X

About X

Here is what X (X -エックス-) is about, retold in plain terms: an action, drama and fantasy anime by MADHOUSE (1996). The setup: The future of the universe rests on one young man, Kamui Shirou, who has to destroy either the Dragons of Earth or the Dragons of Heaven - two opposing armies. He alone must decide whether humanity should be destroyed to create a purified universe, or whether it should be protected to preserve civilization.

Further in, two oracles, the sisters Hinoto and Kanoe foresee the coming of the Dragons and predict opposite outcomes. Each sister gathers strength and ammunition to insure her own vision for the future. However, neither sister realizes that there is one man who has an even greater power than the Dragons, and that ultimately he will determine the fate of the earth.

In an action series like this, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Kouichi Yamadera as Sorata Arisugawa and Tomokazu Seki as Kamui Shirou. This one is best suited to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. With 1 episodes in total, there is enough room for the story to develop.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with MADHOUSE, which means the visual identity of X follows that studio's craft. Because it leans on action, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Its 6.1/10 score suggests opinions are split, so it suits viewers who already like the genre. Voice casting, including Kouichi Yamadera as Sorata Arisugawa, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. It aired in 1996, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.