Episode 17 of CLAMP’s podcast, CLAMP Kanbukai, is out! You can listen to it on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

This episode’s theme is “Mascot Characters”.

• Introduction: They started the episode reading a message that was sent from an X user who asked the CLAMP members about what clothes they like to wear when attending parties. They used the recent CLAMP Exhibition launch party as an example (there was one after the pre-opening day). Satsuki-sensei and Mokona-sensei were both wearing yukatas. They mentioned that they both really like kimonos and they usually get the same items around the same time. Nekoi-sensei was wearing all black top, trousers and shoes but they weren’t new, she’s had them for about 20 years now. Ohkawa-sensei was wearing a dress from MURRAL. She said she ordered it online and it arrived it just in time for the party, but she also mentions she almost forgot to bring the dress with her on their trip to Tokyo.
• The first mascot they talked about was the CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan blowfish (in Japanese, fugu). It’s a mascot that first debuted in their early doujinshis, along with the “toast penguin” that appears in some Tokyo Babylon doujinshi stories. The “toast penguin” (it has a square shape, like a toast) didn’t appear in their professional manga so they talked about the blowfish instead. Ohkawa-sensei took inspiration from a Kansai restaurant called Zobu-ya. They also mentioned the crab, which is Mokona-sensei’s creation (also based off the Kansai area) and the pink pig that sometimes appear with Ashura — they even mentioned the recent LINE wallpaper with Ashura that included a piggy plush. They said that at that time mascots were not proper characters and that they would be mostly used in illustrations as a decorative element.
• For Rayearth‘s Mokona, I didn’t understand a lot of it, but the design was done by Nekoi-sensei (as we know), as well as Mokona=Modoki that appear in XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa. She mentioned she made the conscious decision to make the designs different (the ears of Mokona=Modoki are longer and the body is more egg-shaped than the Mokona from Rayearth). If I understood well, Nekoi-sensei doesn’t really remember how she came up with the original design but the fact that it looks like a rabbit has to do with the fact that Ohkawa-sensei told her that Mokona would jump up and down a lot, like a rabbit.
• Wish‘s Usyagi was also created by Nekoi-sensei, but it originally appeared before Wish. It came from a doodle drawn by both Nekoi-sensei and Satsuki-sensei. Satsuki-sensei drew the flower and they wondered why it was flying around carrying a flower and Satsuki-sensei suggested the flower might have a message in it. And that’s how Usyagi came to be.
• For Kero and Suppi from Cardcaptor Sakura, the designs were inspired by the cats that CLAMP used to have years ago, Kakyou (Kero) and Kogane (Suppi). They also appear in Satsuki-sensei’s illustration book, Kakyou’s Earth Conquest Diary, which collected short stories originally published in CLAMP-NET.COM. (This is brand new information to me! I did not know Kero and Suppi’s designs were based off Kakyou and Kogane and that makes total sense!). Mokona-sensei mentioned that she realized the other day that Kero’s true form is of a lioness and not of a lion (since it doesn’t have a mane), but Ohkawa-sensei was quick to add that since it’s a magical creature created by Clow Reed, it doesn’t have to necessarily be like a real animal. Same goes with Suppi’s true form which Mokona-sensei said that its neck is too long. Ohkawa-sensei was like “that’s totally fine!”
• For ANGELIC LAYER‘s Piffle Princess, it was designed by Satsuki-sensei but it seems like the idea came from a doodle that Ohkawa-sensei did (not sure). She told Satsuki-sensei she wanted it to be the toy manufacturer for ANGELIC LAYER. The name was Ohkawa-sensei’s idea. She couldn’t remember where she got “piffle” from but “princess” was because of Takara Tommy (toy manufacturer in Japan). She explained why but I couldn’t really understand.
• Chobits‘ Atashi was created by Nekoi-sensei. She was trying to make it look like Chii (the long ears resemble Chii’s split hair). But they also think it looks a little like a rabbit and it seems like at one point it had a tail but it was dropped in the final design. They talked about using different shades of pink to distinguish Atashi from “the other Atashi”.
• Kobato.’s Ioryogi was also created by Nekoi-sensei. She originally drew it as doodle, including a seal/sticker that was used in her travel bag. It did not have a name back then (it was just “blue dog” at that time). The name Ioryogi came only later by the time Kobato. started.
• Momo from Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card was also Nekoi-sensei’s creation, but for that one she received very specific instructions from Ohkawa-sensei (she wanted a rabbit). It seems like Momo’s true form was a last minute decision. They didn’t from upfront if it would be humanoid or more like a beast (like Kero and Suppi).
• Next, when talking about original mascots, they mentioned Sweet Valerian! Those were designed by Mokona-sensei. Then, there was some slight confusion because for Mokona-sensei, she sees Kobato.‘s Ginsei as a mascot and Ohkawa-sensei says she doesn’t see him like that at all in her mind. She gives her reasoning, which basically has to do with how they turned into animal versus stuffed toys. Much like the Baumkuchen’s bear, she doesn’t see Ginsei as a mascot. Apparently Mokona-sensei understood after the explanation. Interesting! It’s hard to put into words and maybe I am not doing a good job but I can see where Ohkawa-sensei is coming from!
• I had a really hard time understanding the following segment, I apologize. But they will upload a picture later on the CLAMP Kanbukai instagram account and I think it will be easier to understand. It seems like they drew a lot of their mascots for a custom pattern but I could be wrong. Update: It was for a custom fan that was given to the party guests. See update at the end of this post.
• Lastly, they talked about the new batch of goods for the second half of the exhibition. Mokona-sensei and Satsuki-sensei really liked the paper knifes. They explained that the Shinken was made for the BABEL event so this time they have different swords. Ohkawa-sensei really liked the cookie can box (me too!) with the Ashura&Sakura illustration embossed on it.

I did not expect a post about mascots to be this long! haha

It’s really amazing how their work really is a joint effort. Not only because specific mascots were made by individual members, but sometimes the same mascot was created in collaboration with more than one of them. Also very impressive how sometimes new mascots were created just for fun on a creativity spur.

Thank you for reading this post!

Before going, I have been unable to access the X platform since it was banned in Brazil (which is where I live). I am not able to post anything or interact with its users and I don’t know for how long this will last. In light of such circumstances, I have created a BlueSky account and I will be updating from now on there. You are of course more than welcome to follow me there. Needless to say that I am already missing interacting with the fandom on a daily basis!

Hello CLAMPers!Thank you for following me! Thank you for your trust 🙇🏼‍♂️I was surprised to find out CLAMP created an account 6 months ago (@clamp-official.bsky.social) even though they are still not active here.I will do my best to share CLAMP news here as well 🫡

— Chibi Yuuto (@chibiyuuto.bsky.social) 2024-08-31T23:48:50.984Z

Just for how long this will last? I honestly don’t know. I will re-evaluate my staying on X depending on when and if access is re-established in Brazil. Until then, I appreciate your support in not only following me on my other social media accounts but also leaving comments on my posts (remember comments? Nobody leaves comment anymore! ;_;).

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I would also highly appreciate sharing my posts whenever you see fit.

Thank you very much for your continuous support!

Update: Picture of the custom fan designed by CLAMP that was given to the party attendees. It was manufactured by Ohnishi Tsune Shoten.

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