Rereading X/1999....

[bard_linn]

So Kir and I are about halfway through the anime of x/1999 and I've started rereading the manga while I wait in the parking lot for work to start (traffic is horrible if I try to be there RIGHT at eight). Despite being The Official Translation (and thus, horrible issues because of when/how it was translated) I'm still finding things I missed/forgot. I saw the X anime first, plus I've watched it three times, so that sticks in my head more often than the manga. I clearly need to read it more. Most important of my observations: Kotori and Kamui are adorable. I would totally ship them and write fic for them except, well, you know. I really don't ship Fuuma (nice, brotherly not dark Kamui version) and Kamui at ALL (except maybe some Fuuma ---> Kamui).

Hi. My life has been taken over by house paperwork, my summer job and sewing for Otakon. don't expect to see a lot of me right now.

Comments

[kiraya.livejournal.com]

Well, us having the opposite issue with canon rereading/rewatching will be helpful for Divine Revolutions, no? XD;

...and what's wrong with doing Kamui/Kotori fic? We kick around stuff with Euphie all the time. (Granted, she's around significantly longer, but...)

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

There's so little we actually get I think I'd have a hard time writing a lot of her. It'd just be cute fluffy one shot stuff if anything. :/

[draxander.livejournal.com]

You just reminded me that I haven't watched the X anime for quite a while. So I went to look up my youtube bookmarks, but it's been taken down now. ):

The thing about those of us who started with the manga first is that it's hard to get used to the anime where many of the events have been swapped around in the timeline so as to fit into proper episodes, sometimes not making that much sense. But maybe it works the same way in reverse. But I still cried watching the show. Ah. It's the soundtrack, I tell you.

I have a little trouble with accepting FuuKam as well. I've always got a stronger Kamui --> Kotori vibe (oh the fluff!) than Kamui --> Fuuma. As for Fuuma, I just can't get a hold on him.

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

There's parts of it up...somewhere, I think. I just bought it when it was on sale at rightstuf. You can get it pretty cheap. (Especially for back in the day when anime was almost $30 a DVD...)

Reading it after watching the anime is really interesting because you can see where they switched things around and where they didn't. The biggest difference I've noticed so far (besides the whole adding Subaru's side story in that makes no sense timeline wise) is that things seem to take longer to start in the anime than they do in the manga (which is admittedly very vague when it comes to time lines). Some of the changes I just accept because of the problems with the manga production (ie, the last few episodes).

The soundtrack is amazing. <3

Kamui clearly cares about Fuuma, but I still feel you're right. Kotori seems to be his first priority.

sorry for rambling:D

[shirogiku.livejournal.com]

LOL, I'm in minority here, ne?

I swear I was reading the same manga - not TB 2.0 - and I saw:

a)Clear-cut vanilla!Fuuma>>Kamui

All the hugs, the way Fuuma just looks at Kamui and fusses over him like a mother hen, and hey, in one of the earlier volumes he even looked at Kotori(!) sternly, when she peeked in the room to look at a sleeping injured Kamui. Fuuma insist on being included in Kamui's life and doesn't let go. It is love, and whether it's brotherly or not - well, in CLAMP mangas it's all the same:p

b)Kamui finds it easier to open up to Kotori - because it's Kotori. The power of cute girls. I think he loves both of them equally, but differently. Kotori is the person whom he wants to protect. It's like Suzaku>>Euphy. Very light sexual vibes, if none at all. Holding hands and being generally cute - yes.

Fuuma is the person on whom Kamui wants to rely, his support, and, as Kiraya said in our long chat yesterday, the person for whom Kamui doesn't need to be strong and with whome he can be just himself - well, once Kamui stop pushing Fuuma away.

I remember then scene when Fuuma hugs Kamui and says: "you're finally back" after Kamui stops his poker face act.

He pushes Fuuma away more ferociously simply because it's nearly impossible to push Kotori away - she has weak heart and all. Remeber how she fainted when Kamui went meany on her? Kamui just can't hurt her. Fuuma, in his eyes, is super strong and doesn't need that treatment. While in truth, I think, Fuuma has always desperately loved and needed and clinged to Kamui, fate or no fate - in this case it's irrelevant.

Kamui has trust issues, much like Lelouch - he doesn't let anyone close, which is understandable given his life. So that's why both Kotori and Fuuma are his world (insert Suzaku and Nunnally, haha). Without them Kamui sees no point in saving anyone. EVEN HIMSELF;) Umm, I'm not mentioning Subaru, b/c it's pre-Subaru, okay? But Subaru was Kamui's substitute for Fuuma in the early stage. That's what was their downfall.

Kamui did love his Mother too, though, but he accepted (not got over, mind you) her death before he made his Choice.

Kamui is 16 y.o. - or even 15? - so I don't think he can even differencate between different kinds of love (Lelouch's issues with loving/caring about someone again?) or tell when he loves someone.

I'm sorry for all the parallels with Lulu- Kamui does care a lot more about just people in general. See how he saves that old researcher in Sunshine building, how he feels guilty over Saiki's death, etc. But he either gradually grows more humane due to his trauma after his Choice or changes because his dark self becomes a separate entity - it can be understood either way, imho.

As a kid, Kamui was very cute and kind. His attitude in teh early volumes was just a defensive reaction - it's not who he is deep inside.

*stares at the length of this comment*

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

duh

[shirogiku.livejournal.com]

*is embarassed*

*wants to go hide somewhere*

Re: duh

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

Tell you what: I'll answer your observations when I get a chance to finish through Kamui picking his side (since that's most of the Fuuma-Kotori-Kamui stuff anyway). Though in short: I fully agree that Fuuma appears to have a Very Deep Thing for Kamui - it's the other angle I'm not getting shippy vibes for.

Re: duh

[shirogiku.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was very much hoping for an answer - otherwise I would have just grumbled to myself~~

I guess we have different definitions and expectations of shippy vibes?

What I think is that Kamui clinging to Fuuma after the Choice might have more to do with Kamui feeling guilty for not having protected Kotori and Fuuma than TRU LUV. How much actual feelings and of what nature are there seems to be open to interpretation.

Can we agree that Fuuma is important to Kamui? At least as a friend? That much is evident, right? Or I'll begin to doubt myself! I'd like to understand Kamui better, that's why I insist on rambling. I don't really know if Kamui was in love with Fuuma before his Choice and I've been wondering about it.

Can we talk about Kamui's feelings or lack of thereof for Fuuma when you're done, then?

Re: duh

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah - Kamui totally cares a lot for Fuuma. He mentions that several times. I think he really thought of him either a close friend or a brother. But like I said - haven't finished up to that point, so I want to get there first. ^^ (I may just finish everything published, so I can get a good handle on what I want to say. ^^)