Wait, am I still talking about CLAMP in Paris? I guess xD

A promise is a promise and I promised I would share the audio from CLAMP's public conference at Japan Expo and here it is!

It was recorded by eolo, who was sitting 2 seats beside me, and transferring the file from his iPhone to the computer proved to be harder than we thought (which is why it took us this long). But he made it nevertheless and here it is! Thank you very much, Marco!

The file has 157 MB, the beginning has CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2 (which was screened twice) and the ending has 3 minutes of absolutely no sound. I tried to edit the audio file and cut the beginning and ending but the output file ended up being even larger than the original file. Since I didn't want to compromise its quality, I decided to share the original file, no editions.

The quality is great, it might get too loud whenever the audience cheers but well, it WAS loud even for us who were there, so xD Basically if you know french you'll be able to understand all of it ^^

Enjoy it!

( Download )

On another small piece of news, I was looking at the members section of CLAMP-NET.COM yesterday and Nanase Ohkawa mentions that she will be writing the script for the new XXXHOLiC OAD that will come with volume 16.

It was sort of expected but it's nice anyway to have a confirmation ^^

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
CLAMP-NET.COM

>> 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 signing session: http://www.dailymotion.com/search/clamp/video/x9ufrf_clamp-seance-de-dedicace-japan-expo_fun
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

EDIT:
>> Videos:
CLAMP drawing the XXXHOLiC illustration at the Public Conference:
http://chibiyuuto.livejournal.com/262877.html?thread=10833885#t10833885

• 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

EDIT: Updated to add three new pictures of the opening ceremony of the CLAMP Exposition provided by CLAMP-NET.COM, showing the CLAMP members shaking hands with the Culture Secretary of Paris, Christophe Girard, and the Libarian in charge of the Paris Bibliothèques, Danielle Pourtaud.

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.

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.

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!

Last month I mentioned that Kiyokazu Fujimoto from CLAMP's management company Pyrotechnist would give a lecture at the Finnish anime convention Desucon.

The event took place in the last weekend, hiro_bnk-san went to his lecture and has kindly wrote a report about it, which can be found here.


Kiyokazu Fujimoto is the third from the left. On his right is seiyuu Tooru Furuya, who also attended the event.

A few more pictures can be found in the event's blog.

Here's some of the highlights of his lecture according to the report:

- CLAMP works whenever they feel like it. They have even drawn on an airplane giving originals back and forth over the benches.
- CLAMP has meetings with a Pyrotechnist member once a week. The contents of the meetings are merchandising and advertisement, never about the content of CLAMP's works.
- Nanase Ohkawa doesn't like traveling abroad.
- Tsubasa and XXXHOLiC will end before the end of the year.

I was surprised with Ohkawa not liking travels, LOL at CLAMP working even on the airplane (can't blame them, 12 hours or more of travel) and the part with "before the end of the year" is too vague if you ask me xD

Update: I was told by hiro_bnk that the Desucon staff recorded the lecture but unfortunately Fujimoto did not want the video put online.

In addition to CLAMP's appearance in this year's edition of Japan Expo in France, there's going to be a CLAMP exposition in Paris at La Galerie des Bibliothèques.

The exhibition will run from July 3 to September 27 and will feature CLAMP's original art (colored and black and white) sorted by themes. Screening of CLAMP's animes and discussion groups are also scheduled.

For more details (such as address and prices) check here.

The exhibition is said to be an extension of the one that happened last year at the Bande Dessinée festival, with Julien Bastide and Nathalie Bougon repeating their roles as curators.

This is for the people who live in Finland, or near it =)

CLAMP's executive producer, Kiyokazu Fujimoto, will be giving a lecture at the Finnish anime convention Desucon, to take place on the 6th and 7th of June.

Kiyokazu Fujimoto is the Chief of the project department of Pyrotechnist, the company that works as CLAMP's managing agent. He has been involved in the production of several CLAMP animes, including XXXHOLiC and CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2.

According to the website, in his lecture, Fujimoto will cover topics such as working with CLAMP and their publishers, what is Pyrotechnist and what they do, the process of making CLAMP mangas into animes and CLAMP's future projects. The lecture will given in japanese but translated to english finnish.

In case you're wondering, yes, the name of Fujimoto's character of Kobato. was given after him.

Does anyone reading this live in Finland? Or near it? Or knows someone who can go? Sounds like a great lecture that might provide us some inside information about CLAMP and what they might be up to.

I definitely wouldn't miss it if I lived any nearer the region =)

Also, this is the first time that I heard of someone from Pyrotechnist giving lectures about CLAMP.

Japan Expo staff has made it possible for anyone to send their questions to CLAMP to be answered in their public conference at the event (similar to what was done for Anime Expo in 2006).

The event's official website has more information on how to submit your question (basically you must fill a form).

The deadline is May 15.

They have also announced the day of CLAMP's first public conference: Saturday, July 4.

LOL at their first question example: When the X series will be finished? I so wanna hear them answering that question for the thousandth time (and it's the thousandth time and is even bolder, Teddy Picker, love this song xD).

Give it your best shot and ask away!

More updates from CLAMP's visit to the 10th edition of Japan Expo in France, Paris this July.

