Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card
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is a Japanese ''shōjo'' manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp. It is a sequel to Clamp's manga ''
Cardcaptor Sakura , abbreviated as ''CCS'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp. Serialized monthly in the ''shōjo'' manga magazine '' Nakayoshi'' from the June 1996 to August 2000 issues, it was also published in ...
'' and focuses on
Sakura Kinomoto is the main protagonist and title character of Clamp's manga series ''Cardcaptor Sakura''. In the English anime adaptation by Nelvana of the series, '' Cardcaptors'', she is known as Sakura Avalon, though her surname was changed back in the s ...
in junior high school. The manga was serialized in
Kodansha is a Japanese privately held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha publishes manga magazines which include ''Nakayoshi'', ''Morning (magazine), Morning'', ''Afternoon (magazine), Afternoon'', ''Evening (magazine), Eveni ...
's ''
Nakayoshi is a monthly Shōjo manga, ''shōjo'' manga List of manga magazines, magazine published by Kodansha in Japan. First issued in December 1954, it is a long-running magazine with over 60 years of manga publication history. Notable titles serialized ...
'' magazine between the July 2016 and January 2024 issues, with the chapters collected in 16
tankōbon A is a standard publishing format for books in Japan, alongside other formats such as ''shinsho'' (17x11 cm paperback books) and ''bunkobon''. Used as a loanword in English, the term specifically refers to a printed collection of a manga that w ...
volumes. A 22-episode
anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
television series adaptation produced by Madhouse, featuring the cast and staff from the original series, aired from January to June 2018, which loosely adapts the first 24 chapters.


Plot

Sakura Kinomoto is the main protagonist and title character of Clamp's manga series ''Cardcaptor Sakura''. In the English anime adaptation by Nelvana of the series, '' Cardcaptors'', she is known as Sakura Avalon, though her surname was changed back in the s ...
is starting
junior high school Middle school, also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school, is an educational stage between primary school and secondary school. Afghanistan In Afghanistan, middle school includes ...
alongside her friends and her boyfriend
Syaoran Li Syaoran Li, sometimes spelled as Shaoran Li or originally as Xiaolang Li (李小狼 ''Lǐ Xiǎoláng''; リ・シャオラン ''Ri Shaoran'', or ''Ri Syaoran'' (Kunrei); Cantonese Jyutping: ''lei5 siu2 long4''), is one of the central characters ...
, who had just returned to Tomoeda, and the two start dating after having been in a long-distance relationship since Syaoran's return to Hong Kong a few years earlier. During her first year in
junior high school Middle school, also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school, is an educational stage between primary school and secondary school. Afghanistan In Afghanistan, middle school includes ...
, Sakura encounters a number of magical incidents in Tomoeda, similar to what she experienced in Elementary School. After having a prophetic dream about a mysterious cloaked figure, all of the Sakura Cards turn blank and are rendered completely powerless, thus starting her quest to find out what is wrong. In doing so, Sakura and her friends, along with her guardians and protectors
Cerberus In Greek mythology, Cerberus ( or ; ''Kérberos'' ), often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a polycephaly, multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Greek underworld, underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. He was the offspring o ...
and Yue, discover and capture new cards, using the new and much stronger mystical dream key. Eriol, Spinel Sun and
Ruby Moon This article covers the major characters of Clamp's manga ''Cardcaptor Sakura'' and its respective anime and movies. The manga and anime focused on Japanese schoolgirl Sakura Kinomoto who finds the magical Clow Book in her father's basement stud ...
appear as supporting characters, as does
Kaho Mizuki This article covers the major characters of Clamp's manga ''Cardcaptor Sakura'' and its respective anime and movies. The manga and anime focused on Japanese schoolgirl Sakura Kinomoto who finds the magical Clow Book in her father's basement stud ...
, having returned to England, but continuing to aid Sakura and her protectors from afar. Sakura's brother Toya also regains his ability to communicate with the spirit of their mother Nadeshiko again (after having previously lost that ability after giving his magic to Yue a few years earlier to save both his life and that of Yukito's) and acquires new magic which he intends to use to help Sakura when the time is right. Sakura ends up befriending a transfer student named Akiho Shinomoto (who has travelled with and lives with her butler and guardian Yuna D. Kaito in Eriol's old house), who has similar personality traits and likes to Sakura. The daughter of two powerful magicians, Akiho was left orphaned after both her parents died in an accident, and is eventually placed under Kaito's care. Akiho also treasures Momo; what she believes to be a stuffed toy but is actually a magical guardian similar to
Cerberus In Greek mythology, Cerberus ( or ; ''Kérberos'' ), often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a polycephaly, multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Greek underworld, underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. He was the offspring o ...
and Spinel Sun. She is also in love with Kaito; something that Sakura realizes some time after meeting Kaito herself. Syaoran also meets Kaito, from whom he detects supreme levels of magical power which are greater than those possessed by Eriol. Due to her growing powers, Sakura has gained the ability to create new cards, often during times of great emotion, whose images represent her friends and loved ones. Syaoran’s mother Yelan tells him of a prophecy that if Sakura’s growing powers are left unchecked they could bring her disaster. Working with Eriol and the Sakura Cards, Syaoran takes possession of them for Sakura’s safety despite the fact that he endangered himself by doing this. Syaoran keeps these things secret from Sakura, often acting withdrawn as a result of his guilt, but eventually reveals all. Syaoran returned to Japan to prevent his mother’s prophecy from coming true; knowing that Sakura has not yet learnt to control her powers; with him and Eriol having known people who have suffered as a result of their powers. Sakura suspects sadly that Syaoran only returned sooner than he said he would in the last letter he wrote to her out of the sake of his mission and not out of love for and wanting to be with her, but she is reassured when Syaoran reveals to Sakura that his mission was only part of the reason he returned sooner; he just wanted to see her again as soon as possible. Knowing that Kaito (whose magic makes him appear older than he really is) is a sorcerer, Syaoran tries to reveal this to Sakura, but Kaito places a spell on Syaoran to prevent him from mentioning his name to her (Sakura later breaks the spell). At moments when Kaito’s cover is blown, he uses time magic to revert things back to how they were before. As time progresses it is revealed that Kaito not only knows about Sakura’s double-life as a Cardcaptor but also her ability to create new cards (explaining his reason for moving to Tomoeda) and has been causing the magical incidents so that Sakura can create a card that he needs for an unknown, mysterious purpose.


