CLAMP/Ho Yay

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CLAMP is (in?)famous for having at least one flavor of Yay in every major work, with lots of implications tossed around but a veritable epidemic of UnConfessions.

Angelic Layer

  • Angelic Layer has Kaede and Sai; a few of Tamayo's joking comments to Misaki; Misaki's crush on Ringo.
    • Misaki asking Hatoko to be her second had all the weight of a marriage proposal. Considering that Hatoko's all of five, but still...

Cardcaptor Sakura

  • Cardcaptor Sakura makes romantic hints left, right, and center, between Touya and Yukito, Syaoran and Yukito (and later, with some Squick, Eriol), Sakura and Tomoyo's mothers, as well as Tomoyo's explicit crush on Sakura and Yue's not-so-subtle obsession for Clow Reed.
    • "Hints" nothing. Touya and Yukito become one of the Official Couples by the conclusion, Syaoran openly admits his feelings towards Yukito are the same as Sakura's while Sakura herself states she feels the same way around Kaho as she does around Yukito (yet somehow fails to understand the implications).
      • In the same episode, they also explain that most of this is because people with power are drawn to each other, often romantically. The logical conclusion is left as an exercise to the reader.
    • And Tomoyo mostly alternates her time between being a Shipper on Deck for Sakura and Syaoran and being a massive Covert Pervert towards Sakura.
    • Not to mention Kaho, who Sakura seems to 'admire' greatly and is described as really, really pretty.
    • Sakura has the attentions of both Syaoran and Tomoyo. She probably inherited it from her mother, who was the subject of a tremendous (unrequited) crush by Tomoyo's mother.

Clover

  • Clover has Gingetsu and Lan, who are awfully close for parole officer and prisoner. In regards to Les Yay there's Suu and Oruha. There's also Barus and Kazuhiko's innuendo-laden dialogue; Barus is especially fond of Kazuhiko, likes to call him his "prince" and cuddles with his severed hand at night.
    • Any CLAMP artwork depicting Ora with another female character, namely either Sue or Tsubasa's Sakura, will undoubtedly give off major Les Yay vibes.

Kobato.

  • Kobato. has Ginsei and Ioryogi.
    • Who are voiced by none other than Fai and Kurogane's seiyuu, not to put too fine a point on it.
      • The Christmas episode has Ginsei blushing when Ioryogi appears at Genko's place...
    • Not to mention other (although less popular) ships, like Fujimoto and the debt collector and Fujimoto and Takashi Doumoto (many fans actually thought the latter was gay, but then the anime made him interested in Kobato
    • There's also Subtext between Sayaka and Chitose and Chiho and Chise. Not to mention Kobato's sadness after hearing about the unnamed woman's divorce... It just seems Kobato will become the next Cardcaptor Sakura...

Magic Knight Rayearth

  • Magic Knight Rayearth lacks an official Yaoi Guys pairing, but there's definitely something going on between Lantis and Eagle Vision -- nevermind they are both in love with Hikaru. Geo Metro might have something for Eagle as well.
    • The second season of the anime version has Hikaru and Nova, although it's (mostly) one-sided (Nova takes her love for Hikaru to a psychotic degree).
    • Not to mention Presea's attention to Hikaru early on, and Hikaru's practically drooling over Fuu at first.
    • Innouva basically being in love with Zagato...

RG Veda

  • RG Veda has implications between Ashura and Yasha, as well as Les Yay with Kedappa-ou and Souma.
    • Also Taishakuten and Ashura-ou (and I'd like to note that Ashura is genderneutral so I wouldn't count his and Yasha's relationship as this).
      • Especially since Ashura crossed over in Tsubasa as female.
      • ONLY in the localised version and anime, thank you very much, which is generally known for it's poor adaption anyway. The original is very careful to be gender neutral.

Tokyo Babylon

  • Seishirou and Subaru in Tokyo Babylon, and later X 1999, one of the most iconic canon gay pairings of all time.
    • Using CLAMP's motif, it's Love That Transcends Gender and apparently a dead twin and the end of the world.

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle

  • Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle has several couples that are Crossovers from other series, plus the series-native major character pair Fay and Kurogane. In the first half of the series, the relationship could be construed as one-sided flirting, but by the Eye Scream incident, there is clearly more going on.
    • Chapter 185 takes the innuendo to a new high, with Fay arranging for he and Kurogane to have their own room so he can take off his cloak and... yeah.
      • In an earlier Hanshin chapter, Sorata says that Kurogane and Fay have to share a room. Kurogane is enraged, and Fay, well...
    • They are not the only source of Ho Yay in this series, you know. The scene where Cloney bites Fay's cheek is also loved by fangirls, even the Kurogane x Fay ones.
    • And you have to admit there was something between Fay and Ashura
      • Not exactly. At the end of the second TRC artbook (you know, those author's comments), CLAMP comments on that one picture with Fai and Ashura-ou, that they had a good parent-child relationship.
    • Fai wears a furisode, an outfit worn by the male lovers of samurai before the Meiji period. Who's the only samurai in this party? Yeah.
    • Fai also comes up with aliases for the four of them. What does he call Kurogane? Big Puppy and for himself Big Kitty. Both of which can be seen as slang, with dog as the penis (seme) and cat as the "bottom" (uke) in a homosexual relationship.
    • Fai gives Kurogane an affectionate nickname "Daddy". Soon after Mokona, putting two and two together, comes up with a brilliant idea to nickname Fai "Mommy". (And no, Fai never refers so to himself. Considering how hard he tried not to get close to anyone, it would have been unwise)
    • In Horitsuba we also know that Fai recorded Kurogane singing in the shower...


