Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece comes to a fitting end !
Review: 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 !
Rating:
Summary: All Good Things...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: All Good Things...
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: Wow, talk about rushed. It seemed as if the anime director was in the biggest hurry to wrap this up that there was no consideration towards the longings of the audience. Now because I'm a manga purist, I'll TRY my damnedest to rate this entirely separately. Why? Because, in the end, it's SO EXTREMELY DIFFERENT from the manga that it, like the movie, must be taken entirely in its own context. There's NO CHANCE to compare them any longer. First off, the fight sequence between Kamui and /Kamui/ could have been a LOT longer. It was very short. Nicely animated, explosive, and set in lovely backgrounds with lots of splitting beams, yes, but too damned short. There could've been a whole lot more delving into each character's personal crisises, as well. Rushed entirely. And too many twitching eyeballs made me shudder a bit - that in of itself rather squished my opinion towards the grandure of the animation quality. Kamui's Japanese voice actor didn't do the end scene very well, either, in my opinion. He could've put a bit more emotion into it. And I don't EVEN want to know how the English doofus did - I avoided that viewing experience entirely. My favorite part of this ENTIRE volume was... well, knowing my tastes and how much I adore the Sumeragi Twins.... That's right! HOKUTO-CHAN!!! *glompityglomp* She's a superb little twist in this thing. Gaw, I love this girl! However, I DO hate that the anime director decided to simply redraw the end of *censored* Tokyo Babylon. How many times can Onmyouji Boy go catatonic, for God's sake?! All in all, it was far too rushed and trying too hard to accomplish the same levels of pure angst that Clamp has created through, what is it now, 18 volumes with almost enough new stuff in Asuka to make a 19th? So now that I've stated why the anime itself sucked (piss-poor animation when compared to industry standards like Neon Genesis Evangelion, the X movie, even Vision of Escaflowne and Tokyo Babylon for crying out loud with the sole exception of the battle sequence, poor voice acting on Kamui's seiyuu's part, pretty pathetic attempts to make you sniffle and very, very rushed ending considering most anime series encompass 26 episodes and they put out this bastard in 24), let's NOW compare it to the manga. For you purists like me... Let us all simply start spazzing now. The differences made me shudder and convulse. No return of the Sakurazukamori, no conglomeration of people at the Promised Day (most of 'em already freakin' died, for crying out loud!), Kazuki's wish is turned ENTIRELY on its head, and only ONE EPISODE with an entirely Evil Hinoto(tm). Sorata doesn't face off with who he's supposed to face off with *glomps the last volume of Asuka that X actually came out in and cries*. Subaru isn't in his spiffy black trenchcoat with his new mismatched eyes. I'm running off to scream now. Nice music, pretty artwork, and a wonderfully animated albiet far too short battle sequence. In of itself, a good li'l anime with a nice little twist to the end that makes you smile. Not enough to make up for the sheer disappointment of the series when compared to the manga.
Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: Wow, talk about rushed. It seemed as if the anime director was in the biggest hurry to wrap this up that there was no consideration towards the longings of the audience. Now because I'm a manga purist, I'll TRY my damnedest to rate this entirely separately. Why? Because, in the end, it's SO EXTREMELY DIFFERENT from the manga that it, like the movie, must be taken entirely in its own context. There's NO CHANCE to compare them any longer. First off, the fight sequence between Kamui and /Kamui/ could have been a LOT longer. It was very short. Nicely animated, explosive, and set in lovely backgrounds with lots of splitting beams, yes, but too damned short. There could've been a whole lot more delving into each character's personal crisises, as well. Rushed entirely. And too many twitching eyeballs made me shudder a bit - that in of itself rather squished my opinion towards the grandure of the animation quality. Kamui's Japanese voice actor didn't do the end scene very well, either, in my opinion. He could've put a bit more emotion into it. And I don't EVEN want to know how the English doofus did - I avoided that viewing experience entirely. My favorite part of this ENTIRE volume was... well, knowing my tastes and how much I adore the Sumeragi Twins.... That's right! HOKUTO-CHAN!!! *glompityglomp* She's a superb little twist in this thing. Gaw, I love this girl! However, I DO hate that the anime director decided to simply redraw the end of *censored* Tokyo Babylon. How many times can Onmyouji Boy go catatonic, for God's sake?! All in all, it was far too rushed and trying too hard to accomplish the same levels of pure angst that Clamp has created through, what is it now, 18 volumes with almost enough new stuff in Asuka to make a 19th? So now that I've stated why the anime itself sucked (piss-poor animation when compared to industry standards like Neon Genesis Evangelion, the X movie, even Vision of Escaflowne and Tokyo Babylon for crying out loud with the sole exception of the battle sequence, poor voice acting on Kamui's seiyuu's part, pretty pathetic attempts to make you sniffle and very, very rushed ending considering most anime series encompass 26 episodes and they put out this bastard in 24), let's NOW compare it to the manga. For you purists like me... Let us all simply start spazzing now. The differences made me shudder and convulse. No return of the Sakurazukamori, no conglomeration of people at the Promised Day (most of 'em already freakin' died, for crying out loud!), Kazuki's wish is turned ENTIRELY on its head, and only ONE EPISODE with an entirely Evil Hinoto(tm). Sorata doesn't face off with who he's supposed to face off with *glomps the last volume of Asuka that X actually came out in and cries*. Subaru isn't in his spiffy black trenchcoat with his new mismatched eyes. I'm running off to scream now. Nice music, pretty artwork, and a wonderfully animated albiet far too short battle sequence. In of itself, a good li'l anime with a nice little twist to the end that makes you smile. Not enough to make up for the sheer disappointment of the series when compared to the manga.
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