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What is X?

X, or X/1999 as it is known in the US, is Clamp's latest and greatest manga release in a long line of memorable and unique manga. The manga combines characters from several previous Clamp stories including the famous Tokyo-Babylon and the Clamp Campus Detectives (all grown up now). Within the series are fragments of Western superstition, along with traditional Japanese and exotic Indian folklore. Clamp blends truth and reality so well in this particular series that one almost believes that the story could indeed be possible. Currently, only nine books of the manga are out in either Chinese or Japanese. In addition, X has recently been made into an anime movie. X can mean a cross for crucification or an unknown in an equation. In Japan, X is also the name of a narcotic. The title of the manga series, X, is supposed to be a combination of all three of these meanings. The 1999 portion of X/1999 stands for the year which the end of the world supposedly will occur in the manga. The 1999 was added for Chinese and English translations of the manga. In Japan, the manga is simply titled "X".

X is set in the near future, in the same world as the Clamp Campus Detectives and Tokyo-Babylon. It is the beginning of the end of the world. Two dreamwalkers have forseen the coming of the Dragon of Earth and the Dragon of Heaven. The two spirtual forces must battle for the fate of the earth. If the Dragon of Heaven is victorious, the world remains the same. If the Dragon of Earth prevails, the world is shattered, and all is changed. For centuries, the two dragons have slept, each bound in another realm by the power of kekkai (spiritual seals). However, the seals are being destroyed. An ancient legend states that seven Seals and seven Minions will arise to do battle for the fate of the world. The Seven Seals will summon the Dragon of Heaven, and preserve the kekkai binding the Dragon of Earth. The Seven Minions will detroy the kekkai, freeing the Dragon of Earth, and destroying the world. The Seven Seals and the Seven Minions are scattered throughout Japan. Other powerful forces sense the coming change and rally their forces. The two dreamwalkers take opposite sides and begin gathering the Seals and the Minions for the final confrontation, when the twin dragons will awaken to mortal kombat. There is one small problem though. One of the Seven Seals is also one of the Seven Minions. He has been blessed with powers undreamt of by either side. For this one man, the rules no longer apply. He has been given the choice between the preservation and destruction of the world. Whichever side recruits him first may win the war. His name is Kamui, and he doesn't care what happens either way...

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