X/1999, Vol. 18: Inversion

I have this entire series up to the latest volume (this one). And I keep hoping and praying the next volume will be coming out. I really hope they didn't completely 'drop' this manga. It's absolutely a MUST READ for any CLAMP fan. It's so much more detailed than the anime which I also love. I'm curious as to how this series will end. I didn't really like how the anime ended (Kamui dying- hope I didn't spoil it for anyone). I miss reading this manga alot. It's my most favorite by them. Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth are my other favorites by them. I hope they will continue this and have the 'two' Hinoto's face eachother like in the anime.

Okay, so we've made it this far. 18 volumes down, who knows how many left? certainly not anyone overseas, since 18 volumes have been released there too! And this is not the end by any means. I predict at least one or two more volumes.....if only Asuka will get around to continuing to run X.....*writes massive amounts of letters to Asuka.* Okay, so volume 18. We've made it past THAT SCENE, the infamous volume 16, Arashi has finally admitted her not-so-secret feelings for Sorata, the consequences of which appear (let's all pray really hard that it's just an obstacle she has to overcome), and quite a bit of I'm-not-quite-sure-what-to-make-of-it moments between Aoki and Karen. And thus we arrive at volume 18. Features: Nataku, ah poor Nataku. Our cover boy this volume. Throughout the series, he's been quite the strange character. But I really love him in this volume. Karen is the one who really interacts (I'm cringing at word choice, but I don't know how to put it without spoilers for the scene) with Nataku, the aftermath of which gives us a very insightful and heart-wrenching scene and dialogue between DoH Kamui and Karen about the final battle and quite possibly DoE Kamui's true intentions. Of course, this occurs about ten pages before the end of the volume, so everyone's left screaming. Subaru-kun. Oh man, Subaru-kun. After the end of volume 17, which ended with Subaru-kun cluthching Sei-chan's (Seishiro-san or Sakurazukamori to those of you who don't adore Sei-chan)left eye (yes, i know in the Viz version, it's his right eye, but i'm one of those screaming RIGHT!!! NOT LEFT!!! about the which eyes are blind on the pair) in a jar to his chest after DoE Kamui gives it to him after a heart-wrenching (at least to Sei/Subaru shippers) talk about Seishiro-san's true wish besides dying at the hands of his loved one, we're all left crying and wondering (not really) about what Subaru-kun will do. Subaru-kun has yet another talk with DoE Kamui, equally heart-wrenching, no matter what your relationship vote, and as pretty much no surprise to anyone, Subaru-kun has two seeing eyes now. Man, Subaru-kun is sexy in all black......SEI-CHAN LIVES!! (not really, but read that scene, and you'll know what i mean) DoH Kamui has a spine now guys! *everyone cheers* Guys, if DoE Kamui is granting everyone's "true wish", can he grant Kamui's "true wish", if we ever truly figure it out? ha. not likely. but we can dream, ne? So, we've got huge angst-fests from just about every character who's still alive, lots of discussions about everyone's "inner wish", and evil!Hinoto commenting on just about everything, mainly the fact that there are only two kekkais left now, City Hall, and the all-important Tokyo Tower, and with her final words of "The time draws near for them to start the final battle", the volume ends. Everyone write massive letters to Asuka in support of CLAMP, maybe if they get enough of them, they'll finally get off their soapbox and continue running the

Volume 18 features some startling differences between the anime and the manga in this popular CLAMP series. Things only hinted at that occur between Karen and Nataku in the X TV series, here are flushed out and a very different outcome for the Dragon of Earth is revealed. The consequences of Arashi's night with Sorata are starting to be revealed. Kamui becomes aware of Hinoto's deceptions and speaks to Karen about it. Also, the nature of Fuma's true intentions and desires (as well as those of the now dead Seishiro) begin to surface as he interacts with the now fallen Dragon of Heaven, Subaru. The back of the Shojo edition of this volume reads, "The balance of power is shifting. Arashi's suprising emotional confession to Sorata has unexpected consequences, and the result of Fuma's shocking gift to aimless Subaru is revealed. Unaware of Hinoto's duplicity, Karen and Aoki have followed her instructions and are heading to Ginza to face Tokyo's next threat. Will the Dragons of Heaven win again---and at what cost?" The cover features a picture of Nataku as the Moon (XVIII) Tarot card. Fitting, since this volume deals specifically with him, as well as represents the nature of the Moon card well. For Nataku, a choice between two things needs to be made, and he has to come to terms with his own emotions, wild and childlike as they are. The only really irritating thing about this volume, as well as for the Viz series itself, is the flipped artwork. It's hard enough when you have to look at someone clutching the wrong side of their chest as they refer to their heart, but also the change for which eye Subaru and Seishiro lost, not only being different from the TV series (which of course wouldn't need to be flipped), but also retracting from the symbolism associated with Subaru and the Hanged Man (XII) representing the sacrifice of Odin's eye for knowledge. But maybe feeling that way is a bit geeky...