2008 Restrospective

Another year is gone, already, I know!

In a way, I would say it went by quickly, we get the impression that time flies more and more with each new year. But on the other hand, this was my graduation year and there were times (on many occasions) I wished time would go by faster XDDD So it’s all relative…

I am very thankful to this year as my two biggest wishes for 2008 have been granted (as much cheesy as that may sound). I just hope my wishes for 2009 will come true as well (this night is magical, I’ll tell ya! xD).

Just like in previous years, 2008 was a year with huge CLAMP activity, as we couldn’t expect less from these ladies.

I have selected a lot few of what I judge to be the most important happenings of this year so we can take a good look to what happened while we wait for the 2009 releases.


• January:

– Release of Tsubasa #22 and Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations – The Boy’s Right Eye. The DVD limited edition reached the 3rd position in Animate’s ranking on its release week, the normal edition reached the 1st position in its second week on Tohan’s ranking.
– CLAMP was featured in the 35th edition of the International Comics Festival of Bande Dessinée in France. The exposition featured original art by CLAMP, a replica of their studio and a video showing their creative process produced specially for the festival.

• February:

CLAMP’s Silver Powder, a jewelry series designed by Mokona and confectioned by Wargo, was put on sale in several stores in Japan.
– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND Official Card Catalog IRREPLACEABLE BOOK, by Kodansha, with information about the 1st Series of CLAMP in CARDLAND.
– The 150th chapter of XXXHOLiC was published in Young Magazine, becoming the second CLAMP series to achieve such number of chapters, only behind Tsubasa.
– CLAMP member and leader announces change in her pen name from “Ageha” back to “Nanase” starting in March.
– The second season of XXXHOLiC’s anime gets a new title, XXXHOLiC◆Kei (suggested by Nanase Ohkawa herself), and Suga Shikao repeats once again the role of opening theme singer.
– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND 2nd Series. CLAMP drew new illustrations for 3 special cards.

• March:

– An event in commemoration of XXXHOLiC◆Kei was held at the LOFT/PLUS ONE talk live house, in Tokyo. Guests included CLAMP, staff and cast members of the anime.
– Announcement of a limited XXXHOLiC Drama CD to be bundled with volume 13. The Drama CD script would be written in a special collaboration between CLAMP (Nanase Ohkawa) and Ryukishi07.
– Release of Tsubasa #23 and Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations – The Dream Seen by the Princess. The regular edition stayed in the Top 3 positions in most rankings in its release week.

• April:

– CLAMP celebrated 19 years of professional manga creation.
XXXHOLiC◆Kei begins its broadcast on TBS channel. Suga Shikao sang the Opening tune and SEAMO the Ending tune, CLAMP drew the jacket illustrations for both singles.
Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 begins its broadcast on TBS and MBS channel. CLAMP drew the illustrations for the first and second Ending sequences.
– Release of CLAMP in 3-D LAND 6th Series, composed by Kurogane (Tsubasa), Keitarou (Gakuen Tokkei Duklyon), Akira (20 Mensho ni Onegai!!), Umi (Mahou Kishi Rayearth) and Kobato (Kobato.).
– Release of Kobato. #2. It reached the 9th position on Animate’s ranking on its release week.

• May:

– CLAMP throws their first girls-only party in their studio. Guests included seiyuus, managers, editors and other business women.
– Announcement of CLOVER‘s new version for July.
– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND 3rd Series. CLAMP drew new illustrations for 3 special cards.

• June:

– Release of XXXHOLiC #13 with original Drama CD, Shiminuki. It stayed in the top 3 best seller comics in most rankings in its first week.
– Release of XXXHOLiC◆Kei DVD volume 1. The DVD came with a Drama CD written by Nanase Ohkawa about Yuuko and Clow and the creation of the Mokona=Modoki.
– CLAMP draws the covers of the pocket editions of Mori Ougai’s classic novels Maihime / Utakata no ki and Sanshou Dayuu / Takasebune / Abe Ichizoku.
XXXHOLiC◆Kei ends its broadcast. It ran for 13 episodes, 4 of which written by Nanase Ohkawa. CLAMP drew the box illustration to hold the series’ DVDs.

