< X (manga)

X (manga)/Characters


If you want to know more about the characters of X 1999, this is the place.

It is to be noted that characterisation and purpose are often different whether it's the manga, the TV series or the film. If the main trio, the premises and the whole plot in general are grossly the same from one media to another, the support cast often sports notable differences as you will see.

As always with Character pages, SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Main Trio

Kamui Shiro

The Hero of the series is a dark-haired teenager whose destiny is to fight for the eventual fate of Earth: either it is destroyed to be reborn without humanity, either it shall live on as it is. In short, he is a stock Messiah.

After living his childhood in Tokyo, making friends with Fuma and his sister Kotori, his mother, Toru Magami, towed him away to Okinawa ( Right around the time their mother Saya gave birth to the first Shinken and died in the process) so they could live in peace until she decided to end her life so she could postpone the impending disasters that Kamui would face and died in a fire.

After coming back to Tokyo, he gradually meets the Dragons of Heaven, fighting with Arashi, Sorata and Mauve Shirt Daisuke, Aoki's nephew. Behaving like a Jerkass at first, he only does so in order to keep people away, knowing beforehand that his fate will be far from all pink, sparkles and flowers. After meeting Princess Hinoto and eventually bonding with his fellow Dragons, he tries to recuperate his Shinken, an Empathic Weapon hidden in the body of Tokiko Magami, his aunt, unbeknownst to everyone.

Despite his rather classical characterisation, Kamui still keeps the spotlight to himself due to his own complex personality. His frail and scrawny appearance (perhaps for Yaoi-slash purposes) seems almost a joke in comparison to his crushing responsibilities. Yet, his reactions are pretty realistic and quite akin to the ones a Real Life teenager would display.

Tropes associated with Kamui Shiro:


Fuma Monou

The taller and stronger childhood friend of Kamui is actually destined to be his Evil Twin of sorts, depending on who Kamui chooses to side with.

Both Fuma and Kotori, his sister, lived happily in Tokyo and were friends with Kamui until their mother Saya died a horrific death upon giving birth to the first Shinken. Fuma then went to High School and became a famed basketball player. Upon meeting Kamui again, he tries to rekindle with him but, since Kamui wants to protect him, his attempts meet an icy response. After Kamui makes his choice, Fuma makes a major Face Heel Turn and goes to Kanoe in order to take his place amongst the Dragons of Earth.


Tropes associated with Fuma Monou:

Kotori Monou

The resident Shrinking Violet is Kamui's childhood friend and who has a (reciprocated) crush on him.

Like Fuma, Kotori was scarred for life upon watching the gory death of her mother. However, unlike Fuma and Kamui, she doesn't fight physically. Psychologically and physically fragile and pretty much defenseless, she snaps and breaks down upon seeing the birth of the second Shinken out of Tokiko Magami's body. As foreseen by Hinoto and Kanoe she ends up being the wedge between Kamui and Fuma. Her brother eventually kills her in front of Kamui. She and Kamui share a romantic bound before her untimely death.

Tropes associated with Kotori Monou:

Dragons of Heaven: The Seven Seals

Sorata Arisugawa

The tall, upbeat, goofy Lancer of the Dragons of Heaven talks with a distinctive Kansai accent.

Despite being taken from his parents at an early age and destined to die for the woman he loves, he constantly acts friendly, generous and protective, especially towards Kamui and his initially unresponsive crush, Arashi. Raised and trained by Buddhist monks in the Koya shrine, he primarily uses thunder and light-based attacks as well as some holy magic.

He eventually meets his fate in both the anime and the film. The manga also hints a similar end for him.

Tropes associated with Sorata Arisugawa:

Arashi Kishu

Beautiful but dark, frigid and distant, this Lady of War is one of the first to arrive in Tokyo and meet the Princess Hinoto.

Orphaned at a young age, she was found in the streets and then raised by Miko priestesses (who actually were the friends of her Missing Mom, a former comrade of them) and eventually became the Hidden Priestess of the Ise temple. A very skilled swordswoman with the ability to summon her sword from her left hand. She initially coldly rejects the rather forward propositions of Sorata but, like Kamui, she gradually warms up to him and reciprocates. But consummating their love implied losing her powers and sealing up her lover's fate, like it apparently happened to her own mother in the past.. Ultimately, she performs a massive Face Heel Turn so she could untie Sorata from his obligations of protecting her and thus dying for her.

