Top 10 Best CLAMP Anime / Manga of All Time
Perhaps a vast majority of you readers have seen lists discussing the greatest anime or manga of all time. However, I'm pretty sure most of you haven't encountered a list that focuses primarily on the works of a particular mangaka group like this one.
Here is a short description of this group:
CLAMP (クランプ), stylized as CLAMP, is an all-female Japanese mangaka group that formed in the mid-1980s. Many of the group's manga series have been adapted into anime after their release. The group consists of their leader, Nanase Ohkawa (大川 七瀬), who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for their works and their adaptations, and three artists whose roles shift with each series: Mokona (もこな), Tsubaki Nekoi (猫井 椿), and Satsuki Igarashi (いがらし 寒月). Almost 100 million CLAMP tankōbon copies had been sold worldwide as of October 2007.
So, there you go. As the title suggests, which do you think is the best CLAMP anime or manga work of all time?
In case you're not satisfied with the choices, you can add more if you feel like your personal favorite is not mentioned. Here's a complete list of all their works: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Clamp_works.
CLAMP began as an eleven-member dōjinshi circle in the mid-1980s and started creating original work in 1987. By the time they debuted with RG Veda in 1989, their numbers had reduced to seven. In 1993, three more members left, leaving the four members who are still part of the group today. In 2006, each member decided to change her name. However, later Nanase Ohkawa changed her name back from Ageha Ohkawa to her original name, Nanase Ohkawa.
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Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
Tsubasa is probably the second manga I've ever read (the manga is way better than the anime, so I read the manga and waited two years to watch the anime). It has a beautiful storyline, and although some people might think it repeats the same old story, it doesn't.
The characters are cool, and each world is different, with none of them looking the same! I personally like Fai, but all the characters are likable, and there is hardly anyone you could hate. People call it confusing, but I was able to catch all of the story.
I was so happy when I heard they released a continuation! I love this series!
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle is personally my most favorite manga of all time. The story and plot were really interesting, yet pretty confusing towards the end.
Each character, Fai and Kurogane especially, and Sakura and Syaoran, all had some tragedy in their past and are going through a lot (as I said, Sakura and Syaoran). I love all the characters. To me, the story was so good that whenever it got to the sad, heartbreaking parts, you truly feel their pain and struggle. Their self-sacrifices for the one they love.
Really, this story is a real tear-dropper. It made me cry like a baka.
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X/1999
I like this series because, well, the art is beautiful! The story is both beautiful and tragic, especially how many people died during the earthquakes. It actually raises the question, "Are we beings of free will, or are we prisoners of fate?" The characters slowly progress through their unnatural lives, trying to save humanity from its own foolishness. I love this series!
For me, X/1999 is the best CLAMP manga. The art is gorgeous, and the story is spectacular. It's dramatic and tragic, and somehow everything feels mature. Even the romance is taken to a higher emotional level. It really is CLAMP's masterpiece!
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Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp. The series follows Sakura Kinomoto, a young girl who discovers magical powers after accidentally releasing a set of magical cards. It was first published... read more
Cardcaptor Sakura is a wonderful anime and an amazing manga. As a childhood series, it's fun, cute, funny, innocent, and loving in magical ways. I would definitely vote this as my favorite anime and manga. I never get tired of it and always remember the good and cute parts.
It also helps in real life. Once, I got lost. I looked everywhere, and for a little while, I thought, "If I were Sakura-chan, what would I do?" Then, I ran to where Sakura would have thought my family was, and I found them.
Additionally, it calms me down. Whenever I need to relax, I think of, "IT'S ALL RIGHT! Daijoubu, daijoubu, daijoubu..." and "I'll surely be alright," as Sakura says. Cardcaptor Sakura is a Japanese anime and manga for all ages. You should vote for this awesome series!
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Tokyo Babylon
In a lot of CLAMP's other works, I often felt that they had bitten off a little bit more than they could chew. TB, on the other hand, was very much a domestic tragedy with a small main cast.
The development of plot and characterization was well-crafted without forgoing either, and there was just enough insight into the hidden intentions of each character to provide a dark backdrop behind the surface interactions, without giving away the surprise ending. CLAMP also seemed to showcase ideas better by raising issues in Tokyo's society, rather than trying to make a statement about reality and the cosmos.
TB was unambitious compared to many other of CLAMP's works, but as a result, it was one of their most solid works in my opinion. The very understated art style and the cleverly elegant use of black and white to indicate tone was also a definite plus.