• July:

– A MADHOUSE TV anime adaptation of the mystery novel Mouryou no Hako is announced and CLAMP is included in the staff as responsible for the character concept. This is the second time CLAMP provides original character concept for a series not based on their own works.
– Release of CLOVER new version #1 and #2. The original four volumes were compiled in two volumes for the new version.
– Release of Tsubasa #24. It reached 1st position in Oricon’s ranking on its release week.
– Announcement of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC OADs for the beginning of 2009. The 4 installments will be animated by PRODUCTION I.G. and scripted by Nanase Ohkawa.
– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND Dramatic Decks of Card Captor Sakura and X & Tokyo Babylon.
– Del Rey announces CLAMP IN AMERICA, a retrospective guide covering their 20 years of history emphasizing their popularity and influences in the United States. The book will be released in June 2009.
– Release of CLAMP in 3-D LAND 7th Series, composed by Suu (CLOVER), Hikaru (Mahou Kishi Rayearth), Sakura (Tsubasa), Nokoru (CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan) and Kamui (X).

• August:

– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND 4th Series. CLAMP drew new illustrations for 3 special cards.
– CLAMP draws a 4-pages short comic for Kindai Mahjong Original about the manga Washizu as a tribute to Akagi‘s mangaka, Nobuyuki Fukumoto.
– CLAMP draws the illustration for one of the trading cards that came with the game Sangokushi Taisen Ten, of Marvelous Entertainment, for Nintendo DS.
– CLAMP’s Internet Radio show Komugikotoride no Yonshimin ends its broadcast after two years run with 49 episodes.

• September:

– Release of CLAMP in 3-D LAND 8th and final Series, composed by Syaoran (Tsubasa), Sakura (Card Captor Sakura), Suoh (CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan), Fuu (Mahou Kishi Rayearth) and Fuuma (X).
– Announcement of MUTUALITY: CLAMP works in CODE GEASS artbook for December.
– The translator of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC North American editions, William Flanagan, is announced as the english translator of Mangettes, CLAMP’s new manga with Dark Horse for 2009.

• October:

Mouryou no Hako begins its broadcast on Nippon TV.
– The 200th chapter of Tsubasa is published in Shonen Magazine, becoming the first CLAMP manga to achieve it.
– The titles of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC OADs were revealed as Tsubasa Shunraiki and XXXHOLiC Shunmuki. The four volumes will come out in consecutive monthly releases starting February, 2009.
Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 ends its broadcast. It ran for a total of 25 episodes, with the last episode putting an end to the franchise (as of now).

• November:

– Release of Tsubasa #25. It stayed in the top 3 best seller comics in most rankings in its first week, reaching the 1st position in Oricon’s ranking.
– The collaboration between Youko Tsukumo and CLAMP led to yet another volume of The Witch’s Mansion series. CLAMP once again drew the cover and inside illustrations for The Witch’s Mansion and the School of Mystery, the 4th volume of the series.
– Release of CLAMP in CARDLAND 5th Series. CLAMP drew new illustrations for 3 special cards.
– A CLAMP Talk Show was held in Tokyo at the 2nd Official CLAMP in CARDLAND Event.

• December:

– Release of MUTUALITY: CLAMP works in CODE GEASS artbook, featuring Code Geass art drawn by CLAMP, original character sketches and never-before-seen illustrations.
– Announcement of Kobato. TV Anime adaptation. The staff includes Madhouse studios and CLAMP’s Nanase Ohkawa as series compositor.
– The title and plot details of Mangettes: Gate 7 are announced. The publication is scheduled to begin on August 15, 2009.
– A CLAMP Talk Show was held in Osaka at the 2nd Official CLAMP in CARDLAND Event.
– Release of Kobato. #3.
– The broadcast of Mouryou no Hako ends with a total 13 episodes.

And there are several great things we should be looking forward in 2009:

– Tsubasa Shunraiki and XXXHOLiC Shunmuki OADs, from February to May.
– CLAMP IN AMERICA guide book, in June.
– The serializations of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC finally coming to a closure.
– Mangettes: Gate 7, in August.
– Kobato. TV Anime, in the Autumn.
– CLAMP’s 20th Anniversary and its celebration projects.
– For more scheduled releases, check the CLAMP Widget that I developed with up-to-date confirmed information! xD

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ^__^

I wish a peaceful year to anyone reading this! May your wishes come true and may we have lots and lots of CLAMP, of course !!

Wait wait wait! It’s not over yet! There are two things I would like to mention.

The first is that Oricon made a Top 50 best seller mangas of 2008 and XXXHOLiC #13 is the only CLAMP work to appear in the ranking at position 43, with 451,942 copies sold! Congratulations to XXXHOLiC, and CLAMP!

And lastly, yesterday was my LiveJournal’s birthday! Yay me! 4 years ago on December 30 I was making first post on this new home that LiveJournal was for me at that time. 4 years of dedication to this place which I consider to be like my virtual home, LOL!

Thank you all very much for reading it and for the support during these years! I will keep doing my best in 2009 and hopefully in the next years too!

Cheers !

