| Clamp | |
 Clamp at the Anime Expo 2006. (from left to right) Satsuki Igarashi, Nanase Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi, Mokona. Photo by John (Phoenix) Brown. |
|
| クランプ | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Sei Nanao Tamayo Akiyama |
| Country of origin |  Japan |
| Notable current members | Nanase Ohkawa Mokona Tsubaki Nekoi Satsuki Igarashi |
| Notable former members | O-Kyon Sei Nanao Tamayo Akiyama Leeza Sei Sōshi Hishika Kazue Nakamori Shinya Ōmi |
| Type | Manga studio |
Clamp (クランプ Kuranpu), stylized as CLAMP, is an all-female Japanese mangaka group that was formed in the mid 1980s. Many of the group's manga series are often adapted into anime after release. It consists of their leader Nanase Ohkawa (大川 七瀬 Ōkawa Nanase), who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for all their works and adaptations of those works respectively, and three artists whose roles shift for each series: Mokona (もこな Mokona), Tsubaki Nekoi (猫井 椿 Nekoi Tsubaki), and Satsuki Igarashi (いがらし 寒月 Igarashi Satsuki). Almost 100 million Clamp tankōbon copies have been sold worldwide as of October 2007.[1]
Beginning as an eleven-member dōjinshi circle in the mid 1980s, they began creating original work in 1987. By the time they debuted with RG Veda in 1989, their numbers were reduced to seven. In 1993, three more members left, leaving the four members currently still part of the group. In 2006, each member decided to change her name, however later Nanase Ohkawa decided to change her name back (from Ageha Ohkawa back to her original name Nanase Ohkawa).
Contents |
History
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (April 2009) |
Before their debut
Clamp originally began in the mid 1980s as an eleven-member dōjinshi circle.[2] The three artists of Clamp, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi first began drawing Manga when they were either in middle or high school, inspired by friends. The three artists were good friends in the same school. They met Nanase Ohkawa when one of her friend befriended Mokona after buying a comic that she was selling, and through that connection, the four of them became friends. The group of twelve original members began to meet at every event held in Osaka and Kobe, which usually occurred once a month.[3] Before they began creating original work, the group produced dōjinshi of Captain Tsubasa.[1] However in 1987, the group stopped dōjinshi and began creating orignal work; it was at this time they began working on RG Veda.[2] Their first collaborative work was entitled "CLAMP", which they continued to work on until shortly after their debut.[3]
1990–1999
By the group's professional debut in 1989 with the manga RG Veda, its members had diminished to seven.[4] Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of Clamp also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.
In July 1989, Genki Comics began serializing their second work, Man of Many Faces. In March 1990, Wings began serializing Tokyo Babylon.
In August 1991, Genki Comics began serializing Duklyon: Clamp School Defenders. This was the work that the three artists Mokona, Nekoi, and Igarashi enjoyed working on the most.[5] In December of the same year, Monthly Asuka began serializing Clamp School Detectives.
In May 1992, Monthly Asuka began running X, and On June 10, 1992 Kobunsha published Shirahime-Syo: Snow Goddess Tales.
In 1993, Clamp released two different manga: in March, Miyuki-chan in Wonderland began serializing in Newtype Magazine and in November, Magic Knight Rayearth began serializing in Nakayoshi.
On July 17, 1995 Kadokawa Shoten published The One I Love.
On May 1996, Cardcaptor Sakura first began serializing in Nakayoshi. This was the manga that Ohkawa, Clamp's leader and storyboarder, enjoyed working on the most as it, unlike many of her previous works, is not a tragedy.[5] In October of the same year Wish first began serializing in Asuka Comics DX.
In December 1998, Suki: A Like Story began first serializing in Asuka Comics DX In January 1999, Angelic Layer first began serializing in Monthly Shōnen Ace.
2000-onwards
In 2004, Clamp's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively.[6] To celebrate Clamp's 15th anniversary, Tokyopop released a twelve-part magazine series entitled Clamp no Kiseki that contained a plethora of information for fans.[7] The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of Clamp simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.[6]
In 2006, Ohkawa made her first appearance oversiews at the Taipei International Book Exhibition sponsored by I.G. Productions.[6] During an interview there, she announced that Clamp would be making its first USA public debut at Anime Expo in July in Anaheim, California co-sponsered by Anime Expo, Del Rey Manga, Funimation and Tokyopop.[8][9] They were well received at the convention as fans completely filled all 6,000 seats present in the auditorium of the focus panel in addition to more on the waiting list.[5] By 2006, Clamp had reportedly sold in excess of 90 million copies of their manga internationally.[10]
Former Members
- O-Kyon (お·きょん).
