To those outside the anime fandom, the news that CLAMP signed a deal with Netflix to create original anime content may not seem like a big deal.
But it's hugely exciting for those who recognize the name. Netflix's deal with six famous anime creators (CLAMP, Shin Kibayashi, Yasuo Ohtagaki, Otsuichi, Tow Ubukata, and Mari Yamaza) contracts these creatives to produce the platform's all-new anime content, as well as finding new ways to engage off-screen audiences through "consumer products and publishing," most likely manga.
The manga writing team known as CLAMP, currently comprising Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi, has worked on some of the most iconic manga ever written, making their Netflix deal a huge feather in the anime cap of the streaming service. But for those unaware of the group's legacy, here's what you need to know to feel excited.
But it's hugely exciting for those who recognize the name. Netflix's deal with six famous anime creators (CLAMP, Shin Kibayashi, Yasuo Ohtagaki, Otsuichi, Tow Ubukata, and Mari Yamaza) contracts these creatives to produce the platform's all-new anime content, as well as finding new ways to engage off-screen audiences through "consumer products and publishing," most likely manga.
The manga writing team known as CLAMP, currently comprising Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi, has worked on some of the most iconic manga ever written, making their Netflix deal a huge feather in the anime cap of the streaming service. But for those unaware of the group's legacy, here's what you need to know to feel excited.
CLAMP'S HISTORY
CLAMP began as a women's team in the mid-80s, deciding to produce and create manga together. Started as a group of 12 women, producing Saint Seiya dojinshi. As time passed and membership dwindled, CLAMP redirected its creative focus to manga production. After their professional debut with RG Veda in 1989, CLAMP began working on a growing number of titles that became incredibly popular and influential works in the' 90s and' 00s anime scene.
These titles included X/1999, Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Wish, Clover, Angelic Layer, Chobits, xxxHolic and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. Their latest work, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Cardcaptor Sakura's direct continuation, began in 2016 and continues. Cardcaptor Sakura, along with Sailor Moon, helped popularize the magical girl genre— and anime itself— in the West and remains popular to this day. They also contributed character designs to Code Geass, now-iconic series.
Most of CLAMP's work exists loosely in the same multiverse, with characters appearing either in minor or major roles in other series, most obviously in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. CLAMP became particularly well-known throughout their work for their distinctive art style and particular recurring themes, especially the idea that love remains unbound by social constraints such as race, gender, age and even organic and inorganic matter. Some of these themes proved controversial.
Regardless, CLAMP's work remains highly influential among anime and manga creators, and after the fact has a massive fanbase. Not all of their works are masterpieces; in just over 30 years, with nearly 30 manga titles under their belt, their work ranged in quality. But when CLAMP hits, they knock it out of the park.
CLAMP'S NETFLIX DEAL
CLAMP brings the prestige air you'd expect from a group that can draw an audience based purely on their brand name recognition. But for those still unfamiliar with that name, the deal brings the opportunity to reach more people than ever before, which, Team Leader Nanase Ohkawa said, was a big part of the appeal:"[...] We look forward to the day our shows created with Netflix reach fans across 190 countries." Most interestingly, perhaps, is Netflix's potential to use their talents off-screen.
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