Following their activities as Guests of Honor, the event's official website announced that CLAMP will give two sign sessions.

Details of dates and hours of the sign sessions will be announced soon.

Other activities of CLAMP in the 4 days of event include two public conferences and a CLAMP Cosplay Contest as judges.

The official website of Japan Expo reports that CLAMP will be making two public conferences during their attendance.

Busy days for CLAMP at the event, they are also planned to participate as judges of the special Cosplay Contest of CLAMP characters.

Details of dates will be given soon.

Japan Expo will be held in Paris, France, from the 2nd to 5th of July.

I wonder if one can participate of both conferences, or I wonder if the Cosplay Contest is a plus (probably), not one of these two public appearances.

Great exclusive material today!

Remember last year when CLAMP was featured in the Bande Dessinée Festival, coincidentally also held in France? There was a video screening at the event showing CLAMP's studio along with an interview shot specifically for the event.

Turns out that video was included in a special DVD celebrating CLAMP's 20th Anniversary released exclusively in France!


The DVD was released by Kaze and Pika Édition and apart from the interview, it also contains the first episode of Angelic Layer, Chobits, XXXHOLiC and Tsubasa Chronicle (animes licensed by Kaze).

kei_san77 was kind enough to rip the video interview in high quality! There's a total of two videos. The first one is very short and it shows CLAMP working in their studio, the second video is the interview itself.



( Download )

Enjoy! kei_san77 told me she'll be sharing a translation of the interview, and since the French subs are attached to the video permanently, a simple subtitle file wouldn't work, anyone willing to make a nice subbed version of this would be welcomed! ^__^

I thought we might never have this video. I've been wanting it like crazy since the previews were available, being able to have it in such quality makes me very happy!

Update: Translation of the interview can be read here.

The first activity of CLAMP at the Japan Expo has been announced today by the event's official website: to judge a Cosplay Contest!

There will a special Cosplay Contest of CLAMP characters and the winners will be chosen by CLAMP themselves!

More details as they come! If you plan to participate, keep an eye on Japan Expo's website for instructions.

Thanks for letting me know, zero_no_tsubasa!

Breaking news european fans!!


CLAMP will land in Paris, France next July/2009! They will be Guests of Honor of the 10th edition of Japan Expo, which will happen from 2 to 5 of July.

The information comes from the event's official website.

Thanks miyazawa_lulu for the info xD

Okay so who's going? XD

Update: Official Press Release in PDF

The public screening of XXXHOLiC Shunmuki Part 1 was held yesterday in Tokyo, and here are a few highlights about both the OAD and the event itself:

Slight spoilers, maybe? Don't read if you want total surprise.

- The animation quality is better than the TV anime and closer to the movie;
- There is a connection with Tsubasa;
- There is the appearance of unexpected character(s);

- A package sample was shown. This time it'll be different than Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations. It'll be similar to Tsubasa Deluxe editions (comic + DVD case inside a hard case). Tsubasa Shunraiki will be the same.
- A 40-seconds preview of Tsubasa Shunraiki was shown. It'll be up at the official website soon.

XXXHOLiC Shunmuki will be released on February 17.

Last week I posted a picture from the CLAMP Talk Show that was held in Tokyo, this week I'm posting a picture from the Osaka event (Dec. 21) that was recently added to CLAMP in CARDLAND's official website.

This one was taken at the winning ceremonies which were presented by CLAMP:


We have another pic, weee! xD Ohkawa looks so pretty XD~

While surfing on CLAMP in CARDLAND's official website I came upon this tiny picture of CLAMP's Talk Show from the Tokyo event:


From left to right, we have: Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi (sporting her new, shorter haircut), Satsuki Igarashi and Nanase Ohkawa (with a very p!nk dress xD). In this picture they are talking about a card of Fye and Primera.

I have the impression this picture was there for some days now, but I only found it now xDD At least we have a picture! ♥

There are other pictures from the Osaka convention here, but so far no pictures of CLAMP's Talk Show from that day.

The winners had their favorite cards signed by the CLAMP members, like this one:

Fresh news from the CLAMP Talk Show that was held in Tokyo yesterday, at the CLAMP in CARDLAND 2nd Official Event.

When asked about Kobato. anime, Ohkawa said that she "can't tell yet" any information about it.

Exciting ^_~

More information on CLAMP's Talk Show and the possibility of a Kobato. anime as they come, stay tuned!

Both the NEWS BOARD section of CLAMP-NET.COM and CLAMP in CARDLAND's official website announced today the 2nd official event of CLAMP in CARDLAND.

The event will take place in two days at different venues, one in Tokyo on November 23 and one in Osaka on December 21.

A talk show with CLAMP is scheduled for both days, and in order to participate, one needs to:

- Submit a Booster Box barcode from either one of the 4 series released so far.

Or

- Submit the Dramatic Deck's barcodes from both Card Captor Sakura and X & Tokyo Babylon versions.

Winners will be chosen by lottery.

Cool thing! The first time the members of CLAMP appear in a CLAMP in CARDLAND event. As always, let's hope there will be coverages and pictures about these talk shows.

In addition, Series 4 has been released today in Japan and its Secret Card, Girls' Sea, has surfaced on Yahoo Auctions website:


The backside, showing the full illustration, has not appeared yet =/