The end result is a film that is tragic, beautiful, gripping, and sad. The tragedy comes from many different directions. Each character believes in their role without question, even to the point of death. Viewers learn so little about a character, only to know that they are very likely to die in this story, accomplishing perhaps only their primary task. Another tragedy is the key relationship between Fuuma, Kamui, and Kotori: two friends and their shared interest, set against each other by their love and hate.
The movie's beauty lies in its animation, its music, its backgrounds, and the characters themselves. The animation quality is incredibly smooth. The backgrounds are very vivid and detailed; one feels a part of them when viewed along with the characters in the story. The music sets and maintains the mood: this is a story about the battle that will determine the fate of the world, an apocalypse. It is gripping because what little we learn of the characters makes us want to learn more, and it is sad because it is a tragedy and so many do not survive.
Expecting the movie to be like the music video or the manga is a mistake. Come in knowing the background, but do not assume events will follow as they do the in the manga. As a companion to the X manga it leaves a bit to be desired. Many characters readers have come to know and love in the manga will seem to get shortchanged in the movie. But the movie remains enjoyable on its own and presents a superb standard for other films to follow.

Sidebar 1: The Characters of X
Sidebar 2: From manga to movies

X Copyright © 1996 CLAMP / X Production Committee Produced by Bandai Visual / Kadokawashoten Price: Y14,800 BEAL-995, LD, CAV Running time: 98 minutes Released: 25 Mar 1997