Avid anime lovers would probably be familiar with CLAMP, one of Japan’s most well-known groups of manga artists. In fact, their productions are so popular that fans demand more seasons. Some of them have even gotten their own movies or live-action adaptations. The all-female mangaka group is often referred to as the “Queens of Shojo”. The veteran studio is known for creating a variety of themes and characters in multiple genres. They produce everything from childish comedy to tragedies. Most anime fans know them as the creators of the biggest magical girl series, Cardcaptor Sakura. There are a variety of reasons why CLAMP anime have gathered quite a fan following. Here are some reasons why anime from the CLAMP franchise are worth watching:

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The Animation

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A big part of the appeal of anime is the striking art style and the animation, and the animation for CLAMP anime is no exception. Many might be familiar with the cute and visually aesthetic animation style that is seen in Cardcaptor Sakura and Chobits, but a closer look at some of their other works will show that the studio can pull off a variety of aesthetics. For instance, Clover has a cyberpunk and dystopian theme that is quite a contrast to its gloomy atmosphere. The short film adaptation of Clover reflects the dark palette of the manga. In addition, CLAMP studio is known for its elaborate detailing in costumes. You can see this in X/1999, Chobits, and xxxHolic.

The Musical Scores

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The opening and ending themes of an anime add to the whole watching experience. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the opening and ending theme could definitely make or break your watching experience. CLAMP anime generally are known to have good music scores that fit the atmosphere and story of the anime. Fans are particularly fond of the opening for Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, and xxxHolic. In addition, CLAMP has released some of its mangas as music videos. A few examples of this include Wish and Clover. The music videos are adored by the fanbase despite the fact that many fans would love to see these two stories fledged out in detail as anime series.

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Character Diversities

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CLAMP anime were ahead of their time, mostly because they portray characters that are diverse, yet relatable. One such character is Hideki from Chobits. He’s a pure-hearted yet hilarious male lead. The best part about his character is that he doesn’t fall into the category of the tragic hero or the angsty teen or even the dark brooding lead; instead, Hideki is rather normal. He’s likable, and most importantly, realistic.

Another character that’s proof of the great characterization of CLAMP manga artists is Syaoran Li. Syaron is first introduced to the audience in Cardcaptor Sakura as a jealous, yet kind partner in crime for Sakura. However, Syaron gets a complete revamp in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles. Not only is his character explored in further depth, but he’s also given an entire storyline. Syaron’s Chinese ancestry remains consistent in both anime, but CLAMP introduces a more complex character with a darker arc, which is a rather (pleasant) surprise.

Interconnected Universes

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Perhaps one of the best things CLAMP did for its fanbase was the creation of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, which shows the audience a crossover between a variety of different CLAMP characters and universes. It’s not just a simple crossover where characters refer to other universes, but can actually teleport to the different worlds of Yuko/Kobato. Not only does it bring back characters from Cardcaptor Sakura, but as discussed earlier, it revamps them. Fans of CLAMP were able to see all their favorite characters again. Plus, it’s always more fun when you can see the various storylines intervening. xxxHolic was also released as a sister anime series to Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles. The two anime share similar universes. It can be a rather entertaining experience finding all the Easter eggs left behind by the creators.

Warm and Heartfelt Content

CLAMP really knows how to tug at the heart of its audience. It has a long list of scenes that leave one feeling all warm inside. There are quite a few moments in Chobits, Cardcaptor Sakura, and xxxHolic. Though, a fan-favorite concept in the CLAMP multiverse is soul pairs. In the expanded CLAMP universe, soul pairs refer to two characters who are meant to be together regardless of the universe, timeline, or world they’re a part of. While fans absolutely adore Sakura and Syaoran, the soul pairs Touya and Yukito have also gathered quite a lot of adoration from fans.

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Complex and Thought-Provoking Stories

CLAMP has put forth quite a few anime that have pushed its audience to think about various topics. One such example is xxxHolic. While it brings in a theme of occult and heart-warming elements, it also grabs the attention of fans with thought-provoking scenes. For example, an episode revolving around a cursed object that granted any wish to its user. Fans were lead through the life of a person who wanted to solve everything with the crack of a finger. However, such method only led to her demise. Kobato is another anime with a rather interesting story. It follows a young woman who has to collect broken hearts in a jar in order to go to a special place. With its rather unique story, Kobato holds the audience’s emotions with a firm grip as it explores themes of friendship, love, tragedy, and familial bonds.

Timeless

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The one thing that makes CLAMP anime worth the watch is that they remain timeless. Even though it’s been quite a while since the studio first released anime like Cardcaptor Sakura, Kobota, Chobits, and xxxHolic, these series are still relatable. They explore a variety of themes including friendship, growth, love, and loss. All of which are relatable to the audience regardless of the time era in which they were released. For instance, Magic Knight Raearth follows a trio of girls who are swept into a world of magic. As the girls struggle through various obstacles to save the princess from the evil high priest, they grow stronger. While magic and fantasy are the overarching themes of the anime, the bond between the three girls is quite relatable for the audience. Such retable themes make CLAMP anime more relatable and entertaining to watch at any age or season.