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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kesh" data-source="post: 1030255" data-attributes="member: 1308">*cracks his knuckles*Stand back, folks, I'll handle this one! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60e.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":cool:" title="Cool    :cool:"  data-smilie="6"data-shortname=":cool:" />X (aka X/1999) is actually based on a shoujo-manga (girl's comic), which was in turn based on a movie.The story revolves around the end of the world, and the people fighting to determine humanity's fate. There are two main factions:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Dragons of Heaven (aka The Seven Seals)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Dragons of Earth (aka The Seven Angels or The Seven Harbringers)</li> </ul>The Dragons of Heaven are fighting to preserve humanity and generally are the 'good guys'. The Dragons of Earth are fighting to save the planet itself from the ravages of humanity, preferably by wiping humans out.Each is comprised of seven individuals. However, there is one young man who has yet to choose sides: Kamui Shirow. It soon becomes clear that, out of everyone on the planet, he is the only one who can truely choose his own fate. Does he become a Dragon of Heaven and protect humanity, or a Dragon of Earth and return the planet to its natural beauty?The trouble is... he doesn't want to be either. He honestly doesn't care about the end of the world... he just wants to go on living his life. Kamui really is an anti-hero in this series, apparently caring about no one but himself.Not by a long shot! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Each member of the DoH and DoE have fantastic powers, to the point of destroying entire buildings with their telekinetic abilities. Some can also magically create objects, summon spirits, see the future, or cast illusion spells. We're talking destructive power on the levels of Akira!But, when you get right down to it, this is a story about family, loss, and the right to choose your own destiny. How far will you go to protect those you love? Or to make right what so many people have done wrong? What really is your greatest wish in the world?There's a ton of symbolism in this series. It deals with the duality of human emotions, and how two people can sometimes be mirror opposites of one another. Religious symbols are everywhere, and fully half the Dragons of Heaven are members of one religion or another (Buddhist, Catholic and a couple more esoteric ones). Crosses, pentacles, and other imagery abound.Be warned that the series is certainly violent, and there's a decent bit of blood in spots. And, if you're offended by some blasphemous imagery, well... you were warned. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> There's no nudity or foul language (beyond the occasional 'damn'), but some of the emotional scenes are rather powerful. If you don't get a bit misty-eyed at the end of certain episodes, you need to check your pulse. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> Others will leave you flinching or covering your eyes because what happened is so painful to think about.I'm babbling, aren't I? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" /> Anyway, it's a very good series, and the first anime series that made me want to collect it. They're on volume 6 of 8 right now, using a bi-monthly release schedule. The first disc can be purchased in a special collector's box, and you can find the others either in plain DVD cases, or in limited edition black slipcovers.Oh, and be aware that the movie is also available on DVD. I would avoid it, though, as it will spoil pretty much the whole series from what I understand. Just be sure your disc says X [One], and you'll have volume 1 of the TV series.I'd love to write more, but I'd end up spoiling too much. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60e.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":cool:" title="Cool    :cool:"  data-smilie="6"data-shortname=":cool:" /></blockquote>

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