X
Synopsis
In the fight between the Dragons of Heaven and the Dragons of Earth, the dream seer Princess Hinoto predicts the end of humanity. A central entity, 15-year-old Kamui Shirou, is to choose whether to ally with the Dragons of Earth and destroy civilization to protect the planet or with the Dragons of Heaven to save mankind. Following his mother's last wish, Kamui returns to Tokyo after six years of self-imposed exile. There, he attempts to steal the Sacred Sword from the temple protected by Kyougo Monou—the father of his childhood friends, Fuuma and Kotori. However, after Kamui's venture fails, a mysterious person manages to obtain the sword instead. Believing Kamui to be the man in her prophecy, Hinoto sends the Dragons of Heaven after him to rally him to their cause. Although Kamui first rejects his destiny, the incessant attacks by the Dragons of Earth against those he holds dear push him to decide whether the lives of his friends should prevail over the fate of the Earth and finally pick a side. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions on X are mixed. While praised for its visuals, soundtrack, and moments of emotional depth, the series is criticized for pacing problems, a repetitive plot, and a disappointing ending. Many feel that the anime fails to live up to the potential of its source material, resulting in a somewhat unfulfilling experience.
Strengths
- Visually stunning, especially the use of color and CLAMP's character designs.
- The soundtrack is powerful and emotionally resonant, enhancing the impact of key scenes.
- Some characters are well-developed and memorable, exploring interesting moral questions and personal struggles.
Weaknesses
- Pacing issues, with some episodes dragging and others feeling rushed.
- The plot can be repetitive and lacks nuance, relying too heavily on the concept of destiny.
- The ending is considered disappointing and non-canonical, leaving many unresolved issues and plot threads.
- Several changes from the manga detract from the overall narrative