Cardcaptor Sakura

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Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura volume 1 manga cover Japanese edition.
カードキャプターさくら
(Kādokyaputā Sakura)
Genre Magical Girl, Comedy, Romance, Shōjo
Manga
Authored by CLAMP
Publisher Japan Kodansha
Other publishers:
Serialized in Nakayoshi
Original run 1996 – 2000
No. of volumes 12
TV anime
Directed by Mamoru Kanbe
Studio Madhouse
Network Japan NHK, Animax
Other networks:
Original run April 7, 1998 – March 21, 2000
No. of episodes 70
Movie: Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie
Directed by Morio Asaka
Studio Madhouse
Released Japan August 21, 1998
Runtime 79 min.
Movie: Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie II – The Sealed Card
Directed by Morio Asaka
Studio Madhouse
Released Japan 2000
Runtime 79 min.

Cardcaptor Sakura (カードキャプターさくら Kādokyaputā Sakura?), also known as Card Captor Sakura (with the space) and often abbreviated as CCS, is a manga series from the well-known all-female artist team CLAMP. The anime television series (1998-2000) based on the manga consists of 70 half-hour episodes (spread over three seasons), two theatrically released movies, and several specials. Cardcaptor Sakura is published in Japan by Kodansha and was previously serialized in Nakayoshi.

An English dub of the anime series, titled Cardcaptors, aired in English-speaking countries.[1] An unedited English translation, entitled Cardcaptor Sakura, was broadcast in its English-language networks by the anime television network, Animax. Cardcaptor Sakura has also been released in English speaking countries in an unedited and subtitled DVD under its original title.

As the series progresses, there is a pattern of foreshadowing and dreams that lead to an unusual conclusion. Like Magic Knight Rayearth, one of CLAMP's previous works, Cardcaptor Sakura is a new twist on an old genre.

Due in part to its animation and characterization, Cardcaptor Sakura has a wide fanbase on the Internet, particularly in the categories of yaoi, shōjo, yuri and lolicon.

Most of characters in Cardcaptor Sakura also appear in one of CLAMP's latest manga series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The show begins as a simple girls' anime of the magical girl genre. Ten-year-old Sakura Kinomoto opens a mysterious book in her father's study and accidentally lets loose the magical Clow Cards. By her ability to open the seal, Sakura is revealed to have special powers, and it becomes her responsibility to retrieve the missing cards. The task involves finding each card, battling its magical personification, and sealing it away. She is assisted by Cerberus (Kerberos, also known as Kero-chan), the Beast of the Seal assigned to protect the cards, but who was asleep when Sakura opened the Clow Book (He was on a "nap" at the time, which lasted 30 years). Kero-chan, who looks like an animated plush toy throughout most of the series, guides Sakura as she develops her Cardcaptor powers. In the first episode, he presents her with the Key of the Seal, which allows her to fight and capture the Clow Cards.

Clow Card Arc (クロウカード編 Kurou Kādo-hen?)
The first and second seasons of the anime and first six volumes of the manga focus on Sakura's attempts to capture the released Clow Cards. Cerberus acts as her guide and mentor throughout the quest, while classmate and best friend Tomoyo Daidouji (who is also her second cousin) assists in designing Sakura's battle costumes and filming her adventures. Sakura also competes with Syaoran Li, the descendant of the Clow Cards' creator, Clow Reed, in capturing the Cards. The first half of the series ends after the Final Judgment, in which those who have attempted to capture the Clow Cards are tested by the mysterious Yue for the right to become Master of the Clow.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (劇場版カードキャプターさくら Gekijōban Kādokyaputā Sakura?)
Occurring between the 1st and 2nd seasons (or the middle of the 1st season in international releases), the first movie takes Sakura and company to Hong Kong during winter break. Still in her quest to capture all the Clow Cards, Sakura encounters new challenges, some of which take place in ominous dreams. Sakura must defeat a vengeful sorceress rejected by Clow Reed in the past or risk losing her family and friends.

