, 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.
Creation and development
Kamui originates from a story Clamp's head writer Nanase Ohkawa wrote during high school. Kamui was one of the story's lead characters, who were fighting a losing battle for "justice". After finishing Clamp School Detectives, Clamp decided to write a story in which readers see the development of two groups, the Dragons of Heavens and the Dragons of Earth led by Kamui and Fūma, respectively. Several of the series' characters were created using the Osamu Tezuka's Star System technique were old designs incorporated in new characters with Kamui's exception which proved challenging due to his role. He was made to stand apart from other characters, and Ohkawa called his hairstyle and school uniform average. Clamp's lead artist Mokona believes this was influenced by the heroic character-type upon which he was based. As a result, Mokona felt that Kamui's final design fits her idea of the hero needed for the series. Their first illustration of Kamui gave them a feeling of Ashura, a character from RG Veda based on his appearance in Tokyo's destroyed area.
The authors originally wanted to name the character from another character they created in series, but because the plot required him to have a meaningful name, the idea was scrapped and he was named "Kamui" (Japanese for "The One Who Represents God's will"). Kamui was originally written as a high-school student from Kotori Monou's point of view to appeal to the audience of females. Kamui, however, was not popular with the readers, so Clamp rewrote parts of his personality. Mokona describes him as a "crazy dog", but readers disliked Kotori more than they disliked Kamui. Clamp kept the identity of Kamui's father hidden from Kamui. The artists said should the series continue, further exposition of Kamui's heritage would be developed.
Kamui's decisions reflects one of X main themes; caring for humans even if does not help the Earth. Ohkawa considers that while it common sense that people care about protecting the planet, it is more important to love friends and relatives. Ohkawa also applied to Kamui and Fūma ideas she had as a child, such as a dual nature, because she states people can be considered good or evil. As a result of Kamui losing Kotori and all of his relatives, Ohkawa emphazed Kamui's friendship with Fūma because she believes his feelings have become stronger. Across the manga, Kamui meets Subaru Sumeragi, whose rivalry with Seishirō Sakurazuka parallels Kamui's rivalry with Fūma Monou. Clamp referred to Kamui and Subaru as siblings; Kamui is supposed to learn from Subaru's final fight with Seishirō and avoid his final fight against Fuuma having the same tragic conclusion.