Cardcaptor Sakura

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, 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. An unedited English translation, entitled Cardcaptor Sakura, was broadcast in its respective 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 yaoi, shōjo, yuri and lolicon fandom.

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

In 2006, Cardcaptor Sakura celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Plot

The series begins as a simple girls' anime of the magical girl genre (similar series include Sailor Moon and Pretty Sammy). 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Characters

Sakura Kinomoto / Sakura Avalon Toya Kinomoto / Tori Avalon Fujitaka Kinomoto / Aiden Avalon Nadeshiko Kinomoto / Natasha Avalon Syaoran Li / Li Showron Meiling Li / Meilin Rae Tomoyo Daidouji / Madison Taylor Sonomi Daidouji / Samantha Taylor Eriol Hiiragizawa / Eli Moon Kaho Mizuki / Layla Mackenzie Yukito Tsukishiro / Julian Star

Clow Reed / Clow Reed Cerberus / Keroberos Yue / Yue Spinel Sun / Spinner Sun Ruby Moon (Nakuru Akizuki) / Ruby Moon Chiharu Mihara / Chelsea Rika Sasaki / Rita Takashi Yamazaki / Zachary Naoko Yanagisawa / Nikki Maki Matsumoto / Maggie Yoshiyuki Terada / Mr. Terada

Clow Cards / Sakura Cards

English adaptation

Cardcaptors

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

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.

Animax translation

Sony's 24-hour anime television network, Animax, aired an uncensored English translation of the Cardcaptor Sakura series, entitled Cardcaptor Sakura, featuring their own English dubbing team, and staying faithful to the original, retaining all of the original names and dialogue. Animax's English adaptation of Cardcaptor Sakura was aired in its respective networks in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, [Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub] [Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub] and the entire Indian Subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in the region. [Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub] [Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub]

Media information

See Cardcaptor Sakura Seiyuu 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

Controversy

Although written for a wide audience, including teen and pre-teen readers, the Cardcaptor Sakura manga touches on a number of topics that have been the subject of some small controversies around the world. This has led some to suggest that parents with 'conservative' views might want to read the books themselves before allowing their children to read them.

However, the majority opinion is that most parents will find little or nothing objectionable, and the books have received an A 'All Ages' age recommendation in the United States.

Issues include:

• Non-sexual same-sex relationships
• The inclusion of homosexual and sexually 'gray' characters
• Magic, sorcery and witchcraft
• Teacher–student romance and dating
• Pre-teen romance and dating
• The death of family members
• Mild peril, including attempted drowning

Many of these elements (including homosexuality and student-teacher romance) were removed from the anime in Nelvana's English Cardcaptors adaptation, on the grounds that they were not suitable for the age group to which the series was being marketed. Other elements (specifically those involving the death of family members or issues of peril) were retained, but were edited during dubbing, so as to lessen their emotional impact. However, Animax's uncensored English adaptation retained all of the original plot elements and details.

References

External links

Official sites

• () [Official Cardcaptor Sakura Website (NHK)]
• () [Official Cardcaptors Website]

Fan sites

• () [On-line Card Captor Sakura encyclopedia]
• () [Kawaii Sakura Shrine] contains a multitude of information including detailed episode transcripts
• () [Sakura's BME clinic] contains transcripts for the original and both English dubs
• () [Cardcaptor Sakura Lyrics & Translations]
• () [SLG CCS Network]
• () [Cherry Blossom festival]
• () [Michael's Cardcaptors] contains dub information amongst others
• () [Cardcaptor Redeemer] covers the relations between Cardcaptors and Cardcaptor Sakura

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 Clow-Created: Eriol Hiiragizawa | Clow Reed | Cerberus | Yue | Spinel Sun | Ruby Moon Classmates: Chiharu Mihara | Rika Sasaki | Takashi Yamazaki | Naoko Yanagisawa Teachers: Kaho Mizuki | Yoshiyuki Terada Friends: Yukito Tsukishiro | Maki Matsumoto
Clow Cards -- --

 

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