are guided by people called Dreamseers, which can see the future in their dreams. The opposing groups await a leader (called the Kamui). When he arrives, he wants nothing to do with either side and wants only to retrieve a family heirloom and be left alone. However, Kanoe, the mistress of the Dragons of Earth, wont let this happen very easily. As she causes tragedy after tragedy, Kamui is forced to choose a side and the war explodes. Who will win, the Dragons of Heaven (who want to preserve the Earth) or the Dragons of Earth (who want to wipe everything clean and start fresh)?  Will the world be wiped clean of mankind?!

Sound epic enough? Well it is. I loved every bit of the darkness of this anime, from the character development to to the intense battle scenes. CLAMP did a great job with this anime I must say. Each group of Dragons are so well developed that it is difficult to decide who the “bad guys” really are. Some are fighting for their loved ones, others out of duty or destiny. Each character gets to have their spotlight as well without halting the story progression (this I find many animes cant pull off as well as X does!). X is not all action though, between battles the story can drag along with long dialogues and memory-based scenes (this might annoy you action-loving fans a bit, but dont be swayed away from it).

Production for this anime far surpasses the expectations of the usual TV anime. The artwork, animation, and music are breathtaking. This anime is a fantastic people! Roukou demands you watch it.