CLAMP
1990, Shinshokan , Japan
Christine Schiling, Haruko Furukawa (English Adaptation)
2005, Tokyopop , USA
Action/ adventure
10/10 stars
CLAMP’s debut manga sets the staple and standard for the rest of their works. It’s a blood-chilling yet beautiful romp.
Based on an ancient legend, RG VEDA tells the story of Ashura, Yasha and Kuyou as they struggle to prevent a prophecy from becoming reality – a prophecy which foretells the destruction of heaven and earth. While the seers say their plight is hopeless, Yasha and Kuyou aren’t about to give in. They are the strongest warriors of a war torn world, and what’s more, they’re arch enemies.
Kuyou, having killed the godking and shattered the peace of heaven, now rules earth by ruthless blade. Meanwhile Yasha, the king of a (now) extinct tribe of warriors, takes into his care a tiny child, Ashura. Ashura is the sole descendant of the greatest warriors who ever lived, wiped from the earth by Kuyou. While Yasha is fully aware that Ashura’s destiny is to fulfil the prophecy (as well as to kill Yasha), so too does the earth’s only hope for salvation lie with the child.
CLAMP’s debut work is undoubtedly among its finest. Yasha’s world is rich with detail, both in story and art. An intense story, warring tribes and blood-thirsty villains make RG VEDA an impacting, engrossing read. And as for the artwork – gorgeous! Though the style retains a strong 80’s influence, evident in the big hair and starry eyes, it is also distinctly CLAMP. No buckle, sequin or chain link is spared. Every panel is a calorific feast for the eyes; sounds strange, but it’s true!
Many of the staples of CLAMP’s later work are present here. Visually, I have two honourable/ dishonourable mentions. One is the shoulder-to-hip ratio, which is approximately 5:1. Yasha’s shoulders in particular are enormous. His shoulder measurement is more like the wingspan of a biplane. Of course, this is typical CLAMP, so it serves only to add to RG VEDA’s beauty.
Second mention is the super-deformed faces, namely Ashura’s. The use of SD is great- it adds an element of humour much needed in such a drama heavy story. It also rather suits Ashura, which is where the next dishonourable mention comes in. Ashura is a child, true. So it’s understandable that he might be a little androgenous. But give him thick eyelashes, a piggytail and a dress, and Ashura’s a girl! And a good-looking girl, at that.
Since this ambiguity of gender is another favourite ploy of CLAMP’s to addle the minds of their readers, I’ll grin and bear it. But seriously, if I hadn’t seen the panel of an adult, nude Ashura (you don’t see anything; down, fangirls!), I wouldn’t have believed he was a he, no matter how many times he was referred to as such. Not even if Mokona Apapa herself had told me.
Extra honourable mentions go to the bonus features, created by CLAMP. The retake on a few of the volume’s panels, plus CLAMP’s newsletter are great for a laugh, and provide insight into the secret lives of the group. The newsletter is a feature sorely missed in later CLAMP works, such as Card Captor Sakura and xxxHolic.
RG VEDA: read it! Else Yasha will be after you with his er, ramen delivery sword.
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