Technically, it’s still one person on the cover, or is it three? Hmmm it’s quite unclear.
The cover is very reminiscent of the classic edition, with Subaru looking like a priest. The new additions being obviously Seishirou and Hokuto (which seems to be attending her own funeral?). I have mixed feelings about this cover. Not sure if I find it so ingenious…
Oh, and this time around we got a full view of Seishirou’s shoulders, no cheating 😉
The seventh volume will be released on September 2.
This is it, ladies and gentlemen, this finishes Tokyo Babylon‘s ride with CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION. It was a fun one, and definitely shorter compared to XXXHOLiC. Kadokawa surely made things more fun than Kodansha with announcing the covers in advance and spoiling us with heavy promo.
The next CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION has not yet been announced.
Loved these also! So in the end indeed we ended up with three covers featuring Hokuto and two covers with Seishirou (and we have seen again how Mokona-sensei got away with drawing Seishirou’s big shoulders, haha!)
The cover colors keep following the same pattern as the classic edition, as CLAMP have planned.
These covers also confirm the “rule” that we won’t be getting more than two chararcters on the same cover for the CPC editions.
Volume 7 will probably feature Subaru alone and it will be likely white, as the original.
The fifth and sixth volumes will be released on August 4.
Here’s the upcoming release schedule for Tokyo Babylon in CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION:
August 4th, 2022: volumes 5 & 6 September 2nd: volume 7
In other news, a box to store all 7 volumes will be sold by Kadokawa. It will feature illustrations from the original series.
As promised, we have finally Seishirou debuting CPC on the cover of volume 3, along with Subaru, looking like gangsters. Hokuto is back on the cover of volume 4 with Mokona fulfilling her promise that she would draw Subaru in clothes that could be worn by all genders.
As for the hot topic of Seishirou’s shoulders length, you can’t really tell how wide they look due to the furry accessory he’s wearing over them, but Seishirou looks cool af and that’s all that matters.
The cover colors keep following the same pattern as the classic edition.
Volume 7 will probably feature Subaru alone, so is it going to be for volumes 5 and 6? Again Seishirou and Hokuto, respectively? Or are we getting one (or two) cover with the trio?
I loved them!
The third and fourth volumes will be released on July 4, with two volumes coming out every month.
Here’s the upcoming release schedule for Tokyo Babylon in CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION:
July 4th, 2022: volumes 3 & 4 August 4th, 2022: volumes 5 & 6 September 2nd: volume 7
In addition, Character PVs for Subaru, Hokuto and Seishirou have been added to Kadokawa‘s Anime Channel on YouTube as “Shorts:
As it was previously shared by CLAMP in one of their twitter spaces, we have Hokuto and Subaru on the cover and the color this time is yellow, just like the classic series. We can also see some of the more contemporary, hip-hop fashion elements on this cover that Mokona-sensei said that she wanted to include.
It looks super great!
The first and second volumes will be released on June 3, with two volumes coming out every month.
Here’s the full release schedule for Tokyo Babylon in CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION:
June 3rd, 2022: volumes 1 & 2 July 4th, 2022: volumes 3 & 4 August 4th, 2022: volumes 5 & 6 September 2nd: volume 7
The official Twitter account of Young Ace magazine (Kadokawa’s current official magazine for all things CLAMP) has made a short promotional video about it, just like they did for volume 1:
The first and second volumes will be released on June 3, with two volumes coming out every month.
Those who purchase all 7 volumes can apply to receive an acrylic stand based on the cover illustration of the classic version of Tokyo Babylon volume 1 (published by Shinshokan in 1991).
Here’s the full release schedule for Tokyo Babylon in CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION:
June 3rd, 2022: volumes 1 & 2 July 4th, 2022: volumes 3 & 4 August 4th, 2022: volumes 5 & 6 September 2nd: volume 7
The official Twitter account of Young Ace magazine (Kadokawa’s current official magazine for all things CLAMP) has made a short promotional video about it:
Waaaaaahh so cool! *_* So the color does match the original version! Let’s hope it stays this way for the next volumes!
I love Subaru’s outfit! The style looks good too! Very contemporary but still true to Tokyo Babylon‘s spirit.
I love the fact that we already have the cover of volume 1 even before we got the cover of XXXHOLiC #19! Also, we have the full schedule already. Thank you Kadokawa for such efficiency!! Also, good to know it will keep being 2 volumes per month.
Now, the bonus is indeed different than XXXHOLiC, which has a postcard for each volume and a postcard binder for those who purchase all volumes and apply for it. But I thought each volume would come with an extra, but apparently it will be a bonus only if you buy all 7 (and if you live in Japan).
Today CLAMP member Nanase Ohkawa-sensei held a twitter space in her personal account and it Tokyo Babylon.
During the space, she updated the fans about the current status of the future anime adaptation of Tokyo Babylon.