- Sei Nanao (七穂せい Nanao Sei) officially left Clamp in June 1990 (last mentioned in Shōten 6).[verification needed]
- Tamayo Akiyama (秋山 たまよ Akiyama Tamayo) and Leeza Sei (聖りいざ Sei Riiza) officially left Clamp in October 1992.[citation needed]
- Sōshi Hishika (日鷺総司 Hishika Sōshi), Kazue Nakamori (中森かずえ Nakamori Kazue), and Shinya Ōmi (大海神哉 Ohmi Shinya) officially left in March 1993 (as mentioned in the Shōten 3).[verification needed]
Like many dōjinshi groups, Clamp did welcome guests in their team from time to time. For example, Yuzuru Inoue is often listed as the twelfth member of the group but was only a guest.
Style
Clamp's production style is similar to animation production. Nanase Ohkawa acts as the group's spokeswoman, producer-director, and storyboarder.[11] Mokona is the chief character designer, while Igarashi and Nekoi work for the background; however, the three often shuffle their roles.[6] Although Ohkawa chooses which projects they decide to decline or accept, Satsuki Igarashi decides on the actual time and order the group works on each project, creating the schedules for time allotted to each individual work. In general, Ohkawa gets her inspiration for the group from everyday events such as dreams or the news.[12] The ending for each story is predetermined.[5] After storyboarding and receiving approval from their editors, Ohkawa assigns the roles to each group member and then chooses the visual styles depending on factors such as the complexity of the story, the chosen art style, and its relationship to the group's other works.[6][11][12] On average for each chapter that they produce (for Clamp, an average of 20 pages of artwork in a magazine), storyboarding takes twelve hours, the script takes eight hours to write, and the artwork depends on the story. For example, a chapter of xxxHolic takes two days whereas a chapter X took four to five days.[5]
Unlike most mangaka who specialize in a single genre, Clamp has created a diverse body of work.[11] Clamp's genres vary widely, from childish and comedic (Cardcaptor Sakura, Clamp School Detectives) to much more dramatic and teen-rated (xxxHolic, X) series. Furthemore, drawing from the idea of Osamu Tezuka's Star System as they did in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle,[13] Clamp often reuses characters from their own earlier works, which gives rise to a loosely defined "Clamp universe".[14]
Art
The current members of Clamp took art-focused classes during their high school. However, Tsubaki Nekoi feels that, aside from basic art skills, drawing manga requires a different skill set; however, since none of the group have worked as assistants for already established mangaka, most of their ability is self-taught.[12]
Clamp's manga is distinguished by its diverse visual styles.[11] Clamp's art changes frequently depending on the primary artist of a given project and the target audience; however, most of their works have characters with highly detailed hair, heavily stylized eyes and human figures, and elaborate clothing.[citation needed] In addition, sweeping curved lines are common in many of their shōjo manga.[citation needed] Clover is remarkable for its heavy use of negative space.[15]
Themes
Many Clamp works have several themes behind the story. For example: The theme of chaste or pure love in the manga Chobits,[citation needed] the idea that all events are inevitable due to past decisions (hitsuzen) as in Card Captor Sakura, Tsubasa Chronicle, and xxxHolic, and the idea that humans choose their destiny through their own efforts.[citation needed]
Perhaps drawing inspiration from Ohkawa's own poor right-eye vision, Clamp frequently features one-eyed characters or characters that lose their sight in one eye as means to express the feeling of loneliness. However, there is always something later on that comes to supplement the loss in vision.[12]
Also common is the idea of soulmates, or couples tied together by fate. Clamp's disregard for gender (or at times biological age) in these couples has led them to write normal homosexual couples into many of their manga in contrast to many other mangaka (for example, Touya and Yukito in Card Captor Sakura). A number of such couples have been shown together across parallel dimensions in the Clamp multiverse. Although Clamp illustrates many love stories, Ohkawa has mentioned that she feels that it is more putting one's life on the line than love that causes women to grow or change.[12]
Works
- Volumes released refers to the number of volumes of a given series released in Japan. For international releases, please see International publishing status of Clamp works.
