ED Discussion

[cardslash02.livejournal.com]

Here's some copypasta from 4chan:

"Devil Wings: Show a willingness to ignore the repercussions of terrible deeds, and a connection with each other. Four characters have these: the grandest, Lelouch, the middle ground, Kallen, one fully grown wing, CC, and the weak single wing, Rollo. These wings are both a show in villainy and a connection to Lelouch, the most previlant devil shown.

Fake Angel Wings: There are two scenes with what appears to be ceramic angel wings. These must symbolize a false purity, an agenda beyond the true noble calling the wings seem to convey. Anya seems to lean on one, showing her possible faith in this false ideal, and VV spouts them.

True Angel Wings: In the lead here is Suzaku, the character with the most profound scope of making a better world without extraneous sacrifice, with brilliant white wings which out-span any other. Next is Anya, who has medium sized wings, showing she has a similar attitude to Suzaku and Euphie, yet her path is more developed than Euphie's own, whose wings are stunted, probably by her untimely death by the hands of Lelouch. The final character with angel wings is Rollo again, who seems in conflict about which path to take.

No wings: I would say it means that they either haven't found a path yet or genuinely don't let one mindset bind them down. Nunnaly, Zino, Cornelia, and the Emperor... by the characters like this, it also probably means that they aren't necessarily trying to change the world, but to just live life as life is given to them.

Gold Chains: Everyone has these chains. The amount a person is tangled is probably paramount on how much this person is held back by their relations with other characters. Kallen is chained like a dog, around the neck. CC's wing is tangled, showing her relationships hurt her effectiveness to Lelouch. Cornelia is bound only by her sword, as if she could give up all ties if she gave up battle. Suzaku's arms are tangled, giving a sense that his full might is somehow impeded by commitment. Lelouch has only a loop around his arm, most likely signaling Nunnaly, which is dangerously loose. Characters such as Nunnaly, Euphie, the emperor, and VV have hardly any restrictions at all, showing that who they are connected with doesn't limit their actions."

What do you guys think about this?

Comments

[keicai-ayan.livejournal.com]

The first thought my friends and I had when we saw the pictures that started this discussion was: 'Oh look, CLAMP is being CLAMP.'

I think it's reading a bit too much into things. CLAMP likes to play with the Devil/Angel motif in their art, which can be seen through several of their series (Wish, X/1999, Chobits, etc). They also have a like for chains, which can also be seen in X/1999 and especially in Gohou Drug. Really, I think it's more CLAMP having fun doing what they like rather than going that much into detail with the motif.

Though, if it is anything, I think it's most similar to their use of chains and wings in their X/1999 art, where devil wings don't necessarily mean the bad guys and the angel wings don't necessarily mean purity.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Well, except in X/1999 I would say there is a certain amount of purity to Fuuma and a failing to deal with repercussions with Kamui. It's not like we ever see say Sorata or Yuzuriha with batwings, it's just Kamui, and considering he can't make a kekkai... Kotori also always has angel wings and one could argue she is the most pure character in X since she willingly sacrifices herself for the two people she loves most so they both have a chance for redemption and to prove that the future is not yet decided.

But getting back on topic,

I do think it's Clamp being Clamp, but they also do seem to go in for that sort of heavy handed symbolism, it's one of those things I love about them. lol

[keicai-ayan.livejournal.com]

Fancy meeting you here! :3

This is very true. My knowledge on X/1999 isn't nearly as broad as other CLAMP works, so my perspective is only in said limited knowledge from what I've seen, and of listening to friend's discussions on the matter. I think in X/1999 though, that it's often hard to pinpoint true 'good' and 'bad'; everyone has their reasons for doing what they do, which makes finding villains and good guys so hard in their work.

CLAMP is one for very heavy symbolism. But at the same time I can't see them getting as deep into it as the OP posted, especially as they only designed the characters. Of course, on the other hand they might be exploring their own views on the characters and the series and what those character's roles may be. That seems like a very CLAMP thing to do, imo.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Hi :D (Are you coming to NY for the Dolpa >>; sorry this took so long, this week end was so busy ;;_;; )

I was at one time huge X fan though I've not gone through my manga since Clamp decided to stop writing new chapters ~.~ I would agree that for the most part it is hard to pinpoint "good" and "bad" though there are a few characters that are much more dark. (i.e. I love Seishirou but he's clearly "bad" and Hinoto seems pretty much to have been consumed by her dark side.) The majority of DoE though are not really bad per se though.

I believe at one point there were rumors that Clamp actually was somewhat involved with the story and not just character designs which would explain why Suzaku acts like an escapee from X lol

[eire-endellion.livejournal.com]

From what I can remember from X, the 'bad guys' were called the 'Seven Angels'; whenever Hinoto or someone referred to them they were shown as seven cloaked figures with angel wings.

I think. Maybe. I can't remember D=

Yeah, I also thought it was just CLAMP xD Wings and chains? They look cool! What other reason could there be?

xD

[darksage29.livejournal.com]

correction: they were the 'seven seals'. the 'seven angels' are the bad guys.

..people put too much symbolism in art. it sickens me. it's just the creator thinking it looks cool or something.

[eire-endellion.livejournal.com]

That's what I said, right? o.O
"the 'bad guys' were called the 'Seven Angels'; "

I agree. I just had to write a ten page essay on what some artists paintings meant. It was hard D=

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Sorry this took so long ;;_;;

Clamp does love the wings and the chains and the gears and feathers

Technically, the Seven angels aren't "bad" they just are extreme environmental terrorists. lol (It's like from the Britannian side I'm sure the Black Knights seem pretty "bad", think of poor Shirley who lost her dad.) I've not gone through my manga lately, but while we see cloaked characters with angel wings I don't remember ever seeing cloaked figures with batwings and as is shown in the last chapters of X published anything from Hinoto is really suspect.

The only definitive characters we actually see with any sort of wings are I believe Kamui, Fuuma and Kotori. (At least going by my two X art books) Kotori is the only character who always has the same type (angel) I would again argue that while Kamui is the protagonist, he is definitely somewhat conflicted and full of regrets and again, he can't make a kekkai.

Do I honestly think there is meaning in the ED pictures, prob not, but I think it is fun trying to analyze them sometimes to try and figure make guesses on where things might go lol and to make pretty lj icons!