Cardcaptor Sakura (1998–2000) User Reviews

Avoid The dub, Enjoy the sub!

[Joethehoe2010 · 8/10 · 15 October 2010]

Cardcaptor Sakura is A romance/Magical Girl series originally created by Clamp(Chobits,Tsubasa:Reservoir Chronicle).

This is An Enjoyable Anime,With Good Animation, Likable characters and A decent plot. That said if you watch the English Dub then all the good points about The show will Disappear. I mean I've seen some terrible dubs but this could possibly be the worse. It's not a case where I always think the sub is better than the dub, Since I love a lot of Dubs (I.E., Rurouni Kenshin). The voice actors in the sub are Just right, They suit every single character.

Although There is a fair amount of predictability in the episode plotting, The stories are Fresh and entertaining. You may think it is aimed at girls but I think its good enough for both genders.

8/10

Expect the Unexpected

[Lady_Targaryen · 8/10 · 24 June 2006]

''Cardcaptor Sakura" is one of the cutest anime series I watched and I liked, and it is not a surprise that it was made by the talented artists from the group CLAMP, that are always doing or imagining something new with their great minds. Well, this anime series show us the story of the cute Sakura Kinomoto, a ten-year-old little girl who lives a nice life with her father and her brother. One day, when she is looking her father's books, she opens a book that accidentally loose the magical Clow Cards. From now on, she will be a guardian from the cards and will be part of her responsibility to retrieve all the missing cards. She will have the friendship and help from Cerberus, a magical animal that is also a guardian, and her friend Tomoe from school, that is always making new clothes to Sakura wear in all the battles against Sakura's will. (very cute ones, by the way!)

Cute show

[djuwitalitoy · 9/10 · 15 March 2014]

Well I used to grew up with Cardcaptor Sakura and I absolutely love this show, the stories throughout the series are cute but very interesting. The characters are quite well developed, especially Syaoran. I have many favorite episodes on this show, but my most favorite episode is "Sakura in the Wonderland."

I also think that Sakura's relationship with the other characters on the show are quite interesting, especially about her relationship with Syaoran. I just simply love to see how the way Sakura and Syaoran developed their relationship throughout the series, from rivals to lovers finally, so sweet yet subtle and quite natural. I always knew that they would end up together, even up until today.

I also like Tomoyo, I think that she is the nicest friend that Sakura ever had. Sakura must so amused to have a sweet yet antic friend like her. Kero also made laugh so badly, he is so funny with his gluttonous tendency.

Sweet and Captivating

[MusicalAnime · 10/10 · 8 September 2004]

My life feels happy when i watch this. I Like all the characters in this anime. There is much depth added into this, so much detail and care was placed in it. I'd recommend it to all who haven't seen it. It is a great place to start an anime collection. The two movies for this is a hard way to let go, but you just have to see it. :) it does do better to you. If the series had been a little longer i think that would've even been better. there are other animes that run over 300 episodes. that's pretty crazy, but still pretty cool. interesting to watch everything change and to see how they manage with such small budgets. anyhow, this is a really good anime... i really love it.

Awesome!!

[WorMzy_tykashi · 30 June 2005]

I am also a 17 year old male, and I love CCS -both the Manga and the Anime- it's so imaginative and well thought through, each character has his/her own personality and the're own hobbies and love interests. It is aimed more towards girl readers/watchers, but this is probably due to the team of writers (CLAMP) are all female, guys can still enjoy it though - as long as they have an open mind and aren't too "macho" to watch Anime/read Manga. I haven't actually seen the first movie (only the second one) but I still believe that it is worth watching, and as soon as I track down a copy, I guarantee that I will love every second of it ^^ Go Sakura! Master of the Clow! ^^

Why I love Tomoyo

[killerjim4 · 10/10 · 8 May 2006]

I think Tomoyo Daidouji is the cutest, smartest, most wonderful character in the history of fictional stories! She's also very observant, an excellent singer (her voice is provided by Junko Iwao), a good cook, a good friend and very creative. She knows how to design and sew costumes and she knows everything about videotaping and editing. Amazingly enough, Tomoyo never gets angry or says a cross word. I only wish I were as wonderful as Tomoyo. The only reason I repeatedly rewatch Cardcaptor Sakura is because of Tomoyo! Cardcaptor Sakura is the greatest anime series in the world because of Tomoyo! Tomoyo, I want to marry you!

