Tokyo Babiron

Plot synopsis:
The plot is told in a series of substories, published monthly or as 2-3 per volume. While it begins with a monster of the week approach, with somewhat independent running chapters, the plot gradually becomes continuous and backstory is introduced. It focuses on the development of the characters and the relationships between them.
Sixteen-year-old Subaru Sumeragi, the main character, is a very powerful magician, the thirteenth head of the foremost family of onmyōji in Japan, which has served the Emperor for centuries. As such, he is called upon to solve various occult mysteries, or stumbles himself on people whom his kind nature compels him to help. These occurrences form the main plot of most chapters. He lives in Tokyo with his twin sister Hokuto, an exuberant girl whose chief occupations are to design eccentric clothing for herself and her brother, and to egg on their mutual friend Seishirō Sakurazuka, a kindly, 25-year-old veterinarian, when he declares his love for Subaru.
There are early hints that Seishirō may not be all that he appears. Hokuto jokes about him being a member of the family of Sakurazukamori, a clan of assassins who use onmyōjitsu to kill, and are pronounced to be the Sumeragis' opposite. Also, Subaru has dreams about having met someone under a cherry tree blooming out of season when he was but a small child, but he cannot quite recall what was being said. This person was actually Seishirō, upon whom Subaru stumbled when he had just performed a kill. According to the rules of the Sakurazukamori, Seishirō should have killed him, but impressed with the child's purity, he made a bet with him instead: He would meet Subaru again, and would then spend one year with him, protecting him and trying to love him. If, at the end of that year, he felt something for Subaru which distinguished him from a thing he could easily destroy, as he could not with any other person, then he would not kill him. To recognize him, he marked him with inverted pentagrams on both hands, the sign of the Sakurazukamori's prey. These marks are for most of the story hidden beneath the gloves Subaru continually wears on the direction of his grandmother, the previous family head, who recognized the marks and so hopes to conceal them with her magic.
Things come to a head when Seishirō loses an eye protecting Subaru, and Subaru realizes that he is in love with Seishirō. But the year is over, and Seishirō declares himself the winner of the bet. He breaks Subaru's arm and tortures him, but does not succeed in killing him, as Subaru's grandmother breaks his spell - an action which leaves her crippled. Subaru's shock and heartbreak leave him catatonic. Hokuto, feeling guilty for her promotion of Seishirō, whom she knew to be dangerous, but also believed to be the only one who might touch Subaru's heart, leaves to find Seishirō and confronts him, asking to be killed by him and casting a spell with her death. Subaru, seeing her in a dream, is shocked out of his catatonia by her action. He vows to find Seishirō and take revenge for his sister's death.

