From CLAMP - a four-woman group of manga creators - comes Tokyo Babylon, two TV specials from 1992 & 1994. Since the main characters appear later in the series "X", these two shows can be viewed as a prequel to that series.

Part 1
In Part One, we're introduced to psychic investigator Subaru, who can communicate with the recently departed. Subaru is asked by the MCC Corporation to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at their new construction site Project Five. Subaru's sister Hokuro reminds him it's his duty as head of their clan to insure the people's protection from "dark forces". Meanwhile, MCC head Miguri is upset at the construction delays. While reviewing the site, he suffers a fatal heart attack when the elevator he's in malfunctions. When Subaru arrives on the scene, Miguri's assistant Nagumo tells him he's not needed - Nagumo claims all the deaths are just accidents. Later that night, Subaru returns to the site and spots a young woman leaving a 'curse parchment', but she escapes before Subaru can question her. Detective Kawano is also investigating the murders, and believes Nagumo is behind them. Nagumo, it seems, has been at the scene of each death, but emerged unscathed every time. Subaru thinks Nagumo might have an innate power to "deflect" curses away from him. The next day, Subaru finds the girl with the curse - Kazami. It turns out her brother was a Project Five architect who was the first fatality. She blames Nagumo's ambition to lead MCC as the murderer's motive. As the Project nears completion, only one man stands between Nagumo and absolute power. Will Subaru be able to solve the mystery of Nagumo and avenge Kazami's brother? Or does fate hold a fatal card for our psychic investigator?

Part 2
There's a serial murder stalking the subway. Riding on the subway, Subaru witnesses the latest killing, but is unable to stop the fiend. While giving his account to Det. Kawano, he meets Mirei, a "post-cog" - she is able to see into the past. Through contact with her bare hands, Mirei tells Kawano about the latest murder. Later, Subaru is worried about the stress Mirei's powers must put on her, and tries to figure out a way to help her. While walking in the park, Subaru, Hokuro and their vet friend Seishiro (who has an agenda all his own) meet another "post-cog", who feels the history of demolished building through bits of concrete. Mirei helps Kawano by using her power to determine that a little boy murdered his sister 15 years ago - Kawano believes the killer is the little boy all grown up. Meanwhile, Mirei's mother becomes the next victim of the subway slasher. The feds intervene in the investigation, and ask Mirei to act as a decoy to flush out the murderer. But it all goes horribly wrong when the federal agent is killed and Mirei is alone with the slasher. Can Subaru and Kawano find her and stop her from being the next victim? And what part does our concrete collecting friend have to play in this drama?

I have seen CLAMP's magna work, and unfortunately, Tokyo Babylon doesn't do justice to their finely detailed comics. I had a hard time telling Subaru and Hokuro apart, and the rest of the characters are, well, its like animation paint-by-numbers. There is nothing unique or creative, even in the nifty "monster" scene in Part One. The voices chosen for the English dub are also either annoying or bland. The stories themselves are passable, but for a main character Subaru sure doesn't do much most of the time. And then there's the fact that stuff happens out of the blue - it makes one wonder if anybody bothered to proofread the script. All in all, Part One is the better of the two - more action and characterization - but in light of other anime, this was a disappointment. I would like to see the "X" series that features Subaru and the gang to see if they are given further development. So I could only recommend Tokyo Babylon to "hard-core" anime fans; otherwise, there are better choices for the casual viewer.

Made for Japanese television, Tokyo Babylon is presented in full frame format. The picture quality is very good even if the animation isn't. The audio is clear and in Dolby (what isn't these days?). DVD extras include an interesting history of the CLAMP group, art gallery, trailer, previews of other manga releases, language options and chapter search. There is also DVD-ROM capability if you have the system.

As a prequel, Tokyo Babylon doesn't really "set the table" for the main feature. Hopefully, the characters are better served in the "X" series, as well as the original creators. Maybe Subaru can get a good night's sleep at last, too!