61 thoughts on “2008 Restrospective

  1. Happy New Year to you too! And thank you!

    >Looking at this post in retrospect, a lot of things really did happen this year. Time flies, doesn’t it? O:

    I wrote too much again, haven’t I? XDDDD

    Here’s hoping!

    Like

  2. This year went by really quickly… oh god, I just wasted another year of my life -.-

    The exhibition in France didn’t seem like that long ago, yet HOLiC Kei seemed like a million years ago XD

    Your 2008 review only made me admire CLAMP even more XD Those 4 ladies acheiving so much in so little time.

    Lol and happy birthday to your LJ XD

    Lastly, Happy New Year, thank you for bringing us CLAMP news and I hope you will continue to do so for the years to come.

    Like

    • Really? I thought the France expo seemed like ages ago xD

      >Your 2008 review only made me admire CLAMP even more XD Those 4 ladies acheiving so much in so little time.

      Awww and you’ll see, in 2009 the list is going to be just as big (or even bigger XD)

      Thank you for the “birthday” and new year’s wishes!! Happy New Year to you and your family!

      Like

      • The one thing I really can’t wait for in 2009 is what CLAMP is going to do for the 20th anniversary XD I’m looking forward to it! And I’m buying whatever product they plan on releasing for it.

        Only 9 and a half hours till new year where I am XD

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        • Ohhh me neither! I just hope it’ll be just as big as their 15th anniversary (or bigger since now it’s 20th). It was just pure fun! Lots of events, merchandises and interviews. They deserve more and more recognition now ^^

          Really? I still have a whole day ahead. It’ll probably be 2009 already for you the next time we talk, then ^^

          Like

  3. hey! hello! its my first post here, and i want to thank you chibiyuuto, because you’re always bringing the ultimate clamp information. Thanks for the great review by the way.

    You’re right, a lot of things happened this year, and wow, i can’t wait for the holic and tsubasa OAD’s and… I DEFINETLY I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE KOBATO ANIME! =D!

    thanks for your post like always and happy new year to you =)!

    Like

      • Oh hi! Very nice to meet you! Thank you for reading my journal xD I hope this will be the first of your many more comments!! XD

        I am very looking forward to the Kobato. Anime too, along with Gate 7 and their 20th Anniversary, it’s my favorite “anticipation” for 2009 ^^

        >happy birthday to your lj, and takoyakix is right, i can’t wait for the CLAMP 20 anniversary, what are they planning to do?

        Thank you!! Hopefully a lot of events and special merchandise!

        Happy new year !!! ^__^

        Like

  4. Wow, that’s a lot of CLAMP! Was all this stuff really so long ago? It seems like just yesterday for most of it! Time flies, I guess~

    Happy new year and well wishes to you also! (And CLAMP; and happy birthday to your LiveJournal. Mine’s still a baby so it won’t have its first birthday even until next November or December xD)

    Like

    • That really is a lot of CLAMP! Let’s hope 2009 will be as packed as 2008 was ^^

      Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!! And your livejournal will get there too, good luck with it!

      Like

  5. Wow, first of all tank you so much for bringing the lastest news to us 😀

    It seems this was the year for CLAMP in cardland, there were many releases, but definately, in the other hand i think Mouryou no Hako didn’t had so much success (IMHO)i guess was expected D:

    The next year will be so busy in CLAMP world, the 20th aniv. celebration, Kobato and Gate 7, yey!!! we’ll have shojo year XDDD

    Finally happy b-day to your LJ n_n

    Like

    • Thank you! X3 It’s my pleasure~!

      >in the other hand i think Mouryou no Hako didn’t had so much success (IMHO)i guess was expected D:

      Unfortunately D= it’s sooo pretty *-*

      >we’ll have shojo year XDDD

      YES YES! After so many years of shonen only XD

      Thank you!! Happy New Year, roman-chan!!

      Like

  6. Happy Birthday! Happy New Year!
    Thanks for sharing everything/anything with us~! =D
    I really love this place… and you XD
    Wish you all the best for 2009! (Hug)

    Like

  7. Happy New Year~! Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu~! XD

    wow! there are alot of things happening this year. 😮 but this year flies! well, in 2008 things are short and fine, but there is still ’09 😀 (hey that rhymes! XD) looking forward to 2009~!

    wow! 4 years?! DECEMBER 30?! that’s my birthday! XD but more importantly Happy b-day for your LJ Glory! 😀

    Like

    • Re: Happy New Year~! Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu~! XD

      明けましておめでとう!

      Yesterday was your b-day? Congratulations!!! We share something in common! XD

      Thank you for your kind words, and happy new year! We’ll definitely see each other in 2009 >D

      Like

  8. It’s hard to believe that this year is over. Also a lot of things happened (some of them that I never expected) but in general all were good. And it’s good to read that some of your wishes became true.

    Ah! and as I comment before, the next year is full of new releases and the most important, of course, CLAMP’s 20th anniversary (which means that our pockets will cry again XDDD).

    By the way, thanks for all your good wishes, I hope the best for you too the next year!!! ^__^

    Finally but not less important, thank you so much for all your hard work during these years. I hope this place keeps going on more years to come.

    Like

    • >Also a lot of things happened (some of them that I never expected) but in general all were good

      In CLAMP world, you mean? Kobato’s anime, totally unexpected xD

      >CLAMP’s 20th anniversary (which means that our pockets will cry again XDDD).

      YES! XD

      Thank you for such nice words, you’ve always been so nice to me and this journal, thank you Hikki-chan XDDD

      Happy New Year to you and your family! Feliz Año Nuevo! We’ll see each other again in 2009, definitely ^^

      Like

  9. It’s their 20th aniversary already next April? I’ve only just finished buying CLAMP no KISEKI in English!

    Next year looks like it’s going to be great for CLAMP fans. Good thing I’m currently negotiating a pay rise higher than the one I’ve just been given!

    Like

    • LOL ! Yeah XDDD I can’t wait for the celebrations *-*

      >Good thing I’m currently negotiating a pay rise higher than the one I’ve just been given!

      LOL! Good luck with that XD

      Like

      • LOL! Good luck with that XD

        My job role was made redundant and they shifted me into a higher level role with no payrise instead of making me redundant. During my consultations my manager promised me he would give me a ‘higher than inflation pay rise’ when the January pay reviews kicked in. Then he transferred to a different store. They gave me a standard 3.5% payrise but I’m arguing for more since I haven’t had a review in two years and I’ve been told that I’m the best in the region at my role. Plus, that manager’s promise in is writing on my consultation transcripts! I can probably argue another couple thousand pounds per annum easy! That’ll be enough to buy the CCS BluRay box set…NO! MUST RESIST!

        Like

  10. Happy new year and happy anniversary for your lj! ^_^ Thank you for illuminating everyone with CLAMP related news.

    Speaking of wishes… let’s hope X returns soon and Icchan makes an appearance in Kobato. XD

    Coincidences of coincidences… I made my lj at pretty much the same time. Is it hitsuzen? O_o

    Like

    • >Speaking of wishes… let’s hope X returns soon and Icchan makes an appearance in Kobato. XD

      That’s an excellent suggestion on what to wish for in the New Year’s night xDDD

      >Coincidences of coincidences… I made my lj at pretty much the same time. Is it hitsuzen? O_o

      How nice!!! XD I would like to thank you, Kaeyko-san, who has stuck around for all these years and was always so nice and supportive. Thank you!! ^__^

      Happy New Year to you and your dearests!

      Like

  11. Great Clamp year it has been ^_________^ I would like to note that we have had LOTS of photos of them, considering how secretive they were before…..

    Thanks for this retrospective and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like

    • >I would like to note that we have had LOTS of photos of them, considering how secretive they were before…..

      And I love it ^_________^ They are still very shy but nothing like they used to be xDDD

      Let’s hope X returns in 2009 ! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

      Like

  12. Happy Birthday to your LJ then! I’m so glad you started, without you where would we get our clamp news? 😀

    Happy New Year!

    I hadn’t thought I had paid so much attention to Clamp, but looking at your list, I realize that I’ve been paying alot more attention than I thought. ^.^

    Hope you’ll have a great 2009! And to continue the Clamp love! Any resolutions?

    Like

    • Thank you! XDDD

      Happy New Year to you too!

      Indeed, I only realized how much we’ve been through when I make these lists. And believe me, I left a lot of things out xDDDD

      I’ll definitely keep doing what I do, as long as you guys like it =DDD

      >Any resolutions?

      I want to change my layout more often xD

      Like

  13. Happy new year ohh i half way not translating news anymore, but i will try to translate this sumary and be a good girl next year more comments and more quick translations, but this year was very difficult because my son problems (he was diagnosis with asperguer) so it was a dificult one with no health for me either

    But i hope next year will be awesome for ypu and all my flist and for Clamp!!!!

    Salud!!!

    Like

    • Indeed I noticed that you’ve been quite away these days o.o I’m sorry about your son, I hope he gets better as soon as possible! My best regards to him!

      Happy New Year to you and your dear family! ^^

      Like

      • painfully the asperger sindrome is something for life so we must learn to deal with it and make my son the better and independant that could be possible i hope he could have a carrere and a family in his future, but it will be difficult specially now i will study the sindrome he must go to especialist and maybe medication (i don’t want drugs for him is too young!!