Sakura Card Arc (さくらカード編 Sakura Kādo-hen?)
The third season of the anime and last six volumes of the manga introduce several new characters, including the enigmatic Eriol Hiiragizawa. Since Sakura has now become the new Master of the Clow Cards, she must transform them under her own magic into Sakura Cards. At the same time, new strange disturbances are occurring in Tomoeda, which adds further pressure to Sakura's task. Meanwhile, Syaoran falls in love with Sakura and tries to find a way to admit his feelings to her.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie 2 – The Sealed Card (劇場版カードキャプターさくら 封印されたカード Gekijōban Kādokyaputā Sakura Fūin Sareta Kādo?)
Occurring after the end of the 3rd season (2nd season in international releases), the 2nd movie brings closure to the relationship questions between Sakura and Syaoran, which were left somewhat unanswered in the last episode of the TV series. Like the 1st movie, the 2nd movie does not follow or adapt from any events depicted in the manga and, therefore, closes the anime series in a different manner. Syaoran has already admitted his feelings to Sakura, but she has yet to answer him. Chances become good when Syaoran visits Tomoeda from China over the summer and participates in a school play with Sakura during the Nadeshiko Festival. However, Sakura has more issues challenging her than finding the right moment to confess to Syaoran. A strange force begins stealing the Sakura Cards and erasing portions of Tomoeda, and Sakura soon encounters a mysterious Clow Card called The Nothing, the antithesis of the 52 Sakura Cards with as much negative power as all their positive powers combined.

[edit] Characters and cards

While several character can be considered main characters due to their importance to the plot, Sakura Kinomoto is the protagonist of the story. Other characters who have supporting roles often have reoccurring appearances in the story.

[edit] Characters




[edit] Clow Cards / Sakura Cards

Main article: Clow Cards

[edit] English adaptation

[edit] English manga

The manga was translated into English by Tokyopop (Formerly Mixx). Characters kept their Japanese names in the translated manga, however Yukito's nickname, Yuki, which is used by only Toya in the original version, is used by the entire cast in the English version. Plotwise, the manga is mostly unchanged from the original.

The earlier edition of the first six volumes were flipped to read left to right, while the later six volumes, released under the name Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow, read the original right-to-left way. The original six volumes were later re-released in the original right-to-left format with the same cover style as the latter six volumes.

Kodansha also published bilingual editions of the manga to help Japanese children learn English. Many English-reading fans preferred the paper quality and translations of these editions to the Tokyopop editions. Kodansha stopped publishing the editions when it was found that English-speakers in North America imported Kodansha's translations ahead of Tokyopop's releases and did not buy Tokyopop's releases. Therefore, only Tokyopop has all of the volumes translated.

The North American translation is imported to Australia by Madman Entertainment.

[edit] Cardcaptors

Main article: Cardcaptors

Cardcaptor Sakura was adapted into English by Nelvana and brought to the United States and other English-speaking countries under the name Cardcaptors.

[edit] Animax translation

The anime television network, Animax, aired an uncensored English translation of the Cardcaptor Sakura series, entitled under its actual name Cardcaptor Sakura, featuring their own English dubbing team, and staying faithful to the original, retaining all of the original names and dialogue, for broadcast across its English-language networks in Southeast Asia [2] [3] and South Asia. [4] [5]

[edit] Media information

See Voice actors of Cardcaptor Sakura for voice casting.
See List of Cardcaptor Sakura episodes for episode titles.
See Cardcaptor Sakura media information for:
  • Theme songs.
  • Broadcasting.
    • Other language adaptations.
  • International titles.
  • Episode directors.

[edit] References

  • Cardcaptor Sakura, anime TV series, . (1998). Cardcaptor Sakura [Television series, DVD]. Japan: Bandai Visual.
  • Cardcaptor Sakura, manga series,  CLAMP (w),  Cardcaptor Sakura 1996 Kodansha.
  1. ^ Poitras, Gilles (2001). Anime Essentials: Every Thing a Fan Needs to Know. Stone Bridge Press, 27. ISBN 1880656531.
  2. ^ Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub
  3. ^ Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub
  4. ^ Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub
  5. ^ Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub

[edit] External links

Official sites
Other


Cardcaptor Sakura (CLAMP)
v • d • e
Information
Cardcaptors dub
Media information
List of episodes
Voice actors
Characters
Kinomoto Family: Sakura | Toya | Fujitaka | Nadeshiko
Li Clan: Syaoran | Meiling
Daidouji Family: Tomoyo | Sonomi
Magical Beings: Cerberus | Yue | Spinel Sun | Ruby Moon
Clow-Related: Clow Reed | Eriol Hiiragizawa | Kaho Mizuki | Yukito Tsukishiro
Classmates: Chiharu Mihara | Rika Sasaki | Takashi Yamazaki | Naoko Yanagisawa
Other adults: Yoshiyuki Terada | Maki Matsumoto
Clow Cards
A-F -- G-R -- S-Z
Episode Guide: Clow Card Arc: 1-18, 19-35, 36-46 | Sakura Card Arc: 47-59, 60-70
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