Kamui Shiro | |
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X character | |
First appearance | X: Prelude (1992) |
Created by | Clamp |
Voiced by |
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In-universe information | |
Alias | Kamui of the Dragons of Heaven Light Kamui |
Weapon | Two-handed rapier |
Relatives | Tōru Shirō (mother) Tokiko Magami (aunt) |
Kamui Shiro (Japanese: 司狼 神威, Hepburn: Shirō Kamui), also written as Kamui Shirou, is a fictional character that was created by Clamp and introduced as the protagonist of the manga series X. Kamui is a young esper who returns to his home, Tokyo, after a six-year absence following his mother's last will. According to her, he can change the world's fate. He can either join the groups a Dragons of Heaven or Dragons of Earth and fight for mankind or the nature, respectively. Kamui has also appeared in the animated adaptations of X, in which he follows a different course of action, and he also appears as an alternative persona from a post-apocalyptic Tokyo in the manga Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.
Clamp's head writer Nanase Ohkawa originally created Kamui during high school as character in a story involving warriors fighting for justice. His incorporation to X includes themes Ohkawa thought about since she was a student, such a possibility of an evil alter ego and whether mankind is more important than the Earth. The animated versions of X portray Kamui as neither as a strong nor a weak character due to the staff's preference. The character has been played by voice actors in the animated series including the Japanese Tomokazu Seki (X film), Kenichi Suzumura (X TV series) and Mamoru Miyano (Tsubasa). His English actors are Alan D. Marriott (X film), Steve Cannon (X TV series) and Micah Solusod (Tsubasa).
Publications for manga, anime and other media gave a positive response to Kamui Shiro. His character development in the series made them appreciate his role in the story as well his tragic role in the narrative. Kamui has also been popular within Clamp's fanbase, the authors often received positive feedback about him in the manga's beginning. Kamui's portrayal in Tsubasa also garnered positive responses through his encounters with the lead character Syaoran.