CLAMP Manga and Anime: Other Works You Should Check Out!

CLAMP manga has captured the hearts of readers inside and outside Japan. You might recognize the name CLAMP thanks to Cardcaptor Sakura (1996-2000). The series’ exciting magical girl story, relatable characters, and cute designs have made it a classic on the page and onscreen.

But CLAMP boasts other great series, ranging from romantic shōjo manga to fantasy epics, which shouldn’t be overlooked. Here are five more CLAMP anime and manga you need to check out!

What is CLAMP?

CLAMP is a talented female Japanese manga artist group. Starting with 11 members in 1987, it’s now home to four: Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi. Ohkawa oversees stories and scripts, while the other members focus on artwork and character designs. Why are they called “CLAMP”? The name refers to a storage clamp, specifically a “potato mountain.”

Starting with dōjinshi (self-published fanfiction), CLAMP’s first original manga was RG Veda (1989-96). Besides the works we’ll be talking about in this blog, the group also created Tokyo Babylon (1990-93), Legal Drug (2000-03), and the original character designs for the anime Code Geass (2006-07). With almost 100 million volumes sold, CLAMP is a manga powerhouse. Now, let’s look at more of this group’s unique series!

xxxHOLIC

High schooler Kimihiro Watanuki meets the mysterious witch Yūko Ichihara. She agrees to remove his ability to see spirits if he works at her shop. With each task, Watanuki becomes more connected to the supernatural world. He decides to find out if Ichihara has a wish and, if she does, to grant it to her. 

xxxHOLIC’s (pronounced “holic”) illustrations are inspired by ukiyo-e wood prints and Alphonse Mucha’s art. Mokona drew the female characters, while Nekoi drew the male characters and spirits. The series deals with themes of loneliness and social pathologies like workaholism. Finally, xxxHOLIC crosses over with Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle – we recommend reading or watching both to understand their storylines! 

Manga Run: 23 volumes, including four of xxxHOLIC Rei (2003-present)

Anime Run: 37 episodes, four OVAs, one film

Clover

One of CLAMP’s underrated projects, this manga follows Sue, a gifted child or “Clover” who can manipulate technology. She and her fellow Clovers are kept locked away for their safety and to prevent them from developing feelings. Sue wants to visit Fairy Park, so a former soldier, Kazuhiko, is assigned to escort her there. 

Reflecting Clover’s serious tone, its panels are short, fast-paced, and cinematic, containing lots of negative space. The character designs, photographs and old movies from Germany and other European countries inspire backgrounds. Unfortunately, Clover is unfinished; according to Ohkawa, two more volumes are needed to complete the story. 

Manga Run: Four volumes (1997-99)

Anime Run: One short animated film (1999)

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Chobits

Rōnin (held-back student) Hideki Motosuwa finds an abandoned persocom (humanoid computer). Naming her “Chi” after the only word she says, Motosuwa discovers she’s a Chobit, rumored to have feelings and free will. Together, they dig deeper into Chi’s past and purpose – and their changing feelings for each other.

CLAMP’s experiences inspired Chobits with computer error messages. Targeted toward an older male audience, it asks questions surrounding human-machine relationships. The drawings are done using ballpoint pens and acrylic gouache. While Chobits is a beloved series, it has received some criticism for how it depicted younger characters. Another crossover is set in the same universe as Angelic Layer (1999-2001).

Manga Run: Eight volumes (2000-02)

Anime Run: 26 episodes, two DVD-only OVAs (2002)

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle

Archaeologist Syaoran is friends with Princess Sakura of Clow. One day, her memories and magical abilities are scattered across dimensions. Syaoran visits xxxHOLIC’s Ichihara, who grants him the power to travel between worlds and retrieve them. However, he must give up Sakura’s memories of them together.

Tsubasa is called “Cardcaptor Sakura for guys,” for good reason: it uses character designs and names from Cardcaptor Sakura! The series started with CLAMP’s signature animation and writing styles, but it simplified both for younger readers. Although Tsubasa was popular with fans, it also confused them with later plot twists and the crossover elements with xxxHOLIC. 

Manga Run: 31 volumes, including three of Tsubasa: World Chronicle: Nirai Kanai-hen (2003-16)

Anime Run: 52 episodes (2005-06), one film, two OVA series

Gate 7

High school student Chikahito Takamoto meets the warrior Hana and their companions Tachibana and Sakura. The trio belongs to the Urashichiken Hanamachi, a society fighting supernatural Oni and their masters. Their leader and the series’ antagonist are reincarnations of Japanese historical figures. Takamoto soon gets caught up in these battles as well.

Another obscure series, Gate 7’s illustrations combine CLAMP’s older angular style with the group’s newer rounded one. While readers loved the artwork, Western audiences found it hard to follow the story’s many Japanese names and historical terms. Like Clover, Gate 7 is on an indefinite hiatus. 

Manga Run: Four volumes (2011-2013)

Anime Run: None

Why should I read these CLAMP manga works?

First of all, these CLAMP works feature gorgeous illustrations. xxxHOLIC and Clover are inspired by paintings and photography, while Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and Gate 7 draw upon CLAMP’s previous manga. 

These entries also include various writing styles. Clover’s and Chobits’ stories are simple and character-based, while the other series’ storylines are complex and plot-driven. 

Finally, each manga’s theme will interest different audiences. Mature readers will appreciate Clover and Chobits. History enthusiasts will love Gate 7, and fantasy fans will enjoy xxxHOLIC and Tsubasa. There’s something for everyone.

CLAMP’s manga artists have created many fantastic series. From the interconnected xxxHOLIC and Tsubasa to the rom-com Chobits, they put all their efforts into each panel, creating beautiful and exciting stories. If you want something to read after Cardcaptor Sakura, don’t miss out on these titles. Have you heard of CLAMP’s other manga series? Name your favorites in the comments!