Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Explained
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card |
Ja Kanji: | カードキャプターさくら クリアカード編 |
Ja Romaji: | Kādokyaputā Sakura Kuria Kādo-hen |
Type: | manga |
Author: | Clamp |
Publisher: | Kodansha |
Demographic: | Shōjo |
Magazine: | Nakayoshi |
First: | July 2016 |
Last: | January 2024 |
Volumes: | 16 |
Volume List: | List of Cardcaptor Sakura chapters#Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card |
Type: | tv series |
Director: | Morio Asaka |
Music: | Takayuki Negishi |
Studio: | Madhouse |
Network: | NHK BS Premium |
First: | January 7, 2018 |
Last: | June 10, 2018 |
Episodes: | 22 |
Episode List: | List of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card episodes |
is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp. It is a sequel to Clamp's manga Cardcaptor Sakura and focuses on Sakura Kinomoto in junior high school. The manga was serialized in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine between the July 2016 and January 2024 issues, with the chapters being collected in 16 tankōbon volumes. A 22-episode anime television series adaptation produced by Madhouse, featuring the cast and staff from the original series, aired from January to June 2018, which loosely adapts the first 24 chapters.
Plot
Sakura Kinomoto is starting junior high school alongside her friends, including her very special friend Syaoran Li, who had just returned to Tomoeda. After having a prophetic dream about a mysterious cloaked figure, all of the Sakura Cards turn blank and are rendered completely powerless, thus starting her quest to find out what is wrong. In doing so, Sakura and her friends, along with her guardians and protectors Cerberus and Yue, discover and capture the transparent cards, using the new and much stronger mystical dream key. Eriol, Spinel Sun and Ruby Moon appear as supporting characters, as does Kaho Mizuki, having returned to England, but continuing to aid Sakura and her protectors from afar. Sakura ends up befriending a transfer student named Akiho Shinomoto and meets her butler and guardian Yuna D. Kaito, from whom Syaoran detects supreme levels of magical power.
Media
Manga
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. It was serialized in monthly shōjo (aimed at young girls) manga magazine Nakayoshi from the July 2016 issue sold on June 3[2] [3] to the January 2024 issue sold on December 1, 2023.[4] A bonus chapter was released in March 2024.[5] The chapters were released in a collection of 16 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha between December 2017 and April 2024. Kodansha Comics is releasing the series in English both digitally and in print.[6]
Anime
A 22-episode anime television series adaptation aired from January 7 to June 10, 2018 with Morio Asaka, Nanase Ohkawa and Madhouse returning from the original anime series to direct, write and produce the new adaptation, respectively, loosely adapted from the first twenty-eight chapters of the manga.[7] [8] [9] Kunihiko Hamada replaced Kumiko Takahashi as the character designer from the original series.[10] The main cast from the original anime also returns to reprise their roles.[11] An original video animation prequel titled Sakura and the Two Bears, which bridges the stories of the "Sakura Card Arc" and the "Clear Card Arc", had its world premiere at Anime Expo on July 1, 2017 and shipped in Japan as a DVD bundled with the special edition of volume 3 of the manga on September 13, 2017.[12]
The first opening theme for the series is "Clear" by Maaya Sakamoto,[13] while the first ending theme is "Jewelry" by Saori Hayami.[14] Funimation premiered the simuldub on January 24, 2018.[15] The second opening theme is "Rocket Beat" by Kiyono Yasuno while the second ending theme is "Rewind" by Minori Suzuki.[16] The series was released in Japan on Blu-ray and DVD in eight volumes from May to November 2018.[7] In 2019, Funimation released the series in two Blu-ray sets of 11 episodes each in North America on February 5 and July 2.[17] [18] Funimation released the complete series in one Blu-ray volume on August 11, 2020.[19]
A sequel was announced at the Sakura Fes event on April 1, 2023, and will adapt the remaining story until its conclusion.[20]
Video game
Bushiroad and Monster Lab created a mobile game for iOS and Android titled Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Happiness Memories and launched it on October 3, 2019. The game's theme song is "Flash" by Maaya Sakamoto.[21] In May 2020, Bushiroad and Monster Lab announced they were ending services for the game on June 30, 2020 due to the "state of the game" and "current operations situation."[22]
Reception
