2006 Retrospective

2006 was a VERY CLAMPy year. Even more than last year, I’d say. On it’s last day, it is time to review all the great happenings of the past year. They were based on my LJ posts so forgive me if I forgot anything.


• January:

– The pre-sales of DVDs of the XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa movies reached high positions at Animate’s ranking, one of the biggest anime/manga network stores of Japan. As a present, they gave an original good drawn and signed by CLAMP to the people who bought the DVDs at their stores.

• February:

– The official website of the XXXHOLiC TV series was launched.
– Tsubasa #13 and XXXHOLiC #8 were released. They topped the first 3 positions at Animate’s ranking on their release week.
– The DVDs of the XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa movies were released. The cover illustrations of the PREMIUM editions were drawn by CLAMP. Latter that month, the movie hit the internet.
– The 100th chapter of XXXHOLiC was published in Young Magazine.
– The event CLAMP + Production IG: Creative Paths from Manga to Animation was held at the Taipei Book Festival, in Taiwan. Ageha Ohkawa attended to the event, in behalf of CLAMP, with Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, the president of Production IG. It was the first time a CLAMP member attended to an international event. Additionally, Ohkawa announced that CLAMP would be visiting Korea and the USA later that year. Questions regarding X’s hiatus and the change of names of the CLAMP members were asked at the event (Read more: * * *).

• March:

– It was announced that Suga Shikao would perform the Opening Theme of the XXXHOLiC anime and Fonogenico, the Ending Theme.
– It was also announced that Kinya would perform the Opening Theme for the 2nd season of Tsubasa Chronicle and Maaya Sakamoto, the Ending Theme.
– The summary of the 2nd season of Tsubasa Chronicle was announced and, differently than the original manga, the series would start in the Piffle arc. It was the first of a series of changes that would happen in that season.

• April:

– CLAMP celebrated 17 years of professional mangakas (probably around 20 years under the name of “CLAMP”, if you count their doujinshi days).
– Tsubasa #14 was released. It reached the 1st position at Tohan, E-hon and Animate’s rankings on it’s releasing week.
– The XXXHOLiC anime started it’s broadcasting on TBS channel. The anime was averagely well-received by the audience, despite by some flaws, mainly related to the unstable animation quality of the series. Most of the links to Tsubasa were cut even though links to other CLAMP series were not.
– The re-broadcast of CCS 3rd Season ended on NHK.
– The 2nd season of Tsubasa Chronicle started on NHK. The anime was victim of NHK’s educational policy, which caused cuts and censorships as the series was getting darker to a point where the anime detached itself from the original manga at some points. Additionally, the animation quality and the big amount of original episodes displeased some hardcore fans.
– It was announced that CLAMP would be attending the 15th Anime Expo in July at California, USA.

• May:

– The production of a XXXHOLiC Novel was announced. The book would be written by author Nishio Ishin under the name of XXXHOLiC – Another Holic Landolt Ring Aerosol.
– CLAMP attended as guests on the TBS show King’s Brunch, it was their second appearance on the japanese television. The video, however, never hit the internet up to now.
– CLAMP also attended in that month to the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival, the SICAF, in South Korea. It was the first CLAMP event outside Japan with all 4 members. The event was entitled CLAMP DAYS KOREA 2006 and CLAMP performed a Talk Show and a Sign Session. On the next day, they were interviewed by the local Press and the event was covered by several Korean websites (Read more: *).

• June:

– Kagerou, performed by the band BUCK TICK, was announced as the second Ending Theme of the XXXHOLiC anime.
– The children’s book for which CLAMP did the cover and inner illustrations for, Welcome to the Witch’s Place, was released. The story was written by the author Tsukumo Youko.
– The production of CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2 1995~2006 was announced. Maaya Sakamoto would sing the Opening Theme, action!, while ROUND TABLE feat. Nino would perform the Ending Theme, Oh!Yeah!. Animation work by MADHOUSE, directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara and Character Design by Hiromi Kato.
– It was announced that CLAMP would be doing the Character Design for Sunrise’s mecha anime, Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion. It was the first time CLAMP designed characters for a non-CLAMP anime.
– It was announced that Kobato’s serialization would be restarted on October, now in Newtype Magazine, of Kadokawa Publisher.
– An article about CLAMP and animation was published in the 2nd issue of the magazine Animation Note. The article was mainly focused on XXXHOLiC but it featured pictures of CLAMP and their studio (Read more: *).