Tags: violence, murder

Review:
A Fascinating, if Limited, Side Story. This is a little-known gem from CLAMP (the superstar all-woman manga team) and (at the time) young director Kôichi Chigira. Chigira would later go on to work as an animator on the 'X Movie' (to which 'Tokyo Babylon' is a sort of prologue) and to direct 'Full Metal Panic!' and 'Last Exile.' CLAMP, after finishing the 'Tokyo Babylon' manga (on which the show is based) in 1993, immediately started their greatest work: 'X.' So this show, which is actually two separate 45 minute episodes (made in 1992 and 1994), comes at an important time in CLAMP history: just before they hit it big. As a result, what we have is an enjoyable but unfortunately limited OVA (Original Video Animation, known here as Direct-to-Video) that acts as an interesting side story to anyone who has read the 'Tokyo Babylon' manga or seen the X television series or film (as there are some shared characters).The first episode, unceremoniously called 'Tokyo Babylon 1' on the DVD, takes several elements of the manga and adapts them to a new story. Several 'accidental' deaths at a high-profile construction site have drawn the attention of the local authorities. Perplexed, they turn to Subaru Sumeragi, a young practitioner of the Onmyouji arts (an ancient type of Japanese sorcery with roots in the tantric magic of China and India). Subaru uses his powers in a way similar to other anime characters to solve the mystery, but what is interesting here are the unmistakable chants and unusual references. One who is not familiar with the Onmyouji might think this is all made up, but it has roots in Japanese history. Onmyouji were imperial court officials who determined official policy. In a modern context, they link the dark and dreary modern Tokyo depicted with a richer and somehow more 'true' past filled with mysterious powers. Though this can pass by the casual viewer, for those interested in mythology, it is intriguing.Subaru works with his twin sister, Hokuto and a family friend, veterinarian Seishirou. Although seemingly lacking in Subaru's powers, as the story goes on, some new (and for Seishirou, perhaps darker) facets of the supporting characters are revealed. Hokuto meanwhile has the 'fun' idea of trying to get her brother fixed up with the handsome veterinarian, much to Subaru's chagrin. However, this element of the manga is kept to a minimum in the anime, so those averse to homo-erotic relationships need not fear. As he continues to puzzle over the mysterious 'accidents,' Subaru encounters a woman who seems bent on revenge against the head of the construction project, who himself seems to have a secret power. The finale of the episode, while at the time (remember, this is 1992) well-animated for an OVA, looks somewhat dated now. However, if one is forgiving of this and is willing to approach the episode as a product of its time, it is enjoyable.The second episode ('Tokyo Babylon 2') is also on the DVD and is the real reason for buying the show. Animated two years later with an improved budget, this is one of those shows that is really great, especially late at night with all the lights off. Subaru this time has to investigate a series of midnight subway murders. Nearly the entirety of the film takes place at night, complete with garish lighting and run-down environs that seem more at place in one of 'Patlabor 1's' decrepit neighborhoods. Indeed, there are many parallels between this and the Patlabor film, including an overworked and seemingly sleep-deprived detective who is on the verge of burnout and a mysterious killer who seems more dead than alive in his emotionless actions. Rounding out the cast are two fascinating supporting characters: the 'precognitive' Mirei, who helps the police by sensing the events of past murders using her fingertips, and Miyatake, a young man who collects the fragments of old buildings that are being knocked down. It is eternally fascinating to me that, upon meeting Miyatake out on the street in the middle of the night with a killer loose, Subaru and his group (led by the intrepid Hokuto) happily go up to his apartment to see his collection. Although this is a dark city that seems taxed by its lack of sleep, it is not so dark so as to keep friends from being made. The second episode tells a good story in a short amount of time, second only to the 'Magnetic Rose' segment in 'Memories.' Watching it together with 'Patlabor 1' is also an interesting experience.All in all, these stories could be better and more accessible than they are, but for what they set out to achieve, they succeed well. I asked Kôichi Chigira at the 2004 Anime Expo about his experience directing these episodes, and he said that it was his decision and not CLAMP's to make the stories shorter and smaller. CLAMP of course approved everything and saved their money to make the spectacular 'X Movie.' In all the many versions of 'X,' both Subaru and Seishirou appear again, this time with a very different relationship. What these episodes are great for is their portrait into the character's lives. For those who've read the manga (and believe me, it is well worth it), the episodes are particularly special as they are two complete 'extra' stories. The English dub should be avoided at all costs, as it was done extremely poorly and Subaru was voiced with a very fake and very obnoxious gay accent (and not at all in a good or respectful way). The Japanese language version has wonderful acting by all, in particular Subaru (who is voiced by the great Kappei Yamaguchi). The reissued DVD version (which comes in a blue case and sells for $10) is a very good deal for the money and has improved subtitling over the previous release. As an enjoyable title, especially for fans of the manga, 'X,' or CLAMP, 'Tokyo Babylon' is highly recommended.. Enjoyable all round, if not completely breathtaking.. Adapted from CLAMP's popular debut manga, this is mainly aimed at fans of said manga. As such, it holds little interest for people who aren't familiar with the manga. To them, this will probably seem like a nicely stylised sort of LSD-induced X-files episode. If that sounds like your kind of thing, then give this a try, as it's a really rather nice video. But keep in mind that the second video (with the killer in the subway) is far superior and a better buy overall.The story revolves around a building project where several mysterious deaths have occurred. Subaru is called in to have a look, and eventually meets a young woman out for revenge on the man she believes to have murdered her brother. However, the man in question seems to be able to avert any disaster that may be drawn to him, and abuses of this ability, making him a very dangerous force indeed. Subaru and Seishiro eventually have to face off with the human disaster repellent atop the nearly-finished building.What we have here is mostly typical Tokyo Babylon fare; Subaru apologises a lot and Hokuto shouts at him. Only Seishiro is different from the Seishiro we know from the manga. His "dark side" is never explored, and instead of rampantly flirting with Subaru, he shows more inclination towards Hokuto in the videos. No doubt many fans will feel the video version of Seishiro is rather...wrong (a large part of Tokyo Babylon -is- a homosexual love story, learn to live with it). Instead of a proper adaption of the manga, these videos seem more like extra filler episodes to go alongside the manga.Nevertheless, it's good fun, with pretty character designs and backdrops (even though the overall animation quality isn't really breathtaking), a well-paced and interesting story, and some cool psychic fighting at the end, backed by a very good music score. The appeal of this video will only be very limited for those who haven't read the manga, and they'll also miss out on a lot of the finer points of the story. But even for them, this can still be quite enjoyable as a little something different, or as a way to sample some CLAMP-style artwork. Give it a go, and you might find yourself growing very fond of this elegant little psychic romp.. Beautiful, sad and touching. Tokyo Babylon is a manga series created by CLAMP.I only had the chance to read 2 volumes, so what I am going to write mainly is about the OVA series. Subaru Sumeragi and his twin sister Hokuto Sumeragi are both mediums and magicians who protects Tokyo from spirits by exorcising them. They two are very close, good friends and extremely cute, but their personality are very different( In''Tokyo Babylon'' Subaru is still a young teenager, so don't panic if he is too different from ''X'') They two will later meet the veterinarian Seishirou Sakurazuka, that will always be flirting with Subaru. (And while the time passes, Subaru will be in love with Seishirou as well) The end of Tokyo Babylon is one of the saddest things I already saw.Ps: Subaru Sumeragi, Hokuto Sumeragi, and Seishirou Sakurazuka play important roles in ''X'' movie , manga, and anime series.