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Is the Anime Finished?
Is the Anime Finished?
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Is Man of Many Faces Finished? Everything You Need to Know Before Watching

Finished Comedy Romance CLAMP Manga Adaptation
Table of Contents

Is the Anime Really Finished?
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When asking if the anime adaptation of this series is finished, it is important to first clarify the relationship between the titles. While the franchise begins with the manga Man of Many Faces, the televised adaptation is titled CLAMP School Detectives.

The CLAMP School Detectives anime aired from May 3, 1997, to October 25, 1997. Because this anime is an adaptation of a manga spinoff, viewers who watch only the anime will experience a specific portion of the universe. To get the full context of the story and the origins of the characters, you will likely need to dive into the source material.

If you’re ready to start your journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.

Themes and Appeal: Who is this for?
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Man of Many Faces and its spinoffs blend elements of comedy and romance. The story follows Akira Ijyuin, a third grader at CLAMP School who lives with two mothers. His life is far from ordinary, as he is frequently ordered to steal bizarre items on their whims. The series gains its charm from its eccentric premise and the romance that develops when Akira takes refuge in the room of a young girl—despite a four-year age difference.

This series is best suited for fans of:

  • Quirky School Settings: If you enjoy high-concept school environments and eccentric characters, this is a great fit.
  • Lighthearted Romance: The dynamic between Akira and the girl he meets provides a sweet, comedic core to the plot.
  • CLAMP’s Early Work: Fans of the legendary creator group CLAMP will appreciate the style and storytelling of this era.

If you enjoy collecting items from your favorite series, you can buy official merchandise here.

Recommended Watch and Read Order#

Navigating the relationship between the original manga and the anime can be tricky. For a clear path, we recommend referring to the relationship tree provided below this article. Here are the best paths depending on your goals:

The Release Order
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If you want to experience the series as it was released to the general public over time, start with the CLAMP School Detectives anime (1997).

The Completionist Order
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For those who want every single piece of the puzzle in the order they were created, follow this path:

  1. Man of Many Faces (1990 Manga)
  2. Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders (1991 Manga)
  3. Clamp School Detectives (1991-1993 Manga)
  4. CLAMP School Detectives (1997 Anime)

The “Source First” Order
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If you don’t mind reading before watching to ensure you have all the context, start with the original Man of Many Faces manga, proceed to the Clamp School Detectives manga, and then finish with the anime adaptation. This ensures you understand the full lineage of the spinoffs.

You can buy the manga here to get started with the original story.

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Man of Many Faces • manga • 1990 (Serialized in Newtype)
  └─(spinoff)→  Clamp School Detectives • manga • 1991-12 to 1993-09 (serialized in Asuka)
   └─(adaptation)→   CLAMP School Detectives • anime • 1997-05-03 to 1997-10-25
  └─(spinoff)→  Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders • manga • 1991-08 to 1992-12 (serialized in Comic GENKi)

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