• July:

– CLAMP attended as Guests of Honor to the 15th Anime Expo in California, USA. The first day of the event was marked by CLAMP’s Panel, in which more than 5.000 people attended to, and a Press Conference. In the second day CLAMP held a sign session for a limited number of people. When asked about Gouhou Drug at the Press Conference, CLAMP said that they’ll be resuming it “in the near future”. Other highlights were: X to be 21-volumes long, Tsubasa will probably have a happy ending (Read more: * * *).
– It was announced that Newtype Magazine would release two special magazines dedicated to CLAMP, entitled CLAMP Newtype [PLATINUM] and [PASTEL]. A preview of what those magazine would gonna look like came as an appendix to one of the Newtype issues, entitled CLAMP Newtype [WHITE].
– Tsubasa #15 and XXXHOLiC #9 were released. They stayed among the 3 top-sellers at most of the rankings in their release week.
– The first XXXHOLiC DVD was released. One of the many extras was an audio commentary of Ageha Ohkawa and director Tsutomu Mizushima (You can get it here).

• August:

– The 3rd season of CCS started to be re-broadcasted on NHK.
– XXXHOLiC’s Novel was released. CLAMP drew the cover and inner illustrations for it. It reached the 9th position at Animate’s ranking on it’s release week. Additionally, Ageha Ohkawa adapted one of the stories of the book for the anime of XXXHOLiC.
– The production of CLAMP in 3-D LAND was announced. A total of 40 trading figurines divided in 8 different series to be released until August of 2008.
– Creation of Komugikotoride no Yonshimin, a web-radio show hosted by CLAMP, available at their members-only website, CLAMP-PLA-NET (You can get them here).

• September:

– The production of CLAMP Mokona no Okimonokimono was announced. A visual book written and produced by CLAMP about the Kimonos designed by Mokona. Published under Kawaide Shobo, the book will also contain a talk between Mokona and Ami Onuki, from the PUFFY band. It’s release it’s scheduled for February, 2007.
– Tsubasa #16 was released. It stayed among the 10 top-sellers mangas at most rankings and it reached the 1st position at Animate’s ranking on it’s releasing week.
CLAMP Newtype [PLATINUM] was released. The special magazine covered the series with the theme Fight and Destiny, X being the big highlight. The magazine had a new X illustration on the cover, works review, essays, a new installment of the short comic CLAMP IN WONDERLAND EX and a special supplement entitled X 18.5, containing the 5 chapters never published in tankohon format.

• October:

– The 2nd Tsubasa Character Guide was released. The highlights were never-before-seen materials like original character sketches, original chapter script written by Ageha Ohkawa and a storyboard Mokona did “just for fun” for the 2nd season anime OP.
– Code Geass started it’s broadcasting on TBS. Opening Theme by FLOW and Ending Theme by ALI PROJECT.
– The first chapter of Kobato’s new series was published in Newtype Magazine. The series got a new title, Kobato., and it was restarted from the beginning. According to CLAMP, they were told to draw only 7 chapters for Sunday GX and once it was decided to restart the series, they moved to a new magazine.
– XXXHOLiC Anime ended it’s broadcasting on TBS. The series covered volumes 1 to 6, mostly, in a total of 23 episodes plus an extra story. Ageha Ohkawa wrote the script for 4 episodes and CLAMP drew the illustrations for two boxes to hold the 8 DVDs of the series. So far there has been no word about a possible continuation.
– Release of the Dimension Zero Trading Cards series for which CLAMP drew the illustrations for two cards.
CLAMP Newtype [PASTEL] was released. The magazine covered works with the theme Love and Heal, Kobato. being the big highlight. The magazine’s content had works review, essays, a new installment of CLAMP IN WONDERLAND EX short comic, among others. The magazine also came with a special supplement containing the first 3 chapters of Kobato (Temporary), first published in Sunday GX. Additionally, the first official pictures of CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 1995~2006 appeared in the magazine and it was announced that CLAMP would do the storyboard for the video-clip.