Media


Manga

''Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card'' is written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. It was serialized in monthly '' shōjo'' (aimed at young girls)
manga magazine are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics an ...
''
Nakayoshi is a monthly Shōjo manga, ''shōjo'' manga List of manga magazines, magazine published by Kodansha in Japan. First issued in December 1954, it is a long-running magazine with over 60 years of manga publication history. Notable titles serialized ...
'' from the July 2016 issue sold on June 3 to the January 2024 issue sold on December 1, 2023. A bonus chapter was released in March 2024. The chapters were released in a collection of 16 ''
tankōbon A is a standard publishing format for books in Japan, alongside other formats such as ''shinsho'' (17x11 cm paperback books) and ''bunkobon''. Used as a loanword in English, the term specifically refers to a printed collection of a manga that w ...
'' volumes by
Kodansha is a Japanese privately held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha publishes manga magazines which include ''Nakayoshi'', ''Morning (magazine), Morning'', ''Afternoon (magazine), Afternoon'', ''Evening (magazine), Eveni ...
between December 2017 and April 2024.
Kodansha Comics Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC is a publishing company based in New York, US, and a subsidiary of Japan's largest publishing company Kodansha. Established in July 1st 2008, Kodansha USA publishes books relating to Japan, Japanese culture, and man ...
released the series in English both digitally and in print.


