It has been a while, but welcome back to 3 Things Thursday! As you know, this week is the CLAMP Manga Moveable Feast. CLAMP has written a lot of terrific female characters, like Sakura, Yuuko, Hikaru, and the list goes on. I’ve always gravitated towards supporting characters, though, especially when they’re as awesome as some of CLAMP’s. And so, this Thursday, let’s talk about my…
3 Favorite CLAMP Women
1. Hokuto, Tokyo Babylon – I already went on and on about Hokuto in yesterday’s roundtable, but really I could talk about her all day. While she’s pretty great in her capacity as “Subaru’s twin sister,” she’s even better on her own, and I’m thrilled that CLAMP decided to break away from the manga’s primary thread long enough to let us see that. Volume two’s final chapter, in which Hokuto steps in to rescue another woman from her male pursuers, is one of my favorite moments in the entire series. She’s like a superhero in this scene, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with her.
2. Himawari, xxxHolic – One of the characters who seems to get the least love from fans in xxxHolic is Himawari, Watanuki and Doumeki’s schoolmate who was born with the unfortunate characteristic of bringing bad luck to the people around her. But Watanuki adores Himawari, and so do I. I love her understated insights, her sweet good nature, and the smile that covers up her loneliness. This scene in which Watanuki finally realizes what’s really going on with Himawari is a favorite of mine, partly because of Watanuki being who he is, but also because of Himawari’s cheerful acceptance of what she is certain must be the end of their friendship.
3. Tomoyo, Carcaptor Sakura – Oh, Tomoyo, Tomoyo… if Cardcapter Sakura is the absolute dearest of all dear things in the world, Tomoyo is even dearer. Her complete devotion to Sakura is adorable of course—Tomoyo is a true friend—but it’s more than that. She’s a completely original little person, and it’s just a joy to watch her exist. She’s as dear as can be here, but I think my favorite moment is in the last panel, when she greats the fairly terrifying true form of Cerberus with, “Have we met?”
So, readers… who are your favorite CLAMP women?
To submit your contributions to the CLAMP MMF for inclusion in this month’s archive, please send your links by email to mj@mangabookshelf.com or via Twitter to @mjbeasi. If you would like your contribution(s) to be hosted at Manga Bookshelf, please email them to MJ, along with any included images.
Foxy Lady Ayame says
July 26, 2012 at 7:20 amHokuto is such a great character. I loved her even more when she helped Kakyou- they’re so sweet together. Karen frox X is my all time favorite; she’s compassionate and dignified and sexy! Fiery, fierce, fabulous! Then Kaho Mizuki from Cardcaptor Captor Sakura has this mysterious enchanting aura around her and she’s classy and sophisticated. She cares a lot about people she loves. If only Eriol could transform to a similar age gentleman… After them, come the tragic and sensual Oruha from Clover, the wise and flirty Yuuko & the calm force Kohane is from xxxholic.
Aaron says
July 26, 2012 at 9:27 am1. Chii
2.Hikaru
3. Yuko
Zoe Alexander says
July 26, 2012 at 11:54 amNumber One would definitely be Yuko from xxxHolic and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. She’s not only my favorite CLAMP female character, she’s one of my top faves, period. The Number Two spot goes to the title character of Legend of Chun Hyang. I’m so disappointed that they never continued that series, because Chun Hyang is awesome. (At least she gets to show up again for an arc in Tsubasa.) Third…I’m having a tough time deciding between Himawari (xxxHolic), Eri (Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders), Ora (Clover), and Kaho (Card Captor Sakura). Call it a four-way tie?
Melinda Beasi says
July 26, 2012 at 12:55 pmOkay, I find Kaho really interesting, because for whatever reason, I’m not really a fan of the character. I would love to hear your take on her and why she’s such a favorite!
Zoe Alexander says
July 26, 2012 at 1:22 pmWhy do I Kaho so much? I think mostly because of her mysterious nature, and the fact that she reminds me a bit of Yuko, my favorite. In fact, I used to have this weird theory that Kaho was either an alternate universe version or reincarnation of Yuko, since Eriol is the reincarnation (well, half, in the manga) of Clow Reed, and it seemed like Clow and Yuko might have been lovers. Plus, Kaho’s favorite saying is “There’s no such thing as coincidence,” which is similar to Yuko’s famous “hitzuen” quote. (There’s also a bit of a shipping bias, as I love the angst of Kaho’s and Touya’s previous relationship. They’re my favorite couple in CCS, despite the fact they don’t even end up together.)
Oh, and she’s a miko. I tend to LOVE miko characters for some reason.
Tari says
July 26, 2012 at 2:51 pmTomoyo’s one of my favorites too! Yuuko as well.
No one’s mentioned my favorite character from X, Arashi. She’s fantastic at fighting, and her relationship with Sorata made me cry buckets of tears.
Laur says
July 26, 2012 at 3:38 pmSakura from Cardcaptor Sakura because she’s the most adorable thing.
Yuko was always a blast because she was this unapologetic and crazy figure in Watanuki’s life. I love that she’s kind of a badass, as well.
And Fuu from MKR because of the three knights in Rayearth, I related to her meekness and bookishness the most. (She also ends up with the cutest guy, in my opinion. Hee! ^^)
Ysabet says
July 26, 2012 at 5:35 pmPerhaps unsurprisingly, all of my favorite CLAMP ladies are from X/TB. Arashi is one of my all-time favorite characters, actually. Her particular balance of rigorous control overlaying a lot of vulnerability works for me. (I know that describes eight gazillion characters, but most of them lean too far in one direction or the other for them to hit that exact chord for me.) Also, she’s sensible and badass and wears combat books with her ultra-poofy school uniform and, contrary to what the TV show would have you think, is an excellent cook.
I absolutely adore Yuzuriha. She’s SO spunky and cheerful and desperate to pull her weight in spite of everyone else’s desire to protect her.
And Hokuto is AMAZING. *^^*
Danielle Leigh says
July 27, 2012 at 11:19 amYuuko is probably my one and only. Not that CLAMP doesn’t have other great female characters but Yuuko is special to me.