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CLAMP Interview on "Xxxholic" and Tsubasa - RESERvoir CHRoNiCLE" in "Puff" magazine (June 2003)
Translated from the Chinese version in "Comic x Animation Appreciate" (August
2003)
Translated by Namika (aka Xiao-lan) [namika@meowmail.com]
Special thanks to Mookzee
12th August, 2003
"To create a story that "links all of CLAMP's works together."
1, Where did the idea for "tsubasa" come from?
At first, we thought that instead of creating "something like a magazine", we could try to create an "incredible" story. As we thought in this direction, we decided that instead of creating a real setting with real people, we could create a story that is based mainly on fantasy. All four of us accepted this idea. Then we added the idea that this time, we would try "to link all of CLAMP's works till now together" in this story. Therefore, in "tsubasa", starting with Sakura and Syaoran, characters from all of CLAMP's works till now will gradually appear.
2, By the way... I remember that when CLAMP first debuted, you have mentioned that you wanted to create a story like that.
Yes. We've always wanted to, and up till now, in works such as "X" we have done something similar. But this time, we want to create a story that "links all of CLAMP's works together". However, because of this, we had to create a character "who understands all the relationships within and between all of CLAMP's works", and that person is Ichihara Yuuko (from "xxxholic").
3, That connects "xxxholic" to the story (tsubasa) then?
This is also something we've always wanted to do, that is "to create a story that is seen from 2 points of view". However, if they are related only in the beginning portion of the story, then the timing of the 2 stories must be synchronized in order to make it easier for the reader to understand. It would be great if they were published in weekly magazines, especially two magazines that are published within a short time of each other. But we've never had the opportunity. This time, thanks to both "Weekly Shonen Magazine" and "Young Magazine", this wish of ours can finally be realized.
4, First, "xxxholic" began to serialize in "Young Magazine".
When "Chobits" was finished in "Young Magazine" and we started thinking about
what kind of story to serialize next, we thought that this time we could try
to create an "adult story" that isn't about H (hentai). We wanted to create
a protagonist who does not personally experience or decide the things that happen.
A protagonist who couldn't care less. Then, we'll put him with the character
we mentioned earlier, the one "who understands all the relationships within
and between all of CLAMP's works". After much thought, "xxxholic" was born.
"xxxholic" started serializing first, then after preparing for the appearance
of characters from CLAMP's other works, we connected it (xxxholic) with "tsubasa".
In "xxxholic" in the May 19th edition of "Young Magazine", Sakura and Syaoran
appear before Yuuko. Then "tsubasa" started serializing in May 21st edition
of "Weekly Shonen Magazine" published in the same week, in which Sakura and
Syaoran also appear before Yuuko. This was the plan; both sides ending with
Syaoran saying, "Please save Sakura!". As they had to appear in the same week,
the people at the magazines had to calculate when to start serializing both
stories. We gave them a lot of trouble /smile/. The question - "Why did
Sakura and Syaoran suddenly appear before Yuuko?" is answered after reading
"tsubasa". On the other hand, for those who have only read "Weekly Shonen Magazine"
and have things they don't understand, can refer to "Young Magazine".
5, Then, there is the
feeling that you can't miss anything on both sides.
That would be great /smile/. I've heard that the number of readers waiting
to buy manga in book form (tankoban) rather than buy manga magazines has risen.
It's such a rare chance that we are serializing (a related story) in two magazines,
so, if it is possible, I hope our readers will support us, and buy the magazines
to enjoy the story as it develops.
6, We are able to see
the characters that appear in "Young Magazine" on Mondays, then on Wednesdays,
we are able to see them from a different point of view in "Weekly Shonen Magazine",
sounds fun!
Thank you. Of course, the stories still make sense even if you read only one
of them. However, we feel that it would be more fun for readers if they read
both. Yet, no matter how much effort we put into drawing the same backgrounds
(for both manga) in the same week, it won't show in the tankoban /smile/.
7, Will CLAMP's other
characters also appear in "xxxholic"?
Yes. However, that is not the main plot. Devilish Yuuko ordering Watanuki around,
while granting the many wishes of her clients - that is the main plot of the
story.
8, The Sakura and Syaoran
who appear in "tsubasa", are they related to the ones who appear in "Card Captor
Sakura"?
