X (1996)

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, Kamui Shiro, who must destroy either the ... See full summary »

Director:

Rintaro

Writers:

Mami Watanabe (script), Mick Nekoi (manga) (as Clamp)

Stars:

Tôru Furusawa, Alan Marriott, Tomokazu Seki

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tôru Furusawa	...	Seishirô (voice)
Alan Marriott	...	Kamui Shirou (voice)
Tomokazu Seki	...	Kamui (voice)
Adam Henderson	...	Fuma Monou (voice)
Larissa Murray	...	Kotari Monou (voice)
Ken Narita	...	Fûma (voice)
Denica Fairman	...	Kanoe (voice)
Stacey Gregg	...	Hinoto (voice) (as Stacey Jefferson)
Junko Iwao	...	Kotori (voice)
Mike Fitzpatrick	...	Sorata Arisugawa (voice)
David Harris	...	Aoki Seiichirou (voice)
Atsuko Takahata	...	Kanoe (voice)
Rupert Degas	...	Shuogo Asagi (voice)
Yûko Minaguchi	...	Hinoto (voice)
Nigel Whitmey	...	Yuto Kigai (voice)

Storyline

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, Kamui Shiro, who must destroy either the Dragons of Earth or the Dragons of Heaven - two opposing armies. He alone must decide whether humanity should be destroyed to create a purified universe, or whether it should be protected to preserve civilization. Two oracles, the sisters Hinoto and Kanoe foresee the coming of the Dragons and predict opposite outcomes. Each sister gathers strength and ammunition to insure her own vision for the future. However, neither sister realizes that there is one man who has an even greater power than the Dragons, and that ultimately he will determine the fate of the earth. Which sister will prevail and how does Kamui fit into their struggle? The answer to this question will forever affect humanity.

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Plot Keywords:

older actors younger roles | crying | dying | flight | friendship | 

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence/gore and some nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

There is a Easter Egg for the Region 1 USA/Canada DVD released by Manga Video. To access it, go to 'Main Menu' and highlight the Manga Video logo. Click Enter to play the trailer for Blood: The Last Vampire (2000).

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Quotes

Subaru Sumeragi: Kamui has finally returned to Tokyo.
Seishirô Sakurazuka: So I understand. The final battle to decide the fate of the earth is about to begin.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is a brief aerial shot of Tokyo, with everything save the Tokyo Tower in rubble as sakura blossoms flutter by.

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Alternate Versions

Nudity was blurred out when aired on when aired on the Sci-Fi Channel (Ani-Monday).

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Connections

Spin-off TV Animation X: Unmei No Tatakai (2002)

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Soundtracks

Forever Love
Written by Yoshiki
Performed by Yoshiki (as X Japan)

User Reviews

Confusing!

X/1999 is a great manga, it really is. I bought this movie as my introduction to anime, luckily I didn't let this movie ruin anime for me. X is the story of a boy who has the power to choose the future by choosing a side to fight for: the Dragons of Heaven who want mankind to continue to exist or the Dragons of Earth, who want mankind purged from the planet like a bad disease. Personally I would've chose the Dragons of Earth. But enough about me. The move is a short 90mins. Not NEARLY enough time to squeeze in a huge story like X. The most frustrating thing about X is that once you're introduced to a character they die within 10mins or so. The animation however is beautiful, and the girls who created the characters did an excellent job designing them. The violence is brutal when it needs to be which is often times a must for me. But this movie just doesn't flow well. Maybe if they would've shoved an extra hour in this there would be less confusion. But now that I've seen the series and read the manga I've got this movie down to a science. But that doesn't raise the rating. I still love the ending to this movie, and I love it even more now because the ending to the series sucked. If one watches this movie about 5 or 6 times they may start to get it a little more. If one is looking for a dark depressing movie this should be on the top of their rent list right next to Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (which out shines this movie in every way imaginary). Overall, if you've got the patience to watch it a few times go for it, but the only thing I watch it for is the ending.

Details

Official Sites:

Manga Entertainment

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

3 August 1996 (Japan)

Also Known As:

X/1999

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,672, 12 March 2000

Gross USA:

$143,355

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$266,914

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandai Entertainment Inc., Bandai Visual Company, Clamp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1