Tokyo Babylon

Title:Tokyo Babylon
東京バビロン
Overall:Rent
Keywords: , , ,
Notables: Animation - Madhouse
Original Concept - CLAMP
TSURU Hiromi
Since the time of ancient Japan, Sumeragi clan has been the leading group of Onmyoujis who guard the souls and spirits. This is a story which concentrate on the social background and the inner feelings of the young leader of Sumeragi clan -- Subaru Sumeragi, his twin sister Hokuto Sumeragi, and their friend -- a generous vet as well as a ying-yang magician called Seishirou Sakurazuka who seems to be hiding his darker side of his character. The three of them help get rid of the darkness in the demonic city of Tokyo.

Prequel to the series X (TV).

Two OVA episodes (~45min each)

More info at Wikipedia ↗Tokyo_Babylon
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Watch 7 6 6 6 5 Ggultra2764 [series:125#1552]
Well, this proved a bit disappointing. Considering I've heard that Tokyo Babylon served as a sort of prequel to CLAMP's apocalyptic war hit X which focused on what led to the start of Subaru and Seishiro's rivalry, I bought this two-part OVA to see what led the two to be friends and become enemies. Regrettably, all I got were a couple occult mysteries Subaru became entangled with with Seishiro brutally dispatch whichever foe proved a threat to Subaru in both mysteries. The mysteries for Tokyo Babylon were kind of subpar as the main baddies for both were kind of shallow and archetypal with their motives and actions. While a few hints are dropped regarding the nature surrounding Seishiro and Subaru's bond, as well as Seishiro's secret identity, the anime doesn't really delve into great detail on these elements as this anime is yet another 90s one-shot OVA series put together to promote and snag folks into buying the manga source material of the series. Unless you are a huge CLAMP fan trying to snag any bit of the mangaka group's anime adaptations of their works, I'd just skip this and read the manga if you're dying to know of the early exploits of Subaru and Seishiro.

Last updated Monday, November 19 2012. Created Monday, November 19 2012.
Rent Agent420 [series:125#882]
To be honest, I haven't seen the fucking thing. So why am I reviewing? Because Tokyo Babylon deserves it, dammit.
This title is quite possibly the best manga series ever created. Am I generalising? Possibly. But I've read a hell of a lot of manga, and this one just scarred me to fucking pieces and turned me into a SPAWN reject. *coughs* Anyway.
I've heard quite a bit about this little chunk of TB goodness and it seems to be just another chapter in the saga to me. So you punks that are reviewing this and leaving little more than rat shit, get your sorry homophobic cooches out the door and buy the fucking manga. Then maybe you can leave a review that actually does justice to a series that cunts like you shouldn't be allowed to watch. Ahem. Not like I'm angry or anything. ^^
WELL ANYWAY, about TB in general... Dude, this story is REAL. Not only does it display more character development and maturation than any other story I've ever read (let alone manga), but it exposes people for what they actually ARE--imperfect, weak, and often very hideous beings. And the main character is just about the epitome of how innocence no longer exists in this world...but, goddamnit, can't go there. Spoilers, you know.
Well, I've rambled on long enough. I hope this thing is good so I don't make a complete chimp-ass out of myself for reveiwing something I haven't seen ^^;;
I suppose I'm just a bit pissy about the Feline Clan and their limp-noodle remarks.
Go on. Buy it. Cry. Be like me. You won't regret it.

Last updated Tuesday, July 29 2003. Created Tuesday, July 29 2003.
Buy 8 10 10 6 9 10 Anonymous #482 [series:125#482]
The Tokyo Babylon story is a beautiful work of art from CLAMP. The OAV is a seamless spin-off of the manga. It seems just like it could fit in the manga. I would not recommend it to anyone who has not read the manga (which is not available in the US T_T) as elements of the story aren't described in any detail. The episodes are almost like a cartoon version of The X-files, and the scenes with interaction between Subaru, Hokuto and Seichirou are downright adorable. Shounen-ai is hinted, although not as much as in manga.
For the rest of the anime in general, I agree with what was said by Midnighter ^_~
Now for the actual english version: I was rather disappointed in the Central Park version. The dub was okay, although things were changed here and there (Sei-chan, you made a bet [won't say what the bet was about...spoilers for the manga], NOT a promise to protect Subaru always....and why do dubbers add in words when there aren't any?) *cough* okay...rant over...um...and the sub: the subtitles hardly ever were timed right. At least on the DVD, I don't know about the tape.
Despite this, the two episodes are still enjoyable. I HIGHLY recommend TB to any Clamp fan. It is one of their earlier works and said to be one of their best. However, if you haven't read the manga, I suggest you do so firsthand...or find a summery about the story before you watch this.

