This post in an attempt to gather the pictures and videos that I have made while I was in Paris and also the material that appeared on the internet. There are some contributions too from some kind people that I met there who shared their pictures and videos with me.

If you have pictures and videos and would like to share, I would love to have them so please feel free to do it ^^

I tried to make the post as organized as possible, but it might look a bit confusing xD I have separated the material by dates and one for the local press. Furthermore, I've separated each of them in picture galleries and videos.

The videos are in several formats: AVI, MPG, MOV and FLV. You might need a special player or codec to play them correctly.

• July 2, Opening of CLAMP: Les Reines du Manga à Paris

>> Image Galery:
Chibi Yuuto & Benoit Gilbert

>> Videos:

These videos are the same from my July 3 post, but these are the original files in High Quality. Plus, there are 3 new videos.

To download the videos, right click on the image -> Save target as...



All videos recorded by Chibi Yuuto, except videos 02 and 04 recorded by Benoit Gilbert.

• July 3, Signing sessions and CLAMP Cosplay Contest at Japan Expo

>> Image Galeries:
Chibi Yuuto
Mediev.net

>> Videos:

The first video is from their first signing session and the second video is the moment where CLAMP announced the contest's extra winners (the ones to whom they gave their Ioryogi plush toy). The second video is too big so I had to upload it on MegaUpload.

To download the videos, right click on the image -> Save target as... (except for the Cosplay one which is hosted in MegaUpload).



All videos recorded by Chibi Yuuto.

+ Videos:
CLAMP's introduction in the cosplay contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd9uILFuW8I

• July 4, Signing sessions and CLAMP Public Conference at Japan Expo

>> Image Galery:
Chibi Yuuto

• Press

This interview was made by the french press agency AFP in the backstage of Japan Expo. There is one version in french and one in english. The french version has more footage than the english one.

I've ripped the videos and uploaded them to my server (in case anyone would like to keep them forever ^^).

To download the videos, right click on the image -> Save target as...



You can watch the same videos on stream in the following links:

English -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoeI3TjvnKY
French -> http://video.aol.fr/video-detail/rencontre-avec-le-collectif-clamp-japanexpo/3735842867

Check out the new illustration for the Kobato. TV anime in this month's issue of Newtype magazine, in which it's possible to see the Wish crossover:


Click on Original image (4.7 MB) to check the same illustration in higher resolution.

Still no sign of the Nanase Ohkawa interview that is also carried in that issue.

It seems like they will be taking the connection with Wish really seriously. Wish is credited in the staff as being the original manga in which the anime is based on (along with Kobato.). It's like the TV anime will be a merged adaptation of Kobato. and Wish. That certainly gives enough material to cover in 24 episodes, knowing that Kobato. has only 4 ongoing volumes.

Still on the Kobato. anime, the official website has been renewed! Make sure to check it out!



New names were added to the staff list:

Original work: CLAMP (Kobato., Wish)

Director: Mitsuyuki Masuhara
Series Supervision: Morio Asaka

Series Composition:Michiko Yokote / Nanase Ohkawa
Script: Mamiko Ikeda / Miharu Hirami / Reiko Yoshida / Tsutomu Mizushima / Yuka Yamada

Character Design: Hiromi Kato
Chief Animation Director: Satoshi Tazaki

Color design: Harue Ono
Art director: Hideyuki Ueno
Director of Photography: Kouhei Tanada
Editing: Kashiko Kimura

Sound director: Masafumi Mima / Toshihiko Nakajima

Music: Takeshi Hama
Music production: FlyingDog, Inc.

Animation: MADHOUSE

I have a few points to make about the updated staff. Most of its members has already worked in previous CLAMP anime adaptations, which is a very positive thing. Many of those worked in Card Captor Sakura, which is even more positive.

Morio Asaka (CLAMP IN WONDERLAND, Card Captor Sakura, Chobits) has joined the staff as series supervisor, which is very nice.
Nanase Ohkawa is no longer alone in charge of the series composition, she is now sharing the role with Michiko Yokote, who also worked with Ohkawa as series compositor of the XXXHOLiC anime.