The characters that appear in "tsubasa", unless it is specially pointed out,
are basically different from their counterparts in the original stories. They
are completely unrelated. Our idea is that they exist as different people in
different worlds. Therefore, from the point of view of Yuuko, who is able to
see everything clearly, the Sakura in "Card Captor Sakura" and the Sakura in
"tsubasa" both exist. They are completely different entities, only their basic
persona is the same. They have, as Yuuko puts it, "the same soul". So, even
though Chii from "Chobits" and Ashura-oh from "RG Vega" appear in "tsubasa",
they are all unique entities.
9, Will characters from
your finished works also appear elsewhere?
We've thought about that. However, as CLAMP's works are so detailed, it might
cause confusion if we refer back to them. Characters who have died should live
happily in worlds other than "tsubasa" /smile/. Basically, we want readers
who haven't read the stories the characters are originally from to be able to
understand this story. Yet it would be more interesting for readers who have
read the original stories. While enjoying the original stories, they can be
attracted to characters that have not yet appeared (in "tsubasa"). The characters
that we have created till now are all very lovable, so we are very happy to
be able to create for them this "alternative life that might exist".
10, How did you come
up with this name - "tsubasa"?
First of all, we used katakana for the name; moreover, we avoided using a made-up
name. Using a noun (tsubasa = wings) is simple and it is also expresses the
world-view of the story. This noun, "tsubasa", expresses the idea of the protagonist
travelling to different places. In addition, "tsubasa" as a thing, has a very
big effect later on. These are the things the title represents.
11, Why did you use
the subtitle - "RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE"?
It's because we had wanted to use it as the main title /smile/. "RESERVoir"
means "storage" and "CHRoNiCLE" means "record". Both meanings are related to
the story.
12, Are Syaoran and
Sakura both the protagonists?
Syaoran is the protagonist, because this time Sakura is the heroine.
13, Did you realize
that this is a "shonen manga" (manga for boys)?
We think we have already included two themes commonly found in shonen manga
- "you must work hard" and "you must become stronger". So we can translate these
themes as - "you must work hard for the one you love" and "you must become stronger
to save the one you love no matter what". We did not set out on this theme because
this is a shonen manga, or because it would be more like a shonen manga this
way, we just wanted to create a story that is in CLAMP's style.
14, There are so many
CLAMP characters, why did you choose "Syaoran" to be the hero?
We do have a lot of characters, but those who are successful in love and are
able to live happily together in the end, are very few /smile/. Though
the couple (Akira and Utako) in "20 Menso" can be said to be happily in love,
it is rather difficult to make Akira the hero of a shonen manga. Anyway, very
few of our couples have the perfect happy ending, most of them end up either
with broken relationships, or one of them dies, or both of them die... /smile/
Therefore, we feel that a story about "protecting the one you love, and
becoming strong for that person" suits Syaoran very well.
15, How old is Syaoran
in "tsubasa"?
We drew him based on what he would look like at 14-15 years old. He is older
than in "Card Captor Sakura".
16, Is it hard work
serializing in 2 magazines?
We're just simply very busy /smile/. Moreover, the manuscripts for "tsubasa"
and "xxxholic" are different, so we have to be careful not to mix them up.
17, No matter in "tsubasa"
or "xxxholic", Yuuko is a person who "understands everything that goes on in
CLAMP's world", isn't she?
Yes. For example, in a recent chapter (chapter 11 of "xxxholic"), Yuuko seems
to know Subaru (Subaru Sumeragi from "Tokyo Babylon" and "X"). We want Yuuko's
knowledge "to show in these minor places".
18, So, it's not at
all strange that she knows these people systematically?
Yes. If you look closely, you'll see that she actually talks about the recent
happenings of many characters in bits and pieces. Of course, her daily routine
is only receiving clients, accepting their requests and doing her job /smile/.
19, To conclude, please
say something to the fans.
"xxxholic" actually belongs to a very unclear category /smile/, we'd
be very grateful if readers would take a look at it. "tsubasa" is, as we have
mentioned, a story that even readers who don't know anything about CLAMP's other
characters and stories can understand, therefore we hope that readers who have
not yet read this story will take a look at it. Though readers who have read
our other works have expressed the feeling that - "they never thought that the
unfortunate people (from CLAMP's other works) would be able to live so happily
in this ("tsubasa") world" /smile/. A few new characters have also appeared
in "tsubasa", we hope you'll appreciate them. Finally, no matter which story
comes out, we hope that our readers will buy the magazines to experience the
fun you won't be able to experience in the tankoban. Thank you.
Reposted with permission from http://yumenoyakata.fateback.com.
No part of this interview may be reproduced without explicit permission from Namika. See above for email information.