Cardcaptor Sakura

Cardcaptor Sakura - Powers Awry (Vol. 14)

The seemingly benign but sinister exchange student Eriol continues to cause trouble for Sakura and her friends. Using the enchanted Cards taxes her powers, leaving her constantly sleepy. Yue confides to Kero that he fears he may vanish: as the embodiment of the moon, he can only reflect the magic of others (Kero, the sun, commands greater resources). Toya, whose powers seem to be growing, tries to talk with Yukito, but the loudmouthed Nakuru always interrupts them. In episode 55, Sakura finds herself trapped inside an illustrated edition of Alice in Wonderland--as Alice! Yukito becomes the White Rabbit; Toya, the Mad Hatter; Shaoran Li, Tweedledum and Tweedledee; and Eriol, a smug Cheshire Cat. It's a clever parody that treats Lewis Carroll's world respectfully while preserving the personalities of the Sakura characters. (Rated 13 and older, but appropriate for viewers three to four years younger; minor cartoon violence) --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - The Clow (Vol. 1)

Curiosity is a part of any 10-year-old's life, but Sakura just broke the seal on a magical book and released all of the mischievous spirits imprisoned on the cards inside! Kero, the "Guardian of the Clow Cards" is horrified to find all of the cards gone and tells Sakura she must become the "Cardcaptor" and retrieve the spirits before they work their mischief in the world... Volume 1 (contains episodes 1-4)

Cardcaptor Sakura - Everlasting Memories (Vol. 2)

Ten-year-old Sakura's adventures continue as she pursues the magic Clow Cards and the spirits they control: Jump, a violent pink creature who resembles a mutant Pokémon, bedevils a woman who sells plush toys--until Sakura brings him to heel. Episode 9 stands out as an example of sensitive storytelling. Everyone perceives the eerie specter in the woods near their school differently; Sakura sees the ghost of her mother, who died seven years ago. Recalling Yuki's advice that her mother would never put her in danger, Sakura penetrates the ruse and captures Illusion, who shows people what they desire to see. Sakura's older brother is dumbfounded when he realizes their mother's spirit actually has been watching over her. But Sakura isn't the only one pursuing the enchanted Cards. Shaoran Li, the brash new student from Hong Kong, is a distant relative of the sorcerer who created the Cards: he arrogantly insists he's the only one qualified to deal with them. Despite his protests, Sakura demonstrates her skill by capturing the powerful Lightning. Kerberos presents details about Sakura's clothes and home between episodes. Cardcaptor Sakura offers warm but never saccharine entertainment. (In Japanese with English subtitles.) Rated 13 and up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger. An edited version of these same episodes is available, entitled Cardcaptors: Power Match that's suitable for the 6-year-old crowd. --Charles Solomon

Don't mess with Jump-zilla! Sakura learns the memories of the past may be haunting or comforting, but they also help people in the face of adversity. However, when Sakura faces off against the Jump, the Illusion, the Silent and the Thunder cards, she discovers that she must bravely face her future, or her new rival, Li Shaoran, will take it from her! Contains episodes 5-8, and a limited edition postcard.

Cardcaptor Sakura - The Movie 2 - The Sealed Card (Special Edtion)

Four months after the end of the broadcast series, Sakura and her friends are starting 6th grade; Toya and Yuki are college freshmen. The magical Clow Cards have been captured, but Shaoran Li has returned to Hong Kong, and Sakura has yet to respond to his declaration of love. Tomoyo arranges for him and Meilin to visit for the opening of an amusement park on the site of Eriol's house. The bulldozers free an unknown 53rd Card, which promptly causes problems. In a plot that recalls Tenchi in Tokyo, the Card wrecks havoc not out of malice, but because of the loneliness it endured while it was sealed away. Sakura manages to resolve everything satisfactorily--with some help from her friends. The English vocal cast is better than the one for Cardcaptors, but the film is more entertaining in Japanese with subtitles. (Rated 13 and older: minor violence) --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Sweet Trouble (Vol. 8)

