Cardcaptor Sakura
Source: TV
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Added 4/23/2008
Updated 3/27/2022
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This classic series, based on a CLAMP manga (Kodansha 1996-2000), the series was animated by Madhouse Studio in 70 TV episodes and two movies from 1998-2000. It tells the story of a young girl who, rather like Pandora, unwisely opens a mysterious book containing a set of Cards with supernatural properties. Liberated, they fly off in all directions, and the book's guardian, a teddy-bear-like creature called Kerberos, tells her that she has to become the "Cardcaptor" to find, subdue, and return the Cards to their book.
She agrees, rather reluctantly, and thus begins one of the classics of children's literature. Her quest, first to find and recapture the Cards, then to make them her own by transforming and using them again, takes her through an amazingly complex series of adventures, which, despite the American adaptors' disclaimer, provide a remarkably wide-ranging exploration of the meaning of romance.
Made for a young female audience, it has generated a worldwide fan base from all ages and genders. CCS fans are tough, passionate collectors, and while there's always a lot of inventory on dealers' sites and auctions, the high end items always challenge the mettle of would-be buyers. I've been disappointed more times that I can count in losing beautiful pieces, but over time I've managed to get lucky enough to get quite a few cels that I never expected to see in person, much less own.
This is the largest part of my collection, and so I've broken it down the most. Click on the tiles below to link to the galleries that you find most intriguing. Or, if you're not sure where to start, just start at the very beginning . . .
Episode One
This introductory adventure is one of my favorites in the sly, economical way in which it introduces the principal characters and the main conflict of the series. Many of these cels are small but together they illustrate significant moments from this classic premiere.
For a closer look at an important moment in this episode, try
Episode One: The Fly Capture
In her first adventure, Sakura vaults onto the back of a wild Card spirit, then uses the only Card she has to force it back to earth. As she compels the Card back to its proper form, we see it slowly "melt" into strands of power in a tour de force of animation.
Then take a look at
Sakura in action
I love action-filled cels, and these survey the dilemmas and conflicts Sakura manages to get herself into. Although she is often put off her game and momentarily frightened by events, when push comes to shove she generates a frightening intensity that takes this series well above the average shoujo series.
Another corridor to explore:
Sakura's Costumes
One of the ongoing treats of CCS is the seemingly endless set of special battle costumes designed by Sakura's best friend Tomoyo for every occasion. Also included are Tomoyo's snappy costumes for Sakura and Syaoran in Tomoeda Elementary's memorable version of Sleeping Beauty and (as seen in the tile) the "heart" costume that she gains during her surreal visit to Lewis Carroll's Wonderland. ("Alice" was a major inspiration for this series, as for many other Japanese anime series.)
Another Sakura-focused gallery is
Sakura's Many Faces
These are facial portraits of Sakura at highly charged moments, ranging from childlike delight to amazed wonder.
And don't miss:
The Clow Cards
This section is devoted to cels that show the Cards, either in their "active" form as spirits or in their "tamed" form as the cards. If you really want to see a shark frenzy, wait until one of these shows up FA. Happily, I've been able to get a few nice ones.
Other sections collect the characters in the wide-ranging cast:
Li Syaoran
This corridor collects cels featuring Sakura's rival in collecting the cards and in gaining the affection of her beloved Senpai, Yukito. A little odd from the start, Syaoran begins to act very strangely around her as the series goes on. (This character has become even more notorious by having been made the protagonist of the CLAMP "remix" series, Tsubasa Chronicle.)
Li Meilin
Syaoran's cousin, Li Meilin was a character invented for the anime, where she plays a "spoiler" role familiar in other shoujo series. However, the creators didn't allow her character to become a static stereotype: the wonder is that she too develops through the series, turning from a pest to a genuinely admirable, mature young woman. This quirky mix of strong and weak makes her character design especially interesting.
Touya, Yukito, and Yue
This corridor focuses on Sakura's older companions in her quest, her Oniichan or older brother Touya and her idol, Yukito-san, whom we eventually learn is actually the false form of the magical being, Yue, who is destined to become her Protector. Yue cels are among the most competitively sought of all CCS images, and the handful I've been able to snag are among my gallery's top treasures.
Kerberos a.k.a Kero-chan
This corridor gathers my cels of Sakura's "Protector" Kerberos, in his false form as the "stuffed animal" Kero-chan and in his true form as a sort of fierce griffin. You can see more of this fierce but loyal and food-loving little guy here, including two of my most prized items, an OP1 cel and one of him introducing the weekly "Kero-chan no omakase" feature.
The Rest of the Cast
In addition to the principals, CCS has a rich supporting cast, including a certifiably angelic mother and a diabolically clever transfer student with a hidden agenda.
Other galleries are arranged by episode or theme. For instance:
The Movies
This corridor collects my modest collection of cels and gengas from the two CCS Movies. The first CCS movie. features the undead villainess Madoushi: Footless, implacable, and deadly, she is also one of the great tragic figures of this series. The second movie features the great waltz scene (and Sakura's winged costume), as well as a powerful and fitting final scene.
Episode 40 (Sakura and the Sakura in the Dream)
Technically a "filler" episode (that is, original with the anime and not really advancing the overall story arc), this turns out to be one of the highlights of the series, thanks to a superb script by CLAMP leader Nanase Ohkawa. In it, all of the characters (even Meilin) get a glimpse of what's truly inside their hearts, and there are many visually memorable moments. CAUTION! SPOILERS!
Episode 46: Yue Captured by Sakura's Magic
This section explores an acquisition that I'd never even dreamed might exist: a collection of cels from an entire cut, in this case the climax of the first story arc when Sakura, at the end of her ordeal, is able to use her magic to capture her judge. Here you can explore some of the very rarely seen items that came with this set, and get a sense of what goes into the actual planning and filming of cuts like this.
Original Backgrounds
This section is devoted the original watercolor backgrounds that backed the cels. You can see some of these in other corridors behind their cels, but here the background itself is allowed to be the star. Visit this gallery for some insights on how the studio gets what you see on the screen.
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