Something Different:Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle

I’ve never been the biggest fan of manga team of CLAMP, something about their work never seemed to click with me. That is until I read Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, a manga that despite it’s problems is overall interesting. This manga has many ups and downs with some parts the story becomes less exciting or predictable, however overall the story has the ability to draw the reader into it, allowing the reader to over look these flaws in some cases. It’s use of detail also helps to make up for some of the stories major flaws and the manga has earned my respect for CLAMP’s skill. However, it may not have the same on all people as it’s story had on me and, despite not requiring the background on other works by CLAMP it is helpful to have some understanding of them to fully appreciate the story.

The artwork in Tsubasa can be seen as decent for enough it’s job to propel the story as well as well crafted and inked and, refreshingly different from the average Shonen design. However the design can also be seen as overly simplistic, artificial feeling at times and out place in the shonen genera. Either view has strong evidence to support them, however whether you like the art or not has more to do with personal taste then solid fact. Clearly the art in Tsubasa was not CLAMPS primary concerned, but at the same time was drawn with a great deal of care and effort. One thing that is noticeable is the use of more Shojo like character design rather then average Shonen design commonly found. CLAMP uses similar character models and designs as it does in it’s previous works (many times even copying characters model designs). The means that character have strong personality traits, but weak ability to express complex emotion. The work backgrounds are simple and many time absent of substance, however they are extremely well ink making them look almost like they were created by a machine as oppose to hand drawn. The art is clearly well drawn despite it’s many holes and is cable of showing fantastic worlds as well as conveying a the complex atmosphere the manga requires. Overall the artwork flaws, but also interesting features creates a feeling duality about it’s content.

Where this work really excels and gets the readers attention is the story. The story revolves around Syaoran, a archaeologist and his childhood friend Sakura the princess of clow country. Sakura’s soul and memories have been scattered throughout a vast amount number of dimensions and Syaoran is determine to get them back for her. He is transported to the home (a astral realm) of Yūko who is the witch of dimensions. Their he meets the runaway magician Fay D. Flourite and the tough ninja Kurogane who is sent by Princess Tomoyo to learn the true meaning of strength. At this point two things become apparent, first off that the central plot overall is at best an average and predictable shonen plot (involving travelling to collecting feathers). The second and much more stubble thing is that CLAMP uses character from other series as basis for the characters in the story. The witch of dimensions and her assistant are the two main characters within XXXholic and Sakura, Syaoran and, Tomoyo all appear in Sakura Cardcaptors. This sort of cast system for characters is similar to the system used by the great Osamu Tezuka and are nice touches for those with any background in CLAMPS other works.

Although the plot is predictable and not interesting in and of itself, it allows CLAMP to create a interesting concept based around the group traveling through many types of worlds to collect feathers. To travel to these worlds each most give up a precious item to them, Fay loses his magical tattoo that allows him use magic, Kurogane his most prized sword, but the biggest twist is Syaoran’s loss the princess’s memory of him and her ability to ever remember him. This loss pays for both him and the princess, because it is also being taken from her as well. Now this makes a certain amount sense, however despite her memory of him being important, the mere fact he is helping Sakura should be reason enough for her to like him (perhaps even more then before). After they make their payments the group are introduced to weird, cute, white rabbit like critter (or Mokona Modoki) named Soel that translates for them and allows them to jump dimensions, while also acting as a feather detector. This is where the fun begins in the story as CLAMP goes from world to world in essence allowing them to explore a number of stories and styles. Each world has different scenarios that lead up to the discovery of feathers and the solving of someones problem within that world. CLAMP also is careful to avoid overstretching a story beyond it’s welcome, and for having both the heroes and natives of the land encountering the group of travelers react in a natural way. CLAMP also carefully composes it’s details, doing things such as having characters change of costumes in each world to blend in and, having identical but separate forms of the same person within different dimensions.

Chronicle’s is the type of manga that focuses on story telling and avoids making battle and conflict the primary feature of the work (though it has plenty of battle as well). Like Shojo manga it has a lot of use of cutesy comedy and a focus on the characters relationships. At the same time it places the characters into Shonen like situation (such as ghost hunting) and contests of skill like that found commonly in Shonen works. The overall plot moves slowly, despite the fast movement from world revealing elements of Sakura and Syaoran relationship before her loss of memory, as well as elements of Fay and Kurogane’s past. Eventually villains are added to the series, including a double of Syaoran and occasionally Seishirō, the one who Syaoran to fight, as well as a evil doctor. However it isn’t for a while that details are even given on many of these antagonists except that they want to stop Syaoran and the others from gathering the feathers. Overall the details of characters past, the mystery of the villains and fun of moving from world to world outweighs relatively bland central plot of the story and hopefully compels the reader to continue reading.

