CLAMP and X JAPAN Collaboration: Legendary 1993 "X" Music Video Available on YouTube for a Limited Time!
A legendary collaboration that took the anime and manga world by storm in the 90s, but has long been considered a "lost treasure," is resurfacing. The 1993 animated music video for "X", which brought together the giants of the manga world CLAMP and the iconic Japanese rock band X JAPAN, is available to viewers on YouTube for a limited time until July 31, 2026. This special release serves as a time capsule for both manga lovers and J-Rock enthusiasts.
Originally part of the OVA project titled X² (Double-X), this music video brought together some of the most talented names of its era. The video was directed by Rintaro, known for masterpieces such as Galaxy Express 999 and Metropolis, while the animation production was handled by the legendary Madhouse studio. Character designs and animation direction were handled by Nobuteru Yuki. The video features mesmerizing visuals depicting the tragic fates of the manga's main characters, Kamui Shiro and Fuma Monou, set to X JAPAN's high-energy song "X".
One of the elements that makes this collaboration so special is that both parties shared the same name and were at the pinnacle of Japanese pop culture in the early 90s. X (also known as X/1999), which began serialization in Monthly Asuka magazine in 1992, quickly became a phenomenon with its dark and epic story set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. However, the series went on an indefinite hiatus in 2003 due to the sensitivity of themes like social unrest and earthquakes in Japan clashing with the level of violence in the story. Although the CLAMP team wanted to finish the story with their planned harsh ending, disagreements with the publisher caused the manga to remain unfinished at 18.5 volumes.
This "ghost" production, which was not available on any official platform for many years, is now accessible for free on YouTube following its digital remaster release on Crunchyroll. The video, shared by Aniplex, brings the unique aesthetic of the 90s and CLAMP's detailed drawing style to modern screens. If you miss Kamui's story on that fine line between saving or destroying the world, or if you want to see X JAPAN's stage energy blended with animation, don't forget that you have until July 31!