It was reported in April 2017 that over 1 million copies of the manga were in print in Japan.[23] In reviewing volumes 1 and 2 of the manga, Erica Friedman, founder of Yuricon called the sequel "honest-to-goodness", and said that those who enjoy the original series will enjoy this manga, and said she was happy with "this kiddy ride full of pretty art and nice kids", but gave low-ratings for yuri themes.[24] [25]
The anime adaptation received mixed reviews. Miranda Sanchez of IGN reviewed the first two episodes of the series, praising the storytelling, and animation style, but was critical of the second episode, calling it "mundane".[26] [27] Geordi Demorest of Anime Feminist criticized the series, arguing that while the original Cardcaptor Sakura is beloved for its "LGBTQ-inclusiveness," this sequel seems "less actively progressive" and is missing the original focus on "explicitly representing LGBTQ characters".[28] Lynzee Loveridge of Anime News Network wrote that she was unsure whether the series added "anything worthwhile to characters' stories" and argued that it is a "facsimile of the previous series," with no traditional villains.[29] Tim Jones and Stig Høgset of THEM Anime Reviews gave the series a more positive review. Jones said he had some hesitation to start the series, as it was three years after Sailor Moon Crystal, while Høgset called the show like "a fun family reunion" and praised the background art for the series.[30]
Timothy Donohoo of CBR stated the series was "largely forgotten" by fans and the anime industry because it was a "disappointing affair for many" because it ran for 22 episodes, calling it a "mediocre rehash" of the original and "painfully mediocre".[31] Charles Solomon of Animation Scoop praised the series for its animation quality, but said that the series "faltered" by coping the original series "too closely", had an ending that was too abrupt, and stated that elements like Tomoyo’s love for Sakura, the crush of Sakura on Yuki and acceptance of him as the lover of Toya "fell by the wayside."[32] Jack Eaton of Gamerant noted that the series did not receive "the same critical and commercial success" as the original, and called for a "a second chance at a sequel" which is more fitting than this series, or a remastering of the original.[33] Shamus Kelley, in his review of the final three episodes of the series for Den of Geek, criticizing the ending as a "convoluted mess", called the plot "heavy-handed", noted the series focus on Tomoyo's "endless obsession with Sakura", and praised the series as "really fun" but fighting "against itself."[34] In reviews of other episodes within the series, Kelley criticized the plot as "fairly lackluster", not expanding on possible queer themes, "lazily aping" the original series, and described the plot as creepy.[35] [36] [37]
Notes and References
- Web site: Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2018 Simulcast License Acquisitions. Crunchyroll. February 4, 2018. January 8, 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180131005601/http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-1008795/winter-2018-simulcasts. January 31, 2018.
- Web site: http://nakayosi.kodansha.co.jp/news/114.html. ja:新連載「カードキャプターさくらクリアカード編」スタート!!. New series Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Edition Starts!!. Kodansha. June 3, 2016. July 9, 2016. ja. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160704174300/http://nakayosi.kodansha.co.jp/news/114.html. July 4, 2016.
- Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. New Cardcaptor Sakura Manga Is Sequel Launching in June. April 26, 2016. Anime News Network. April 26, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426213200/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-26/new-cardcaptor-sakura-manga-is-sequel-launching-in-june/.101473. April 26, 2016.
- Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Manga Ends on December 1. Anime News Network. November 2, 2023. November 2, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231102115029/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-11-01/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-manga-ends-on-december-1/.204036. November 2, 2023.
- Web site: Cayanan. Joanna . Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Manga Ends, Gets 'Special Arc' in March (Updated) . November 30, 2023. Anime News Network. December 25, 2023. December 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231225193222/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-11-30/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-manga-ends-gets-special-arc-in-march/.204974. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Manga Gets Digital English Release With Print Version Listed. Anime News Network. June 30, 2017. July 1, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170701062848/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-30/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-manga-gets-digital-english-release-with-print-version-listed/.118268. July 1, 2017.
- Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Anime Listed With 22 Episodes. Anime News Network. January 28, 2018. January 30, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180129102536/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-01-28/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-anime-listed-with-22-episodes/.127053. January 29, 2018.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc Manga Gets TV Anime Series in January 2018. November 26, 2016. Anime News Network. November 30, 2020. November 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161126132414/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-26/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-arc-manga-gets-tv-anime-series-in-january-2018/.109204. live.
- Web site: Yuan. Kevin. CLAMP's Nanase Ohkawa Writes, Oversees Scripts For New Cardcaptor Sakura Anime. December 26, 2016. Anime News Network. December 30, 2020. December 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161227040140/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-26/clamp-nanase-ohkawa-writes-oversees-scripts-for-new-cardcaptor-sakura-anime/.110340. live.
- News: New preview video for Cardcaptor Sakura sequel anime avoids Sailor Moon Crystal's missteps【Video】. September 25, 2017. SoraNews24. February 16, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116041908/https://en.rocketnews24.com/2017/09/25/new-preview-video-for-cardcaptor-sakura-sequel-anime-avoids-sailor-moon-crystals-missteps%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/. January 16, 2018.
- Web site: Loo. Egan. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc Prologue Anime's Promo Video, Story Intro Revealed. April 1, 2016. Anime News Network. April 1, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170402165902/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-04-01/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-arc-prologue-anime-promo-video-story-intro-revealed/.114229. April 2, 2017.
- Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Anime Expo Holds World Premiere of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc Prologue Anime. Anime News Network. June 6, 2017. July 1, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170627010736/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-06/anime-expo-holds-world-premiere-of-cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-arc-prologue-anime/.117078. June 27, 2017.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Maaya Sakamoto Returns to Perform Opening Theme for Card Captor Sakura: Clear Card TV Anime. Anime News Network. September 25, 2017. September 25, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170926153701/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-25/maaya-sakamoto-returns-to-perform-opening-theme-for-card-captor-sakura-clear-card-tv-anime/.121824. September 26, 2017.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Saori Hayami Performs Ending Theme for Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Anime. Anime News Network. November 28, 2017. November 28, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180213191034/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-11-28/saori-hayami-performs-ending-theme-for-cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-anime/.124594. February 13, 2018.
- News: Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card to Simulcast on Crunchyroll & Funimation. December 1, 2017. Anime UK News. December 2, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180219173436/https://animeuknews.net/2017/12/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-to-simulcast-on-crunchyroll-funimation/. February 19, 2018.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Promo Video Previews New Theme Songs. Anime News Network. March 25, 2018. March 25, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180610054215/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-03-24/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-promo-video-previews-new-theme-songs/.129477. June 10, 2018.
- Web site: Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Part One - BD. Funimation. July 22, 2020. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121073446/https://www.funimation.com/shop/home-video/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-part-one-bd-blr-00292. dead.
- Web site: Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Part Two - BD. Funimation. July 22, 2020. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502220321/https://www.funimation.com/shop/home-video/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-part-two-bd-blr-00293/. live.
- Web site: Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card The Complete Series - BD. Funimation. July 22, 2020. March 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210331174842/https://shop.funimation.com/home-video/cardcaptor-sakura%3A-clear-card-the-complete-series/BLR-00642.html. live.
- Web site: Loo. Egan. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Anime Gets Sequel. Anime News Network. April 1, 2023. April 1, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230401122042/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-01/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-anime-gets-sequel/.196677. April 1, 2023.
- Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Happiness Memories Smartphone Game's Video Previews Features. Anime News Network. September 24, 2019. May 10, 2020. May 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518175942/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-09-24/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-happiness-memories-smartphone-game-video-previews-features/.151463. live.
- Web site: Mateo. Alex. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Happiness Memories Smartphone Game Ends Service on June 30. Anime News Network. May 8, 2020. May 10, 2020. May 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200513145938/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-05-08/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-happiness-memories-smartphone-game-ends-service-on-june-30/.159379. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc Manga's 3rd Volume Bundles Anime DVD in September. Anime News Network. April 1, 2017. April 12, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170622011500/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-04-01/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-arc-manga-3rd-volume-bundles-anime-dvd-in-september/.114220. June 22, 2017.