• November:

– Tsubasa Chronicle ended it’s broadcasting on NHK. The series covered volumes 1 to 14 in a total of 52 episodes divided in 2 series. CLAMP will draw the illustration for the box that will hold all 7 DVDs of the series. So far there has been no word about a possible continuation.
– The first CLAMP in 3-D LAND series of figurines was released. Composed by Yuuko (XXXHOLiC), Sakura (TRC), Syaoran (CCS), Kazahaya (Gouhou Drug) and Chii/Elda (Chobits). CLAMP drew the package illustration. It reached the 1st position at Animate’s Goods ranking on it’s releasing week.
– Tsubasa #17, XXXHOLiC #10 and XXXHOLiC Official Guide were released. It reached the 2nd, 1st and 6th position, respectively, at Animate’s Ranking.
– CLAMP’s New Year event, CLAMP New Year’s Party ~ Four citizens of Special New Year’s food fortress ~ was announced. Tickets sold out in the first day they were put on the market. The event will happen at Shinjuku on January, 2007.
– Announcement of CLAMP in 3-D LAND DEBUT!, the event in commemoration of CLAMP in 3-D LAND sales. The event will happen in Tokyo, on March of 2007, and it’s when the first screening of CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2 1995~2006 will happen.
– It was announced that CLAMP will draw the illustration for the box that will hold all 9 DVDs of the Code Geass series. CLAMP will also draw short comics that will come with DVDs #4 and #7.
– The Tsubasa & XXXHOLiC 2007 calendar was released.
– The second Tsubasa & XXXHOLiC Drama CD was released. Written by Ageha Ohkawa, the limited CD was available only for those who applied for it.

• December:

– A CLAMP article was published on The New York Times. During the time they went to the USA, they were interviewed by the NYT newspaper, but the article was published only in December. The article explored CLAMP’s diversity, mostly, on doing mangas for both boys and girls.
– A 4-pages (all colored) short comic was published in the magazine Modern Mahjong. The story is about about a Mahjong player who’s been losing a lot until he finds a store that grant wishes. It was CLAMP’s first appearance in that magazine.

As I said, a lot of things happened and I tried to cover the most important ones. I hope I didn’t miss anything ^^”

For 2007, there are a couple of things we should be looking forward to:

Mokona no Okimonokimono visual book in February.
CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2 1995~2006, the video, events and goods related to, starting on Spring.
CLAMP in 3-D LAND, a couple of series should be released during the year.
XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa‘s climaxes, as they run toward their ends.

Out of the CLAMP field, I’ll be looking forward to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie in July, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book, hopefully until the end of the year ^^

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ^__^

EDIT: Just remembered ! Today I’m completing 2 years of Live Journal ! But 3 years and 8 months if you count the time during which I ran my blog at pitas.com. Thank you everybody for visiting it ^__^

78 thoughts on “2006 Retrospective

  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

    I hope we will have a great new CLAMP year !!!! XDDDDDDDDDD

    Like

  2. Indeed this 2006 was CLAMP´s year, and only CLAMP´s XD
    I have the feeling this 2007 our wallets will be empty as 2006 (merchandise! figurines! special magazines! events! If anybody is interested I trade my house for a ticket at the New yer´s event XDDDD)

    Now the important thing is: THANK YOU… THANK YOU SO MUCH Alex for all your efforts bringing us news and scans, and radio shows, and lots lots lots of Clamp stuff!, really I don´t think there are words to actually thank you enough for all you have done, specially this year, which such a terrible amount of news and things happening in the Clamp world…(wich is great of course XD but everybody can get the idea of how hard is to inform about all that), so even if I know it doesn´t retribute not a bit all you have done for as, I want you to know that I (and I know as a fact many, many, many, maaaany more people) are so thankfull to you. I just wanted to tell you that, ´cause it´s important letting you know that people values what you do in this journal and not just letting it took by granted. The Clamp fandom is strong, because of people like you.

