It's really very hard to believe this is the Subaru from X/1999 the movie. I love the X manga, movie, and series but this just wasn't what I was expecting. I don't wanna hit the animations too hard because it was obviously made awhile ago so I'm just gonna steer away from that. The reason I got this was because I thought it would lead up to the big battle between Subaru and Seshiro that happens very shortly into the X movie. Well I was wrong, in fact, Subaru really doesn't seem like Subaru. He's a soft spoken supernatural investigator that lives with Seshiro (who is the actually the leader of the clan that rivals Subaru's) and his overly annoying twin sister. Although Seshiro does hint at being a bad guy in this but it never fully comes forward. The overall story is divided into two 45min episodes. I wasn't that entertained with them, Subaru was so not himself it was like watching an anime that had no connection to X/1999. If you've seen/read X/1999 you won't really gain or lose anything by watching this, but if you've got $10 and 95min to blow it's better than watching Demon City: Shinjuku or Wicked City again. The one thing I learned was why Seshiro killed Hokuto... it was because she's too friggin annoying.
5 Reviews
Movies summary, possible spoilers
penguinfaery2 December 2004
Warning: Spoilers
A live action movie based on the Clamp manga Tokyo Babylon, set between the series Tokyo Babylon and the series X (Or X/1999) which are both available as manga's and animes.
Subaru Sumeragi, an Omyoujitsu (Yin-yang magician) is trying to save a group of girls who believe they are the "Chosen 7" involved with the end of the world. Ironically enough he tells them there is no Chosen 7 despite the fact that in the later series X he is one of the Chosen 7. Go figure.
The 7 girls decided to use the powers they've been taught by the man who gathered them to destroy people who had picked on them. Subaru finds out about this, and tries to warn them not to play with powers they don't understand. When the lash backs of the spells start hitting them, one of the girls breaks down, going to Subaru for help.
An assassin named Seishirou Sakurazuka becomes involved, wanting to simply dispose of the 7 girls in the same way he disposed of their leader, who had convinced them they were "Special".
Subaru and Seishirou eventually have a show down, one trying to kill the girls, the other help them, and ending up fighting each other. Subaru's about to lash out in anger when a girl who had feeling for Subaru, being helped before by him, makes a link strong enough that the spirit of his dead sister Hokuto can talk to Subaru through her body. She warns Subaru against using his power in anger, and becoming what he stands against.
Subaru and Seishirou, as those familiar with Tokyo Babylon know, have a huge back story dealing with a romance between them a Sei pretty much being an emotionless creature, which is touched upon, but not hugely. Set about 5 years after Seishirou killed Hokuto, Subaru's twin, they have a few tense moments, and Sei does his usual condescending teasing of Subaru.
Subaru Sumeragi, an Omyoujitsu (Yin-yang magician) is trying to save a group of girls who believe they are the "Chosen 7" involved with the end of the world. Ironically enough he tells them there is no Chosen 7 despite the fact that in the later series X he is one of the Chosen 7. Go figure.
The 7 girls decided to use the powers they've been taught by the man who gathered them to destroy people who had picked on them. Subaru finds out about this, and tries to warn them not to play with powers they don't understand. When the lash backs of the spells start hitting them, one of the girls breaks down, going to Subaru for help.
An assassin named Seishirou Sakurazuka becomes involved, wanting to simply dispose of the 7 girls in the same way he disposed of their leader, who had convinced them they were "Special".
Subaru and Seishirou eventually have a show down, one trying to kill the girls, the other help them, and ending up fighting each other. Subaru's about to lash out in anger when a girl who had feeling for Subaru, being helped before by him, makes a link strong enough that the spirit of his dead sister Hokuto can talk to Subaru through her body. She warns Subaru against using his power in anger, and becoming what he stands against.
Subaru and Seishirou, as those familiar with Tokyo Babylon know, have a huge back story dealing with a romance between them a Sei pretty much being an emotionless creature, which is touched upon, but not hugely. Set about 5 years after Seishirou killed Hokuto, Subaru's twin, they have a few tense moments, and Sei does his usual condescending teasing of Subaru.
Pointless and stupid
nimbleweevil5 August 2004
First of all, the Tokyo Babylon manga is one of the most amazing things I have ever read. The characters were deep, sympathetic, and non-clichéd, and the story lines were very original. Congratulations to the ladies in CLAMP for creating such a beautiful story.
