Subaru Sumeragi | |
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Tokyo Babylon and X character | |
![]() Subaru, as he appears in Tokyo Babylon | |
First appearance | Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 0 (1990) |
Created by | Clamp |
Voiced by |
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Portrayed by | Tonesaku Toshihide (Tokyo Babylon/1999) |
In-universe information | |
Weapon | Ofuda |
Relatives | Previous Sumeragi Leader (grandmother) Hokuto Sumeragi (twin sister) |
Subaru Sumeragi (Japanese: 皇昴流, Hepburn: Sumeragi Subaru) is the fictional protagonist of Clamp's manga series Tokyo Babylon. The head of the Sumeragi clan (皇一族, Sumeragi Ichizoku), Subaru is a young onmyōji in charge of exorcising demons and helping spirits reach the afterlife, while living with his twin sister Hokuto and love interest Seishiro Sakurazuka. Following the events of Tokyo Babylon, an adult Subaru appears in the live-action film Tokyo Babylon 1999 investigating a murder case. He becomes one of mankind's seven protectors in Clamp's series X, and Seishiro is his new rival. Subaru's fate in the battle of the end of the world has differed across X's multiple animated adaptations. An alternate version of the character appears in Clamp's crossover series, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.
Clamp writer Nanase Ohkawa first created Subaru as a mascot for a fancomic, dōjinshi, about onmyōji. Clamp found it difficult to engage a writer for Subaru because their authors were not used to writing kindhearted characters. For X, he was given a more tragic characterization meant to contrast with the lead Kamui Shiro. Multiple voice actors have provided their talent for Subaru's animated appearances. Tonesaku Toshihide portrays him in the live-action film Tokyo Babylon 1999. Critical reception to the character has been mostly positive. Manga and anime publications focused on Subaru's caring personality and his growing relationship with Seishiro such as during the narrative of Tokyo Babylon. Critics also praised his return in X to face the man he loves as a rival, resulting in him being one of the series' most interesting characters.