Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is a nostalgia trip at its best. It brilliantly takes you 20 years back in time when Cardcaptor Sakura used to air. Well, it sure does have its faults, which can be noticed by new viewers, yet it is an entertaining watch. Thus, it’s still hard for many people to decide whether to watch it or not. Hence, here’s a Spoiler-Free Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Review, guiding you through its good and bad aspects.
Cardcaptor Sakura originated as a 1996 manga series by popular manga group Clamp. In 1998, Studio Madhouse picked it up for an anime adaptation that aired for three seasons until March 2000. Years after the manga ended, the Clamp group resumed the franchise with a sequel manga called Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card. Again, Madhouse adapted the 2016 manga into a sequel anime in January 2018.
Reasons To Watch Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card
Well, the biggest and most important reason to watch this anime is for nostalgia. The Clear Card anime is surely a treat for fans of the original anime. It brings back memories with popular characters, animation styles, colors, and storyline. All in all, the sequel anime is nearly as entertaining as the 1998 show. Well, it sure is changed with a modern twist and is made relevant for the new generation. However, it is only valid as the audience that watched the original show has grown with changing technology.
The animation has improved and is beautiful to the eye. Well, being a Madhouse production, the art style had to be iconic, for which the studio is known. The sequel manga by Clamp manga group was critically acclaimed. Hence, the Clear Card Arc also has well-paced writing. While the action scenes were mostly exciting, the anime had strong humor and emotional moments. Overall, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card was a fun ride and deserves a watch.
What Went Wrong?
The Clear Card Arc started off pretty well, had a tight story, and several interesting developments. Most of its characters remained relatively the same and almost mirrored the ones from the original anime. However, Sakura and Syaoran’s relationship felt a bit underdeveloped, as if it was only present for nostalgia. Moreover, the ending comes off as a means for setting up the second season rather than being a well-constructed story. As of now, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Season 2 is not confirmed, although it’s speculated to return around 2021 or 2022.
On the other hand, the anime might be a little confusing for viewers who missed 1998’s Cardcaptor Sakura. While it is a well-deserved sequel, Clear Card will likely be an average watch for new viewers.
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