Chobits

(Tokyopop, 2002-2003)
™ and ©2001 CLAMP

In the near future, when “persocoms” (anatomically correct sex dolls) have replaced computers, poor student Hideki finds one in the trash. Instead of indulging himself with his new appliance, Hideki bonds with it like a pet. Why? Because she’s just so cute.

And clearly in Japan, “cute” is a force no one can resist, because the selfish and bitter student suddenly can’t do enough for “Chi” (the first word she says)—from trying to track down her origins (she might be a “Chobit,” a rumored android with human-level intelligence) to the nightmare of buying panties for his computer.

And in spite of his being kinda creepy, all the women in his world (cram school teacher, landlady, younger coworker) seem inexplicably attracted to him, but they get no play from him, such is his platonic love for Chi. That’s the situation as of the end of Vol. 1, and readers only have hints of where it’s going: the traditional “robots can love” route—or will the female group CLAMP explore human relations in a world where the human can’t compete with the inhuman? It’s to be hoped they’ll bring depth to this slight premise in Vol. 2.

— S.A. Bennett

Jump to issue:

Notes

Writer

Artist

#3

October, 2002
Cover Price: $9.99
1 copy available for $9.99

CLAMP