X/1999, Vol. 1, Prelude Paperback – May 1, 2003

Arrived on time. I'm gonna buy from this seller next time

Though this is an older series, it's still a great one. The style is well drawn, the story flows smoothly, and the translations are pretty good. This book is set in english-style format, not Japanese "backwards" format. Just so you know! I didn't know that when I bought it. Even so, I still love it. The story is rather dark, but the characters are attractive and the story is engaging. There are moments of humour, but mostly it's serious. If you've ever read Angel Sanctuary or Angel's Feather, this book is a must read for you! Especially if you like the "oldies!"

This book ended up being a first printing. Practically brand new. Just a little dent in the corner but of course it's an old book so that is fine. It had some stickers on it because it had been used. But I was able to get all the stickers off. And now it looks so wonderful. Thank you for the amazing book. Will order again if you have anything I need.

I did research on the plot of this manga online and through friends, and it seemed really interesting (in a good way), so I purchased volume one. Unfortunately, the plot moved reaaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyy slowwwwwwww[...] I felt unfulfilled reading volume one, and I am hesitant on purchasing volume two. Again, the plot sounded amazing, but the pace is very slow and the battle art was just a tad but unimpressive to me.I apologize to the people who love this manga, especially since I love CLAMP as much as the next person, but based on Volume one I don't think the story will move at a pace that's comfortable to me.

For anyone who is a fan of CLAMP, Takahashi, or any kind of shojo or shonen manga, this is the book for you! Full of magic, tactful violence, and beautifully dark art, X/1999 is not something you would normally find in American CLAMP. Unlike Card Captor Sakura, and Magic Knight Rayearth [both of which I recommend to those who have weak stomachs], X/1999 is deep, thoughtful, and gruesome. Not only the images, but the storyline provoke deep intullectual thought about the world and the people living in it. If you are willing to buy only one manga, this is the one you want. The only problem is that when you finish, you'll want to read the entire series...

First off, this is not a typical CLAMP manga. It's a very dark manga with a dark storyline. The artwork is wonderful though and I have to say that this is by far my favorite manga. The first book is sort of slow plotwise, but if you're dedicated to the series, you don't really seem to notice. It likes to keep you guessing about certain aspects of the storyline (I only have volumes 1-4 at the moment). I wholeheartedly recommend this manga as long as you're no squeamish. There are sections that get sort of gruesome, but they do play a part in the story, they're not just thrown in there for the sake of violence.Bottom line: The storyline is wonderful and the art is beautiful (in typical CLAMP fashion). It's not the happiest manga and can be downright depressing at times, but there is humor (that doesn't take away from the seriousness of the plot). Don't get this manga if you're at all squeamish (there are two scenes that occur that are gruesome-and are scene multiple times in flashbacks). However, like I said, this my favorite manga and is a definite must-have.

Created by four young female artists (who probably haven't yet graduated from middle/high school at the time), it's about pretty boys who look more like alien elves than real human beings who suddenly appear out of the blue to either save or destroy the entire planet Earth, you decide. Here the young hero of this manga possesses supernatural powers that would enable him to make flipping kung-fu moves that actually sends him flying like a freaking bird across the entire town as he battles another good-looking kid to save the universe.And naturally, a gorgeous, ethereal Chinese-style princess in her flowing kimono robes and her pretty twin-doll "henchmen" are out to stop the boy from doing something, I dunno. Oh, and the kid is supposed to be a love interest from childhood for an achingly beautiful young schoolgirl with flawless golden Rapunzel locks that settle perfectly about her shoulders no matter how she tosses her head. And her doe-like eyes are 12 times too large to be mortal, yet they would grow TWICE as big (and probably change many subtle hues of the rainbow if it's printed in color) whether the girl claps her dainty little hands to her mouth in horror from whatever her heroic boyfriend-to-be does or says to her.Naturally, the willowy little blonde has a handsome, broad-shouldered brother towering about 3 ft. or so over her who proclaims himself to be her personal bodyguard who would instantly tie some unlucky suitor in knots if he as much makes the lovely maiden UNHAPPY!And naturally, all three kids in this story have tragically deceased moms, just like in any moldy old fairy tales. :P

CLAMP has always enchanted me with their gorgeous art and great plot lines and X/1999 is by far their best work. If you're looking for something upbeat and bouncy, turn around and run in the opposite direction as fast as you can. But if you're looking for something dark, twisted, apocolyptic, and beautiful, you've found it. This manga is violent, bloody, and often depressing. It becomes even more so as you move on to volumes 2-18. CLAMP has been known for sometimes known for wimping out on their endings (like in the sequel trilogy to Magic Knights Rayearth and Wish), let's just pray they don't do that here. If they do, I'll have to kill them. *Grabs a katana and combat boots*