To those outside the anime fandom, the news that CLAMP has signed a deal with Netflix to produce original anime content might not seem like a big deal. But for those who recognize the name, the announcement is hugely exciting. The deal between Netflix and six famous anime creators (CLAMP, Shin Kibayashi, Yasuo Ohtagaki, Otsuichi, Tow Ubukata and Mari Yamaza) contracts these creatives to produce all-new anime content for the platform, as well as figure out new ways to engage audiences off-screen through "consumer products and publishing," which will most likely be manga.
The manga writing team known as CLAMP, currently consisting of Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi, has worked on some of the most iconic manga ever written, which makes their Netflix deal a huge feather in the streaming service's anime cap. But for those unfamiliar with the group's legacy, here's what you need to know to feel excited.
CLAMP's History
CLAMP started as a team of women in the mid-80s who decided to produce and create manga together. They started as a group of 12 women, producing dojinshi of Saint Seiya. As time passed and membership dwindled, CLAMP redirected its creative focus to produce original manga. After their professional debut in 1989 with RG Veda, CLAMP began to work on an increasing number of titles that became incredibly popular and influential works in the '90s and '00s anime scene.
These titles included, in chronological order, X/1999, Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Wish, Clover, Angelic Layer, Chobits, xxxHolic and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. Their most recent work, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, a direct continuation of Cardcaptor Sakura, started in 2016 and remains ongoing. Along with Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura helped popularize the magical girl genre -- and anime itself -- in the West and remains popular to this day. They also contributed character designs to the now-iconic series, Code Geass.
Most of CLAMP's work loosely exist in the same multiverse, with characters appearing in either minor or major roles in other series -- most obviously in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. CLAMP have become particularly well-known for their distinctive art style and particular reoccurring themes throughout their work, most notably the idea that love remains unbound by societal constraints, such as race, gender, age and even organic and inorganic matter. Some of these themes have proven controversial.
Regardless, CLAMP's work remains highly influential among anime and manga creators and has a massive fanbase years after the fact. Not all of their works are masterpieces; with almost 30 manga titles under their belt in just over 30 years, their work has ranged in terms of quality. However, when CLAMP makes a hit, they knock it out of the park.
CLAMP's Netflix Deal
CLAMP brings with them the air of prestige you'd expect from a group that can draw an audience based purely on the name recognition of their brand. But for those still unfamiliar with that name, the deal brings the opportunity to reach more people than ever before, which, according to Team leader Nanase Ohkawa, was a big part of the appeal: “[...] We look forward to the day our shows created with Netflix reach fans across 190 countries."
Most interestingly of all, perhaps, is the potential for Netflix to use their talents off-screen. Netflix has stated its intent to expand its original anime content beyond animation, which is CLAMP's original area of expertise. Crunchyroll -- which has just announced its own branded slate of anime "Originals" rolling out this year -- has had its own digital manga distribution platform since 2013 alongside its streaming service. Netflix could possibly adopt a similar model to distribute any potential tie-in material from its original anime content, whether it be from CLAMP or other collaborators.
At the very least, this new deal with CLAMP will allow the beloved group's work to reach a whole new fanbase. At the very best, however, it could allow Netflix to give anime fans far more ways than ever before to interact with this kind of content.