Also, Nanase Ohkawa is not listed among the series' scriptwriters, this probably means that she won't be writing too many episodes. I'm not very happy with this news, I was expecting Ohkawa alone would write a fair amount of episodes, but at least she will be supervising all scripts and hopefully writing a few.

The director of XXXHOLiC's anime, Tsutomu Mizushima, will be one of the scriptwriters. I thought that was surprising.

Sound and color supervisors have previously worked in the Card Captor Sakura anime, which is good!

Music will be in charge of Flying Dog, which means the artists of the opening and ending themes shall probably be one of these. My bet is on ALI PROJECT and Maaya Sakamoto =)

The website has a production blog too, which I'll keep looking for any interesting info. Right now they have a short interview with the director, which again he mentions that the characters of Wish will appear a lot in the anime.

Kobato. TV anime is scheduled for the Autumn.

Moving to Wish now, the same official website of the Kobato. anime mentioned above reveals that volumes 3 and 4 of Wish's new edition will both be released on September 26, a month after the release of volumes 1 and 2.

Lastly, we move to Code Geass R2.

The latest Newtype magazine and also CLAMP-NET.COM announced that CLAMP will draw a new illustration of Code Geass R2 that will be part of the Newtype pinup calendar.

The illustration will be used in the calendar for the month of October and will be published in the next Newtype magazine, which will be out August 10.

Another post that I had to postpone due to my trip =)

( XXXHOLiC #15 Sales Report )

A week later (sorry about that! XD), here's my report of the 3rd day of Japan Expo, 2nd and final day of CLAMP's activities.


Picture by Stephane Viallon
( Japan Expo - CLAMP Public Conference Report )

In the upcoming days I'll be sharing the complete audio recording of the conference.

Second day of Japan Expo, first day of CLAMP activities.

Today there was a sign session and the CLAMP Cosplay contest. I left after the contest so I don't know if there was a second sign session. I heard a rumor that it got canceled but I have to confirm that. The Cosplay Contest did end much later than planned so maybe it's true. Anyone can confirm that?

The signing rooms at Japan Expo are in an open area, basically anyone can watch the artists doing the signs, even if they haven't won any tickets, which is pretty cool.

I think the first session had around 50 to 100 people, and CLAMP greeted each one of them and the fans were able to talk to them and ask questions. If anyone here won a ticket or knows someone who has, and if they asked any questions, please let me know the question and answer! ^^

Unlike the signing sessions from the USA and Korea, CLAMP did not give a special signing board do sign on, you could bring anything for CLAMP to sign on.

They were very generous with the fans, Mokona took pictures from two girls with her cellphone camera because of the way they looked.

Later there was the CLAMP Cosplay contest where CLAMP were the judges. Each member chose a winner individually and CLAMP as a group chose another winner.

Satsuki Igarashi chose a CLOVER group with Suu, Kazuhiko and Oruha.
Mokona picked a Code Geass duo with Cornelia and Euphie.
Tsubaki Nekoi chose a Blck and White Mokona duo.
Nanase Ohkawa picked a Sakura Kinomoto.

CLAMP as a group chose a Card Captor Sakura duo made of a Sakura and a Syaoran. I really liked that duo, the performance was so funny and the music was great, it was one of my favorites.

The winners got CLAMP's autographs and other official goodies such as clearfiles and shitajikis.

However, originally there should have been only one winner picked by CLAMP as a group, but there was a duo from Tsubasa made of a Syaoran and a Sakura that CLAMP liked so much, that they decided to give them a priwe too.

They promised to draw something to them and they also gave to them their Ioryogi plush toy that used to be in CLAMP's studio and that Nekoi carried around everywhere in their events.

I have a few pictures and videos, but I'm not allowed to share them until monday but please look forward to them!

On other news, CLAMP was featured in today's edition of the french newspaper Le parisien. They were interviewed in their hotel room just before leaving for the opening of their art exhibition that I mentioned yesterday. There's a very cool nez picture of CLAMP members sitting on a bed.


Click to enlarge it.
Special thanks goes to flowright for scanning the article!