Cardcaptor Sakura

[Whitewingedwolf · 10/10 · 2 March 2011]

I'm so happy that more and more people are beginning to realise that anime, while looking like "children's cartoons," are not necessarily just for children, and even without some of the more age-inappropriate animes, some still deliver a message home beyond that of English or American productions because Japanese animes are unafraid to include themes which these countries might not, and usually in an unexpected way.

CCS does just this. It explores the theme of love. I, like many others, saw it in English as a ten-year old and the beautiful, pastel art, chibi style characters and plot concerning magic and powerful cards had me captivated. As an adult (I watched those few recorded-off-the-telly VHSs I had constantly) I bought the entire 70 episode box set and two movies, each with Japanese audio. I still love it. In fact, I love it more.

Know this - if you're going to get the DVDs and can stand subtitles, it's worth going for the original Japanese with English subs as so much gets edited out in the English or American dubs (there are good complete box sets on Ebay) and some episodes didn't seem to get included at all.

So, storywise: 10 year old Kinomoto Sakura finds a magical sealed book in her basement one day after school. On opening it, and accidentally unleashing all 52 Clow Cards from inside, she awakes Keroberos, the magical (and cute!) Guardian Beast of the Seal. Devastated that his belated slumber has lost him all of his precious charges, he begs Sakura to help him recapture them. This, as it turns out, is not an easy process - he equips her with a magical "Clow Key" which doubles as her staff (to command and seal the cards with) and sets her on her way, sending her onto an amazing journey filled with personal and magical revelations, from her feelings to "that special someone," to her own realisations of her magical potential. Many surprises await, none of which I'll spoil here, but most of which are not predictable to the first-time watcher. On the theme of love, the Japanese version includes many different kinds of relationships including gay and lesbian love, father/daughter, mother/son, friendships, teacher/student, husband/wife, and occasionally, love between members of the same family (distantly related). The love in these relationships is explored in a pure, unjudging and unbiased way, and no physical contact is ever shown on screen, besides hugging, so the themes are accessible and varied without being graphic. CCS is brilliantly animated, the characters are well-developed (unlike some other animes, each character has blaring character faults but is still lovable in their way), and the sets are breathtakingly done, with sweet pastel foliage, bright buildings and colourful interiors - the entire feel is very "happy." People might argue this is one-sided but the anime does delve into themes of rejection and unrequition at times, with the "Meilin meeting Tomoyo" scene ringing clear (if you have seen the anime, you will know what I mean). Music is also beautiful, with 4 different openings and endings throughout the story, and flute-like, gentle music throughout. Sakura is also herself a very lovable, sweet and watchable character, and the anime is never annoying. An anime I could have (and have!) watched over and over again, at every stage of my life. The best thing about this anime is watching it on a rainy day, or after a bad day at work/Uni/College/School (yes, this anime really does stretch that far). I have watched quite a few animes, and I have to say, this is my absolute favourite. The best word to describe it is "innocent." There is absolutely nothing to offend or harm, except perhaps one episode involving a "Sword" card, in which one person becomes "possessed" and starts trying to hit her friend with a sword - this is not violent or bloody at all but may scare very young children. The magical element also gets very well done and covered - lots of staffs, magical circles and a huge variety of cards (which do everything from causing thunderstorms to turning everything into sweets). This mixes perfectly with domestic themes (yes, Cardcaptor Sakura also has to wash laundry, have baths and cook dinner!) Lots of funny (but maybe childish) scenes, most involving embarrassment because of romantic feelings, although there's a little slapstick for Kero too. In case you're wondering, I am 21 years old - that's how amazing it is. If this sounds like your bag, have a go! You won't regret it.

