x (review)

VISUALS: Needless to say, X looks beautiful. CLAMP has really come through on this one, and the result is painstakingly detailed animation and backdrops. This ranks up there with the Kenshin OVAs as the most graphically stunning anime ever (well, at least out of all those that I've watched). I didn't find any part of this series to be wanting in terms of animation or detail. Another nice thing to note is that CLAMP didn't go gaga over the CGI, unlike other studios like Gonzo. The effects that they do use are appropriate and fit in very nicely with the hand-drawn animations. One thing to note, though; if you don't like blood and gore, you won't like X. Frankly, from about episode 14 onwards, the characters literally start dropping like flies, and it isn't really pleasant when they do either. I don't think the TV series is as violent as the OVA, but it's still nowhere near getting a G or even a PG rating. Overall, excellent visuals, although they can be a bit gory at times.	9/10
SOUNDTRACK: X uses mainly symphonic music to serve as background music. These tracks are really good, and there is a recurrent symphonic "theme" that is used throughout the whole anime. Overall, it's good stuff; I find myself humming the symphonic tracks from X unconsciously. The music does a good job of setting the mood for the anime (which is discussed a bit later). As for opening and ending themes - well, Myuji's eX Dream is pretty good, although the lyrics are sort of depressing. The ending theme "Secret Sorrow" is also good, although I didn't catch the artiste's name. Of course, one can't really judge the series based on its opening and ending themes, so what gives X a high music score is its nice background score.	9/10
STORY: X makes no pretense that it's a dark, brooding tale. For those not in the know, X centres around the Battle of the Apocalypse between the Dragon of Heaven and the Dragon of Earth. The future of the Earth has come down to the decision of one person - Kamui, who has to decide whether he joins the Dragon of Earth and the Seven Angels, and thus destroy the world, or joins the Dragon of Heaven and the Seven Seals, and thus save the world. Of course, Kamui wants nothing to do with either group and only wants to protect his childhood friends Fuma and Kotori. The story, of course, contains numerous twists and has a surprise ending for those who have watched the OVA (No spoilers here). X has a gripping storyline (indeed, I watched six episodes at one stretch before I realised that I hadn't eaten my lunch and it was 4.00pm), but it can get very convoluted at times, particularly because of the large number of characters involved in the storyline. It's a far cry from the insanity that was Evangelion's plot, though, and is still bearable. The ending is also far more conclusive than Eva, although there are a few loose ends that could have been tied a little better. X has a powerful storyline, and a good message at the end. What is it? Watch and find out.	8/10
CHARACTERISATION: X's characters are very well-designed. When something happens to an onscreen character, it's very easy to empathise with them and feel their joy or their pain. And X has a lot of such characters. Taking full advantage of the 8 or so hours of running time, CLAMP has spared no effort in defining each and every character, their aspirations and their personalities. While I'm not the type to shed tears over a television show, I often felt a huge lump in my throat when something intensely emotional was happening to the character onscreen. It's this intense characterisation that makes me wholeheartedly recommend X to any anime fan.	10/10
MISCELLANEOUS: Keep in mind that CLAMP is a group of female artists. Hence, you might see some yaoi-ish undertones in some scenes. There is nothing overt though, so yaoi-haters can rejoice.
OVERALL: X is a true masterpiece. It's got all the ingredients that are necessary for a successful anime. I watched the fansubbed version which I downloaded off Kazaa (There's no official dub or sub as of yet). You should too. It's worth the download time.	A+

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