CLAMP and X JAPAN's 1993 Animated Music Video "X" Streams for Limited Time
The release of a long-unavailable collaboration between two major 1990s properties shows how streaming services are unearthing historically significant but previously inaccessible anime-related works.
Reporting from 2 sources: Comic Natalie, Anime Anime.
The 1993 animated music video "X," a collaboration between the manga group CLAMP and the band X JAPAN, is now available on YouTube for a limited time. The video is part of the visual work "X2" (Double X), which was directed by Rintaro with production assistance from Madhouse. For years, the piece was considered a "phantom work" because it had not been released on home media or streamed. On June 10, 2026, a remastered version appeared on the US streaming service Crunchyroll. Now, the video is viewable on the official Aniplex YouTube channel until July 31, 2026, at 23:59 JST. Fans have reacted with excitement, praising the cel animation and calling for the long-hiatus manga "X" to resume serialization. The manga, which began in 1992, remains unfinished. Alongside this release, X JAPAN's 1991 music video "Say Anything" has also been made available.
Directed by Rintaro, known for "Metropolis" and "Galaxy Express 999," the video was produced with assistance from Madhouse. It is described as a pioneer in collaborations between original manga animation and music artist songs. CLAMP, the creative group behind the "X" manga, consists of four members: Igarashi Satsuki, Ohkawa Nanase, Nekoi, and Mokona. They made their commercial debut in 1989 with "RG VEDA."
Fans have reacted with excitement online. Comments include: "Can't believe we get to see X in this Reiwa era..." and "I bought the VHS back then and watched it until it wore out!" Many praised the cel animation, with one fan writing, "Such expensive-looking cels... irresistible..." and another saying, "Even though it's just a short MV, I still haven't seen animation of this level." Others used the release to call for the long-hiatus "X" manga to resume serialization. One comment read: "I'm still waiting for the original series to resume. I want to know the ending at least."
Alongside the "X" video, X JAPAN's 1991 music video "Say Anything" has also been made available. "Say Anything" is a ballad from the album "Jealousy," released on July 1, 1991. Its music video features footage from the "Violence In Jealousy Tour 1991," including stage and backstage off-shots. X JAPAN, formed in 1982, has performed 18 concerts at Tokyo Dome, mobilizing a total of 1 million people. After reuniting in 2007, the band toured worldwide, performing at Madison Square Garden in 2014 and Wembley Arena in 2017, and headlining the Coachella festival in 2018.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.