Future works
| Name | Volumes Released | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| "Mangettes: Gate 7" (2010)[16] | Simultaneous joint global collaboration with Dark Horse Comics. |
Unfinished/current works
| Name | Volumes Released | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Clover | 4 | Ran in the now cancelled Amie magazine. |
| Kobato (こばと.) |
3 | Ran in Monthly Sunday Gene-X for seven chapters. Returned to publication in the November 2006 edition of Newtype magazine. |
| Legend of Chun Hyang (新·春香伝 Shin Shunkaden) |
1 | The project was dropped after only a few chapters, though a recent interview has stated that Clamp would like to finish the work in the future. A recent interview with Clamp had them list the work as complete. |
| Legal Drug (合法 ドラッグ Gōhō Drug) |
3 | Not running in any magazine. According to Clamp, it will resume production soon[citation needed]. |
| Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle (ツバサ−RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE− Tsubasa Rezaboa Kuronikuru) |
27 | Running since 2003 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. |
| X/1999 (X Ekkusu) |
18 | Not running in any magazine since March 2003. Some social problems in Japan prevent Kadokawa from releasing further chapters. |
| xxxHolic (×××ホリック Horikku) |
15 | Running weekly since 2003 in Young Magazine. |
Completed Works
| First Published |
Last Published |
Name | Publisher and Series | Volumes Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1991 | 20 Mensō ni Onegai!!/20 Masks, Please!! (20面相におねがい!! 20 Mensō ni Onegai!!) |
Kadokawa Shoten Newtype 100% Comics / Kadokawa Comics Series |
2 |
| 1990 | 1996 | RG Veda (聖伝 Sei-den RG Veda) |
Shinshokan Wings Comics |
10 |
| 1990 | 1993 | Tokyo Babylon (東京BABYLON Tōkyō BABYLON) |
Shinshokan Wings Comics / Wings Library |
7 |
| 1992 | 1993 | Clamp School Detectives (CLAMP学園探偵団 Clamp Gakuen Tanteidan) |
Kadokawa Shoten Asuka Comics DX |
3 |
| 1992 | 1993 | Duklyon: Clamp School Defenders (学園特警デュカリオン Gakuen Tokkei Dyukarion) |
Kadokawa Shoten Newtype 100% Comics |
2 |
| 1992 | 1992 | Shirahime-Syo: Snow Goddess Tales (白姫抄 Shirahime-Shō) |
Kadokawa Shoten Asuka Comics DX |
1 |
| 1993 | 1995 | Magic Knight Rayearth (魔法騎士レイアース Majikku Naito (Mahō Kishi) Reiāsu) |
Kodansha KC Deluxe |
6 |
| 1993 | 1995 | Miyuki-chan in Wonderland (不思議の国の美幸ちゃん Fushigi no Kuni no Miyuki-chan) |
Kadokawa Shoten Newtype 100% Comics Extra / Kadokawa Comics Series |
1 |
| 1995 | 1995 | The One I Love (わたしのすきなひと Watashi no Suki na Hito) |
Kadokawa Shoten Young Rose Comics DX |
1 |
| 1996 | 2000 | Cardcaptor Sakura (カードキャプター さくら Kādokyaputā Sakura) |
Kodansha KC Deluxe |
12 |
| 1996 | 1998 | Wish | Kadokawa Shoten Asuka Comics DX |
4 |
| 1999 | 2001 | Angelic Layer (エンジェリック レイヤー Enjerikku Reiyā) |
Kadokawa Shoten Kadokawa Comics Series |
5 |
| 1999 | 2000 | Suki Dakara Suki (I like, therefore I like) (「すき.だからすき」 "Suki; Dakara Suki") |
Kadokawa Shoten Asuka Comics |
3 |
| 2001 | 2002 | Chobits (ちょびっツ Chobittsu) |
Kodansha Young Magazine KC Deluxe |
8 |
| 2004 | 2004 | Clamp no Kiseki (CLAMPノキセキ Clamp no Kiseki) |
Kodansha | 12 |
Early Works
| Name | Publisher and Series | Volumes Released |
|---|---|---|
| Cluster (クラスター CLUSTER) |
Shinkigensha | 7 |
| Derayd (界境天秤の月 Derayd Kaikyōtenbin no Tsuki Derayd) |
Shinkigensha | 1 |
| Like Stars Army War (破軍星戦記 Hagun Seisenki) |
Fusion Product | 1 |
Short works
These are short works that were only available in monthly magazines; they were never published in tankōbon form.