Here is a brief summary about it:
DISCLAIMER: This Twitter Space session happened live on Nanase Ohkawa’s official Twitter account and recordings were not made available anywhere after the transmission was over. The information available here was gathered in a collaborative effort from multiple reports and impressions from fans from all over the world who took notes as the session was happening live. Please be aware that this report may contain inaccuracies and is subject to corrections.
The first 4 minutes were about Hideaki Matsuoka’s music and memories of those old days. A few of the Tokyo Babylon songs by him ended up in his 35th Anniversary best album.
Ohkawa-sensei: “When we were thinking about making the Tokyo Babylon manga, we thought we would like to have a compilation album that goes with it but there were not much chances about doing that.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “Tokyo Babylon is a pretty important work for me and for many people. Indeed it was a story written in compliance of what was going on at that time.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “Like we were saying when talking with Matsuoka-san, I’m holding the deal about Tokyo Babylon [new anime] and I would like to have some product in the same line of Tokyo Babylon. I don’t want this to be misunderstood, I think the Tokyo Babylon 2021 staff was thinking the same way. I’m holding the deal right now so I would like to deliver something according to everyone’s expectations. Either way we’re not in a stage that I can announce anything new right now. I would like to deliver a new animation project that fits Tokyo Babylon accordingly. People may have been hurt with the Tokyo Babylon 2021 project, but I think the staff was doing their best, so from now on I would like to continue giving my best efforts to it.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “When I watched Matsuoka-san’s Vision of Boys 2020 I really felt the Tokyo Babylon vibes. I don’t want to be misunderstood about this but it felt like ‘Oh yeah, this is what I was expecting to see’. There’s so many things that remain not yet decided, therefore I can not announce anything now, but as we said to Matsuoka-san, we’re aiming for a CLAMP-ish Tokyo Babylon media-mix.”
Q&A section with fans
Q: If Hokuto lived these times, would she wear Uniqlo GU? Ohkawa-sensei: “Yes, she absolutely loves fast fashion so yes.”
Q: Will Seishirou’s original shoulders width be reflected? Ohkawa-sensei: (Surprised while reading the tweets) “Soulder’s width? Shoulder width is that important? Oh, so I see, Seishirou is Seishirou because of his shoulders width! That’s a surprise! Is it because it looks strong? Thank you. I’ll have that as reference. For me Seishirou wasn’t defined because by his shoulders width. So it was a pitty that Seishirou’s shoulders weren’t wide enough then? I wasn’t giving that aspect that much of importance. (Note: she keeps comming back to this subject later as well) But is totally valid. Thank you for having that in mind. For me shoulder width wasn’t that important, it was just the way it was at that time.”
Q: Can Subaru ride a bicycle? Ohkawa-sensei: “I guess so, did he ride any? I think he can but did he ever ride a bicycle?” (She had to ask on the CLAMP line group about it)
Q: Can the Sumeragi twins drink alcohol? (Are they strong or weak at drinking?) Ohkawa-sensei: “They are too young to drink but actually we had this decided at that time: there’s an omnyoji technique that makes alcohol effects go away so they are able to use that technique. That technique actually exists. I got an actual book that refers to this omnyoji technique.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “I’m so happy to know many people love Tokyo Babylon. I also think the Tokyo Babylon 2021 staff have put love on it. There’s nothing I can announce right now, altough I think there will be many changes comparing form the previous version [Tokyo Babylon 2021]. I will do my best to give my suggestions as a creator and from my place as producer. I don’t know what kind of media-mix is going to end up being, but I will do my best.”
Q: Were the final words Seishirou says to Subaru [in X] previously decided? Ohkawa-sensei: “Yes, absolutely, but I’m not revealing those.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “I don’t know how the new Tokyo Babylon anime is going to be but we would like aim for something that satisfies everyone.”
Q: “If Seishirou would invite Subaru to a date now, where that would be?” Ohkawa-sensei: “If I were at charge of the script, that would be….. (thinks) a Butler Cafe at Ikebukuro. He would like to put Subaru in trouble by doing so. Seishirou would enjoy to have Subaru saying “Okaerinasaimase”. I haven’t been to such a butler cafe, but if it’s Seishirou taking Subaru that would be the place. Or the Shinseido Cafe at Ginza to make Seishirou taste the omuraisu. Altough I don’t think there will be a scene where Seishirou is drinking, even without alcohol I would like to have Subaru watch Seishirou enjoying that omuraisu.”
Ohkawa-sensei: “I am holding the deal about the Tokyo Babylon anime and would like to do my best efforts from now on. Of course, there may be some limits but I’ll do my best. I’d like for everyone to wait for it patiently.
A huge thank you to Claudio for providing this summary.
Let’s keep this a collaborative effort! If you found mistakes or if you think you can contribute with more information, please contact me.
The official twitter account of Kadokawa‘s Young Ace magazine announced today that the CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION version of Tokyo Babylon is scheduled to be released on the Japanese summer in 2022.
This likely means that the next work to be released after XXXHOLiC‘s 19 volumes run should be Tokyo Babylon. The 19th volume of XXXHOLiC is expected to be released in May/June of 2022. We could have Tokyo Babylon starting on May or a little later, in case we have a shorter series in between.