Always and Forever My Favorite Anime

[jennart13 · 10/10 · 21 January 2007]

I was one of the kiddies who, unfortunately, had to see the Kids WB dub "Cardcaptors" before they saw the original. However, I am thankful for the dub in a way, because it introduced me to the original, "Cardcaptor Sakura". As soon as I read about the original, I went to the nearest video store that sold anime and started collecting. At that time, only the first 3 volumes were out. I was only 12 when I started my collection. I'm now 18 and I still absolutely adore the series. I still squeal every time there is a cute moment between Sakura and Syaoran, such as when he shouts her name for the first time in the elevator. This anime has everything that I love. I think Sakura and Syaoran make a wonderful couple, even though it was strange when I first found out they ended up together, considering how much he seemingly hates her at the start. Overall, the storyline is wonderful, the characters are adorable (Kero-chan and his food obsession make me laugh, as do Tomoyo's observations to Syaoran when Eriol first comes), and the animation is great. I believe this is a must-see for everyone who likes magical girl anime.

adorable for young children to early 20s

[RJXAnime2003 · 7/10 · 7 July 2021]

This series is so adorable i never seen this cuz i though it was a little dumb at first but then I kinda like. It but there are gay and lebisan relationships.

Sex and nudity short skirts

violecene nothing much just monsters and stuff.

Swears crap piss and damn i think

smoking none

for all ages.

One of my favorite Series all time.

[ryoga_hibiki · 10/10 · 23 January 2008]

Card Captor Sakura is not only a top notch production with great music, amazing animation and cool characters, it has an overly interesting plot that kept me expecting the next episode on the TV, fortunately it was broadcast in Latin America and Brazil in its full version by Cartoon Network. For three seasons (and season reruns) it kept me glued to the TV, I'm a fan of Anime and have watched a lot of it and I have to say that this one is one of my all time favorites. The series have everything I would expect from a good title, a very good plot, everyday life situations, very human characters with different personalities, mysticism and finally an amazing love history that grows throughout the series.

Mixed Opinions About this show

[avashool · 6/10 · 9 February 2021]

This show is fun and cute. It shows the life a young girl named Sakura. She has the ability to use magical cards that have certain abilities like flight, fire, or creating flowers (some are stranger than others).

Honestly, it's nice for a kids show. But the show has two seasons. If you averaged, each season would be around 35 episodes, which is pretty long. But instead one is around 20 episodes, and the other is around 50.

The first season of this show is so incredibly boring. It is literally the same episode every single time, just with a different plot. She wakes up, she goes to school, something happens at school or when she's coming home from school. She finds out it's a clow card, she fights the clow card, the episode ends. It doesn't help that the first season is like 50 episodes long.

The second season is so much better. It has a more interesting and in depth plot, as well as better character relations and better characters in general. It has a more eerie vibe, and the fact that you don't exactly understand what's going on makes it so much more fun.

But most people won't get tot the second season because of the annoyingly long first season. All in all, it's a good show, but kinda annoying to get through. Also the English dub has a case of classic anime voice, and is a pain to sit through, please watch it in Japanese!

6/10

Romance & Magical

[yosakrai · 10/10 · 9 August 2019]

Simple is the best. This story was the best of magical & romance even in new age.

Sakura & Syaorun is the best couple when they were together.

However, there were many "the best things" in this anime.

Example: Characters Development (Especially Syaorun and Sakura) Mystery stories Magical in life's daily Unexpected Romance...and it sweetttttttttttt Multi-dimention of characters Storylines

Great shoujo series starter pack

[sisubalan · 7/10 · 24 July 2022]

Highly nostalgic for me. Didnt watched it entirely when i was kid and it was shown on tv. But now that i watched it again, actually not bad. Love the action and the mystical approach. Highly recommended if youre okay with the quality.

A very bad show

[s-33377 · 3/10 · 14 July 2022]

1. It was really bad and the songs were ugly. It ripped off Naruto but it came out before Naruto's premiere in 2002.

2. They sing stupid Japanese gospel songs too often. It needs to stop. In fact, my brother loves this.

3. How can the title character even catch cards. She was supposed to be a ninja.

Renews my faith in good kiddie anime...

[Aerie-2 · 22 July 2001]

... although I have to say that "Cardcaptor Sakura" is not strictly for the kiddies (Harry Potter, anyone? C'mon, I know a bunch of your 30-somethings read those books, too!). Sakura is your average Japanese fourth-grader, until she unwittingly releases some troublesome demon-posessed cards from an old book, along with its familiar protector, Kero-chan (a smart-mouthed and decidedly cuter sidekick than "Sailor Moon"s cat). What follows is a delightful romp as Sakura tries to re-capture all the cards. She gains allies along the way with her friend Tomoyo ("Madison", in the US dub) and Li Shaorun (although sometimes Sakura's not sure whether or not he's a real ally; the kid, who's been raised a cardcaptor by his family, has a real ego).