| Name | Date Published | Featured In |
|---|---|---|
| Tenshi no Bodyguard (天使のボディガード Tenshi no Bodīgādo) |
1989 | Kobunsha Val Pretty |
| Shiawase ni Naritai (しあわせ に なりたい Shiawase ni Naritai) |
1990 | Fusion Product Genki Tokuhon |
| Tenku Senki Shurato Original Memory: Dreamer (天空 戦記 シュラト (オリジナル メモリー)「夢魔 (ドリーマー)」 Tenkū Senki Shurato Orijinaru Memorī: Dorīmā) |
1990 | Kadokawa Shoten Newtype Comic Genki no Moto |
| Koi wa Tenka no Mawarimono (恋は天下のまわりもの Koi wa Tenka no Mawarimono) |
1990 | Hakusensha Series |
| Left Hand (左手 Hidarite) |
1994 | Shinshokan South Summer |
| Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings (水都の四兄弟 創竜伝·外伝 Suito no Yonkyōdai Sōryūden Gaiden) | 1994 | Kadokawa Shoten Monthly Mystery DX |
| Yumegari (夢狩り Yumegari) |
1996 | Kadokawa Shoten Monthly Shōsetsu Asuka |
| Ano Hi o Shiru Mono wa Saiwai Dearu (あの日を知るものは幸いである Ano Hi o Shiru Mono wa Saiwai Dearu) |
2002 | Kodansha Young Magazine Zoukan : Sports Sō |
| Murikuri (むりくり Murikuri) |
2002 | Kodansha Young Magazine |
| Washizu |
August 8, 2008[17] | Monthly Kindai Mahjong Original |
Collaborations
| Name | Collaborated With | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp School Paranormal Investigators (Clamp 学園 怪奇現象 研究会 事件 ファイル Clamp Gakuen Kaiki Genshō Kenkyūkai Jiken Fairu) |
Tomiyuki Matsumoto | Manga illustrations and script |
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ Kōdo Giasu: Hangyaku no Rurūshu) |
Sunrise | Character design, ending illustrations (season two) |
| Koi (恋 Koi) |
Takeshi Okazaki | Manga script |
| Mouryou no Hako (魍魎の匣 Mōryō no Hako) |
Madhouse Production | Character design |
| Night Head | George Iida | Novel illustrations (2 Volumes) |
| Oshiroi Chouchou (おしろい蝶々 Oshiroi Chōchō) |
Kamon Nanami·Akira | Manga illustrations (1 volume) |
| Rex: A Dinosaur Story (REX 恐竜 物語 Rekkusu: Kyōryū Monogatari) |
Hata Masanori | Manga illustrations and script (1 Volume) |
| Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings (創竜伝 Sōryūden) |
Yoshiki Tanaka | Novel illustrations (12 volumes)[18] |
| Shu no Ketsumyaku (呪の血脈 Shu no Ketsumyaku) |
Kamon Nanami | Novel illustrations (1 volumes) |
| Sweet Valerian (animated series) (スウィート·ヴァレリアン Suwīto Varerian) |
Madhouse Production | Character concept and design[19] |
Clamp has authored other dōjinshi that are not listed above. Having started as a dōjinshi group, most of Clamp's dōjinshi are from their earlier years. A number of Clamp's earlier works are also not listed above.