    And OF COURSE! Congratulations in your aniversary!!!! *glomps* and for many more!!!

    See you next year XD!
    O-chan

    Like

    • I thought it was more CLAMPy than last year. Because it gave me more work than last year’s retrospective.

      >If anybody is interested I trade my house for a ticket at the New yer´s event XDDDD

      HAHAHAHA And I’ll have to sell my soul to buy the tickets to the event AND the tickets to travel to Japan.

      Omg XDDD I’m almost crying here xDDDD *slaps face* Get over it ! Anyway ! Thank you very much for the support and… well, everything you said ;_; It makes me very happy, really !! To know that you appreciate it ^___^

      >And OF COURSE! Congratulations in your aniversary!!!! *glomps* and for many more!!!

      THANK YOU VERY MUCH *glomps back XDDD* I hope there will be many more too XDDD I love doing it ^^

      Btw I just saw your card ^______________^ Thank you muchly !!

      >See you next year XD!

      See you definitely next year !!

      >O-chan

      O-CHAN ! *points* XDDDDD

      Like

  3. Happy new year, to you, too, chibiyuuto.

    I’m quite new to commenting in this lj, but I want to thank you for all the CLAMP news. I’ve bk’mrked the LJ, so I can always keep up to date. XD

    Thanks again. ^^

    Like

    • Happy New Year to you ! Even though we just met, I feel happy already for you reading my LJ, thank you a lot ! ^___^

      Very nice to meet you, blue_rin-san ! Please come back anytime ^__^

      Like

  4. Oh my, thank you very very much for such nice words *bows* It’s my pleasure ! I feel very happy to know that I’m being useful to you ^___^

    Thanks for reading my journal, and I’m definitely toasting for a CLAMP-filled year! Cheers ! ^__^

    Like

  5. Happy New Year to you too. And congrats on the 2-year anniversery. Your blog is definitely the best source of CLAMP info on LJ that I’ve come across. Thank you so much for keeping us all informed. It must be tiring sometimes. 😛

    Have a good 2007!

    Like

  6. Happy New Year! Ein gesundes neues Jahr!
    Thank you for your work, chibiyuuto, the CLAMP News and especially the Room of Requirement.
    Goodbye old CLAMPy year, welcome new (CLAMP in 3-D Land and climaxes *cheers*).
    Not to forget HP 7. ^^

    Like

  7. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

    OMG, it looks like you took a long time to type this D: So A HUGE THANK YOU!!
    And also, thank you very much for providing a whole year of CLAMP news for us… ;_;

    Like

    • HAPPY NEW YEAR ! OMG your icon is the cutest thing ever xDDDDDDDD

      >OMG, it looks like you took a long time to type this D: So A HUGE THANK YOU!!

      That’s true, it was so tiring to type all that XDDD But in the end, it was very worth it, so don’t worry about it !! I appreciate your liking either way ^_____^

      >And also, thank you very much for providing a whole year of CLAMP news for us… ;_;

      My pleasure !! I hope this year I’ll be able to provide as much as possible as well ^__^

      Like

  8. getting straight to the point: happy new year and THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH FOR ALL YOU’VE POSTED. seriously.

    ramblings of appeciation: i cant thank you enough. mann. being a computer noob and such, i never knew where to find scans. (i know some sites now, but i still go to this lj, perhaps because im too used to it.)i’d know much much less about CLAMP , my computer would have way more space on it(is that a good thing or not..? -__-), etc if it werent for you. so, because of that…THANK YOU. zomg. *glomp*

    even if it kills you(ahh, what a horrible version of hime i am), please post as much as possible! ill be your stalker(?!!) forever! much luff to you, and a happy new year! arigato, chibiyuuto!! >////<

    oh–by the way. the above comment was by me as well, only i'd forgot to sign inthat time. delete it, please? thanks in advance~

    Like

  9. aw… thanks for all the clamp news you brought to everyone this year, Chibiyuuto-san. You deserve two (and one and 8/12ths) bows (for all the time you’ve been blogging).

    of course, Happy New Year! ^_^

    Like

    • >You deserve two (and one and 8/12ths) bows (for all the time you’ve been blogging).