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Code Geass
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, often referred to simply as Code Geass, is a Japanese anime series created by Sunrise. It was directed by Gorō Taniguchi and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, with original character designs by the manga artist group Clamp. The series debuted in 2006 and is known for its... read more
One of my favorite anime of all time (along with Tsubasa Chronicles). I adore all the main characters. The plot is so exciting and entertaining. There is always something up the main character's sleeve, and I think it's so sweet that he did what he did because of the promise he made.
It has an epic ending, though it's bittersweet (just like Tsubasa Chronicles).
What an ending! Absolutely takes your breath away!
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Chobits
Chobits was one of the first anime and manga I ever read, and as such, it has a special place in my heart. I have since re-watched and re-read it a few times, and I've caught a few amazing themes that I probably didn't notice the first time around.
Chobits explores a number of closely related questions: Can a robot love? If a robot can love, feel, grow, and make decisions, does that make it more than just a robot? Doesn't that make it more real? Chobits is a philosophical question about what exactly the nature of being human ultimately is.
Aside from the deep questions, the art style, clothing, and storylines are amazing and wonderful to follow. I recommend it 100% to anyone who loves sweet, thoughtful anime/manga with a bit of depth, especially the manga.
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Magic Knight Rayearth
The anime adaptation of Magic Knight Rayearth aired on Japan's Yomiuri TV from October 17, 1994, to November 27, 1995. The series is based on the manga of the same name created by the artist group CLAMP. It was split into two seasons, each telling a separate arc of the story.
As one of the first manga I got into when I was 10, it has a special place in my heart. It was the first CLAMP manga I read, and I loved it. I still do today. But some words of warning: The manga is MUCH better than the anime, in my opinion.
Very underrated and unique. I watched the anime recently, and it caught me by surprise. It starts out normal, but every episode kept getting better. The first season is a fantasy adventure anime, and the second season is more sci-fi. It's definitely my favorite CLAMP anime.
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xxxHolic
I love this series. The introduction of Japanese supernatural themes and traditional culture was a thrill for me, and CLAMP's ideas about destiny and fate were perfectly interwoven with more widely held Buddhist ideology. I also loved the psychological aspects present here.
Additionally, I loved the storyline and the characters. Its integration with Tsubasa made it feel large and grand, but the story itself was intimate and touching. The characters had a touching goodness and empathy that I love but stopped short of the machismo CLAMP can sometimes stray into with their good guys. This is hands down my favorite from CLAMP.
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Clamp School Detectives
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Wish
I love this series! It's short, cute, and one of the first manga I have read!
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Blood-C
By the studio I.G, but in collaboration with CLAMP!
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Miyuki-chan in Wonderland
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Kobato
The relationships between the characters warm my heart so much. Kobato never seemed to care much about her wish. She just wanted to make others happy and have fun. It's a bittersweet story that tugs at the heartstrings.
Kobato is a wonderful anime. This anime will make you laugh, cry, give you hope, and warm your heart. It's highly recommended. Also, for those of you who like CLAMP animes, there are a lot of connections between Kobato and other CLAMP creations.
Kobato was a very heart-wrenching series. This series was one of the few that actually made me cry. Kobato was such a great character, and I kind of want to be like her.
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RG Veda
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Angelic Layer
I love Angelic Layer! The story was awesome, though the English dub voice of Misaki annoyed me a little. It was truly amazing to watch the dolls fight, and I desperately want an angel. I LOVE IT!
I loved Angelic Layer... except for the fact that the main girl's mom is an idiot.
How I wish this could happen in real life! It's really awesome.
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Lawful Drug
Sadly, this series is incomplete as it is constantly on-again, off-again hiatus. It is one of the most underrated of CLAMP's manga. The characters are absolutely hilarious, with a lot of boy-love humor in this one!
It keeps you intrigued right from the first page and captivates you all the way up to the bone-chilling final page cliffhanger that the hiatus left it at in LD's sequel, Drug & Drop. It still has CLAMP's signature theme of supernatural beings, but the unique thing about this manga is that it is set in a pharmacy/drugstore!
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Gate 7
YES! I own it and have read this like a million times.
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Clover
This is one of the most beautiful CLAMP manga ever created. The use of negative and positive space is incredible. There are a lot of 'steampunk' elements in the art, long before 'steampunk' was ever even a thought.
The story is heartbreaking, though a little tough to follow because it was never finished. This is one of my favorite art manga in the entire world, so if you're interested in the aesthetic, definitely look it up or buy the omnibus that came out a few years ago.