X/1999

  • X also contains strong implications between Kamui and his dark counterpart (neck fetish FTW), and a lesbian relationship between their late mothers.
    • In chapter 83, after killing Kotori, Fuuma pins Kamui to a wall (by stabbing him through his arms and legs) and puts his face really close, while murmuring seductively and licking his neck. Oh, and it doesn't help that Kamui is steamily whispering Fuuma's name the entire time.
    • There are other common matchups as well, including Subaru and Kamui (mind penetration FTW) and Fuuma and Seishirou (mostly for the symmetry, it seems). Seishirou and Subaru are far enough out of subtext and into text that Ho Yay doesn't really apply anymore.
    • There's also a bit between Fuuma and Kakyou.


×××HOLiC

  • Doumeki and Watanuki in ×××HOLiC, though it looks to be more one-sided for Doumeki, considering that Watanuki sees him as The Rival. Yuko constantly hints and teases Watanuki that he suits Doumeki much better than Himawari does, and she constantly puts them in situations that resembles her matchmaking them. And whenever Himawari herself sees Watanuki and Doumeki interact (read: bicker), she always comments on how they're both so cute and how close they are. Not to mention how much suffering and hell Doumeki has to go through for Watanuki's sake, constantly suffering bad injuries to protect/rescue him. Considering how much Watanuki disliked him and acted like a Jerkass toward him, none of that would really make sense unless Doumeki... um... really really liked him.
    • In chapter 159 Doumeki reveals to Kohane why he stays with Watanuki. He tells of one day he saw Watanuki standing in the rain, sadly cradling a dead kitten. He hears Watanuki say, "I'll die like this too. Alone." Doumeki then vowed to himself that he wouldn't let that happen. After telling Kohane this she asks him to take care of Watanuki and not to hesitate when the moment comes that he'll be needed.
    • Whenever Watanuki wants to "pay back" any favors Doumeki gives him (such as saving his life numerous times), he'll cook Doumeki's favorite food or take requests to cook something Doumeki wants (most often with Doumeki making some ridiculous request that's impossible). Okay, so Doumeki already really really likes Watanuki, but the cooking definitely seems to make him fall for Watanuki even more. In fact, a lot of dere-dere, romantic and cutesy moments between them occur with them bantering and arguing about Watanuki's cooking.
    • And then, later, Watanuki appears to start acting like a very typical Tsundere towards Doumeki - especially here... with very obvious romantic connotations.
    • Doumeki usually calls Watanuki "you" or "dumbass". When he does start calling Watanuki by his name, he does it without the usual expected honorifics.
    • During the Valentine's Day chapter, if you technically looked at the exchange of chocolate, after the whole mixup, Watanuki gave the chocolate to Doumeki. It's true that in the story, this doesn't carry implications, however, this is xxxHolic, where everything (including the plot) is subtext and symbolism. If you look at the symbolism of Watanuki giving Doumeki chocolate...
    • And then there's chapter 185, where the heartbroken Watanuki reveals that, after Yuuko disappeared, he decided to make a pact to wait for Yuuko forever, never aging, and never being able to leave the shop, until the day she returns to him. Doumeki's expression when Watanuki tells him is... priceless, to say the least. It looks to be a mixture of being punched in the stomach, exasperation, and a general feeling of, "oh shit, you did not just do that..." much the way an agonized boyfriend would react if his girlfriend told him she was going to remain celibate for the next 500 years or so.
      • In recent chapters of Doumeki and Watanuki staying together at Yuuko's shop after she disappears you could hear the collective squeeing of fangirls at the sight of them acting like husband and wife a married couple in a situation that has been the set up to countless Yaoi doujinshi. Sadistic Lady Mangaka indeed, and as of chapter 186 they're just doing it on purpose...
    • This page. Watanuki acting annoyed that Doumeki seems to be spending all his free time coming to see him, only for Mokona to point out that Doumeki is doing it because he's worried about him and want to make sure Watanuki isn't hurt... in heart, or in body. It appears that even Monoka trying to push Watanuki into realizing Doumeki's feelings for him. And the fact that when Monoka told Watanuki that Doumeki was worried about him, Watanuki actually smiled and looked touched.
    • Recent chapters have Doumeki and Watanuki alone in a bedroom, with Watanuki sprawled out on the floor wearing a loose kimono, discussing about the mating habits of cats, and what it needs for the ideal mate and love. Doumeki seems especially keen on the subject, giving Watanuki meaningful glances while talking about "intercourse" and the one it "longs for." Oh, and did we mention that Watanuki has frequently been portrayed as being cat-like, constantly having illustrations of him with cat ears and tail, with slitty pupils? They were also drinking wine and such.... and Doumeki even filled Watanuki's wine glass for him without receiving any glares or nasty remarks in return...
