New Age elements in the Clamp’s manga X

• Autores: Sarahi Isuki Castelli Olvera
• Localización: Jangwa Pana: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas, ISSN-e 2389-7872, ISSN 1657-4923, Vol. 17, Nº. 1, 2018 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Subjetividades y consumo cultural transmediático en la era de las TIC), págs. 23-39
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen
  • español

    In this article, we start from the consideration that manga X, created by the collective CLAMP between 1994 and2003, and published in Mexico by Editorial Vid between 2002 and 2005, is a story whose overarching principle corresponds to the various elements of the New Age. We base this on the following assumptions: first in this manga, the sephirotic tree, the B.O.T.A. tarot and the aspects of Enochian magic, typical of western esoterism, are present iconographically. Second, Kamui, the subject of the story, represents God, so that his actions determine the entire narrative; besides, it has a twin star (Fuma), which fulfills the function of being its complementary opposite. Finally, the apocalypse is detonated by the well-being of the Earth, which arises as an organism with its own life and is intended to survive the destruction of humanity. We carry out this analysis taking up the notion of an overarching principle, as well as the importance of the source, present in the historical method. In addition to the above, we use the paradigm of indicial inferences proposed by Carlo Ginzburg, the elements of structural analysis of Helena Beristain’s story and the notion of postmodernity introduced by Fredrick Jameson. The primary sources would be the 18 volumes of X published in Mexico.

  • English

    In this article we maintain that manga X --created by the collective CLAMP between 1994 and 2003, and published in Mexico by Editorial Vid between 2002 and 2005-- is a story whose dominant principle are the various elements of New Age. Such claim is based on the following premises. Firstly, the sephirotic tree, the tarot B.O.T.A and the elements of Enochian magic, typical of Western esotericism, are iconographically seen in this manga. Secondly, Kamui, the subject of the story, represents God, so his actions determine the whole narrative. In addition to this, Kamui counts on a twin star (Fuma), that works as his complementary opposite. Finally, Apocalypse occurs for the sake of the Earth well-being, seen as a living organism that is meant to survive the destruction of mankind. The analysis is performed using two of the guidelines of the historical method: the notion of dominant principle, and the importance of the source. Moreover, we use the indicial paradigm proposed by Carlo Ginzburg, elements of structural analysis of the narratives by Helena Beristáin and the notion of postmodernity proposed by Fredrick Jameson. The primary sources are the 18 volumes of X published in México.