THE POSTMODERN SCIENTIFIC MONSTER IN THE X MANGA OF CLAMP: THE FIGURE OF NATAKU

Abstract

In this article, we analyze the figure of Nataku, character of the manga (comic) Japanese X (Ekkusu), created by the collective CLAMP and published in Mexico by Editorial Vid between 2003 and 2005, we argue that this character embodies the postmodern monster that neutralizes the homologation between aesthetic categories by presenting ambiguity and cultural hybridity. It is not just a current representation of Frankenstein's monster. Based on an analysis of the image, we detect the following premises: First, Nataku is a monster because of its unnatural origin of clone, so it presents physical and moral ambiguity; added to the previous thing, its characterization retakes religious elements of the apocalypse of San Juan and the Chinese mythology. Finally, the religious elements are mixed with science, so we see the reference to Frankenstein as a monster of science and being a machine of Metropolis, from technological determinism. In our analysis, we return to the paradigm of indicial inferences proposed by Carlo Ginzburg, which starts from the induction and is based on the identification of details from which it will delve into deeper elements of the discourse and manga iconography. The primary sources are the 18 volumes of the manga, published in Mexico, as well as some illustrations of the X Infinity artbook, published in Japan in 2005 by Editorial Kadokawa.