The series boasts top-notch animation for a TV-series, even by Japanese standards (and I've watched a lot of anime), and the dialogue is neither stale nor repetitive. Even though each episode deals with a card capture, the writers managed to make each day new and interesting rather than a repeated "Oh, lookie, Sakura's going to capture another card". In fact, some episodes feature a capture as just a brief side-plot with the focus on Sakura's relationships, worries, or other points of pre-adolescence. This is everthing "Sailor Moon" should have been, but wasn't.

"Sailor Moon" was a cute show, but really one-dimensional in a way only six-year olds could really enjoy. I admit, "Sailor Moon" is cute and I watched it when I was little, but it doesn't contain the depth of character, plot, and animation as "Cardcaptor Sakura". What makes Sakura so endearing is that she's quite capable, and even when she screws up she fights it out. One of the most annoying habits of "Sailor Moon" is how the lead character is saved or at least aided practically every time by the dashing male lead, Tuxedo Kamen ("Tuxedo Mask", in the US dub). Sakura proves that a girl can kick butt thoroughly.

Also, in Sakura's world, people are not perfect or one-dimensional. Li Shaorun can be a brat (and eventually evolves to crushing on Sakura as the series progresses), but he's that way because of his background. He's been ingrained by his family to capture cards, and at first he sees Sakura as an amateur rival who he doesn't need (he actually feels threatened by her presence in the beginning). Tomoyo, an amateur film freak, drags her videocamera everywhere to film Sakura's captures, and has a few stints of her own. Even Kero, with his sharp mouth and love of video games, and Sakura's older brother, a true pain in the butt (in an endearing and entirely lifelife way), makes the series all the more realistic and worthwhile. Unlike "Sailor Moon", here there are no "throwaway" characters, even Sakura's band of clueless schoolfriends. Nobody here is one-dimensional.

This series is a definite recommendation to everyone, but my advice is to buy the DVD volumes, which you can find on Amazon.com. Unfortunately, the American dub doesn't even include the first eight episodes, so you don't even see Sakura accidently freeing the cards!! Some of the DVDs have the option of subbed or dubbed English, I think, but they're totally worthwhile. As of this printing, there are five volumes (with about eight episodes on each) made available in this country, with more coming. I HIGHLY recommend them.

Excellent Anime

[shadowwarrior92 · 10/10 · 10 August 2007]

Cardcaptor Sakura is a excellent anime made by Clamp. It came in in April 7th, 1998 and it ended in March 21st, 2000. The francise lives on afterwards with such Video Games, Movies, Dolls, and collectable Clow Cards. Well it suppose to represent the Magical Girl genre and it's the best one so far. It has everyones favorite characters like Sakura Kinomoto, Kero, Tomoyo Daidojui and such others. If you seen the dub verison of it you should see Cardcaptor Sakura before it's too late to handle. It's the best Magical Girl anime we ever seen. Oh yeah they made a uncut DVD features all seventy episodes and maybe the two movies and I don't know how much it cost but you should buy and watch it unit you die.

top notch production

[etudiantemo · 9/10 · 8 January 2009]

Cardcaptor Sakura is greatly about magic and romance. I like the mild affection it shows to us such as Sakura and Tomoyo's friendship and Sakura's sweet relationship with her brother and Yukito. I am convinced that it has nothing to do with homosexual love, but has everything to do with tenderness and humane love. Certainly, Clamp made the characters distinguish themselves. Sakura is soft-hearted and brave; Tomoyo is an ideal girl; Touya is smart and sometimes shy to express affection especially to his cute sister...... Clamp is apt at creating mysterious world, in which goodness of human being become more palpable, maybe that's the reason why so many fans get fascinated and keep thinking of it all life long.

