Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 16 to 20

Original Run: April 7, 1998 - March 21, 2000
Number of Episodes: 70
Based on the Series Created By: CLAMP

As A Reminder:  Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou is not a review series. Anime Hajime’s LofZOdyssey attempts to watch an anime in Japanese with no English subtitles. Therefore, misinterpretations and misunderstandings are possible.

Feel free to leave comments, clarifications, and thoughts in the comments section below.

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Episode 11 to 15 Recap

Sakura is continuing her quest to collect all the missing Clow Cards. Although the battles are becoming more difficult, Sakura’s skills and powers are growing as well. She even has an ever-expanding pool of loyal friends and allies to help her with her task.

As for any significant developments, though, episodes eleven through fifteen were rather bare.

Episode 16

 Japanese Title: さくらとと思い出の虹
 Romaji Title: Sakura to Omoide no Niji
 English Title: Sakura and the Rainbow of Memories 

Episode Summary

Sakura, her brother, father, and Yukito head off to a cabin retreat for the summer holiday. Once there, Sakura decides to go on a walk to explore the surrounding area. While out, she comes across a beautiful mansion where she meets the home’s elderly owner.

The man invites Sakura to tea, and the two instantly become friends.

The next day, Sakura returns to the house, and the man shows her to a young girl’s room. The man explains that it once belonged to his granddaughter, who, sadly, passed away many years ago. Sakura then notices a painting of a rainbow that had been drawn by the granddaughter.

Knowing that she will be leaving the next day, Sakura decides to give the man a special gift. As she is saying goodbye, Sakura tells the man to go to his granddaughter’s balcony. Once there, Sakura uses the Rain Card to produce a beautiful rainbow.

The episode ends by revealing the man’s name to be Masaki Amamiya. His granddaughter was none other than Nadeshiko. Thus, Masaki is Sakura’s great-grandfather.

Principle Characters

Episode 17

 Japanese Title: さくらのこわーいきもだめし
 Romaji Title: Sakura no Kowai Kimodameshi
 English Title: Sakura’s Scary Test of Courage 

Episode Summary

Sakura is with her class on a summer holiday outing to the beach. At night, Sakura and her friends begin to tell ghost stories, which Sakura is not a fan.

Too scared to fall asleep, Sakura goes on a walk where she runs into Syaoran, who tells her that he believes something is lurking inside a nearby cave.

The following night, the class begins the class test of courage, which happens to be taking place within the very cave Syaoran mentioned. Together with Tomoya, a terrified Sakura steps inside. Halfway through their test, Tomoya notices something off. Then, the pair hears the group ahead of them scream.

When Sakura and Tomoya reach their friends, they see them disappear into thin air. To Sakura’s horror, Tomoya is the next to vanish, leaving the Cardcaptor alone. Fortunately, Syaoran was right behind Sakura and caught up to the scene.

The two sense the presence of a Clow Card. However, Syaoran begins to fade away. Before the phenomenon takes full effect, Sakura discovers the Erase Card and successfully seals the spirit way.

The next morning, the vanished people return unharmed but with no memory of the night prior.

Principal Characters

Episode 18

 Japanese Title: さくらと雪兎と夏祭り
 Romaji Title: Sakura to Yukito to Natsumatsui
 English Title: Sakura, Yukito, and the Summer Festival 

Episode Summary

In a dream, a beautiful green light floats towards Sakura.

Upon waking up, the Cardcaptor heads out to do her errands. There she meets Yukito, who escorts her back to her house. Yukito reminds Sakura of a local summer festival that night, so he, Sakura, Touya, and Tomoya head off together.

At the festival, the group enjoys the different booths, and they run into many of Sakura’s other friends. Tomoya then tries to give Sakura some alone time with Yukito.

However, Sakura finds the same light she saw in her dream. For some reason, she can’t take her mind off it. The lights make up the peaceful Glow Card, and Sakura picks up an effortless victory. She marvels at how happy the Glow spirit made her.

Principal Characters

Episode 19

 Japanese Title: さくらと夏休みの宿題
 Romaji Title: Sakura to Natsuyasumi no Shukudai
 English Title: Sakura and the Summer Holiday Homework 

Episode Summary

Sakura uses the last day of her summer holiday to finish all her homework.

To focus, Sakura and Tomoyo head over to the library, where they bump into Syaoran. While they are getting their assignments done, they discover the Move Clow Card has possessed one of the books. This spirit turns out to be incredibly annoying. The trio spends a lot of time running around chasing after it.

Eventually, Sakura uses her powers to catch the card and seal it away.

The three head back to Syaoran’s place, where they meet a girl named Meiling, who knows and is exceptionally protective of Syaoran.

Principal Characters

Episode 20

 Japanese Title: さくらとたたかう転校生
 Romaji Title: Sakura to Tataku Tenkousei
 English Title: Transfer Student vs. Sakura 

Episode Summary

It is the start of a new school term, and a transfer student has come to Sakura’s class, the girl Meiling Li that Sakura met while at Syaoran’s house. Meiling is Syaoran’s cousin and has come to Japan to be with her beloved Syaoran.

Meiling clings to her cousin and is none too happy that someone like Sakura – a girl, no less – dares to be close with Syaoran. With her unfounded anger, Meiling challenges Sakura throughout the day and is annoyed that Sakura can keep up and surpass her.

Later that night, Sakura learns of an incident at a nearby park. Thinking it might be a Clow Card, she goes to investigate. Sure enough, Sakura discovers the Fight Card.

Before Sakura can do anything, Meiling shows up and refuses to give Sakura credit for defeating the spirit. Although Meiling is a skilled martial artist, she is quickly overpowered by the Fight Card. But before she can get hurt, Syaoran intervenes. It appears that Meiling, despite being from the Li family, does not possess any Cardcaptor powers.

(This might be a misunderstanding on my part.)

The Fight Card proves to be too much for Syaoran to handle as well. Thus, Sakura uses her collected cards to defeat the spirit. However, in a huff, Meiling refuses to acknowledge Sakura as anything other than an unwanted nuisance.

Principal Characters

Thoughts and Impressions

I’m not sure what I mean when I say, “There hasn’t been much narrative.” Sure, Cardcaptor Sakura has made much progress in terms of story, but it hasn’t established a goal other than collect the cards, which it has been doing.

For the past ten episodes, this series has focused on the characters, and I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t enjoying myself. This show is a ton of fun, and that alone is enough to keep me going. I do expect something big to develop soon. For now, though, I’m satisfied.

I am also convinced that when something does happen, I will be all the more invested since we have spent so much time getting to know these characters. That, and there have been hints of something more behind a few individuals’ personalities.

Thanks for following along with me. If you’ve seen this series and feel I am wrong in my descriptions, please let me know in the comments below. I wouldn’t want to put this show in an inaccurate light.

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For Anime Hajime, I’m LofZOdyssey, and I’ll see you next week for Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 21 to 25.