Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – Cardcaptor Sakura Episodes 66 to 70

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 61 to 65 Recap

I suppose you could call the last five episodes the calm before the storm; not a whole lot happened.

Episodes 56 to 60 were primarily filler to prepare for the final stretch. The only real thing of note that took place was Sakura’s brother, Touya’s, admission that he knew far more than he let on. He confessed to Yukito that he knew who he really was. Touya was also completely aware of Sakura’s role as a Cardcaptor.

However, to protect his friend, Touya gave up his ability to sense when Sakura was in danger. By giving up that power, Touya was able to halt Yukito (and Yue’s) vanishing.

Episode 66

Japanese Title: さくらと一番好きな人
Romaji Title: Sakura to Ichiban Suki na Hito
English Title: The Person Sakura Likes Most

Episode Summary

Since telling Yukito what he knew and giving up his power to save his friend, Touya has been tired and weak.

While attending Touya and Yukito’s cultural festival, Sakura visits an advertised “Star Road” exhibit with Yukito. There, Sakura finally confesses her feelings towards Yukito.

Although Yukito admits that he too loves Sakura, he does so in a platonic way. Yukito also suggests that Sakura’s love for him is similar to what she has towards her father; Yukito is not Sakura’s number one.

During this exchange, Sakura and Yukito are attacked within the exhibit. Yukito transforms into Yue and protects Sakura. The Cardcaptor herself transforms the room to shield other guests from the battle. And outside, a worried Syaoran hears what is going on and rushes in to help.

Sakura senses the presence of Clow and runs to find its source. She loses Yue in the pursuit before finding the place where the power is coming from. To her shock, Sakura sees the person behind the attack – Eriol. Before she can comprehend, Eriol casts a sleep spell over Sakura.

Meanwhile, Syaoran, despite Sakura’s magic, quickly finds his way to Yue. Together, the two find the Cardcaptor asleep outside. Sakura wakes up confused, forgetting she saw Eriol at all.

At the end of the day, Sakura and Syaoran find themselves alone. Sakura tells of her failed confession to Yukito and how he might not be her number one. Syaoran comforts Sakura as she tries to make sense of her feelings.

Principle Characters

Episode 67

Japanese Title: さくらと小狼と月峰神社
Romaji Title: Sakura to Syaoran to Tsukimine Jinja
English Title: Sakura, Syaoran, and the Tsukimine Shrine

Episode Summary

Sakura invites Syaoran to a festival at the Tsukimine Shrine.

The two are walking about the festival, and Sakura is still unsure about her feelings towards Yukito. With Sakura as she is, Syaoran refuses to add to her troubles by confessing his love for the Cardcaptor.

The two break off from the crowd and are attacked by a horse spirit (cast by Eriol). The two combine their powers and take down their foe.

The entire time, Sakura slowly realizes how often Syaoran has been there for her. However, she has yet to make a connection beyond feelings of friendship.

Principal Characters

Episode 68

Japanese Title: さくらと過去とクロウ・リード
Romaji Title: Sakura to Kako to Kuro Riido
English Title: Sakura, the Past, and Clow Reed

Episode Summary

At his base, Eriol prepares for his ultimate confrontation with Sakura.

Elsewhere, Sakura is continuing her struggles against these random attacks. Cerberus believes that Sakura is getting as strong as Clow once was. Sakura, on the other hand, is worried that that might not be a good thing.

Therefore, Sakura devises a plan to speak to Clow.

Using the Return Card, Sakura travels back in time to when Clow was still alive. Sure enough, she meets the great magician, and he instantly realizes who she might be. Clow tells Sakura that she will be the one to take his place; she has the strength to be an excellent Clow Leader.

Returning to her own time, Sakura is filled with a new purpose. At that moment, though, Eriol reveals himself to be a reincarnated Clow. Thus, the final battle begins. 

Principal Characters

Episode 69

Japanese Title: さくらと現れたクロウ・リード
Romaji Title: Sakura to Arawareta Kuro Riido
English Title: Sakura Meets Clow Reed

Episode Summary

Having revealed everything, Eriol begins his attack on Sakura, Syaoran, and the Guardians, Cerberus and Yue. Eriol casts a spell on the town, putting everyone into a deep sleep. Sakura and Syaoran’s powers are enough to keep them unaffected.

Eriol’s spirits, Spindel and Ruby, go after their respective counterparts, Cerberus and Yue. Sakura’s friends struggle to hold their own, and the Cardcaptor doesn’t want a fight.

With no choice, Sakura decides to complete her Sakura Deck. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the power to transform her final two cards, the Light and Dark. To give her a chance, Cerberus and Yue offer up their strength, at the risk of their disappearance. A very reluctant Sakura agrees and tries summoning her cards. However, even with the Guardians, it isn’t enough.

With all seemingly lost, Syaoran gives his magic to push Sakura over the finish line. The Light and Dark Cards transform, and the Sakura Deck is complete. Sakura breaks Eriol’s spell, and the latter acknowledges the Cardcaptor’s victory.

Eriol leaves without explanation. Before Sakura can pursue the magician, Syaoran stops her. The episode ends with him, at last, confessing his love to Sakura.

Principal Characters

Episode 70

Japanese Title: さくらと本当の想い
Romaji Title: Sakura to Hontou no Omoi
English Title: Sakura and Her True Feelings

Episode Summary

Sakura considers Syaoran’s confession.

At school, it is announced that Eriol will be returning to the UK. Later that day, Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo head over to Eriol’s house to say goodbye. There, the group is surprised when Ms. Mizuki arrives as well. It turns out that Eriol and Ms. Mizuki were hoping to teach Sakura how to control her powers.

Back at his house, Syaoran gets a call from his mother. She tells him some important news.

Afterward, Sakura and Syaoran happen to meet each other. Sakura tries to about what happened, but a heavyhearted Syaoran runs off. It is later that Sakura learns that Syaoran will be returning to Hong Kong.

A tearful Sakura can hardly bear the thought of losing one of her closest friends. Her emotions are so high that her magic triggers, and with her powers, she creates a new Sakura Card. 

Sakura rushes off to the airport and catches Syaoran at the airport. The two Cardcaptors say their goodbyes, and Sakura accepts Syaoran’s feelings.

Thus bringing an end to the Cardcaptor Sakura story.

Principal Characters

Thoughts and Impressions

And with that, it’s over. Now I can say with certainty that the Sakura Card storyline was nowhere near as good as the previous Clow Card arc.

However, I am sad to see things end.

I also don’t think that a few simple sentences are enough to explore my feelings on this series. Therefore, I will conclude Cardcaptor Sakura with a final impressions post. There, I will explore my thoughts on one of anime’s most iconic shows, as well as my struggles with watching the whole thing in full Japanese.

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 one final round-up with Anime Hajime Impressions: Cardcaptor Sakura.