Anime

A 22-episode
anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
television series adaptation aired from January 7 to June 10, 2018 with
Morio Asaka is a Japanese storyboard artist and director. After graduating Osaka Designers' College, Asaka entered Madhouse. He was inspired to become a director by '' Phoenix: Yamato Chapter'' and made his debut as an episode director in episode 40 of '' ...
,
Nanase Ohkawa is a member of the all-female manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term i ...
and Madhouse returning from the original anime series to direct, write and produce the new adaptation, respectively, loosely adapted from the first twenty-eight chapters of the manga. Kunihiko Hamada replaced Kumiko Takahashi as the character designer from the original series. The main cast from the original anime also returns to reprise their roles. An
original video animation , abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and special episodes of a series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the ...
prequel titled ''Sakura and the Two Bears'', which bridges the stories of the "Sakura Card Arc" and the "Clear Card Arc", had its world premiere at
Anime Expo Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). The convention is traditionally held annually on the first we ...
on July 1, 2017 and shipped in Japan as a DVD bundled with the special edition of volume 3 of the manga on September 13, 2017. The first opening theme for the series is " Clear" by
Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese actress and singer. She made her debut as a Voice acting in Japan, voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime ''Little Twins'', and became known as the voice of Hitomi Kanzaki in ''The Vision of Escaflowne''. Other ...
, while the first ending theme is "Jewelry" by
Saori Hayami is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with I'm Enterprise. As a singer, she is signed to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Hayami won the 10th Seiyu Awards for Best Supporting Actress. Biography Hayami became interested in voice ...
.
Funimation Funimation was an American Video on demand#Subscription models, subscription video on-demand Over-the-top media service, over-the-top Streaming media, streaming service. Launched in 2016, the service was one of the leading distributors of anime ...
premiered the simuldub on January 24, 2018. The second opening theme is "Rocket Beat" by
Kiyono Yasuno is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Miyagi Prefecture. She attended voice actor training classes of the Avex Artist Academy before becoming affiliated with Avex Planning and Development. She is known for her role as Megumi Katō in the ...
while the second ending theme is "Rewind" by
Minori Suzuki is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Aoni Production. She started her career after passing an audition for the role of Freyja Wion in the 2016 anime television series ''Macross Delta'', beating 8,000 other auditionees for th ...
. The series was released in Japan on Blu-ray and DVD in eight volumes from May to November 2018. In 2019,
Funimation Funimation was an American Video on demand#Subscription models, subscription video on-demand Over-the-top media service, over-the-top Streaming media, streaming service. Launched in 2016, the service was one of the leading distributors of anime ...
released the series in two Blu-ray sets of 11 episodes each in North America on February 5 and July 2. Funimation released the complete series in one Blu-ray volume on August 11, 2020. A sequel was announced at the Sakura Fes event on April 1, 2023, and will adapt the remaining story until its conclusion.


Other

Bushiroad is a Japanese entertainment company, producer of collectible card games and trading cards, and publisher of mobile apps and games, which was founded in 2007 by Takaaki Kidani and is headquartered in Tokyo. Bushiroad created and owns various med ...
and Monster Lab created a
mobile game A mobile game is a video game that is typically played on a mobile phone. The term also refers to all games that are played on any Mobile device, portable device, including from mobile phone (feature phone or smartphone), tablet computer, table ...
for
iOS Ios, Io or Nio (, ; ; locally Nios, Νιός) is a Greek island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. Ios is a hilly island with cliffs down to the sea on most sides. It is situated halfway between Naxos and Santorini. It is about long an ...
and
Android Android most commonly refers to: *Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human * Android (operating system), a mobile operating system primarily developed by Google * Android TV, a operating system developed ...
titled ''Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Happiness Memories'' and launched it on October 3, 2019. The game's theme song is "Flash" by
Maaya Sakamoto is a Japanese actress and singer. She made her debut as a Voice acting in Japan, voice actress in 1992 as the voice of Chifuru in the anime ''Little Twins'', and became known as the voice of Hitomi Kanzaki in ''The Vision of Escaflowne''. Other ...
. In May 2020, Bushiroad and Monster Lab announced they were ending services for the game on June 30, 2020 due to the "state of the game" and "current operations situation." To date, two ''Clear Card'' drama CDs and two bonus manga stories have been released in Japan. Both drama CDs were released with special editions of ''Clear Card'' volumes 7 and 8, respectively. The first bonus manga story, which is about Sakura and Syaoran going on a date, was released with volume 8 of the Blu-ray release of the ''Clear Card'' anime. The second, titled "Until We Meet Again", which focused on the long-distance relationship Sakura and Syaoran maintained during his time back in Hong Kong, was released with a special edition of ''Clear Card'' volume 10.