This release may or may not tie-in with the new Tokyo Babylon TV Anime project, which is hopefully still in the works.
On a related note, in light of yesterday’s news that GoHands animation studio is suing Kodansha-affiliated entertainment company King Records, CLAMP posted an official statement on their twitter account:
It’s still a bit away, but the special edition with the newly drawn covers we promised previously will be included in the CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION that is being currently published.
If we’ll get approval/permission, CLAMP will be happy to take part not only to the development of the new edition, but also to all the related media mix from now on.
Above all, we hope you can still enjoy Tokyo Babylon from the bottom of our hearts
CLAMP 2021.08.06
In Japan, “media mix” is used to describe any media adaptation in any form of audio or video format. What CLAMP mean here is that they hope they can participate in any upcoming media adaptation (audio or video) of Tokyo Babylon if they have the permission to.
This note reaffirms that, as original creators, CLAMP are not always allowed to participate in the adaptations of their own works. This is pretty common as far as adaptations go. In fact, CLAMP are known to be one of the few original creators who get involved in the media adaptations of their works, but it’s a case by case basis and it’s not a given that they will always be part of the production. This could be because they chose to (as it happened in the past), or because they were not given the choice. CLAMP have previously stated that they are first and foremost a group that create manga.
At this point, we don’t know what is happening with the new Tokyo Babylon anime, we don’t even know if it’s still happening. This note from CLAMP indicates that they are not yet involved or they are but it’s too soon to announce that. In case it’s the former, I do hope that the producing committee gets hold of this message and consider involving CLAMP in the production, since they explicitly expressed a desire to do so this time.
With Tokyo Babylon 2021, CLAMP have barely spoke or shown enthusiasm about it and we all saw what happened later…
Japanese media is reporting that animation studio GoHands has filed a lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court on August 3rd against the entertainment company King Records, a Kodansha-affiliated company, for unpaid work related to the production costs for the now cancelled Tokyo Babylon 2021 TV anime.
According to the complaint, GoHands was contracted by King Records to produce a total of 13 episodes by the end of November of 2020. A total of 314.6 million yen (about US$2.87 million) in production costs were scheduled to be paid in installments between December of last year and August of this year. However, the company claimed that the contract was unilaterally cancelled in January after the first payment. In addition to the remaining 281.6 million yen, GoHands is demanding payment of an additional 171.82 million yen (about US$1.57 million) for episodes 14 through 21, which it had agreed to produce with King Records, although no formal contract had been signed.
The Tokyo Babylon 2021 TV anime had its broadcast cancelled in March of 2021 after it was pointed out on the Internet that the character designs drawn by GoHands and released in advance last November resembled the costumes of a Korean idol group and a doll costume from doll company Volks. The production committee, made up of King Records and other companies, announced in December that there had been some plagiarism.
GoHands claims that King Records had asked them to revise the design even after the incident, and that they had agreed to do so and were proceeding with the work for the broadcast, but King Records‘ policy changed and they refused to pay the rest. According to Japanese newspaper Asahi, when contacted, King Records said, “We have not received the complaint, so we will refrain from commenting on it.”
According to Tomonori Sugo, an attorney representing GoHands, it is widely used in the production of anime to use real designs as references, but the company compares the drawings with those used as references to check whether there are any problems under copyright law. This time, however, the person in charge of this task at GoHands was suddenly absent due to an illness, and the confirmation was not done sufficiently.
Mr. Sugo said, “It is true that there was a mistake, and I apologize to the fans. However, we had just received the request and were working on the correction. We are a much smaller company than King Records, and we are suffering a very big financial blow,” he explained.
The April issue of SPUR magazine featured a fashion photoshoot inspired by Tokyo Babylon.
Up until now, the pictures were available only in the magazine’s print version, but yesterday, on April 1st, the magazine’s official website shared what seems to be the article in its full length, including the pictures.
For archiving purposes, I will be sharing it here as well this really cool photoshoot.
The official Young Ace magazine is reporting that the original Tokyo Babylon manga series will be getting a new version to be published by Kadokawa.
The new version will have new covers drawn by CLAMP. More details, including release a date, will be announced soon.
The news comes at the same day as the announcement of the Tokyo Babylon 2021 TV Anime getting cancelled. The article mentions that CLAMP wanted to give something nice for the fans who were looking forward to the anime.
This will be the second Tokyo Babylon version published by Kadokawa. The first one was released as a 3-volumes series in 2012 as part of the CLAMP CLASSIC COLLECTION edition. Other than that, the series was also released as a 5-volumes pocket edition series and the original classic 7-volumes series, both published by Shinshokan.
Great news! I think releasing new versions was already in the plans and that they simply kept the original plan instead of waiting for the new anime to come out.
I’m very much looking forward to the new covers, of course! I wonder if they will keep it as 7 volumes… I hope so, since that would mean 7 new illustrations, haha!
And Kadokawa is still involved in this, huh? Interesting, very interesting…
Chibi Yuuto's CHRoNiCLEs 