The biggest problem overall with this series are the characters personality don’t seem as deep as I’d like to see. Although characters have a few interesting traits that set them apart despite being very charming, something feels like it is missing. Character development is really a slow thing in this manga. Sometimes this is a good thing as slowly characters get know each other better and the personality of characters are expanded on, but other times you expect characters to change and interact at a faster and greater rate. Many of the shojo like elements including personal connection with characters could go deeper. For some the cutesy elements taken from shojo might be a turn off, while for other fun and refreshing, examples of this include Soel and Fay’s various nicknames for Kurogane. On the other hand the simple personality with strong basic traits found in shonen, such as Sakura and Fay drinking habits, and Soel’s 108 secret talents in the series may not fit right with some readers. These strong traits also create a variety of shonen like character types including the determined hero Syaoran, the tough and battle loving but distant Kurogane, the fun loving gentle Fay, the pretty and kind Sakura and, cutesy animal sidekick Soel. Overall the characters design of this manga is a compromise between the shonen and shojo style’s and although it makes characters interesting and fun, it gives them also a lack emotional depth.

This work is the type of manga that you’ll either love or hate, it’s fun, has a good story and, is cutesy, but also lacks in certain areas and, can be too slow in pace for some readers. Love it or hate it, it is well written and a lot of thought and care clearly went into the making of this series. It is the type of story that is good for some and for others not something they’d want to read. I’d suggest flipping through or even buying the first volume and reading. You just might find you want to read more and get hooked into the adventure.

John Lennon Anthology: Music of a dreamer

John Lennon is best remembered for his work with the Beatles, however after the Beatles broke up he created some of his most radical and interesting music. Of all the former Beatles, in my option Lennon has most to say through his post Beatles work. The John Lennon Anthology contains much of his post Beatles musical development and personal feelings. This collection follows Lennon’s solo career and at the same time gives incite into who John Lennon is through his remarkable music.

Lennon is the type of musicians that transcend the conventional terms of genera. Lennon’s music pulls from all sorts of genera including Rock; Folk, Jazz and, Blues music’s to create a unified single sound. Though the songs influences may differ from track to track, each song carries a consistency from Lennon’s presentation of the song. Though Lennon doesn’t fall into a typical song style, it is clear when you hear his music that it is his.

The instrumentation in this collection varies a great deal from track to track. Lennon moves between a variety of instruments leading including piano, other voices and electric, steel and, slide guitar. However even with electric instruments though it is clear Lennon prefers a natural sound and the instrumental lines are simple and very direct. This instrumental sound is not large or flashy, but a tool for Lennon’s vocals to express himself. Similar techniques are used by modern groups such as Lonesome Brother’s to express emotion. Though the focus of the album is Lennon, without the emotional expressiveness of his instrumentalists, Lennon would not be able to create his unique sound.

Lennon’s music is so incredible, because of the strong emotion and personal nature of his work. Every song has a strong message many expressing political messages such as “Give Peace a Chance,” and, “Working Class Hero.” Others express emotions within his life such as “Jealous Guy,” and “Real love.” Many of these mix both of these elements such as “Don’t Want to be Soldier,” and “Imagine.” What I like about Lennon is he doesn’t water down his words and many of his songs are contain not only his glorious side, but also his dark moments with songs like, “God,” “How Do You Sleep,” “Luck of the Irish,” and “Woman Is The Nigger Of The World.” Lennon’s music has a genuine quality giving you an impression of all his good as well as well as more negative feelings about life and is not afraid to criticize himself in his music.

John Lennon is truly an amazing music not just in his ability to create music, but also in his ability to express himself through music and find others that help him share his visions of the world. John Lennon’s music represents himself as a human being; though much of it is dark all of it is written at the highest quality and gets your attention. This collection is a breath taking set that is definitely a most have. If you haven’t listened to this collection, do yourself a favor and pick it up.