We all know what this amazing manga/anime from an equally amazing mangaka CLAMP is all about. Little cute girl wearing girly dresses and a cute staff she uses to seal Clow Cards to save the world from imbalance the cards may induce.
In a gist, this series attracts little girls usually of age 6-8. It was serialized around the end of the 90's decade and was finished eary 2000's. It's main theme is friendship, of course - as most anime is about.
I started watching this anime way back high school. I thought Kinomoto Sakura was cute and Li Syaoran was uber hot! However, I've only read the whole manga mid-2009, and boy was I in for a treat!
First off, this manga had contexts that are not usually included in most stories or cartoons intended for little kids - well, at least the western and Filipino stories I've grown up with. I was inspired to write this blog after I've posted in a forum in MangaHelpers regarding culture shocks readers and watchers alike experience when exposed to the Japanese subculture of animation.
As a disclaimer, though. Since the said manga contains sensitive issues and non-conformist beliefs, I also deem that this doesn't entirely represent the Japanese culture, but just the mere awesomeness of this group of mangaka.
THE CONCEPT OF SOULMATES
It is a staple formula for all CLAMP manga to tackle soulmates - most of the time, in their own subtle way. And in this idea of soulmates did CLAMP introduce all sorts of love in their stories. In my understanding, CLAMP believes that a soul will always have a significant someone, and in all alternate worlds or even in the afterlife and reincarnation, both twin souls will always have the same heart and the same soul.
The thing about CLAMP is they also believe that love will transcend all kinds of love in our normal sense. What exactly do I mean?
CardCaptor Sakura (CCS) introduced several pairings that could make conservatives scream: IMMORALITY!
'ILLICIT' LOVE AFFAIRS
1. Kinomoto Touya and Tsukishiro Yukito
My personal favorite. The first chapter of the manga introduced them as best buddies going to school together while - wait for it! - Yuki rode at the back of Touya's bike. Yes, they shared the same bike - and the first time I read that panel, I was all: "What the hell?!" Then, next chapters, CLAMP drew Touya feeding Yuki with a fork! Again, I was like: "What the hell is wrong with this manga?!"
Eventually, towards the end, Yukito ended up admitting to Sakura that his most important person was none other than her brother. I was all: "Oh my god! Hanyaaaaaan!"
2. Li Syaoran and Tsukishiro Yukito
This was just a little crush Syaoran had with Yuki. Ok, not really so little - with all the reddest blushes and gifts he showers Yuki. But then, it was explained that Syaoran was just attracted to Yukito's moon powers. But still...
3. Kinomoto Sakura and Daidouji Tomoyo
This panel says it all. And just a background, Tomoyo's mother and Sakura's are first cousins. You do the math. Yuri's (girls' love) not just what's implied in this relationship.
4. Sasaki Rika and Terada-sensei
Hai! You've read it right. That's Terada-sensei, Rika and Sakura's teacher. And both girls were in the elementary that time.
There were fans who insist that Kinomoto Touya has a sister-complex with Sakura - implying that he sees her more than just a sister. I, on the other hand, do not believe this to be so. CLAMP didn't intend it to be like that, is what I want to argue. Touya is just super overprotective over Sakura. That's it.
Oh, and did I mention Sakura's father married Nadeshiko (her mom) while she was just in high school, and dad was their sensei? Yep, CLAMP's big on that.
Don't forget Yue's encompassing love for Clow Reed.
There you have it. How many great manga includes Shounen-ai (boys' love), Shoujo-ai (girls' love), Pedophilia and Incest in one go?! Plus a manga targeting little girls as its audience?
CLAMP'S NON-CONFORMITY
The thing about CLAMP is that they regard these relationships as 'normal'. Meaning, they don't make these issues as the main theme. They deem yaoi boys as nothing but a normal relationship in their manga. In fact, I can give you a list of yaoi pairings in all their manga, and none of them are confused boys angsting about their sexuality. Don't get me wrong here, I know identity crises are not a laughing matter, especially with pubescent teens. But, I want to point out CLAMP's take on this: these relationships as 'normal'.
Also, the best part of it, they don't label. They don't write Tomoyo as a lesbian, or Yukito as gay or Terada-sensei as a pedophilic teacher with a thing for young girls in sailor uniforms.
They treat each characters as one soul in love with another soul; the souls just so happened to be of same blood, or of same sex, or of a huge age gap.
And with that awesome premise, Yuki and Touya are not gay couples, ok?! They're just two high school best friends who happened to inevitably fall in love with each other! *commence fangirl screams. NOW*
Then, that begs the question. Why, you ask, would CLAMP introduce such social issues into their stories? Simple. Mere Education.
It's about time for young girls - and boys - to be tolerant of these things. In most of their manga, they have Yaoi boys, pedophiles, and their Mizuki-chan's Wonderland is an ecchi (H, as in hentai) yuri manga with characters that match Sakura-chan's moeness and innocence.
They don't write to have fangirls and fujoshi (literally means rotten girl, but context is otaku girls obsessed with yaoi) screaming and bowing at hot smexy beautiful boys kissing each other.
They write these themes so the audience would learn how to tolerate these kinds of love our society deems immoral. And there's no better way to start teaching them but at a young age.
With that, I salute CLAMP for strong 23 years of creating volumes of epic manga. And they welcomed their 23rd year with a new manga, Gate 7, with all the CLAMP formula that changed manga through the years. Cheers, CLAMP!
Labels: anime, CardCaptor Sakura, Clamp, incest, manga, pedophilia, ramblings, yaoi, yuri
|
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
|
|
EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD