Cardcaptors

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 - The Movie 2 - The Sealed Card

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

Cardcaptors - The Movie

In the American version of the first feature based on the TV series, Sakura wins a trip to Hong Kong and brings Tori, Julian, and Madison (Toya, Yukito, and Tomoyo in the Japanese original) with her. They meet up with Li Showron (Li Shaoran), his cousin Meilin, his beautiful mother--and the evil sorceress Su Yung, who hates Clow Reed, the wizard who created the magical Clow Cards. The American version is aimed at a younger audience than the original, and Sakura's crush on Julian (Yukito) isn't mentioned. The insight Sakura gains during their battles enables her to defeat the enchantress in the original film; in this version, she whimpers while her enemy disintegrates. The film will appeal primarily to girls who watch the show on the Kids' WB network. Unrated; suitable for ages 7 and up: 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 - 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 - 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

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 - Magical Mystery (Vol. 7)

As the plot of this popular series escalates, Kero notes that Sakura's magical powers are increasing--and that she may need them in an upcoming conflict. But other characters have special abilities. Sakura's older brother, Toya, "sees things other people can't," and his vision causes him to follow a mysterious spirit who takes the form of his sister. Sakura's substitute math teacher, Ms. Mizuki, knew Toya when he was a junior high student and they became very friendly--as Sakura discovers when the Return card carries her into the past. Shaoran Li stretches his powers to call Sakura back, although Kero suspects Yuki somehow aided him. Ms. Mizuki commands formidable powers of her own, which enable her to smash the labyrinth erected by the Maze Card--and causes Shaoran to fear her. Rated 13 and older, but appropriate for children three to four years younger; minor cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Friends Forever (Vol. 3)

As 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto's abilities as a Cardcaptor increase, her life grows more complicated. When she meets Sonomi, the mother of her best friend Tomoyo and the president of a major toy company, she discovers Sonomi is a cousin of her mother, Nadeshiko. Sonomi looked after the lovely, klutzy Nadeshiko when they were growing up and still resents Sakura's father for marrying her closest friend. But also she's mature enough to recognize that Professor Kinomoto made Nadeshiko very happy during her brief life. Sakura is enchanted to learn about her mother, who died when she was only 3. Kero, Sakura's irrepressible familiar, provides a comic counterpoint to serious feelings in these episodes, playing video games and demanding his share of any snack. Shaoran Li, the rude new boy from Hong Kong, continues to compete with Sakura as magical Clow Cards appear and have to be subdued. Matters take a turn for the worse when Li develops a sort of crush on Yuki, the high school student Sakura adores. No American cartoon studio would tackle this story line, fearing accusations of promoting homosexuality from conservative watchdogs. Li's attraction to Yuki isn't sexual, but the normal feelings of a lonely 10-year-old in need of a big brother/role model, and the emotional honesty only adds to the charm of Cardcaptor Sakura. Rated 13 and up, but story line aside, appropriate for a younger audience. The series is available in an edited format entitled Cardcaptors that aired on the Cartoon Network. --Charles Solomon

Sakura, lead with your heart! The Sword card takes control of Sakura's friend and attacks! Still, Sakura is able to use her head and her heart to save everyone. Next, Sakura discovers her mother was best friends with Tomoyo's mom, and learns important lessons about friendship. However, none of these lessons prepares Sakura or Li for the challenge of the Time card. How can you battle something that can turn back time? Card Captor Sakura Vol 3 - Friends Forever (Episodes 9, 10, 11 & 12) Collectable postcard inside! (While supplies last.) Unedited, Japanese language release of Cardcaptors (as seen on the Kids WB). Contains episodes exclusive to the Home Video Market!

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