In the anime, she goes to the Dragons of Earth of her own will but in the manga Dark Hinoto's machinations are the cause of her betrayal. Her terminal fate is different in the film than in the TV series: Sorata fulfills his destiny and dies for her in battle, but then Fuma kills her too..

Tropes associated with Arashi Kishu:

Subaru Sumeragi

Like his Arch Nemesis, Seishiro Sakurazuka, he hails from another CLAMP work: Tokyo Babylon where his origins are explained with more details. Appearing as a stock Bishonen, he mourns his dead sister that was killed by Seishiro.

Unlike the other Dragons of Heaven, he is rather reluctant to join the group and mostly goes on his own story arc that is actually the end of the one he started during Tokyo Babylon. Nevertheless, he significantly helped out during Kamui's Adventures in Coma Land and succeeded in healing his soul and bringing him back. His final showdown with Seishiro Sakurazuka leads to tons of Ho Yay and Foe Yay. In battle, he uses a mix of soul magic and arcana that he channels in cards.

His end is very different, depending on the media. In the Manga, he inherits the powers and responsibility of the Sakurazukamori; in the film both die and in the TV-series their relationship is established and he ends up in a catatonic state for having killed his lover. He gets better..

Tropes associated with Subaru Sumeragi


Karen Kasumi

A devoted Catholic call-girl, Karen appears sporadically at first before taking a more active role in the plot. She appears as a redhead bombshell.

Gifted with pyrotechnics, she is usually aloof towards everyone despite her benevolent disposition and her sensitivity. She forms an unrequited crush on Seiichiro Aoki and never acts on it out of respect for his wife and child. In the anime she eventually sacrifices herself to save Seiichiro from Yuto but dying with their enemy.

Tropes associated with Karen Kasumi:

Yuzuriha Nekoi

A petite, fresh and naive 14 years-old girl that often lightens up the mood and is never seen without her spirit dog, Inuki, that is invisible to regular humans.

Bullied all her childhood long because no one could see her dog but her, she has sworn to never accept a man who couldn't see her pet. Ironically, the first man to see Inuki is none other than a Dragon of Earth: Shiryu Kusanagi. She immediately falls for him. She can turn Inuki into a sword when in battle and her pet will do anything to protect her. Upon battling Satsuki Yatoji in the anime, she loses her dog and gets horribly depressed. After getting a Hannibal Lecture from Fuma and Satsuki, she is eventually able to revive Inuki while Fuma steps down.

In the film, she dies along with Yuto and Kusanagi, in Kamui's arms. In the anime, both Kusanagi and her survive after Kusanagi's Heel Face Turn and it is hinted that they remain together.

Tropes associated with Yuzuriha Nekoi:

  • Action Girl
  • All of the Other Reindeer: Was shunned by her schoolmates all her childhood long due to her special abilities.
  • Anguished Declaration of Love: In the anime, to Kusanagi. Helps a lot in his Heel Face Turn.
  • Beware the Nice Ones: In the anime and in the manga, Fuma meant to kill her but her will to live alone was enough to repel him and she could eventually revive Inuki.
  • Chaste Teens: Variation. Despite being occasionally hit on by guys, her firm resolve to never accept a man who'd be unable to see Inuki makes her one of these... until she meets Kusanagi.
  • Friend to All Living Things
  • Genki Girl: A mild version of this. She is cheerful and happy-go-lucky but not to the point of being unable to focus on serious things.
  • Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With Kusanagi who is easily twice her weight and towers high over her..
  • Joshikousei: Subverted. Despite being involved with an older guy, her schoolgirl status, although obvious, is never brought up as part of why he likes her, nor is it ever alluded to otherwise in story.
  • Magical Girl: Variation. She has all the characteristics but doesn't use actual magic.
  • Meet Cute: Her first meeting with Kusanagi in the anime and the manga fits this, slow motion, white feathers of fate and all. Also a case of What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic.
  • May-December Romance: With Kusanagi who is more than twice her age.
  • Naive Everygirl
  • School Uniforms Are the New Black: Subverted mid-story. She wears it all the time but Kusanagi buys her a new set of clothes once hers are too dirty to be worn.
  • Sprouting Ears: Perhaps due to her relationship with dogs.
  • Yukana: Her seiyuu in the movie and the CD dramas. Replaced by Kumi Sakuma in the anime series.


Seiichiro Aoki

The least seen member of the Dragons of Heaven, Seiichiro Aoki is the oldest of them. Married with a child, he is also a Wind Master who tutored his nephew Daisuke Saiki.