Last updated Thursday, January 09 2003. Created Thursday, January 09 2003.
Buy 10 10 10 9 10 10 Anonymous #376 [series:125#376]
Tokyo Babylon is quite simply my favorite manga of all time. When I first watched the anime, it was like a whole new world opening up for me, to see and hear Subaru, Hokuto, and Seishirou on screen. In contrast with other anime, we must keep in mind that since the OVA's are seperate from the actual storyline, one must view them with prior knowledge of the series to properly enjoy it.
The animation in the second OVA is most impressive. While Tokyo Babylon may have not had as huge of a budget as, say.. the X movie (which I also love, for much, much different reasoning), the animation is fantastic for it's money and especially it's time: the first in 1992 and the second in 1994, the eighties being an era in which unpopular series could fade into obscurity because of average animation. The design is the closest you could possibly come to the very detailed and extravagant art that CLAMP has for the manga, and I enjoy Hiroshi Abe's style very much. ^___^ (He was the key animator for both segments!)
The subtle romantic themes between Subaru and Seishirou in the first and especially second act (with the short reenactment of The Bet) make the whole of the film seem dreamlike in nature; also if you notice, the first OVA takes place mostly in the day or the end of the day, and the second blatantly between the hours of eleven pm and four in the morning. There are many symbolisms behind all of that, but I will try not to get into it. ^____^ As best I can.
The review directly above mine states that a shroud of mystery hangs over the story. Indeed, this is one of the most interesting facets of Tokyo Babylon that most other shounen-ai anime and even CLAMP in general (in their later careers) seems to miss. The supernatural and rather unnerving persons who surround Subaru Sumeragi --Hokuto and Seishirou, who seem to know everything -- make this a series no one would want to miss. ^___^
On with the non intellectual bitching.
Reading the few reviews up there (I noticed that CatWoman, The Coyote, and BlackPanther are all friends and/or related), I can tell that where you all come from, it must be very homophobic and close minded, since you think that Subaru is no longer a nice person because he loves a man. Remind me never to travel to the state you live in, bigots. (*mumbles something about women who only pay attention to you if they can screw you*)
Raa. Goodnight.

Last updated Sunday, September 01 2002. Created Sunday, September 01 2002.
Buy 8 8 9 8 10 10 boo [series:125#262]
If you are reading this, just read the review above mine. Enough said. Very nice background on Suburu and Seichiro. Solid animation and the mystery factor that brings you back to examine passed glances and awkward lines.

Last updated Friday, April 05 2002. Created Friday, April 05 2002.
Buy 8 8 7 7 8 Midnighter [series:125#94]
Well, apparrently intolerance is still alive and well in the "Land of the Free." You know, homophobia is repressed homosexuality. Anything any of the above reviewers would like to tell us?
OK, that's my nasty little rant on bigotry. On to the review!
Tokyo Babylon was one of the few Clamp animes that I actually liked. A dark, engaging story, thoughtful characters, good animation, and well written dialogue make for an interesting and enjoyable little OAV series.
Remember the two battling sorcerers at the beginning of the X movie? That's Subaru and Seichiro of Tokyo Babylon. The continuity between TB and X was a nice touch. Tokyo Babylon serves as a sort of prequel to X, adding depth and a history to the X-Universe.
Tokyo Babylon's stories follow Subaru, a descendent of a family of powerful psychics hired to look into a number of fatal and suspiscious accidents. The inevitable psychic battle is both visually impressive and well choreographed. The second story involves a subway serial killer and the post-cognative brought in to find him. Of course she confronts the killer and Subaru has to save her in a disappointing climax. One would think that a psychic of Subaru's obvious power would have no trouble dealing with a garden-variety slasher. Still, it's entertaining to watch it all unfold. The 2 post-cogs are an interesting touch as well.
The character designs are better than usual CLAMP fare, frighteningly long legs, freakishly broad shoulders and grotesquely small heads all wrapped in a horrible, horrible fasion sense. Subaru's androgynous looks made it confusing at times, as he has an identical twin sister! Everyone's outfits scream "80's" and are if nothing else good for a chuckle.
The backgrounds are elaborately detailed and nicely painted.
The music is good, and the "Strawberry Kiss Kiss" song is a catchy end song. I always like it when Japanese bands try to sing in English.
Overall, I enjoyed Tokyo Babylon, as it was short, easy to follow, and well written. The characters are all immensely likeable, and it's neat that it ties into the famous, bloated CLAMP epic X. Tokyo Babylon is worth the money spent.
3-25-02

Last updated Monday, March 25 2002. Created Monday, March 25 2002.
Avoid Black Panther [series:125#142]
I have only have seen the first two episodes, and it took me two times in watching it to make any sense of what was going on. The rest of my knowledge goes from other reviews. I can say for myself that I am not interested in this anime.

Last updated Wednesday, January 02 2002. Created Wednesday, January 02 2002.
Avoid CatWoman [series:125#65]
well I don't have too much to say about this one. The first two episodes are ok...there are even a few funny lines. But the main charicter is well really sweet...they say all the good guys go under Taken, dead, or gay...and this one would go under gay! The main Charicter ends up gay :(, He was so nice too! :(

Last updated Tuesday, June 05 2001. Created Tuesday, June 05 2001.
Avoid 6 6 3 4 3 The Coyote [series:125#64]
Ok I havn't read the manga and obviously that has somthin to do with why this made no sense at all to me. I was compleatly lost the hole time. I have other objections as well but I would probably unnessicarily offend some of the readers so I'll leave it at that. a definate avoid.

Last updated Tuesday, March 20 2001. Created Tuesday, March 20 2001.
Watch 8 8 10 6 7 6 Tsuki [series:125#8]
There are two OAVs, and I liked them OK, but really, I preferred the manga of Tokyo Babylon, as is much the case with many of CLAMP's stories.

Last updated Monday, September 06 1999. Created Monday, September 06 1999.

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