[Review] Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Book 1

Here's another one of my slapdash reviews.

Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Book 1 (of 4) published by Dark Horse is like the previously released omnibuses; nicely made, great compilation, heavy, wanting hardback. Someone commented in a previous post, and asked how the Chobits omnibus binding stood up against the test of reading. The binding was strong, but the book is heavy. I'm sure I will be happy to fork over another $10 for the Kindle version. I'm fairly careful with my books in general, and I don't really read my books more than once in a short period of time, so I could not accurately predict how well these omnibuses will stand against time and multiple readings. CCS Book 1 is about 586 pages (with the illustrations). It's a large book; larger than the original manga size and larger (but thinner) than the Chobits omnibus; coincidentally the size of the original Rayearth manga. Out of the two translators credited, one was also cited as the translator for Tokyopop's version. Of course, the editor is different. I appreciate the time that Dark Horse has taken to review the prior English translation. The translation is smooth, and there were no americanizations that I could see.

I have a scattered collection of CCS; a few original Japanese, Kodansha's bilingual version and a couple of Tokyopop's volumes (see above photo for size comparisons). Again, I do appreciate being able to collect the whole series with all the colored illustrations affordably through Dark Horse's release. On the slightly downside, the colored pages seem awkwardly inserted as compared to the Clover & Chobits releases. The original colored pages are still in b&w, but the said illustrations are either compiled in the back of the book or inserted inside probably not, but seemingly randomly ordered. I suppose it's not too big a deal since the pages do not consist of panels from the story. Anyway, I recommend these omnibuses for any CLAMP fan and to anyone who enjoys the magical girl genre of manga.

[Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Book 1 @ Amazon]
[Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Book 2 @ Amazon] - release date December 21st

[News] New CLAMP goods at Animate

CLAMP-NET has updated with news that Animate.jp has added new CLAMP merchandise including new clear files, a postcard set and a new accessory collection. Click here to search for the CLAMP items.

[Update] more CLAMP Twitter accounts open

Tsubasa's white Mokona has a twitter account @CLAMP_mokonaW.

xxxHolic's black Mokona has a twitter account @CLAMP_mokonaB.

Both Mokonas seem to be responding to every account that follows them. Cute.

[News] CLAMP-NET

CLAMP-NET's mid-November update: no new scheduling breaks, very few changes, please see the prior post for what's coming up.

[Event] xxxHolic Dear Stage event

In celebration of the xxxHolic DVD box set releases, there will be an event taking place in Akihabara.

Place: Akihabara Dear Stage, DEMPA building
Dates: November 12-14
What: Themed decoration & food, bromide sales (sounds like photos of idols in cosplay), exhibition gallery of the anime production, etc.
Price: 500 yen entrance fee

From the website, the place sounds a little like it is geared towards the female-idol-loving crowd, but if you go, please feel free to post your impressions.

[Cover] Magic Knight Rayearth DVD Box

Natalie.mu has an image of the Magic Knight Rayearth's DVD box (it's slightly different than the previous promo image). It will be on sale December 22nd.

[News] CLAMP @MOBiLE official twitter and new Kobato. illustration

CLAMP-NET has updated with the start of CLAMP@MOBiLE's official twitter page.

@CLAMP_news
And it looks like a couple more twitter accounts are to come: @CLAMP_mokonaw for Tsubasa tweets and @CLAMP_mokonaB for xxxHolic tweets, and they will be places where you may be able to ask questions and get answers.


Also, Newtype 1 will also have a calendar supplement with a new Kobato. illustration. The magazine will be out December 10th.

I apologize to CLAMP@MOBiLE for taking the twitter account @clampnews which has the lj community twitterfeed running through it. :)

[News] xxxHolic ◆Kei DVD Box

The xxxHolic ◆Kei DVD box will be on sale January 26th. No word on what the extras are yet.
[credits: Animate]

[News] CLAMP@MOBiLE Fes！2011

More information has been released about the CLAMP@MOBiLE Fes！2011 exhibition. Sadly, everything is members-only. It will be held at the Amlux Tokyo (Ikebukuro, Tokyo) February 5-6th.

The exhibition will feature original color artwork from xxxHolic, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, Kobato. and GATE 7. Event merchandise will also be sold.

The special event on the 6th will be a screening of the xxxHolic·Rou Adayume OAD. The audience of 200 will be picked by lottery from members-only applications due Dec 20th. All four CLAMP members will participate in a talk show, too.

[credits: natalie.mu]

[Cover] Kobato. Volume 5

Kobato.tv has updated with the cover of Volume 5 of the Kobato. manga. It will be released December 25th.

[Cover] Kobato. DVD Volume 12

Kobato.tv has updated with the cover of DVD Volume 12. The limited edition extra is a new drama cd titled 'A Day at the Bear's Baumkuchen Shop Part 5'. This is the last anime volume and will be out Dec 24th.

[News] CLAMP-NET

CLAMP-NET's beginning of November update: no new breaks, a couple new images...

Kobato. ~ [Newtype - monthly drops]
~no new scheduling breaks through Jan 10th~
November 26: DVD Volume 11
December 9: Newtype 1 with calender illustration
December 24: DVD Volume 12
December 24: Volume 5

xxxHOLiC ~ [Bessatsu Shonen Magazine - monthly chapters]
~no new scheduling breaks through Jan 8th~
March 9, 2011: Volume 19 (also available with OAD)
Date unknown: xxxHolic◆Kei anime DVD box set

GATE 7 ~ [JUMP SQ. - regular series starting in 2011]
November 4: GATE 7 one-shot in Jump SQ
December 18-19: CLAMP's autograph will be a part of an exhibition at JUMP Festa
February 4: GATE 7 regular serialization starts
Date unknown: Mangettes

ETC.

November 17: Aoi Tori's Peter Pan with CLAMP illustrations
December 22: Magic Knight Rayearth re-released in a DVD box set
February 2011: CLAMP@MOBILE Fes art exhibit at Ikebukuro for members-only
February 2011: CLAMP in America
Date unknown: Code Geass GAIDEN: Boukoku no Akito

*updates

ETA: updated for mid-Nov update.

OTHER

For Amazon.jp's 10th Anniversary, CLAMP has been entered into their Hall of Fame along with a few other mangaka based on their sales & review rankings. [AV Watch]