Reception

It was reported in April 2017 that over 1 million copies of the manga were in print in Japan. In reviewing volumes 1 and 2 of the manga, Erica Friedman, founder of
Yuricon Yuricon was an anime convention geared toward fans of yuri anime and manga. The first Yuricon event was held in 2003 in Newark, New Jersey with about 200 attending, although Yuricon has existed as an online entity since 2000. The event was or ...
called the sequel "honest-to-goodness", and said that those who enjoy the original series will enjoy this manga, and said she was happy with "this kiddy ride full of pretty art and nice kids", but gave low-ratings for
yuri Yuri may refer to: People Given name *Yuri (Slavic name), the Slavic masculine form of the given name George, including a list of people with the given name Yuri, Yury, etc. *Yuri (Japanese name), feminine Japanese given names, including a list o ...
themes. The anime adaptation received mixed reviews. Miranda Sanchez of ''
IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
'' reviewed the first two episodes of the series, praising the storytelling, and animation style, but was critical of the second episode, calling it "mundane". Geordi Demorest of ''Anime Feminist'' criticized the series, arguing that while the original ''Cardcaptor Sakura'' is beloved for its "LGBTQ-inclusiveness," this sequel seems "less actively progressive" and is missing the original focus on "explicitly representing LGBTQ characters". Lynzee Loveridge of ''
Anime News Network Anime News Network (ANN) is a news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, video games, Japanese popular music and other related cultures within North America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. The website offers reviews and ot ...
'' wrote that she was unsure whether the series added "anything worthwhile to characters' stories" and argued that it is a "facsimile of the previous series," with no traditional villains. Tim Jones and Stig Høgset of ''
THEM Anime Reviews THEM Anime Reviews, otherwise known as THEM or T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews, is an anime review website that writes about current and past anime in any form, including OVAs and ONAs. The website offers reviews, editorial content and hosts forums. ...
'' gave the series a more positive review. Jones said he had some hesitation to start the series, as it was three years after ''
Sailor Moon Crystal ''Sailor Moon Crystal'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime series based on the ''shōjo'' manga series ''Sailor Moon'' written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi, produced in commemoration of the original series' 20th anniversary. Pr ...
'', while Høgset called the show like "a fun family reunion" and praised the background art for the series. Timothy Donohoo of CBR claimed that the series was "largely forgotten" by fans and the
anime industry is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
because it was a "disappointing affair for many" because it ran for 22 episodes and called it a "mediocre rehash" of the original and "painfully mediocre". Charles Solomon of ''Animation Scoop'' praised the series for its animation quality, but said that the series "faltered" by copying the original series "too closely", had an ending that was too abrupt, and stated that elements like Tomoyo’s love for Sakura "fell by the wayside." Jack Eaton of ''Gamerant'' noted that the series did not receive "the same critical and commercial success" as the original, and called for a "a second chance at a sequel" which is more fitting than this series, or a remastering of the original. Shamus Kelley, in his review of the final three episodes of the series for ''
Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a UK and US-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture. The website also issues a biannual magazine. History ''Den of Geek'' was founded in 2007 by Simon Brew in London. In 2012, DoG Tech LLC licensed ' ...
'', criticizing the ending as a "convoluted mess", called the plot "heavy-handed", noted the series focus on Tomoyo's "endless obsession with Sakura", and praised the series as "really fun" but fighting "against itself." In reviews of other episodes within the series, Kelley criticized the plot as "fairly lackluster", not expanding on possible queer themes, "lazily aping" the original series, and described the plot as creepy.


References


External links

* * * {{Madhouse 2016 manga 2018 anime television series debuts Anime series based on manga Crunchyroll anime Funimation Japanese children's animated action television series Japanese children's animated fantasy television series Kodansha manga Madhouse (company) Magical girl anime and manga Medialink NHK original programming Sequel comics Sequel television series Shōjo manga Works by Clamp (manga artists)