      Hahahaha thank you so much !! ^___^ *bows back*

      Thanks also for commenting !

      Happy new Year, Kaeyko-san !

      Like

  10. Wow, CLAMP has been busy this year, ne? o.o Thanks for the write-up.

    Anyway, I wish I could find that Mahjong mag for you… I’m just not certain of what bookstores to look in. 😛

    Like

    • They sure have. I hope they’ll be just as busy (poor them ! XD) this year ^^”””

      >Anyway, I wish I could find that Mahjong mag for you… I’m just not certain of what bookstores to look in. 😛

      Aw, don’t worry about it ! 🙂 It’s really okay if you don’t find it ^^

      Like

  11. HAPPY NEW YEAR CHIBIYUUUTO-SAN!!! Thank you soo much for your dedication to this fandom, your imput has been soo very valuable and appreciated!!! ^_________^

    Maybe the new year bring you lots of joy and luck in everythinG!! ^___^
    And happy new year to our dear CLAMP, to whom we wish as much productivity as ever!~xD &eharts;♥♥

    Like

    • >HAPPY NEW YEAR CHIBIYUUUTO-SAN!!! Thank you soo much for your dedication to this fandom, your imput has been soo very valuable and appreciated!!! ^_________^

      Whoa ! Thank you very much ^^”” It’s really my pleasure, I do my best, thanks ! >.And happy new year to our dear CLAMP, to whom we wish as much productivity as ever!~xD &eharts;♥♥

      They definitely deserve a bottle of champagne (or maybe two? XD)

      Like

  12. Yo, Chibi-Yuuto! I wish for you a very CLAMP-ish Happy New Year! Arigatou for giving the CLAMP news and updates for the year 2006. I shall look forward for the brand new CLAMP news and updates for the year 2007!! YOSH!!! /

    Thank you for everything in your journal, especially for “The Nyanko Chronicles”. You have truly earned the honors of being named “The Nyanko Chronicles’ Tomodachi of the Year”!! *glomps*

    Omedetou gozaimasu for your anniversary of Chibi-Yuuto’s Chronicles!! *Kampai!*
    Keep up the good work!!! Otsuskare-sama deshita, Chibi-Yuuto!

    Once again, thank you for everything in 2006!! I will be forever grateful to you, always and forever!!! ^o^ *bows*

    Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

    Ki o tsukete, Chibi-Yuuto!
    Nyanko-san ^__^

    Like

    • I hope 2007 will be even better than 2006 ^__^ Let’s all cheer for Gouhou Drug’s comeback !

      >Thank you for everything in your journal, especially for “The Nyanko Chronicles”. You have truly earned the honors of being named “The Nyanko Chronicles’ Tomodachi of the Year”!! *glomps*

      I just saw that !!! I was so honored ^____________^ Thank you so much, you are really something ! Thank you also, you know that, for being SO supportive with me *bows and glomps back* ^^

      >Omedetou gozaimasu for your anniversary of Chibi-Yuuto’s Chronicles!! *Kampai!*

      Thanks ! *Kampai!*

      I hope we’ll be keeping contacts in 2007,

      My best regards !

      Like

  13. Happy new year, Chibiyuuto!!

    Let’s hope 2007 be as productive as 2006 (and maybe we can have some Legal drug and X)

    Thank you for all your hard work in this journal. I’ve been around for a year and I know that there’s a lot of people who really appreciate your efforts even when they don’t voice it.

    See you around!!

    Like

    • Happy New Year, Maya-san !

      I sincerely hope at least ONE of either X of GD will return ._____.

      >Thank you for all your hard work in this journal. I’ve been around for a year and I know that there’s a lot of people who really appreciate your efforts even when they don’t voice it.

      Thank you ! ;____; I really appreciate it ^___^ If it weren’t for you people, giving this feedback, I wouldn’t have the will to keep doing it ^^ So thank you!

