Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 61 to 65

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 56 to 60 Recap

The last batch of episodes had very little to do with the titular Cardcaptor. Instead, the “story” (because there really hasn’t been one for some time) focused more on Syaoran coming to terms with his feelings towards Sakura.

In its own way, this has proven to be interesting. However, when recapping the last five episodes, it doesn’t leave much for me to say.

The only notable bit of progression was Yue and Cerberus realizing that Yue’s powers were starting to wane. Should this continue Yue and, by extension, Yukito will vanish.

Episode 61

Japanese Title: さくらとカードとプレゼント
Romaji Title: Sakura to Kado to Purezento
English Title: Sakura, the Cards, and the Presents

Episode Summary

While Sakura is out patrolling, the Mirror Card, which can turn into the Cardcaptor, covers for her. Unbeknownst to either, Eriol is spying on what the Mirror is doing.

The next day, the real Sakura is wondering what to get her father for Christmas. Worried that she doesn’t have the money to buy anything special, she is thrilled when her brother, Touya, offers to split a gift with her. The two siblings agree to meet each other after school to go shopping.

However, near the meeting time, Sakura senses the presence of Clow. Knowing she won’t be able to meet her brother, she sends the Mirror in her place.

Instantly, Touya recognizes the Mirror for what she really is. Nevertheless, the two go on their shopping date. Simultaneously, Sakura is fighting one of Eriol’s spells, though she doesn’t know it’s him.

When finished with their buying, Touya gives the Mirror an early Christmas present. That same night, the Mirror, as well as Sakura’s other cards, chip in to give their beloved owner a gift of their own.

*As a side note, this episode’s animation appeared to not live up to the rest of the series’s high standard.*

Principle Characters

Episode 62

Japanese Title: さくらと不思議なおみくじ
Romaji Title: Sakura to Fushigi na Omikuji
English Title: Sakura and the Strange Fortune

Episode Summary

Sakura and her family are getting ready for their New Year’s Day shrine visit.

Upon arriving, Sakura is expecting to see Yukito, but he hasn’t shown up – a rare occurrence. Touya, worried, goes off to find him.

While walking around the shrine, Sakura runs into Tomoyo, and the two head to get their fortune. The two are surprised to see Eriol working at the stand. Unseen by either girl, Eriol puts a spell on Sakura’s fortune.

Seeing the message, Sakura is confused; her fortune is unlike one she had ever encountered before.

*I’m sorry, but I couldn’t catch what it said.*

Elsewhere, Touya makes it to Yukito’s house and discovers his friend collapsed on the floor. To Touya’s horror, he sees Yukito start to fade away.

Later that night, Sakura is tired from a day well spent, and quickly falls asleep. As soon as she does, Sakura’s fortune activates the nearby Clow Cards, drawing out the Dream. The card’s effects go to work on Sakura.

In her dream, Sakura encounters three shadowy figures. However, she also hears a voice saying everything will be okay.

Before she can make sense of what she is seeing, Sakura is roused by Cerberus, who was worried the Cardcaptor might be having a nightmare.

Principal Characters

Episode 63

Japanese Title: さくらとプールと大きな波
Romaji Title: Sakura to Puru to Ookina Nami
English Title: Sakura, the Pool, and the Huge Wave

Episode Summary

Sakura and her friends are at a water park.

*I’ve got to be honest; not a lot happened in this episode.*

Eriol casts a spell that creates a massive tidal wave in the wave pool, and Sakura stops it. The end.

Principal Characters

Episode 64

Japanese Title: さくらと吹雪のスキー教室
Romaji Title: Sakura to Fubuki no Sukii Kyoshitsu
English Title: Sakura and the Snowy Ski Class

Episode Summary

*A bit more happened in this episode.*

Sakura’s class is on a ski trip.

At night Sakura and her friends share horror stories, and Eriol tells the Snow Maiden’s tale. Sakura, who hates anything remotely scary, is not having fun.

Unable to sleep, Sakura heads to the lobby, where she meets Syaoran sitting by the fire. The two Cardcaptors spend some time together, but Syaoran doesn’t manage to tell Sakura his feelings.

The next day, it begins to snow. Hoping to get in one last run, Sakura and Eriol head off to the intermediate course. By the time they reach the time, the small flurry has turned into a full-on blizzard.

Suddenly, an avalanche comes barreling down the mountain. It heads straight towards the ski lodge with everyone inside. Sakura tries to stop it but uses far too much magic in the process. The Cardcaptor loses consciousness right in the avalanche’s path.

Before the hit can come, Eriol steps in and disperse both avalanche and storm; thus, saving Sakura’s life.

Principal Characters

Episode 65

Japanese Title: さくらと雪兎と消えゆく力
Romaji Title: Sakura to Yukito to Keiyuku Chikara
English Title: Sakura, Yukito, and the Vanishing Power

Episode Summary

*Quite a bit more happened in this episode.*

While walking home, Sakura sees her brother Touya being mean to Yukito. She runs in to stop the conflict only to find out the two are filming a scene for their class’ movie. The director, Nakuru Akizuki, who is one of Eriol’s created spirits, casts Sakura to play in the film.

The next scene will be shot at Eriol’s home.

Meanwhile, Yukito is increasingly getting weaker, and his vanishing is becoming more frequent. Even Sakura notices something going on, but she still isn’t sure of the full story.

At the shot the next day, the film’s climactic scene with Yukito and Touya’s characters takes place upon the second-floor veranda. As Eriol had planned it, Yukito faints over the edge. Touya catches his friend in time but is barely hanging on. Sakura sees the whole thing and uses her magic to save Yukito.

With Yukito safe, Touya finally tells his friend he knows everything: that Yukito is not human and that he is just a form of another being. With everything revealed, Yukito transforms into Yue.

Touya also admits that he has powers of his own, and he has always been able to sense when Sakura is in danger. Touya is willing to give this up to save Yukito, provided Yue watches over his sister.

Unbeknownst to Yue and Touya, Sakura hears everything. It turns out that her increased power has been the cause of Yukito and Yue’s fading. When she confesses this to Cerebrus, the guardian admits that he knew.

However, Cerebrus tells Sakura that none of this is her fault and it was always going to happen. But now, with Yukito safe, Sakura can face what is coming.

Principal Characters

Thoughts and Impressions

To let you know how inconsequential these past few Cardcaptor Sakura episodes have been, I accidentally watched episode 65 before episodes 63 and 64. I’m not sure how it happened, but it did. The point, though, I didn’t notice my mistake until after the fact. Episodes 63 and 64 had no bearing on anything.

Yes, I am still enjoying this series, and I am sad it is coming to an end. However, if I were actually reviewing this show, I would say we were in an extended lull.

Still, we are about to go into the last five episodes. Therefore, I have to think the nothingness that has been happening will be coming to an end. We will find out in the final installment of Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura.

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 66 to 70.