Step into the World of Clamp Manga: Original Illustrations and Immersive Experience in Roppongi

The National Art Center, Tokyo, is holding a large-scale exhibition tracing the trajectory of Clamp (stylized in all caps), a creative collective of four women who produce diverse manga across various genres, including boys', girls', and young men's comics.

Consisting of Satsuki Igarashi, Nanase Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Mokona, Clamp made its mainstream publishing debut with RG Veda in 1989 and continued to gather attention with manga series such as Tokyo Babylon, X, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, and xxxHolic. This exhibition brings together approximately 800 original drawings from the debut manga RG Veda to the latest Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card series, making it the largest-ever exhibition of the collective. The exhibition runs from July 3 through September 23, 2024.

The journey through the years

The exhibition is composed of seven chapters: "Color," "Love," "Adventure," "Magic," and "Phrase," which represent Clamp; the "Imagination" area that introduces the collective's creative activities beyond manga; and the final chapter, "Dream," which features original color illustrations created specifically for this exhibition. In addition to previously unseen materials, the exhibition also shows original videos and interactive installations, tracing the history of the collective's creative activities from multiple angles.

The exhibition opens with the "Color" chapter, which brings together approximately 200 original color drawings from the collective's representative manga series. Featuring manga volume covers, magazine and book covers, and original frontispieces, this section celebrates the vibrant world of Clamp's artistic manga.

The variety of painting materials and techniques used in Clamp's manga world is striking—starting from the early works painted with ink; on display are illustrations created with Copic markers, acrylic gouache, pastel, ink, and, closer to the end, digital illustrations. However, the technique does not change solely based on the year of publication. For example, RG Veda's bold illustrations painted with airbrush and Tokyo Babylon's illustrations created with screentone were published only a few years apart. It is possible to trace the changes in style depending on the era but also based on the magazine in which the illustrations were published.

Storytelling and shapes of love

Following the color illustrations, the "Love" chapter sheds light on the monochrome manga manuscripts and various forms of love. The love depicted by Clamp is not singular—there is a straightforward love towards a significant other, but it can also be a determination to protect loved ones, a thought character keeps in their hearts, or even the conflict itself.

The following "Adventure" chapter conveys the power of Clamp's storytelling, which has captivated readers over the years. The main focus is on six series: RG Veda, Tokyo Babylon, X, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. Accompanied by the manga's synopsis, manuscripts from the first chapter of each series draw visitors into the captivating world of Clamp's manga.

Stepping into the manga world

The "Magic" area portrays the magic experience of immersing oneself in the world of manga. Three large screens display characters from Clamp's works themed around fantasy, magic, and mysterious powers, creating an immersive experience where visitors can enter the manga world.

The "Phrase" chapter focuses on the power of words and is divided into two rooms: the first room features approximately 40 manga manuscripts from the popular series xxxHolic, while the second room's walls are enveloped with memorable phrases from Clamp's manga.

Beyond manga and illustrations

The "Imagination" area provides a comprehensive overview of 35 years of Clamp's creative activities. It features a large chronological timetable visualizing works from 1989 to 2024 and various related materials, such as domestic manga magazines and English editions of popular manga series. In addition, the area showcases illustrations for novels and character and costume designs created by Clamp over the years.

Looking back, facing forward

The exhibition ends with the final chapter, "Dream," and the original illustration representing Clamp's beginning and future. From the very first manga to the latest series and new challenges, don't miss the opportunity to dive into the vibrant and mysterious world of Clamp. Tickets can be purchased via Lawson Tickets or directly at the museum.

Be sure to stop at the museum shop to check out the original goods created specifically for this exhibition.