Hi everyone! Yesterday was amazing, I saw CLAMP for the very first time!! It was at the opening of the CLAMP art exposition from Paris. I plan to do a more detailed report, with pictures and videos, not only from yesterday but also the next upcoming events concerning CLAMP in Paris, once I'm settled down because ever since I came here I haven't got too much "computer time" ^^'

In the meantime, please check kei_san77-san's great report from CLAMP's appearance at the opening of their exhibition here.

Here's a video with Mokona shot by me! They were all extremely nice and polite to everyone, as you can see from the video.


I've met some few LJers already and it has been great, here's hoping that I shall meet a few more of you!

EDIT: Here are two more videos. The first one is from CLAMP's arrival to the place and the second one is after they came out of the building where they were interviewed by three local TV channels, and they kindly spoke to everyone who was waiting outside for them.

Posting from Paris! Sorry I'm late, but it was just bound to happen while I'm here ^^'

( July Edition )

MyCom and GameSpot have articles about the upcoming release of Tekken 6, in the MyCom one it's possible to see the extra costume designed by CLAMP for the character Jin Kazama:


It's also possible to check how the costume will look like in the video game itself (extremely faithful if you ask me!).

Also, by the way, I sort of have an announcement to make! Tomorrow I'll be flying to Paris, France, where I'll be attending to Japan Expo! No need to say that I will do as much as I possibly can to bring as much info as I possibly can! Also, I would like to meet as much people as I possibly can too xD If you're going, make sure to meet me (how? I've no idea, but just do it xD)

My trip also implies that there might be some delay of posting the possible news that might come up during the period while I'm there, and while I would like to apologize in advance, I honestly hope that you can understand that =)

I'm very excited and hoping to meet some of you there!

Here are two torrents (probably the same file though) to download the OAD of XXXHOLiC Shunmuki Part 2:

Torrent 1
Torrent 2

Pick only one of the two sources, no need to download both =)

Update: Direct download link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=55SWGC55

Update 2: cardcaptorkiki has scans of XXXHOLiC #15 (including the cover, box, dvd, etc.) in here.

XXXHOLiC #15 has been officially released today in Japan and along with it, the limited edition that comes with the OAD of XXXHOLiC Shunmuki Part 2.

Today the official website of the Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC OADs updated to announce the production of a brand new OAD for XXXHOLiC.

The new installment will be released with the limited edition of XXXHOLiC #16. PRODUCTION I.G and Tsutomu Mizushima (director) will remain in the staff.

The release date is still undecided.

The obi strip that comes with XXXHOLiC #15, apart from announcing the OAD sequel, it reveals that the XXXHOLiC comics have sold so far over 10 million copies.


Double congratulations to XXXHOLiC!

More details about the OAD will be given in due course. Stay tuned!

hiro_bnk has let me know that the Desucon website has put up a picture gallery including 12 pictures from Kiyokazu Fujimoto's lecture from June 6.

You can check the pictures here. Make sure to click on the pictures to see them in high resolution.


I spotted one tiny mistake in Fujimoto's slideshow, CLAMP attended Anime Expo in 2006, not 2007 xD

Really interesting! I loved his slideshow, it looks so neat!

CLAMP-NET.COM updated XXXHOLiC's schedule to include a break, postponing its return by a week.

The new schedule becomes the following:

06/15 - Young Magazine #29 - No XXXHOLiC scheduled (on sale).
06/22 - Young Magazine #30 - No XXXHOLiC scheduled.
06/29 - Young Magazine #31 - No XXXHOLiC scheduled.
07/06 - Young Magazine #32 - Chapter 183 - Beginning of tankoubon 16.

Also, CLAMP-NET.COM no longer lists color pages, not even for XXXHOLiC, how bad is that? xD

Several online stores such as Amazon have been listing the release date of CLAMP IN AMERICA to February 23, 2010. The official website of publisher Del Rey confirms the postponement for such date.

Although no official word has been given, one of the reasons for the change could be due to the increase of page numbers. The book, that covers CLAMP's career during its 20 years of history and their impact in the American culture, was originally expected to have 144 pages. Now, it is being listed as having 336 pages (more than the double).