      Like

  14. Happy New Year and congratulations on your 2 years on LJ!
    thank you for the wrap-up, and for informing us about all the news. your journal is a must-read for every CLAMP fan!

    XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa’s climaxes, as they run toward their ends.
    *sigh* am I the only one who feels somewhat uneasy about it? I’ll be missing them.

    Like

    • Happy New Year -san ! ^___^ Thanks for your all of your compliments *bows* They really mean a lot for me.

      >*sigh* am I the only one who feels somewhat uneasy about it? I’ll be missing them.

      No, I’m sure there are a lot of uneased fans out there ^__^

      Like

  15. Happy New Year to you. ^^ Thanks for your informative posts over the years. I think I used to read the pitas.com one sometimes, but it’s much more convenient on LJ.

    Like

    • HNY ! (Happy New Year XD)

      >Thanks for your informative posts over the years.

      You’re very welcome !!

      >I think I used to read the pitas.com one sometimes, but it’s much more convenient on LJ.

      REALLY? I love finding people from those days ! I’m so thankful then, for visiting my blog/LJ until today, thanks !!! About LJ, I TOTALLY agree.. it’s so much easier !

      Like

  16. Great Summary ^________^ and now in 2007 let’s wait for lots of Clamp news, surprises and this:

    XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa’s climaxes, as they run toward their ends. YAY!

    Like

      • LOL! the only one that could end is XXXholic…. whjich btw still has not ‘plot’…. we are still clueless about the final reasons behind it…. at least for TRC we have a bad guy…..

        Like

        • Definitely ! I don’t even know what they aim for with XXXHOLiC o.o I never knew. Okay, there’s Watanuki’s changing. But to me it just seems like a collection of CLAMP’s own explanation about japanese legends mixed with moral lessons. But indeed there’s no PLOT established, not until now at least =\

          Like

  17. THANK YOU SO MUCH ;____; And of course, you’re welcome for everything ! It’s my pleasure ^^

    >i know some sites now, but i still go to this lj, perhaps because im too used to it.

    I don’t mind that at all ! XD Keep returning anytime you want 🙂

    >i’d know much much less about CLAMP , my computer would have way more space on it(is that a good thing or not..? -__-

    Waaaah, I feel so happy for helping, then ^___^ I’m sorry about your computer, though =\ xD

    >even if it kills you(ahh, what a horrible version of hime i am), please post as much as possible! ill be your stalker(?!!) forever! much luff to you, and a happy new year! arigato, chibiyuuto!! >////oh–by the way. the above comment was by me as well, only i’d forgot to sign inthat time. delete it, please? thanks in advance~

    Don’t worry ! Deleted it ^_~

    Happy New Year, Hime no Clow-san !! Thanks for such nice words ^^

    Like

  18. Ariagato

    i’m actually new but i thank for your existance because in the forums i’ve seen you always was the source of information so i thank you and i hope we can be friends this year
    very good sumary and happy new Clamp’s year

    Like

  19. Feliz Año Nuevo, Alex! ^____^

    And yay for 2 years over at LJ!! I think it was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made 😀

    And whoa, yeah, very CLAMP-ish year =O It seems 2006 was a good year overall, ne?

    Like

    • Feliz Año Nuevo, Sha-chan ^___^

      >And yay for 2 years over at LJ!! I think it was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made 😀

      It was definitely one of the best decisions of my whole life xDDDDDD

      2006 was a year full of events, mostly ! And we get so much closer to CLAMP. We SAW them more, we HEARD them more. Thousands of people actually saw them live. It was full of happenings ^^

      Like

      • Oh, totally. I mean, it was so cool that to see them like that, that they finally decided to come out in the open XD

        And I’m sure you were thrilled with Ohkawa being everywhere last year ;D

        Like

    • Happy 2007, Yume-mi-san ^___^

      > really love your CLAMP news & I hope you will bring more CLAMP news this year too! =^^=

      Awww, thank you ^_____^ I hope that too ! I’ll do my best !! ò.ó

      Like

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