The eighth collection of this popular series contains both plot-driven episodes and lighter, sillier adventures. The Clow Cards achieve new heights of mischief in "Sakura, Kero, and Shaoran," as Changes switches the bodies of Sakura's classmate Shaoran Li with Kerberos, the plush toy-like creature from the front of the enchanted book. Sakura is caught in the middle, trying to keep her quarrelsome allies apart until she can undo the magic. Sakura faces a moral dilemma when a new friend adopts the wounded Dash Card as a pet--and begins breaking school track records. In other adventures, the Sweet Card ruins a home economics class baking lesson, and a dragon conjured up by the Create Card threatens to flatten the neighborhood until Sakura overcomes her fear and tackles the monster with a combination of magic and old-fashioned pluck. Rated 13 Up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - The Movie

In the first feature based on the popular series, Sakura wins a trip to Hong Kong. Her father is away on business, so she goes with Toya, Yukito, and Tomoyo. Hong Kong is the home of her classmate and sometime ally Li Shaoran and his obnoxious cousin Meilin, and the cast is soon reunited. Clow Reed, the wizard who invented the magical Clow Cards, also lived in Hong Kong, and his presence lingers there in the memory of the redoubtable sorceress Madoushi. Although Li Shaoran, his beautiful mother, and Kero offer their assistance, Sakura uses her inner resources to defeat Madoushi, a more powerful and evil foe than any of the Cards. This longer adventure preserves the qualities that have won the series so many fans, and it's more entertaining in the subtitled Japanese version than in the clunky English dub. Unrated; suitable for ages 9 and up: Violence. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Friends & Family (Vol. 6)

Tiny Troubles. Card by card, Sakura gets closer to capturing them all, still the cards find plenty of ways to make trouble! Sakura thought the Loop Card's never-ending race was tiring, but the Sleep Card's about to teach Sakura's father what tired really means! Now, even Sakura's friends have to help out when the Song Card makes Tomoyo keep singing until she gets the song perfect. What could be next? Oh, no! Sakura's been turned tiny by the Little Card - how will she capture it if her magic key is too huge to hold?

Cardcaptor Sakura - Winter Wonderland (Vol. 9)

The episodes that mark the end of the first season of this charming series have an ominous tone. Sakura is haunted by a recurring dream in which she confronts a mysterious long-haired woman atop Tokyo Tower: is it her math teacher, Ms. Mizuki? The relations between the characters shift and tensions grow: Sakura's older brother Toya clearly dislikes Shaoran Li, who is jealous of Sakura's friendship with Yuki. Sakura and Shaoran have to work together to defeat the increasingly powerful Clow Cards, and an attraction may be growing between them. The obstreperous Meilin, who clings to Shaoran as if he were magnetized, is jealous of Sakura. Kero worries about these developments, but he also realizes that as Sakura captures more of the enchanted Cards, he's regaining his magical powers--which he demonstrates in Wonderful Christmas. Rated 13 Up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Star Cards (Vol. 13)

Cardcaptor Sakura - The Final Judgement (Vol. 12)

The 12th disc in this popular series brings the second season to its conclusion. Sakura captures the last and most powerful Clow Card, Earthy. As Kero and Yukito reveal their true forms, Sakura finds herself in the confrontation that has haunted her dreams. Losing this battle would have dire consequences, even though it wouldn't involve "the Earth blowing up or anything like that." With the support of Shaoran Li, Ms. Mizuki, and Toya, Sakura proves herself worthy to become the new master of the enchanted Clow Cards: the timid little girl of the first episodes has discovered inner strengths she didn't know she possessed. "Sakura and the Mysterious Transfer Student" begins both the third season and a new continuity involving Eriol Hiiragizawa--a strange and powerful rival to Shaoran for Sakura's affections. (Rated 13 and older, but appropriate for children 3 to 4 years younger; minor cartoon violence) --Charles Solomon