RG Veda (CLAMP's debut work)

[tpg0007]

I did a search and found no post or topic mentioning this, so I thought I'd start one.

Given that it's one of the first mangas I've encountered it's always occupied a special place in my heart. It's now available in English from Tokyopop, though only the first 3 out of 10 volumes have come out it seems. Here's a brief synopsis:

[quote=Wikipedia]Three hundred years ago, the god of thunder, Taishakuten rebelled against the Heavenly Emperor, killing both him and the guardian god Ashura-ou. With the help of Ashura-ou's wife Shashi, he usurped the throne and began his cruel reign as the new Emperor. However, a prophecy was made: "Six stars will strike the earth. You are the dark star that goes against heaven. Your journey begins when you find the child of a vanished race. I cannot see if the child is good or evil, but I know only this child can spin the wheel of heaven's destiny..."

Following this prophecy, the Guardian Warrior of the northland, Yasha-ou, awakens the genderless child of Ashura-ou, Ashura, who has slept the last three hundred years under a magical seal. Believing the prophecy to mean that the "Six Stars" together can overthrow Taishakuten, he and Ashura set out to find the "Six Stars". They are joined over time by Souma, Ryu-ou and Karura-ou, three of the Six Stars of prophesy, of which Yasha-ou and Ashura are of as well. A mysterious character who appears and disappears quite regularly, Kujaku, gives them helpful advice, but his nature and intentions are unclear.

The gentle and childlike Ashura (who is genderless, but refered to as "he" out of convenience) soon reveals deadly alter-ego, a youth who wishes to destroy the world with his power, which only the combined efforts of Yasha-ou and sheer willpower of Ashura's gentle side can bring under control. While the Six Stars seek to bring Taishakuten's reign to an end, Ashura's destiny becomes clear, but will he destroy the world or save it...?[/quote]

The story is based heavily on Hindu mythology, and most of the characters are derived from the Hindu/Buddhist pantheon. Style-wise I find it to be a little more ornate and elaborate than some of CLAMP's later works, beautiful to look at. The overall tone is very dramatic and forboding, not to be confused with light comedy. There're also both yuri and yaoi elements in it... ^^;;; An excerpt of the series was made into a very forgettable 3-part OVA that had been available in the States even 10 years ago. Anyway, speak up if you've read this, please.
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