International publishing status
Reception and Awards
Mystery has surrounded the members of Clamp as in order to avoid being harassed by overzealous fans, they avoid making public appearances.[6]
The president and CEO of Funimation, Genga Fukunaga, has praised CLAMP as being "One of the most acclaimed groups of artists in Japan."[9] According to Charles Solomon, a journalist from The New York Times, Clamp "ranks among the most successful creators of manga ... in Japan and the United States." Dallas Middaugh, associate publisher of the Del Rey Manga, stated that Clamp was a integral part of "manga explosion" that has been occuring in the United States over the past few years. He also praised the group's artwork and storytelling style as having "struck a strong chord with male and female manga readers."[11] The group was placed third after the winner for the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Children's category in 1999.[20] Their work Cardcaptor Sakura won the Seiun Award for best manga in 2001.[21]
When asked about the universal popularity of Clamp's works, John Oppliger of AnimeNation stated that although it is "not based on originality [or] their artistic skill", they possess a distinct style that "perfectly mesh[es] the conventional attributes of shōnen and shōjo manga". He also pointed out that Clamp often "recycles" characters from their own earlier works, which gave rise to "a loosely defined 'Clamp universe' that gives much of their work a unifying tone", and creates "absorbing, complex narratives that appeal to both male and female readers". All these factors result in "a cult following devoted to anything and everything the group publishes".[14]
References
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (February 2008) |
- ^ a b Pink, Daniel H. (2007-10-22). "Japan, Ink: Inside the Manga Industrial Complex". Wired Magazine (Condé Nast Digital) (15-11): 5. http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/15-11/ff_manga?currentPage=4. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ a b Wu, Lisa "Skuld" (February 2003). (PDF)miteiru! (MIT) II (03). http://web.mit.edu/anime/miteiru!/2003-02-15.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
- ^ a b CLAMP North Side
- ^ "Profile:1987" (in Japanese). Clamp. http://www.clamp-net.com/html/contents/profile/#1987. Retrieved on 2009-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e "Anime Expo 15 Cosplay 2006". John (Phoenix) Brown. January 11, 2009. http://www.phoenixanime.com/ax06/page5.htm. Retrieved on 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b c d e f Chang, Chih-Chieh (March 2nd 2006). "Interview with Ageha Ohkawa and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature.php?id=245. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
- ^ Smith, Lesley (April 2005). "Happy Birthday, CLAMP!". Animefringe. http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/04/feature/01.php. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ "CLAMP scheduled for US appearance in July". Anime News Network. 2006-03-08. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-03-08/clamp-scheduled-for-us-appearance-in-july. Retrieved on 2009-04-10.
- ^ a b "CLAMP to make first U.S. appearance". Anime News Network. April 10th 2006. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-04-10/clamp-to-make-first-u.s-appearance. Retrieved on 2009-04-10.
- ^ "CLAMP at Anime Expo". ICv2. 04/11/2006. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8493.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b c d e Solomon, Charles (November 28, 2006). "Four Mothers of Manga Gain American Fans With Expertise in a Variety of Visual Styles". The New York Times. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/arts/design/28clam.html?ex=1322370000&en=915b5385604af201&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss. Retrieved on 2009-04-14.
- ^ a b c d e Bertschy, Zac (2006-07-03). "CLAMP Focus Panel and Press Conference". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2006/anime-expo/22. Retrieved on 2009-04-12.
- ^ Fujie, Kazuhisa; LABAAMEN (2008). Tsubasa Chronicle Factbook: Mystery, Magic & Mischief. DH Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-932897-26-5.
- ^ a b Oppliger, John (2007-10-24). "Ask John: What Makes Clamp Works So Special?". AnimeNation. http://animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=1665. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
- ^ "Manga: Clover (CLAMP) vol.1". Chibi Reviews. 2008-03-09. http://www.chibi-reviews.com/2008/03/09/manga-clover-clamp/. Retrieved on 2009-04-14.
- ^ "CLAMP's Mangettes: Gate 7's Cover Posted on Amazon Japan". Anime News Network. 2009-03-26. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-26/clamp-mangettes/gate-7-cover-posted-on-amazon-japan. Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
- ^ "CLAMP to Draw One-Shot Washizu Mahjong Manga". Anime News Network. 2008-07-09. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-09/clamp-to-draw-one-shot-washizu-mahjong-manga. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ "Del Rey to Publish 'Clamp in America'". ICv2. 2008-07-25. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12978.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
- ^ "New CLAMP Anime". Anime News Network. 2004-07-15. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-07-15/new-clamp-anime. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ "Shogakukan Manga Award". Joel Hahn. http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/shogakukan.php. Retrieved on 2009-04-21.
- ^ "List". 2007-09-05. http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/list.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-14.
External links
- Official website
- Official website maintained by Frontier Works (Japanese)
- Official website for mobile phones maintained by Frontier Works (Japanese)
- CLAMP-NOW News community (English)
- Chibi Yuuto's CHRoNiCLEs News livejournal (English)
- CLAMP Fans livejournal fan community (English)
- CLAMP-NET.de German fan-website (German)
- CLAMP WonderWorld Italian fan-website (Italian)
- [1] fan review website
- Clamp (manga artists) (people) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
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