X2 review: What makes the sequel so great and exceeds expectations?

The appeal and reputation of X2 - Double X

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

November 21, 1993

■Frequencies

25 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work: CLAMP

■ Director

・Director: Rintaro

■ Story

It includes songs such as X's "Kurenai," "Silent Jealousy," "ENDLESS RAIN," and "X." It uses an illustration slideshow of CLAMP's "X" and original anime as promotional videos.

■Explanation

This is the first ever video animation adaptation of the popular manga "X" by creative group CLAMP. It is a collaboration with visual kei rock band X. As the work is primarily visual, there is no cast.

■ Main staff

Director: Rintaro; Character design and animation director: Nobuteru Yuki; Art director: Yuji Ikeda; Color design: Takako Suzuki; Director of photography: Hitoshi Yamaguchi; Sound director: Yasunori Honda

■ Main Characters

・Shiro Kamui
The protagonist is a first-year high school student. He is the first being with the power to influence the future of the Earth. He can become either the "Dragon of Heaven" who seeks the survival of humanity, or the "Dragon of Earth" who pollutes humanity, but he chooses to be the "Dragon of Heaven".
・Monono Kotori (Mononokotori)
A beautiful, sickly girl who is Kamui's childhood friend. She inherited the ability to see dreams from her mother.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"X2 - Double X -" is an OVA released in 1993, a video animation based on CLAMP's popular manga "X". This work was produced in a unique form as a collaboration with visual kei rock band X, and is known as a work that focuses mainly on images. One of the characteristics of this work is that it has no cast.

The film is directed by Rintaro, with character design and animation director Nobuteru Yuki, art director Yuji Ikeda, color design by Takako Suzuki, cinematographer Hitoshi Yamaguchi, and sound director Yasunori Honda, bringing together a stellar team of staff. The visual beauty created by the team's unified effort leaves a strong visual impact.

The story includes X's songs "Kurenai," "Silent Jealousy," "ENDLESS RAIN," "X," and more, and uses an illustrated slideshow and original animation from CLAMP's "X" as a promotional video. This composition is the result of pursuing the fusion of music and video, and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

The main character, Shirou Kamui, is a first-year high school student who has the power to influence the future of the Earth. He has the power to become either the "Dragon of Heaven" or the "Dragon of Earth", but chooses to be the "Dragon of Heaven". Meanwhile, Monokotori is Kamui's childhood friend, a sickly beautiful girl. She inherited her mother's ability to see dreams, which adds depth to the story.

■ Evaluation of the work

"X2 - Double X -" is based on the popular manga "X" by CLAMP, and has been praised for its high level of visual perfection. In particular, director Rintaro's direction and Nobuteru Yuki's character design have been highly praised for their pursuit of visual beauty. In addition, the fusion of X's music and visuals has left a strong impact on viewers, and the work has been praised for showing new possibilities for music and anime.

However, some people also say that this work is mainly visual and has a weak story. Because there is no cast, it is difficult to convey emotions through the characters' voices and acting, and the fact that the story must be understood solely through visual beauty may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied.

■ Recommendation points

"X2 - Double X -" is a must-see for fans of CLAMP's "X" and their music. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy works that pursue visual beauty. It is also highly recommended for those who enjoy the fusion of music and anime.

Furthermore, this work is also a symbol of the heyday of the 1990s visual kei rock band X. Therefore, it is recommended for those who are interested in the music scene and culture of that time. You can experience Japanese subculture in the 1990s while enjoying the fusion of visual beauty and music.

■ Additional information

"X2 - Double X -" is based on the worldview of CLAMP's "X". "X" is a dark fantasy that depicts a battle that will determine the future of the Earth, and is loved by many fans. This work is a visualization of the worldview of "X", so fans of the original work will be able to enjoy the work from a new perspective.

This work also features songs by X, making it an appealing work for music fans. In particular, masterpieces such as "Kurenai," "Silent Jealousy," and "ENDLESS RAIN" are must-listen songs for X fans. The fusion of these songs and visuals leaves a strong impact on the viewer, showing new possibilities for music and anime.

Furthermore, this work is also a symbol of Japanese subculture in the 1990s. Created against the backdrop of the heyday of the visual kei rock band X, this work is also a valuable resource that allows you to experience the music scene and culture of that time. You can experience Japanese subculture in the 1990s while enjoying the fusion of visual beauty and music.

Conclusion

"X2 - Double X -" is a video animation based on CLAMP's "X", and is a unique work produced in collaboration with visual kei rock band X. It is a work that is mainly visual, and is also notable in that it has no cast. The visual beauty of the visuals, created by director Rintaro and character design by Yuki Nobuteru, creates a strong visual impact. Furthermore, the fusion of X's music and visuals leaves a strong impression on viewers, showing new possibilities for music and animation.

This work is a must-see for fans of CLAMP's "X" and fans of X's music. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy works that pursue visual beauty. It is also highly recommended for those who enjoy the fusion of music and anime. Furthermore, this work is a symbol of Japanese subculture in the 1990s, so it is recommended for those who are interested in the music scene and culture of that time. You will be able to experience Japanese subculture in the 1990s while enjoying the fusion of visual beauty and music.