That said, what on earth was this? Both of the Tokyo Babylon movies were more like bonus features - "Okay, you read the manga, here's some other cool adventures they got up to!" Which is a nice thought, but it really has no purpose. You cannot condense a series like this into a couple of movies - they tried it with X and it didn't work, they tried it with TB and it worked even less. There was none of the depth, none of the message, none of the character development - it turned into just another comic book, a collector's item.
It was also rather irritating (TOUCHY SUBJECT ALERT) that half of the plot was ignored. Let's face it, folks, Tokyo Babylon is, in large part, a homosexual love story, learn to live with it. In the first TB movie, it seemed that Sakurazuka Seishiro's romantic advances were targeted more towards Sumeragi Hokuto than Sumeragi Subaru, and in this one, they were almost completely absent. Without this major part of the story, Seishiro is worthless - he becomes another clichéd villain.
The animation was very pretty (as it always is in shojo) and the voicing couldn't have been better. Like I said before, it was a nice thought, but it simply isn't worth the trouble. 3/10.
That said, what on earth was this? Both of the Tokyo Babylon movies were more like bonus features - "Okay, you read the manga, here's some other cool adventures they got up to!" Which is a nice thought, but it really has no purpose. You cannot condense a series like this into a couple of movies - they tried it with X and it didn't work, they tried it with TB and it worked even less. There was none of the depth, none of the message, none of the character development - it turned into just another comic book, a collector's item.
It was also rather irritating (TOUCHY SUBJECT ALERT) that half of the plot was ignored. Let's face it, folks, Tokyo Babylon is, in large part, a homosexual love story, learn to live with it. In the first TB movie, it seemed that Sakurazuka Seishiro's romantic advances were targeted more towards Sumeragi Hokuto than Sumeragi Subaru, and in this one, they were almost completely absent. Without this major part of the story, Seishiro is worthless - he becomes another clichéd villain.
The animation was very pretty (as it always is in shojo) and the voicing couldn't have been better. Like I said before, it was a nice thought, but it simply isn't worth the trouble. 3/10.
Must be Tokyo Babylon 1
EdExtract28 January 2003
Apparently there are several different mangas as part of the Tokyo Babylon series, connected only by the names of the investigative government agencies.
The one I saw was about a psychic who looks, dresses, and talks like Michael Jackson. Two series of murders occur: one in a high-rise construction site, the other in the subway. The psychic's powers are never clearly revealed, and his involvement in criminal investigations is more as a catalyst than a hero (though he is brave). Part two is much more interesting than part one, as it has a couple of very solid characters (the mother and daughter psychics).
Like most mangas, very little happens, and it happens slowly. The English translation and voices are quite good. The art is ok, and the actual plots are better than most. At least there's no mecha, and a minimum of psycho-protoplasmic tentacles.
If you're looking for titillation, it ain't here.
I wonder if anybody will ever read this. I wonder if anybody else will ever comment on this film. I wonder if I will get a life soon...
The one I saw was about a psychic who looks, dresses, and talks like Michael Jackson. Two series of murders occur: one in a high-rise construction site, the other in the subway. The psychic's powers are never clearly revealed, and his involvement in criminal investigations is more as a catalyst than a hero (though he is brave). Part two is much more interesting than part one, as it has a couple of very solid characters (the mother and daughter psychics).
Like most mangas, very little happens, and it happens slowly. The English translation and voices are quite good. The art is ok, and the actual plots are better than most. At least there's no mecha, and a minimum of psycho-protoplasmic tentacles.
If you're looking for titillation, it ain't here.
I wonder if anybody will ever read this. I wonder if anybody else will ever comment on this film. I wonder if I will get a life soon...
Sweet Ass Prequel to the movie "X".
X-marxTheSpOt1 January 2004
Well, I just bought the DVD to this movie a couple of days ago. The story goes that there is a few murders going around at a specific work sight where a new building is almost finished. Then we have Subaru come in who is trying to figure out who is killing who. Or if every "murder" is by pure accident. There soon is a twist of magical powers and a red dragon (dragon of the earth) that is trying to take over someones body. There is a second part to this movie which again follows Subaru on a hunt to find out who is committing certain train station murders. A woman who can see what happened with these murders gets involved with the killer. Although the second part of Tokyo Babylon doesnt follow as much towards "X" it does explain some of the characters. I really injoyed watching this film. Eventhough I had already seen "X" before this prequel I still learned a few more things about the story. And for the person who says they need a life, I think you do. The reason you did not like this film is probably most likely because you where not paying atention or understanding any part of the story line or its plot.
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