The price has been increased as well by extent, from US$ 19.99 to US$24.99.

Thanks to shidouhikaru15 for poking me about that ^^

Scans and translations at MangaHelpers.

( Comments! )

By the way guys, the official website of Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC OAD updated with comments from the staff and cast of XXXHOLiC Shunmuki Part 2 during the after-recording sessions. The OAD will be released next week, on June 23, along with XXXHOLiC #15.

CLAMP is involved in yet another collaboration project.

This time they were invited to design an extra costume for the character Kazuma Jin of Namco's game Tekken 6, from the popular Tekken series.

The game will be relased for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and it's scheduled for Autumn 2009.

Here's a preview of the costume designed by CLAMP:


According to CLAMP-NET.COM, more details along with CLAMP's comments will be published in this week's Shonen Magazine.

This is the first time CLAMP draws for a game.

I used to play Tekken 3 so much xD I really love this series, I'm very glad CLAMP is involved in this project.

Today is the birthday of CLAMP member Mokona! She's turning 41 today.


Here's wishing all the best to her! ♥

CLAMP posted a letter in CLAMP-NET.COM explaining the full story about the video Mugen no Yami―echo of the past, for which CLAMP drew illustrations for, that surfaced on the japanese video sharing website NicoNico a few days ago.

The letter is quite long and they apologized for posting it in the NEWS section since it doesn't really falls into the "news" category, but it was the most suitable place to publish it.

I'm gonna try to quickly summarize it.

Basically CLAMP always liked Vocaloid and the original video creations that are posted daily on NicoNico. They like to check on the videos during intervals between work.

One day one of the members found the song Mugen no Yami[original] (it did not have the suffix echo of the past yet) on NicoNico and all 4 immediately fell in love with it. But one thing bugged them: the screen was pitch black. They didn't think that was "fair" for such a beautiful tune.

For their surprise, the composer of that song was was Shinji Hosoe, who has composed music for several games of ARIKA, the game developer company where CLAMP's long time friend Ichirou Mihara works at.

Basically they talked to each other and CLAMP asked Shinji Hosoe's permission to make a video (their idea was to make a PV out of it) of the song, which he agreed. Ichirou Mihara was then in charge of animating it.

It took one month to get the work concluded, using their own share of sleep time.

At the end CLAMP thanks everyone who watched the video, commented and added it to their favorites.

Of course, this is just a quick summary, the original letter is much bigger and very detailed. So if you are interested in the full story make sure to check it (and if you want to contribute with more information, you are welcomed!). If you find any mistakes in my amateur translation please let me know!

They also added a new illustration featuring Chibi Miku:

Oricon announced a list of the 50 top-selling mangas in Japan from November 2008 to May 2009.

CLAMP appears in the list with 3 titles.

24 - XXXHOLiC #14 - 465,760 copies sold
38 - Tsubasa #25 - 332,338 copies sold
42 - Tsubasa #26 - 321,461 copies sold

XXXHOLiC #14 was the 3rd best-selling manga of Kodansha, only behind Saint Onii-san #3 and Vagabond #29.

Click here to view the full list.

Congratulations to CLAMP!! =D

For those who were curious about it, here is the paper message that comes as a bonus for those who purchase Satsuki Igarashi's Shimarisu no Hoobukuro book in one of the 10 selected Animate stores:


On other news, CLAMP made a slight participation in NHK's show TV Senshi, sort of.

TV Senshi is a show aimed at children and young teenagers. In today's episode, one of the young hostesses, Fujii Chiho, asked her favorite mangaka (CLAMP) to draw her character "Happy Ko" from one of the show's corners, Girls Communication.

CLAMP members themselves didn't appear on the show, only the illustration they did of "Happy Ko":


Click to enlarge it.

Here's a picture of Fujii Chiho:


I thought CLAMP's drawing was adorably similar xD Also quite a lot like Tomoyo.

Update: I thought that was the full illustration, but no! Here is the same illustration in a wider view:


Click to enlarge it.

Update 2: The show's official website has the illustration in its full extent!