CLAMP’s ambiguous relationships: key to their success or just a side appeal?

For anyone familiar with the golden age of manga, the name CLAMP should ring a bell. Formed in the early 90s, CLAMP is a legendary group of four Japanese women: Nanase Ōkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi. For die-hard fans (let’s call them CLAMPists), these names should definitely resonate. If they do, congrats! 🎉 !

Fun fact: some of CLAMP’s characters are named after themselves. Though it’s a minor detail, it adds a fun layer of personal connection that more manga artists could adopt.

Mokona’s role in CLAMP’s universe: character evolution in Tsubasa and Rayearth

Does the name “Mokona” sound familiar? Most likely! Mokona, the adorable creature with a round face, captured the hearts of millions in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle (2003). But did you know Mokona’s first appearance was actually in Magic Knight Rayearth in 1994? Back then, this lovable being didn’t speak much—something that would have probably pleased Tsubasa’s Kurogane!

For loyal CLAMP fans, names like Nekoi and Satsuki might also ring a bell, especially recalling the intense showdown between Yuzuriha Nekoi and Satsuki Yatōji in X/1999. Like Mokona, these characters crossed over into Tsubasa, creating a fascinating multiverse of stories and relationships.

X/1999 Series Available on Crunchyroll

Now that we’ve refreshed your memory about this iconic quartet, let’s dig into the key aspect of their fame. It’s no secret that CLAMP built their success, in part, on their portrayal of “ambiguous” relationships—sometimes between characters of the same sex or even with significant age differences (Professor Terada from Cardcaptor Sakura is a prime example).

While some of these relationships might feel problematic by today’s standards, especially from a Western perspective, CLAMP’s ability to keep readers engaged and guessing is undeniable.

Breaking genre boundaries: CLAMP’s impact on shoujo, Yaoi, and Yuri manga

Primarily known as shoujo manga artists, CLAMP shattered genre boundaries early in their careers, drawing readers into a universe that blended different genres and relationship dynamics. One thing that appealed to their audience—mainly female readers—was the ambiguous nature of male relationships, a trend that rose alongside the popularity of Yaoi and Shounen-Ai in Japan.

The rise of CLAMP’s ambiguous relationships in manga: exploring RG Veda

Take RG Veda, for instance. Yaoi fans often interpret the relationship between Yasha and Ashura as romantic, but CLAMP never makes it explicit. While there’s an undeniably strong bond between the two, especially compared to Yasha’s relationship with his brother Rasetsu, the nature of their connection is left to the reader’s interpretation. This ambiguity leaves room for debate—are they lovers, or is it just deep friendship?

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Interestingly, CLAMP tends to treat potential Yuri couples with more clarity. For example, RG Veda’s Kendappa and Soma have a more open, albeit subtle, expression of affection. Kendappa’s suggestive remarks toward Soma are hard to deny, though male characters often remain shrouded in ambiguity.

Tokyo Babylon: exploring CLAMP’s use of ambiguous relationships

Tokyo Babylon offers another prime example of CLAMP’s talent for frustrating—and intriguing—readers with ambiguous relationships. Seishiro and Subaru’s dynamic keeps fans guessing. While the summary of the story hints that they are more than just friends, the teasing, playful nature of their interactions adds layers of complexity. Seishiro’s comical teasing of Subaru almost mirrors the behaviour of Hokuto, Subaru’s twin sister, making it difficult to take their relationship seriously at first glance.

Still, fans shouldn’t expect a dynamic like Sakura and Shaoran from Cardcaptor Sakura—CLAMP’s male relationships, especially when they lean toward Yaoi, tend to keep an air of mystery.

Shifting towards explicit representation: CLAMP’s evolution in Wish and beyond

By the mid-90s, however, CLAMP began to take a more assertive approach to representing same-sex couples. Take Wish, for example. The relationship between Kokuyo and Hisui is far more explicit. These two characters—who live their love openly—show a shift in CLAMP’s willingness to explore male relationships beyond mere subtext.

Interestingly, like Ashura in RG Veda, Hisui is asexual, yet CLAMP refers to both characters using masculine pronouns, adding further layers to their identities.

The Sinful Child, the story of four young adults and their secret life in Mylerna

Touya and Yukito: CLAMP’s most famous ambiguous couple in Cardcaptor Sakura

No discussion of CLAMP’s ambiguous relationships would be complete without mentioning Touya and Yukito from Cardcaptor Sakura. While over time, CLAMP has added more layers of emotional depth to their relationship, they still leave much up to interpretation. Are they just close friends, or is there something more between them? Some fans argue their connection is obvious, while others claim there’s nothing explicit enough to say for sure. It all depends on your perspective!

Does CLAMP’s success stem from their ambiguous relationships?

So, is CLAMP’s success tied solely to their approach to ambiguous relationships? Yes and no.

Yes, because their portrayal of these relationships has certainly influenced the broader shoujo genre and resonated with audiences eager for complex, non-traditional dynamics. However, CLAMP’s impact is not limited to this. Their exploration of diverse genres, intricate world-building, and stunning art have all played a major role in cementing their place in manga history.

What do you think?

Were CLAMP’s ambiguous relationships the reason you got hooked on their works? Or was it something else that drew you in? Drop a comment below and let us know which CLAMP manga made you a fan!

✨ See you soon for another deep dive into the world of CLAMP! 👋🏿✨