After discreetly and amiably divorcing his wife Shimako in order to protect her and their child Yuuka from the disaster of the upcoming battles, he works as a journalist and manga editor in his daily life. He bounds specifically with Karen upon interviewing her and comes to help her when she goes in his stead to battle Yuto Kigai, alas to no avail. He uses his power over wind in battle.

He appears as a brown-haired man in his mid-30's with glasses. Does that physical description look familiar?

Dragons of Earth: The Seven Angels

Yuto Kigai

A very mannerly and well-groomed blond Public Service clerk, Yuto is one of the most amoral and cynical of the Dragons of Earth. Not much is known about him except that he is pretty happy to work for the Dragons of Earth. Additionally, he playfully flirts with his proteee Satsuki and sleeps regularly with Kanoe. In battle, he uses a long rope with a dagger at the tip that he uses like a whip.

His end is pretty similar in each of the three media. And none of them are pretty. (Except the manga, that is. For now, at least...)

Tropes associated with Yuto Kigai:

Seishiro Sakurazuka

Along with Subaru, he hails from Tokyo Babylon and plays the end of his own story in X 1999. A one-eyed Bishonen, seldom seen without his Cool Shades, he and Subaru are established Yaoi Guys.

Like Subaru, he is not actually close to his fellows and pretty much follows his own path. However, his role in the awakening of Kamui and Fuma was determinant. He is also the murderer of Hokuto Sumeragi, Subaru's sister and holds an interesting relationship with his Hot Mom, Setsuka. He mostly takes on Subaru, his former lover and current Arch Nemesis, and uses an evil version of his powers which often includes Cherry Blossoms.

He dies telling Subaru his true feelings for him. Or so we suspect.

Tropes associated with Seishiro Sakurazuka:

Satsuki Yatoji

A nerdy-looking Emotionless Girl, college-aged Satsuki is the youngest of all the Dragons of Earth and the only female of the group aside of Kanoe. She always look serious and is absolutely uninterested by the mundane world, finding solace only with her computers.

Born in a very wealthy family, she manifested her powers at an early age and can connect herself directly to computers by letting them invade her body with their cables. She spends most of her time connected to her giant PC, the Beast, that she got from Kanoe and that stripped her from the last remnants of interest in humans. She thoroughly lectures Yuzuriha upon battling her and kills her spirit dog when she cannot give her a satisfactory answer. She also develops feelings for Yuto who is amused by her crush, even though he openly sleeps with Kanoe and doesn't really encourage her advances. This drives the Beast mad with envy. She uses the Beast for reconnaissance purposes and uses him to control electric cables as offensive weapons.

In the movie and anime, Satsuki dies upon trying to help Yuto against Seiichiro and Karen, impaled by the many cables of the Beast who refuses to lose her to anyone.

Tropes associated with Satsuki Yatoji:

Nataku

A genderless, cybernetic clone of the dead granddaughter of a scientist, Nataku has pretty much no personality other than that of a lost child. He appears as your usual white-haired Bishonen.

He is first seen as being sustained in a glass chamber. After heading out to steal the Shinken from Kyogo Monou, he eventually joins the Dragons of Earth. Upon seeing just how much Fuma ressembles his father, he immediately takes him as a father figure and loves him unconditionally. He fights several times against Kamui, Yuzuriha and a switched Kusanagi. He mainly uses fabric tendrils in battle.

He eventually dies upon merging with Fuma and becoming part of him to heal him from the damage done by Sorata upon defending Arashi, in the anime. He meets a similar end in the film and is killed by Fuma in the manga, partially because he interpretes His Only Wish as dying for Fuuma himself.

Tropes associated with Nataku:

Shiyu Kusanagi

The bulky, towering and Badass Air Force agent is actually a Technical Pacifist who is inherently linked with the spirit of Earth. His characterisation is the most uneven between all three media of X 1999.

In both the anime and manga, he is actually the least aggressive and asocial of all the Dragons of Earth. He is the most reluctant to participate in the end of the world but joins in regardless even though he doesn't share his views with everyone else. His enemy Yuzuriha Nekoi develops romantic feelings for him.

In the anime, he protects Yuzuriha from his fellows various times and ultimately switches side. In the manga, she confesses to him, and he accepts her feelings, though he doesn't openly return them.

In the film, he is the most aggressive and violent of all and is nothing more than a Blood Knight who simply wants to kill the Dragons of Heaven. His relationship with Yuzuriha doesn't exist.