- Web site: Friedman. Erica. Card Captor Sakura, Clear Card Arc Manga, Volume 1 (カードキャプターさくら クリアカード編). Okazu. March 14, 2017. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20180904162205/https://okazu.yuricon.com/2017/03/14/card-captor-sakura-clear-card-arc-manga-volume-1-%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%83%97%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%81%95%E3%81%8F%E3%82%89-%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC/. September 4, 2018. live.
- Web site: Friedman. Erica. Card Captor Sakura, Clear Card Arc Manga, Volume 2 (カードキャプターさくら クリアカード編). Okazu. July 13, 2017. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20170923224016/http://okazu.yuricon.com/2017/07/13/card-captor-sakura-clear-card-arc-manga-volume-2-%e3%82%ab%e3%83%bc%e3%83%89%e3%82%ad%e3%83%a3%e3%83%97%e3%82%bf%e3%83%bc%e3%81%95%e3%81%8f%e3%82%89-%e3%82%af%e3%83%aa%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%bc/. September 23, 2017. live.
- Web site: Sanchez. Miranda. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 1: "Sakura and the Clear Cards" Review. IGN. January 10, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520052657/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/10/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episode-1-sakura-and-the-clear-cards-review. May 20, 2021. live.
- Web site: Sanchez. Miranda. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 2: "Sakura and the Room with No Exit" Review. IGN. January 17, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520052637/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/17/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episode-2-sakura-and-the-room-with-no-exit-review. May 20, 2021. live.
- Web site: Demorest. Geordi. Cardcaptor Sakura and the Stagnant LGBTQ Representation. May 11, 2018. Anime Feminist. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717024633/https://www.animefeminist.com/versus-cardcaptor-sakura-and-the-stagnant-lgbtq-representation/. July 17, 2019. live.
- Web site: Loveridge. Lynzee. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Blu-Ray - Part 1 & 2 [Review]]. November 25, 2019. Anime News Network. July 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125144903/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cardcaptor-sakura/clear-card/blu-ray-part-1/.152366. January 25, 2021. live.
- Web site: Jones. Tim. Høgset. Stig. CardCaptor Sakura: Clear Card [Review]]. THEM Anime Reviews. August 26, 2019. July 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210118082821/https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=2057. January 18, 2021. live.
- Web site: Donohoo. Timothy. Why Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Failed to Take Off as a Sequel. CBR. January 25, 2023. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230210174111/https://www.cbr.com/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-anime-sequel-why-not-popular/. February 10, 2023. live.
- Web site: Solomon. Charles. ANIME REVIEW: Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Part 2. Animation Scoop. August 8, 2019. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200218040040/http://www.animationscoop.com/anime-review-cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-part-2/. February 18, 2020. live.
- Web site: Eaton. Jack. 10 1990s Shojo Anime That Need Remakes. Game Rant. February 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222015655/https://gamerant.com/1990s-shojo-anime-need-remakes/. February 22, 2023. live.
- Web site: Kelley. Shamus. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episodes 20, 21, 22 Review. Den of Geek. June 10, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808183232/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episodes-20-21-22-review/. August 8, 2022. live.
- Web site: Kelley. Shamus. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 19 Review: Sakura and Akiho's Lullaby. Den of Geek. May 20, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817193903/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episode-19-review-sakura-and-akihos-lullaby/. August 17, 2022. live.
- Web site: Kelley. Shamus. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 18 Review: Sakura and the Fire and Water Birds. Den of Geek. May 13, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817191416/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episode-18-review-sakura-and-the-fire-and-water-birds/. August 17, 2022. live.
- Web site: Kelley. Shamus. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 17 Review: Sakura and the Crazy Sweets. Den of Geek. May 7, 2018. February 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817194417/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-episode-17-review-sakura-and-the-crazy-sweets/. August 17, 2022. live.