    • Chapter l97. Watanuki says Doumeki doesn't really need to stay at the shop since he was only supposed to be running an errand for Watanuki. Doumeki glances away and says he'll leave when he wants to. In response Watanuki almost playfully blows smoke at him. On the next page we get two panels of just Doumeki and Watanuki staring intensely at each other. Though the tension is broken on the next page, it looks like Watanuki was hoping for a different response...
    • At the beginning of Chapter 204, Watanuki presents to Doumeki a ring specifically for his birthday present. It's a purification tool meant to be worn on the INDEX finger, but Doumeki puts it on the on the wrong finger: The ring finger!
    • There's subtext not only between Doumeki and Watanuki, but also between Watanuki and Haruka, who he is much more willing to admit fondness for.
    • Oh, and you know the Zashiki-Warashi, that cute girl that's completely shy and has a huge crush on Watanuki? In all likelihood, "she" is a "he," according to a CLAMP interview where they say that her being female is not necessarily the case. Coupled with the fact that Zashiki-Warashi spirits are normally described as being young boys and rarely being girls, along with how Ame-Warashi usually says "this child" when referring to Zashiki-Warashi instead of actually using a gender.
      • "Not female" doesn't necessarily mean male... Hana from Gate 7 is genderless as well.
    • If the Horitsuba Drama CDs count, the fourth CD featured a part where Doumeki put his hands up Watanuki's shirt, and afterwards explains that his hands moved subconsciously on their own. Also at the time he was reading the Zashiki-Warashi's lines from the manga. It Makes Sense in Context.
    • At the end of chapter 208, when Watanuki talks about chrysanthemum sake cleansing evil and keeping one in good health, Doumeki insists that Watanuki drink some chrysanthemums sake as well and Watanuki agrees with a smile.
    • Judging by the hints given in Rou ten years or so have gone by, Himawari is married and only visits the store once a year, while Doumeki and Watanuki spend almost every afternoon together. Doumeki goes out to work, brings the groceries, Watanuki cooks and serves the food, then they talk about anything while Watanuki bends around the floor with his clothes almost falling off. Their relationship seems to have almost completely become that of a married couple.
    • The latest chapters have become increasingly homoerotic, mainly the latest one, in which after granting a ghost woman the wish of being reunited with her long lost lover, Watanuki recieved an umbrella as payement and; while explaining to Doumeki that finding a beautiful woman under an umbrella is an amazing discovery for any man, he walks femininely under said object and winks at his friend.
    • Of course, when the series ended it is revealed that Doumeki and Watanuki NEVER HAPPENED. In fact, as revealed in the last OAD, Doumeki revealed that he married Kohane. Then in the last chapter, Doumeki died one hundred years later, and Doumeki's grandson ends up watching after Watanuki. To top it all off, we find that Watanuki can leave the shop after living there for one hundred years and that he still decides to wait there for the sake of Yuuko. Ho Yay still? I think not
    • Not even that stops the Ho Yay. He married Kohane despite the fact that she loves Watanuki more and apparently Word of God has said that Doumeki loves Watanuki more as well. Which has lead some fans to the conclusion that they married and had kids so that there would be someone to take care of Watanuki in their place since they'll eventually grow old and die.
    • CLAMP's definition of love has always been...tricky. True love, destined one, most important person, and marriage aren't necessarily aligned. The last OAD seems to reaffirm that Watanuki and Doumeki are bonded by destiny, and it's up to Watanuki to choose if he wants to remain in Doumeki's life. Watanuki says yes. Also note that the entire OAD focuses on Doumeki and Watanuki's relationship. Doumeki is having nightmares which are troubling him just before his marriage. Is it a coincidence that most of Doumeki's dreams contain his first meetings with Watanuki, and the more traumatic incidences involving Watanuki? It's easy to interpret Watanuki as the reason Doumeki finds it difficult to move on to marriage, and hence the nightmares.
    • And then there's all those times Doumeki saves Watanuki and those Take My Hand moments.
  • Yûko (of xxxHolic) simply cannot keep her hands off her female clients or her assistant's female friends. She's partial to tilting their faces up while she leans down, making for an 'almost-kissing' pose at least once with each woman Yûko sympathizes with.


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