In battle, he mostly uses brute force and is able to shatter the ground open with one punch.

Tropes associated with Kusanagi Shiyu:

Kakyo Kuzuki

A frail and comatose young guy that seldom comes to his senses in the real world and spends most of his time in Comaland where he dreams about the future, a constant sad look on his face.

A dreamseer like Hinoto, he was sequestrated for a long time by ill-intentioned politicians. During one of his dreams, he meets Hokuto, Subaru's twin sister and falls in love with her. Upon seeing her eventual fate in his dreams, he breaks out of his coma and tries to save her but is shot by his jailers and put in a never ending coma. He also befriends Kotori in the dream space, comforting her in her painful last minutes of life and watching her soul go off to Heaven)

In the manga, he is convinced to join the Dragons of Earth by Fuma after trying to prevent the murder of Kotori. In the anime, Fuma coerces him to manipulate Hinoto's dreams so as to mislead her predictions. But he eventually turns on Fuma on the urgings of Kotori and Hokuto. He eventually dies peacefully in his sleep and leaves for Heaven with his beloved Hokuto.

Tropes associated with Kakyo Kuzuki:


Supporting Characters

Princess Hinoto

A blind and crippled dreamseer, she is actually in charge of the whole political life of Tokyo and can see the future in her dreams. She appears as an albino Woman in White that possesses a wide range of psychic abilities and some power over Shikigami magic.

Although Hinoto has never once failed in her predictions, she was initially unable to determine the eventual path Kamui would take, so she tried to influence him to side with the Dragons of Heaven but Kanoe informed Kamui about his possibility to choose between the two. She functions mainly as the Dragons of Heaven's Mission Control and is able to use spells to see outside her hidden place. She also constantly fighting her Enemy Within her Dark Self, that wishes to live on as a dreamseer and manipulates the group in order to ensure the world is destroyed in the end.

In the manga, Hinoto is confronted directly by Sorata about her actions, yet the outcome is (still) not clear. In the TV-series, she commits suicide in order to stop her Dark Self from interfering with the fate of the Seven Seals. In the film, Hinoto says goodbye to Kamui and teleports him to the Tokyo Tower so he can duel Fuma, then lets herself die as the Diet building collapses around her, Kanoe's lifeless body in her arms.

Tropes associated with Hinoto:

Kanoe

The Seven Angels's counterpart to Hinoto is actually her younger sister. She is the one responsible for bringing the dragons of Earth all together and helps them in their mission by providing them with headquarters and material. She is a tall, dark-haired Femme Fatale with the customary long nails to hint at her evil.

Although being born in the same family as Hinoto, Kanoe isn't gifted with the power of dreamseeing but can enter the dreams of others. Hence, she was always treated as less important than her sister. She is mostly flirtatious and Affably Evil towards her companions. She has an open affair with Yuto and flirts occasionally with Satsuki. Despite claiming to hate Hinoto, her sister's death seems to affect her all the same.

In the film, Fuma kills her upon entering the Final Battle, and she dies in a devastated Hinoto's arms. In the TV series, she lives on and mourns her sister. In the manga, she is killed by Hinoto.

Tropes associated with Kanoe:


Others

Tokiko and Toru Magami

Kyogo and Saya Monou

Shougo Asagi

Keiichi Segawa

Hokuto Sumeragi

Daisuke Saiki

Setsuka Sakurazuka

SEISHIROU: I wonder how old she was. I still am not completely sure. The one that always smiled quietly forever seemed to be a young girl...

  • The Ophelia: She often talks about things that look like nosense, then counteracts with something quite unsettling and does so smiling.

SETSUKA has an ikebana arrangement: Camellias. Red camellias.
SEISHIROU: Your favorite flower.
SETSUKA: I love it. I love camellias best when they fall (gets a dreamy look) It falls on the ground.... plop, like a human head. I love it.

  • Parental Incest: As mentioned, her relationship with Seishirou gives a strong vibe of this. She does say he's the only person she's ever come to care for and love, and in the manga, when she dies at Sei's hand by her own request, they share a Last Kiss.
  • Posthumous Character: Basically, the reason why Sei is the way he is. Even after dying many years ago, when Seishirou was in high school.
  • Rapunzel Hair
  • Trickster Mentor: To a degree, towards Seishirou. She's always playful and creepily sweet to him, specially in the CD dramas.
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