X: Volume 4 (Review)
Sunday, 31st January 2010, 17:39

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Extras
Trailers on this disc include Disgaea and Solty Rei. There is also a 60-second slideshow art gallery showcasing the Japanese DVD covers, 12 in all. Yes, you read that right, Japanese fans have to pay through the nose for discs with just two episodes on. I bet you still think anime is too expensive in the West though.

Conclusion
X just keeps getting better and better, and while the first three volumes were largely devoted to setting the scene and developing the characters, this fourth volume takes the events of the previous disc’s conclusion, and just adds to the juggernaut pace of portentousness that it began. There are plenty of omens and boding going on in this volume, a lot of hints, glimpses and presages to what will no doubt happen in the battle between the Dragons of Earth and the Dragons of Heaven, but this volume is no slouch in the action department itself, with conflict and battles, and the apparent conclusion of one major character arc.

What keeps surprising me is that this just isn’t the sort of story that I normally go for. I’m a little up in the air about the mystical superpowers. I’m fine with superpowers by themselves, I can have hours of fun in the Marvel universe, but as soon as you add mysticism into the mix, the vague hint of religious fervour, I begin to get wary. With most of the Dragons of Heaven trained at some shrine or another, this really ought to rub me the wrong way. But far greater than this, I really do not like stories about predestination, about fate, about karma. I don’t like the idea of a character’s path being written in advance by the vagaries of the Gods, or the nature of the Universe, or the roll of the dice. I always equate it with the weakest form of storytelling, where the characters twist and turn to fit the story because of the author’s whims, rather than being allowed to develop naturally.

X is all about fate, and predestination and all those usually annoying things. Except here they aren’t annoying. X is the prime example that even the most unpalatable tale can become engrossing and riveting if the storytelling is good enough. CLAMP’s story is excellent, and I’d defy anyone not to be drawn into this epic battle of good versus evil for the fate of the world. Of course it helps that the definition of good and evil is still fluid in this tale. It also helps that the way that the characters react to the notion of pre-destiny is varied. Some accept it as the natural order of things, some rail and fight against it, determined to shape their own futures, while some are devious enough to use it to manipulate events and people in their own favour. It’s a complex and diverse set of characters that keep the story edgy and engrossing.

The first half of this disc is devoted to dealing with the aftermath of Fuma’s awakening as the second Kamui. We see the original Kamui come to terms with his loss with the help of Subaru, and we see the Dragons of Heaven finally come together as a group. It’s here that the idea or predestination is explored, with Kamui deciding to fight against his fate, and somehow redeem Fuma. What’s interesting here is the dreamseer Hinoto’s role in this, as it becomes clear that seeing the future is one thing, correctly interpreting it is wholly another. It also transpires that she isn’t the well-meaning innocent that she appears to be. She has to be manipulative, and selective in what she tells people. It may be that she is keeping Kamui on the right path by doing so, but it may also be that she is actively manipulating events to create the future that she desires. She’s not supposed to interfere with destiny, but as this disc progresses, her motives come into question.

At the same time, the Dragons of Earth are gathering and consolidating under Fuma. Early on, Hinoto warns her sister Kanoe not to accept Fuma as the seventh angel, but Kanoe does so anyway. As the disc progresses, it also becomes apparent that Kanoe has grabbed hold of a tiger by the tail by doing so, and now has to hold on for dear life to the bitter end. With Kazuki Kakyou among them, they also now have a way to counteract Hinoto’s dream visions, and so the balance of power begins to shift.

But it’s the second half of this disc that really satisfies, as battle is truly commenced between the two sides. First Kamui faces Fuma again for the first time since the end of volume 3, and Kamui’s inexperience and unfamiliarity with his powers leads him into a situation that he just isn’t ready for, and one that will cost lives. But fresh with his fervent vow to redeem Fuma, he isn’t willing to miss his chance. And then there is the final episode on this disc, which sees the confrontation between Seichiro and Subaru, the conclusion that countless Tokyo Babylon fans will be waiting for. It’s everything that you would expect, but it’s also got one hell of a twist in the tail, the sort that takes everything you think you know about the characters and gives it a good shake.

I’m preaching to the converted, aren’t I? If you’ve already started with X: The TV Series, then nothing I can say will dissuade you from buying this disc. While conversely, if you haven’t bought any of the discs so far, this would be one stupid place to start. But, volume 4 is deliciously compulsive viewing, excellent storytelling with great characterisations. Maybe this review will tempt you to go back to volume 1 and start from there. It’s worth it just to get to this point, and every indication is that the series will just get better as it goes on.

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