Honorary Sidekick: Dragons of Earth/Dragons of Heaven

Film/TV: X (aka X/1999) (English title)
Ekkusu (Japanese title)

Dragons of the Heavens

Kamui Shirō
Sorata Arisugawa
Arashi Kishū
Subaru Sumeragi
Seiichirō Aoki
Karen Kasumi
Yuzuriha Nekoi
Princess Hinoto

Dragons of the Earth

Fūma Monou
Yūto Kigai
Satsuki Yatōji
Seishirō Sakurazuka
Nataku
Kakyō Kuzuki
Kusanagi Shiyū
Kanoe

When writing this entry, there were different ways I could have written it. I thought I could do one whole entry involving every character. However, after reading about the TV series, I found this to be impossible as the TV series characters are far more detailed than they are made out in the film (which is what I watched first and how I got into "X" in the first place. In the end, now after watching the TV series, each character in accordance with the Dragons of Heaven/Earth will be given their own separate entry. This entry is purely to describe each faction in terms of their beliefs, their complexities and their accordance in life and relationships. This entry deals with the characters as a whole and will not be comparing the voices behind the characters.

Also, I know that technically, Kamui and Fuma are mainly hero and villain respectively and therefore should not be in the sidekick section. I also know Princess Hinoto and Kanoe are not Dragoens but rather seen as helpers. However, they played a key part in the factions and as they both have chosen a side, I believe they should be mentioned.

The Characters

The main belief behind each faction is every simple. The Dragons of Heaven and the Dragons of Earth are two groups consisting of seven individuals each that are fated to stand against each other on the Promised Day to determine the fate of the world and humanity. The Dragons of the Earth (that's the group in blue in the picture above) represent the belief that humanity must be destroyed so that the nature of the Earth can be reborn. The Dragons of the Heaven (that's the group in red) believe that humanity should be saved because that humans are no less precious than the Earth and that humans can learn to protect the Earth itself. The fate of the Earth and humanity rests on this: if the Dragons of the Earth win the final battle, humanity is destroyed and the Earth can go through what the characters call a "revolution". If the Dragons of the Heavens win, everything stays exactly the way it was before the final battle begins. Nothing changes.

Sounds simple and straightforward, right? If this was a typical American film/TV series, the Earth Dragons would be written in such a way that you would easily root for the Heaven Dragons because they are the ones wanting to protecting humanity. But this is anime which is known for its complexities. The characters of the Earth Dragons are written in such a way that, despite their basic overall amoral characteristics, they are also intelligent. They bring up excellent points and question the rationality of the Heaven Dragons. So even though they are destroying humanity, in a way, you find yourself believing them and (secretly) rooting for them. That's good writing!

I have been trying to find an American Western format to compare this line of thinking too and I have thought of one: Air Force One. This film depicts the President (Harrison Ford) is on a journey home from Moscow when Russian hijackers reveal themselves and take over the entire plane. They want the President to ring Moscow and release an imprisoned General. The problem is that if the General is released, it could lead to slaughter in Russia. In this film, we are meant to root for the President to gain control of the plane and rescue his family. However, the head terrorist (Gary Oldman) brings home some very good points and the film brings forward the message that a killer in someone's eyes can be a hero in another's eyes and that who we are meant to be perceived as a hero could be a villain in another's eyes.

The same can be said for the Dragons. Neither side is completely right or wrong. The Heaven Dragons believe that humans can be seen the error of their ways when it comes to preserving the Earth and maybe the Earth Dragons could have had this view too if they were not cynical and doubtful about this fact. If they were not so biased, then it could be said that both factions could in fact work together.

Neither side are hypocrites. They are following their destiny and they say what they believe. The Earth Dragons believe that the Earth can only survive if humanity was gone; it is not that they are doing it for power. In fact, at several points, an Earth Dragon mentions that the Earth is screaming in pain. On the other hand, the Heaven Dragons are being selfless and will die for the ones they love. It is possibly for this reason that that the Heaven Dragons of Heaven can create kekkai (barrier fields), an ability the Earth Dragons lack. This barrier fields are meant to preserve the battle field by placing the surroundings in another plane of reality and the effects will only show in the real world if the creator of the kekkai dies during the battle. Because the Earth Dragons wants all the buildings that human create will be gone if they win the war anyway, it doesn't matter to them what ir who is destroyed during a battle as it all helps for the Earth's revolution.

What makes the Earth Dragons different from the Heaven Dragons is the manner that they go about it. They tend to start the fights they are in whilst the Heaven Dragons are in defence.

On the whole, unlike the Heaven Dragons, the Earth Dragons seem to have no common rationality for their acceptance of their roles as the destroyers of humanity. One in particular openly admits that he is not too thrilled with the fact that he is an Earth Dragon.

The Heaven Dragons are more in tune with their emotions. They show a strong bond for each other and if another Heaven Dragon is in trouble, chances are another will come to their aid, even die to protect the Heaven Dragon in trouble. The relationship factor with the Heaven Dragons is stronger for at most times during the series (manga, film and TV), the Heaven Dragons tend to be in pairs at least. With the Earth Dragons, they tend to work alone although at some points, they are seen in pairs in communication. In fact, whilst the Heaven Dragons are seen as one unit at several times, the Earth Dragons are only seen only together in the entire manga (in the film, that is not the case and in the TV series, they are seen together only once in episode 14: "The Gathering"). The Earth Dragons are encouraged by Fūma to simply go their own ways.

Also, the Earth Dragons tend to be more avoidant when it comes to socialisation and they either lack the ability or desire to form meaningful bonds with other humans, or tend to form unhealthy relationships amongst each other.

I know what you're thinking, "That's it! That proves that the Earth Dragons are villains!". No! This view on them is a general outlook. The concept and actions behind the Dragons are not as black and white as that. I'll tell you why:

• There are at least two romantic relationships between both Dragons. One Heaven Dragon falls in love with an Earth Dragon who in turns risks his/her life to protect them. The other is far more complex and when one of the Dragon halls to kill their love, it sends them into catatonia.
• There is switching an betrayal on both sides. At least one Heaven Dragon joins the Earth Dragons. One Earth Dragon (who can be considered to be the least violent) actually helps the Heaven Dragons through dreams. One Earth Dragon will risk his life to protect a Heaven Dragon.
• One Earth Dragon is "civil" to the Heaven Dragons when not in battle. In fact, in battle, if something intervenes with the fighting, he will be happy to call the battle a "draw" although this could be more for his own safety. In fact, in one episode, he interacts with one Heaven Dragon, even praising their powers, although whether this is patronising or not is another matter.
• One Heaven Dragon has more interaction with the Earth Dragons than any other. He actually agrees with them on points when it comes to their beliefs.
• One Earth Dragon actually wants to believe in humanity.

(Sorry but I'm not naming anyone. I don't want to spoil it completely for you lol)

Both Dragon factions are surperb characters and sidekicks. They are what make "X" so powerful and something every true anime fan should watch (although I would advise any new "X" fan not to watch the film first).