        Like

  14. I congratuled u for a successful year and thank u for such a great web page. Thank u for the great updates, which keep me inform about CLAMP works.
    Tsubasa and Holic are coming to an end. I have been waiting this moment for so long… But I believe we still have half year to go…
    Do u think Kobato is gonna be release more usually after TRC and Holic come to an end?? They are gonna finish old jobs (lawful drug or X) or they are gonna start some new stories??? I mean, once CLAMP finish TRC and Holic, they are not gonna stay only with Kobato…
    Happy new year to u too!!!
    Marilyn

    Like

    • >But I believe we still have half year to go…

      I think so too. But it shall be fun seeing its progress ^^ We’re closer and closer each new day xD

      >Do u think Kobato is gonna be release more usually after TRC and Holic come to an end??

      I hope so! But I fear Newtype has to offer more pages per issue to CLAMP (I read they are only allowed to draw 14 pages because Newtype is an anime magazine).

      >They are gonna finish old jobs (lawful drug or X) or they are gonna start some new stories???

      We know they’ll be starting Gate 7 in August, but hopefully they will either return one of their paused projects or start a new one. I can’t see CLAMP working on only 2 monthly mangas ^^”

      Happy New Year Marilyn!

      Like

  15. Yo, Chibi-Yuuto!!

    Wow, this was definitely a year full of really cool CLAMP moments. How the flow of time passes by and we take a good look back of what happened. Sugoi! Anyway, the best wishes to you for the upcoming year and I hope that you continue to stay happy~! GANBATTE!! *big glomps*

    AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU!!

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

    Like

      • Dude… 2008… BEST. YEAR. EVER!! ^o^

        Thank you so very much, I really was very happy for this year.
        I will do my very best to make the upcoming year the same as this one – only much better.

        And yesh, more amazing CLAMP stuff for everyone!
        Bring it on, o’ famous CLAMP ladies!! =P

        Best wishes to your family as well, ne~!! Feliz Ano Novo!! /

        Like

  16. Wow, so much stuff, and I forgot how early some of this stuff was announced, kinda funny to see just how long we’ve had to wait. Just one problem, I think the release date for CLAMP in America got moved back to October or something, you have it listed as July I believe.

    Like

  17. Happy b-day and Happy new Year,ChibiYuuto-san \o/
    Tomara que 2009 seja um grande ano para você e que tenha muitas novidades do CLAMP para alegrar a todos! XD
    ( Well,meu vestibular é em 2009,então eu realmente espero que seja um bom ano >.> )

    Like

  18. Wow, it really has been a busy CLAMP year! Let’s hope that next year brings us a satisying ending to Holic and Tsubasa and a resume date for Legal Drug XD

    Thanks for all your hard work in bringing us regular updates regarding the CLAMP world this year 🙂 Happy birthday to your LJ and wishing you a very happy New Year! ♥

    Like

  19. 2008 was the first year I really became a CLAMP fan (I liked some random series of theirs before, but didn’t know who they were XD; ) I’m really glad that I took the time to get to know them though ^o^ I have so many favourites now~ I’m also glad that I discovered your journal as well! It’s very informative and I would’ve likely had not known most of this stuff if I hadn’t come across this place D:

    Anyway, I’m excited for all things clamp in 2009. I’m sure it’s going to be exciting for both older and newer fans like myself, with their 20th anniversary, everything else that is upcoming and I’m sure of more surprises than that will come along ^_^ I can’t wait to see~~

    Happy New Year~ and thanks so much for delivering all the clamp goodies to us 😀

    Like

  20. Happy New Year ChibiYuuto-kun !
    Congratulations for your wishes granted this year ! I hope your wishes for this new year will be granted too >o<
    And thank you for these four years of informations about CLAMP shared with us, thank you very much !

    "And there are several great things we should be looking forward in 2009:

    – Tsubasa Shunraiki and XXXHOLiC Shunmuki OADs, from February to May.
    – CLAMP IN AMERICA guide book, in June.
    – The serializations of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC finally coming to a closure.
    – Mangettes: Gate 7, in August.
    – Kobato. TV Anime, in the Autumn.
    – CLAMP's 20th Anniversary and its celebration projects."
    I'm waiting for all of these, and I'm sure I won't miss anything with all your lj updates ^^

    Like

  21. Happy New Year Yuuto-san and Happy Birthday to your LJ! Thank you for staying here, with us, giving us CLAMP news and Kobato releases! Hope the new year will be so CLAMPish for all of us ^____^

    Like

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