Clamp School Detectives Review by aznwolfe
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	Audience:	G (girls)
	Genre:	Mystery/Drama
	Usual Running Time:	79-104 min. per video
	Average Cost:	$30 U.S. -subbed only-
	Contains:	Animated Violence
	Music:	A
	Animation:	A-
	Plot/Storyline:	B
	Rating:	B+

Clamp School Detectives (aka Clamp Campus Detectives) is a cute anime series about three smart and very popular boys who attend the famous and prestigious Clamp School, which accepts only the elite and the best.  Nokoru Imonoyama (middle), voiced by Akemi Okamura, is a 6th grader and the leader of the group. Admired by many girls and the most popular, he is a sweet-talker and the brains behind the whole operation of Clamp School Detectives. Suoh Takamura, voiced by Shiho Nuyama, is the blue-haired 5th grader who takes the role as secretary. Active in martial arts and other physical activities, Suoh always has a serious look on his face and is considered the "cool and calm" one in the group.  Treasurer Akira Ijyuin (left), voiced by Omi Minami, is a 4th grader who (believe it or not) excels in cooking. Very innocent and naive at times, he is always "amazed" at how Nokoru and Suoh handle their cases.  The series may seem foolish and lame at times, especially the moments concerning the boys being chased by many many girls, but I believe it to be very enjoyable.  All three characters were runned off from other CLAMP series. Nokoru is in "Clamp Cop Dukylon" something-rather. Akira is in some "20 Masks" thing (kinda like Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon). And I forget about Suoh.

The whole premise of CSD focuses on the boys solving mysteries and saving the day.  Each volume of CSD (Clamp School Detectives) contains 3-4 episodes.  The plot in some of the episodes may seem somewhat pointless at times, but other episodes (some heart-warming) make up for it. I've seen several videos of CSD and will probably buy more (sadly enough, the average price ranges around 30 bucks--AYAH!). The story-line takes a more light-hearted and slightly funny side (not as seen in other CLAMP creations such as "X" -otherwise known as "X/1999" in the U.S.-). Although I do agree CSD is good, it portrays females as somewhat helpless and very feminine.  It does, however, contain some animated violence, but not as gory like in "Dragon Ball Z" or "X".

CSD is recommended for those who want to have a fun time seeing something light-hearted and cute. Because the series' main characters are kids, it may seem that this may be a good show for young boys, and it can be--for some, but the series is more focused on mysteries and romance with a little comedy thrown in. The animation quality is excellent and the music is very very cute. The voices there were well done also. I don't think there's a dubbed version out yet.

Clamp School Detectives is available @ www.animevillage.com

CLAMP SCHOOL DETECTIVES (CLAMP GAKUEN TANTEIDAN)

© 1997 CLAMP, Kadokawa Shoten/Bandai Visual, Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo

Image by CLAMP