Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 31 to 35

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 26 to 30 Recap

Continuing her mission as a Cardcaptor, a new, mostly unknown factor has entered Sakura’s life – Kaho Mizuki. Officially becoming Sakura’s new teacher, Ms. Mizuki appears to have a connection with both Sakura’s family and the Clow Cards.

Although Sakura sees no reason to distrust Ms. Mizuki, the same cannot be said for Syaoran. Still, there is no proof that recent Clow Card mischief has any connection with Ms. Mizuki.

Episode 31

Japanese Title: さくらと名前のない本
Romaji Title: Sakura to Namae no nai Hon
English Title: Sakura and the Nameless Book

Episode Summary

While at school, Sakura and her group are talking about their favorite kinds of stories. In particular, Sakura’s friend Naoko Yanagisawa is a big fan of reading and books. While at school, away from the conversation, Syaoran senses the presence of a Clow Card.

On their way home, Sakura and her friends stop at a nearby bookstore. While here, Sakura herself senses a Clow Card and decides to investigate later that night.

At the shop, though, Naoko finds an untitled book. She is intrigued when the last few pages are blank, and they encourage the reader to make their own story.

Upon returning to the spot where she sensed the card, Sakura runs into Syaoran and Meiling. That is when a massive cat, much bigger than anyone in the party. The Cardcaptors realize this is the work of the Big Card, which turns objects giant.

Sakura effortlessly seals the Big away, but the night has only begun.

Back at her house, Naoko opens the untitled book and begins to write her story. Where Sakura is, strange animals start to appear. Naoko appears to be writing in a book made by the Create Card. Although all the creatures Naoko thinks up are harmless, her final creation is anything but.

Facing Sakura is a massive dragon. As long as the Create is active, the dragon won’t disappear or be sealed. Since Sakura has no idea where the book is, she uses the Big Card to increase her size and, at least, slow down the dragon.

By sure happenstance, Naoko closes the book, thus breaking the spell. As the dragon is fading away, Sakura takes the opportunity to seal the Create.

Principle Characters

Episode 32

Japanese Title: さくらとケロと小狼と
Romaji Title: Sakura to Kero to Syaoran to
English Title: Sakura, Kero, and Syaoran

Episode Summary

Sakura, Cerberus, and Syaoran are facing off against the Change Card.

To give Sakura the chance to seal the spirit, Cerberus and Syaoran pin the card. As soon as they touch it, though, the two switch bodies. Given their rivalry with one another, Cerberus and Syaoran aren’t too pleased with the situation.

Fortunately, the effects are not permanent. Unfortunately, Cerberus and Syaoran will need to spend the next day in the other’s body.

As one might expect, the day does not go smoothly for anyone involved. Luckily, the team faces no real crisis, and the switch happens without incident.

(Seriously, not a whole lot of anything happened in this episode. Although it was fun, there isn’t much to say about it.)

Principal Characters

Episode 33

Japanese Title: さくらのさむーいアイススケート
Romaji Title: Sakura no Samui Aisusuketo
English Title: Sakura's Freezing Ice Skating 

Episode Summary

Sakura’s is getting excited for its field trip to the ice skating rink the next day. However, that night, Sakura has her Tokyo Tower dream, once again seeing a mysterious woman standing in the shadows.

The next day, as Sakura is off to school, Cerberus watches as the Cardcaptor runs off, uttering a single name, “Yue.”

At the rink, Sakura, despite being an excellent roller skater, isn’t so good on the ice. She gets a feel for it relatively fast, though. As for her other classmates, they are enjoying themselves, but many notice how cold it is inside the facility. In fact, the temperature is dropping at an alarming rate.

Soon, Sakura’s classmates begin to freeze over. The only ones to escape the phenomenon are Sakura, Syaoran, and, standing out of sight, Ms. Mizuki.

The Cardcaptors prepare to battle against the Freeze Card. Despite being a formidable opponent, the combined skills of Sakura and Syaoran win the day.

