Fuma noted that an early scene in the series was a major foreshadowing event which would connect him with Kamui though initially irrelevant for the enjoyment of the narrative. Compared to the first X film, Zac Bertschy of ANN said that Fuma's transformation into the series' villain is more realistic in the television series. In an overview, Carl Kimlinger agreed about the transformation of Fuma into the villain known as the "Shadow Kamui". About the manga, Shaenon K. Garrity of ANN called Fuma's transformation into the Earth's Kamui one of Clamp's best-written moments in action scenes and shōjo manga in general. Garrity called it a "Sample Badass Moment" and Fuma's inexplicable murder of his sister "messed up". Jason Thompson found Fuma's transformation one of Clamp's most famous plot twists, similar to those in RG Veda and Tokyo Babylon. A Manga News reviewer enjoyed the character's interactions with Seishiro as they become friends while causing an earthquake. Crispin Freeman was praised by Anime News Network as one of the best X English voice actors, as appealing as Junichi Suwabe. In addition to Fuma's traits, other critics focused on his relationship with Kamui. In CLAMP in Context: A Critical Study of the Manga and Anime, Dani Cavallaro analyzed the handling of Fuma and Kamui's actions. Although both take similar paths in their fights in the war between the Dragons, Fuma takes his weapon through brute force and Kamui is given it by his family. Fuma's action was noted as sadistic, making him a major foil to Kamui. In their final battle in the film, Fuma is defeated but Kamui still cares for his friend. Readers of the series have wondered if Clamp was hinting at a romantic relationship between Kamui and Fuma; according to SequentalArt, most of Fuma's interactions with Kamui had homoerotic overtones. In the book Understanding Manga and Anime, Robin E. Brenner said that Clamp had no such intention in a comparison with the more-explicit relationship between Subaru and Seishiro. In a retrospective of the anime X, Beverdige praised Kamui's and Fuma's relationship; although the rest of the cast is likeable, few would make the audience overlook the conflict between the two main characters. Several critics found their relationship one of the strongest points in Rintaro's 1996 film. Chris Beveridge of Mania Entertainment praised Kamui and Fuma's final fight in the television series, with its "own level of epic sadness