X (1996)

Director:

Rintaro

Writers:

Mami Watanabe (script) and
Mick Nekoi (comic) ...

Release Date:

3 August 1996 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

The story takes place in 1999, the Year of Destiny, and the beginning of the end of the world. The future of the universe rests on one young man...

Plot Keywords:

Destiny | End Of The World | Based On Comic | Tragic Hero | Wings

Cast

Tomokazu Seki	...	Kamui Shirô
Ken Narita	...	Fûma Monô
Junko Iwao	...	Kotori Monô
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Toni Barry	...	Karen Kasumi (voice: English version)
Rupert Degas	...	Shuogo Asagi (voice: English version)
Denica Fairman	...	Kanoe (voice: English version)
Mike Fitzpatrick	...	Sorata Arisugawa (voice: English version)
Tôru Furusawa	...	Seishirô Sakurazuka
Teresa Gallagher	...	Arashi Kishu (voice: English version)
Jeff Harding	...	Kusangi (voice: English version)
David Harris	...	Seiichirou Aoki (voice: English version)
Adam Henderson	...	Fuma Summit (voice: English version)
Masako Ikeda	...	Tôru
Kazuhiko Inoue	...	Yûto Kigai
Stacey Jefferson	...	Hinoto (voice: English version)
Mami Koyama	...	Karen Kasumi
Annemarie Lawless	...	Yuzuriha Nekoi (voice: English version)
Alan Marriott	...	Kamui Shirou (voice: English version)
Rica Matsumoto	...	Nataku
Yûko Minaguchi	...	Hinoto
Kotono Mitsuishi	...	Satsuki Yatôji
Issei Miyazaki	...	Subaru Sumeragi
Larissa Murray	...	Kotari Summit (voice: English version)
Jôji Nakata	...	Kusanagi Shiyû
Yukana Nogami	...	Yuzuriha Nekoi
Liza Ross	...	Toru (Kamui's Mother) (voice: English version)
Toshihiko Seki	...	Shôgo Asagi
Emi Shinohara	...	Arashi Kishû
Atsuko Takahata	...	Kanoe
Hideyuki Tanaka	...	Seiichirô Aoki
Nigel Whitmey	...	Yuto (voice: English version)
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Sorata Arisugawa

Also Known As:

X/1999 (USA) (promotional title)
X: Their Destiny Was Foreordained 1999 (Japan: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/gore and some nudity.

Runtime:

USA:97 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | Ireland:12 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | France:-12 | Germany:16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Bandai Visual Company

Trivia:

The two characters that fight as Kamui watches near the beginning of the film, Subaru Sumeragi and Seishirou Sakurazuka, were originally from CLAMP's manga, "Tokyo Babylon" before crossing over into the X manga. Their relationship mirrors that of Kamui and Fuma's, as they were both close friends until Seishirou killed Subaru's sister.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Kamui Shirô: Why? Why did it have to happen this way? Why can't you tell me? Fûma!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kaubôi bibappu: Tengoku no tobira (2001)

Soundtrack:

Forever Love

I was disappointed . . .

Don't get me wrong - I like animation, whether from Japan or elsewhere. However, this film left me cold. I enjoy seeing multiple levels of meaning combined with beautiful animation and exciting action, which is why I will seek out anime on the big screen every chance I get. This film's meaning was obtuse, and the animation was uninspired. Perhaps if you immersed yourself in the series, this film would be more enjoyable - but it can't stand alone.

No offense to fans, but for a casual admirer of Japanese animation I can't recommend this one.