Once the Freeze is seeled, the ice recedes, and everyone returns to normal. Sakura is happy that everything worked out, but Syaoran can’t shake his distrust of Ms. Mizuki.

Principal Characters

Episode 34

Japanese Title: さくらと雪兎と昼の月
Romaji Title: Sakura to Yukito to Hiru no Tsuki
English Title: Sakura, Yukito, and the Midday Moon

Episode Summary

In Sakura’s class, word spreads about the upcoming Tomoeda-cho Quiz Rally.

On their way home, Sakura and her friends see an advertisement for the event saying that participants need a partner. Although Sakura quickly asks Tomoyo if she will join, Tomoyo is hesitant because it would mean she wouldn’t be able to film Sakura being cute. Almost on cue, Yukito runs into the group and offers to be Sakura’s partner.

Sakura can’t believe her luck.

To complete the rally, contestants must travel around Tomoeda-cho, answering questions and collecting stamps. With Sakura’s energy and Yukito’s knowledge (he is the one who actually solves the riddles), the two quickly earn their final stamp from none other than Ms. Mizuki.

As Sakura and Yukito head off, Ms. Mizuki pulls Sakura aside. She tells the Cardcaptor to be careful of the full moon. Unsure of the meaning of those words, Sakura and Yukito head to the goal.

Once at the spot they think is the finish, the pair wander the nearby woods looking for the end. Staring up into the sky, Sakura marvels at how beautiful the moon is. She begins to think of her Tokyo Tower dream and how it glistens in the moonlight. Losing herself in her thoughts, Sakura appears to collapse right over the edge of a cliff. Fortunately, Yukito quickly protects Sakura from the fall.

Due to this detour, Sakura and Yukito are the last to finish the rally. Still, Sakura wonders why her dream is occurring much frequently.

Principal Characters

Episode 35

Japanese Title: さくらのすてきなクリスマス
Romaji Title: Sakura no Suteki na Kurisumasu
English Title: Sakura's Wonderful Christmas

Episode Summary

Once again, Sakura has her Tokyo Tower dream. This time, though, she acknowledges that the shadowy woman might be Ms. Mizuki. However, the thought quickly leaves her mind since Christmas is in the air.

Although excited for the holiday, Sakura is worried because she doesn’t know what to get her beloved Yukito, whose birthday happens to be December 25^th. Wonder what to do, and with the phone in her hand, she contemplates calling Yukito. Cerberus takes the choice away by hitting the redial button, and Yukito picks up immediately.

Sakura asks Yukito if he would like to go to the amusement park with her. To her delight, Yukito says yes.

At the park, the two enjoy the day together. They even run into Syaoran and Meiling. However, Sakura and Syaoran sense the presence of an extremely powerful Clow Card, one of the four elementals – the Firery.

The Cardcaptors manages to protect the other park-goers as she readies for what is to be a dangerous fight. Sure enough, the Firey is too powerful, and the pair’s usual tactics don’t work. To stand a chance, Sakura must, for the first time, trigger two Clow Cards at once. Not only that, she needs to use the two other elemental cards, Windy and Watery, to stand a chance.

Syaoran is against the idea since using one card of such power is draining, and the thought of triggering two should be close to impossible. Nevertheless, Sakura not only summons the spirits, but she also makes it look easy.

Sakura defeats the Firey and concludes her date with Yukito.

Principal Characters

Thoughts and Impressions

Probably since the first five, episodes 31 through 35 have been the most consequential. Incidentally, episode 35 marked the end of Cardcaptor Sakura’s first season and the halfway point of the 70 episode run. It certainly had the feel of something coming to an end.

Up to this point, the series has been fun and lighthearted. I get the sense that that will soon change.

Additionally, the show has been getting a lot more detailed, as I assumed it would. This trend has made understanding the Japanese more difficult for me. However, I can honestly say I have yet to be overwhelmed. At the very least, I get the gist of what is happening and what is brewing.

We’ll see if that continues to hold.

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 36 to 40.