Cardcaptor Sakura

[Rizelmine · 8/10 · 29 January 2007]

Cardcaptor Sakura is one of those magical girl anime's which i think are really interesting, I prefer the Japanese version, then English is alright but they have changed the names of all the people except Sakura's. I don't mind Sakura's voice in English but it sound like shes much older than she really is, also I don't like the name Madison they should have kept her real name Tomoya. What also is a disadvantage of the American version is that they have cut out all the romantic parts of card captor Sakura so you will see no romantic drama going on between Li and Sakura. Also they've changed some of the things they say and it doesn't really make much sense sometimes. On the other hand i really enjoyed the Japanese version with English subtitles, it grabbed my attention and would recommend it to a lot of people. I really like the relationship going on between Li and Sakura and Tomoya's voice is really cute. I would rate the Japanese version 9/10 ^_^

CLAMP is one the best manga creating manga artist group ever!

[carmeny-16933 · 9/10 · 21 December 2019]

Wonderful show! no matter what anyone says about the english dubbing for Kero, Sakura, and Tomoyo! It's awesome!

I LOVE this show

[dinobones · 10/10 · 28 February 2019]

Cardcaptor Sakura is one the best shows I have seen. The art is amazing, the story is amazing, the characters are amazing, the audio is amazing, and overall it's 11\10 - although it's too bad they don't go higher than 10 on this app. I recommend it to all fans of this genre, and even if someone doesn't necessarily watch this genre I would still recommend it to them. But perhaps I would not recommend it to my brother because he dislikes anime. :/ If you've only seen the show and movies, then I recommend you read the manga.

One of the best anime series ever made

[carloscampo5200 · 10/10 · 7 May 2022]

This is something for the ages. I don't have enough words to express what CLAMP did with this benchmark for anime, except to congratulate them for their story, character development and personality traits.

I've never met, read or seen someone like Sakura. Probably never will.

Perfection.

Better than I expected

[keith-125 · 16 July 2004]

I caught a few of the American versions on TV before watching the original series. I think everyone who has seen the original series that its superior to the US version. Sakura is very cute (although so is everyone else in the series). There is real character development as the story progresses (although slowly/gradually). The magic sequences are tremendous (especially when she takes out her keychain). This is a comments section so I won't go into the plot, suffice to say halfway through the series there is a huge turning point, full of mystery. Sakura's relationship with her family is very sweet, and sometimes moving, especially with her mother. I was cheering on Li Shaoran all the way (I'm chinese)

Fun to Watch

[StephanieMathews2019 · 9/10 · 18 January 2021]

I recommend you take the time to watch this episode :)

I'm not gonna lie, I only watched this for Yuki and Toya

[Irishchatter · 8/10 · 16 August 2018]

Thanks to Anime America on Youtube, I may have cheated a bit by going onto YouTube and watching only the scenes with Yuki & Toya because they were just darn cute together for God sake! I was absoulely raging that both guys did not kiss but only a damn little cuddle and just tiny hand rubbing on each faces. C'mon we need to see the love here!

I was even mad that they were always interrupted by Nakuru whenever Toya has to say something to Yuki . I'm usually not easily annoyed by characters butting in because I normally laugh at them. However this time, it grinded my gears so much that I honestly wish they written off Nakuru for good haha! The way she even gave a dirty look to Yuki, made me so freaking mad man like omg whst did he ever do to you?! Lol

Anyways as well as watching the Yuki x Toya scenes, I thought the anime was pretty neat in trying it's best not to copy too much of Sailormoon. It was full of surprises, laughs, sweetness and of course magical! Sakura looked absolutely pretty in her super form like girl, she definately should've been on vogue as the most magical little princess in the world haha!

Really enjoyed watching a bit of the series and seeing its magical adventures, I give it 8/10!

I've read the book series and I really like the show too

[funtimeswithgoldenknight · 9/10 · 11 September 2023]

I remember stumbling upon the book series at my local library and I began reading the book series and that's when I fell in love with cardcapter sakura and I've been watching the series over and over and i love it and wish they would make more sessions and more episodes because I can't get enough it's so good and it's up there with my favorite anime's which are yugioh,dragon ball z, sword art online,pokemon and others that i can't think of right now(my brain is not working today so that's why I can't remember my other favorite anime's)and it's so good and I can talk about it all day long because it's really good that it's stuck in my head.