Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 51 to 55

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 46 to 50 Recap

The last batch of episodes saw the conclusion of the Clow Card story arc. Here Sakura faced the Moon Guardian Yue, the true form of her beloved Yukito. Although initially overwhelmed, the Cardcaptor managed to summon all her magic and beat her opponent.

But with the close of one chapter came the beginning of another.

A transfer student joined Sakura’s class, Eriol Hiiragizawa. While appearing to be kind and gentle, Eriol hides a much dark side.

Suddenly, a new foe made itself known. Sakura was horrified when her Clow magic no longer worked. However, when push came to shove, she called upon a far great strength, Star Power. Upon using them, the Clow Cards are transformed into far stronger Sakura Cards.

Episode 51

Japanese Title: さくらと大きなねいくるみ
Romaji Title: Sakura to Ookina Nuigurumi
English Title: Sakura and the Big Teddy Bear

Episode Summary

Sakura is trying to make a teddy bear for Yukito. The rumor is, any bear that is received should be named after the person one loves most. Thus, Sakura is hoping for the best.

While working, Sakura is joined by a passing Eriol. With his help, Sakura is finally satisfied with how her bear turns out.

Later that night, when Sakura visits Yukito’s house to give him his present, something strange happens. As soon as Yukito touches the bear, it grows giant and starts attacking. Being caught by surprise, Sakura doesn’t have time to defend herself. Luckily Yukito, who unknowingly transforms into Yue, protects the Cardcaptor.

However, Yue is quickly and mysterious drained of power when confronting the bear. It is almost like there is a force that counteracts Clow magic. Fortunately, Sakura uses her Star Power to win the day.

After the battle, Sakura discovers the bear had been put under a Clow-like spell.

Principle Characters

Episode 52

Japanese Title: さくらのひつじ注意報?!
Romaji Title: Sakura no Hitsuji Chuuihou?!
English Title: Sakura's Sheep Warning

Episode Summary

Whenever Sakura uses Star Power, it leaves her exhausted.

I’m not going to lying; this episode got the better of me. I suspect there was information about what is going on with Yue and the arrival of Eriol. Unfortunately, most of it was lost on me, and I couldn’t catch anything useful.

From what I can piece together, Yue is at risk of disappearing. Thus, this would mean the end of Yukito.

Aside from that, Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo met at the park to fight a bunch of fluffy sheep dolls.

Again, apologies, but this was one time my Japanese ability ultimately failed on me.

Principal Characters

Episode 53

Japanese Title: さくらとパニック自転車
Romaji Title: Sakura to Panikku Jitensha
English Title: Sakura and the Panicky Bike

Episode Summary

While Sakura is cleaning at her house, Eriol passes by. As the two are talking, unbeknownst to Sakura, Eriol places a spell on Touya’s bike.

It should be noted here that Touya’s full story has yet to be told. He is very aware of magic’s existence and has a keen sense of it. He was able to see something was wrong with the bike even though Sakura could not.

Later at night, Sakura admires her cards and notices the ones that have yet to be turned into Sakura Cards feel cold. According to Cerberus, the cards now feed of Sakura’s Star Power. Therefore, those that have not felt Sakura’s magic have been starving.

In a panic to save her precious cards, Sakura begins to transform them recklessly. This tires Sakura to the point of exhaustion. As a result, she is unable to complete the Dash Card’s switch.

The unstable spirit goes berzerk and possesses the bike Eriol enchanted.

After enlisting Syaoran’s help, Sakura tries to calm the Dash down. Although violence appeared to be the only way to get the card under control, Sakura refuses to do any harm.

Sakura soothes the raging spirit through her quick thinking and kind heart; bring the ordeal to an end.

Principal Characters

Episode 54

Japanese Title: さくらと思い出のカレンダー
Romaji Title: Sakura to Omoide no Karenda
English Title: Sakura and the Calendar of Memories

Episode Summary

Sakura finds her father, Fujitaka, reminiscing over a calendar once owned by Sakura’s mother, Nadeshiko. Instantly, the Cardcaptor falls in love with the old calendar, exploring every inch of her mother’s handwriting.

While looking, Sakura sees a date highlighted as Nadeshiko’s grandfather’s birthday. This person would be Sakura’s great-grandfather, and the day circled is quickly approaching.

Sakura asks Fujitaka about her great-grandfather and learns Fujitaka doesn’t think he is in his favor. According to Sakura’s father, her great-grandfather believes Fujitaka took his precious Nadeshiko away from him.

Sakura assures her father that he is a good man and has done nothing wrong. She also decides to make her great-grandfather a gift like her mother once did.

Naturally, Sakura has no idea that she had actually met her great-grandfather once before.

The day after Sakura’s gift was delivered, her great-grandfather gets in contact with Fujitaka. The two men meet, and Sakura’s great-grandfather apologizes for how he has acted.

Principal Characters

Episode 55

Japanese Title: さくらと不思議の国のさくら
Romaji Title: Sakura to Fushigi no Kuni Sakura
English Title: Sakura and the Sakura From Wonderland

Episode Summary

Sakura’s class is doing book reports, and our little Cardcaptor has chosen to read Alice in Wonderland.

When discussing the story with Eriol, Sakura fails to notice when the transfer student places a spell on Sakura’s leaf bookmark.

Later, when Sakura touches the leaf, she is pulled into the world of Alice. There she sees her friends as many of the narrative’s classic characters:

• Eriol as the Cheshire Cat
• Yukito as the White Rabbit
• Touya as the Mad Hatter
• Tomoyo as Humpty Dumpty
• Syaoran as Tweedle Dee and Dumb

Incidentally, this is the first time Sakura gets the idea that Syaoran might like someone other than Yukito.

The Cardcaptor eventually escapes the book when she again finds the leaf that pulled her in.

Principal Characters

Thoughts and Impressions

So far with this season, I feel like my initial assessment of it has been proving correct – it is not holding up to the Clow Card storyline.

That isn’t to say I am not enjoying the series anymore; I very much am.

However, this Sakura Card arc, so far, has been nothing but a simple add on. If we were merely interested in continuing the Cardcaptor Sakura narrative, this wouldn’t be enough.

Fortunately, we have spent so much time with these characters and in this world. This part of the series comes off as a welcomed extra.

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 56 to 60.