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"Cardcaptor Sakura" (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Cardcaptor Sakura - Everlasting Memories (Vol. 2) (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: Ten-year-old Sakura's adventures continue as she pursues the magic Clow Cards and the spirits they control: Jump, a violent pink creature who resembles a mutant Pokémon, bedevils a woman who sells plush toys--until Sakura brings him to heel. Episode 9 stands out as an example of sensitive storytelling. Everyone perceives the eerie specter in the woods near their school differently; Sakura sees the ghost of her mother, who died seven years ago. Recalling Yuki's advice that her mother would never put her in danger, Sakura penetrates the ruse and captures Illusion, who shows people what they desire to see. Sakura's older brother is dumbfounded when he realizes their mother's spirit actually has been watching over her. But Sakura isn't the only one pursuing the enchanted Cards. Shaoran Li, the brash new student from Hong Kong, is a distant relative of the sorcerer who created the Cards: he arrogantly insists he's the only one qualified to deal with them. Despite his protests, Sakura demonstrates her skill by capturing the powerful Lightning. Kerberos presents details about Sakura's clothes and home between episodes. Cardcaptor Sakura offers warm but never saccharine entertainment. (In Japanese with English subtitles.) Rated 13 and up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger. An edited version of these same episodes is available, entitled Cardcaptors: Power Match that's suitable for the 6-year-old crowd. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Vacation Daze (Vol. 5) (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: One of the principal sources of this series' considerable charm is the way the filmmakers show Sakura learning from her experiences and growing. Although she's badly frightened by the disappearances that the Erase Card causes at her summer school, she summons the necessary courage to defeat it, with some help from Shaoran. Things go smoothly for Sakura for the rest of the summer--even her older brother Toya is as nice as his nature allows--until Shaoran's loudmouth cousin (and self-declared fiancée) Meilin arrives. When Meilin tries to capture the powerful Fight Card, Sakura draws on her earlier experiences to overcome Fight and rescue Meilin--a challenge the more timid Sakura of the first episodes wouldn't have been able to face. The irrepressible Kerberos and tall-tale-spinning Yamazaki provide the comedy to balance these adventures. Rated 13 Up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger; minor cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Friends Forever (Vol. 3) (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: As 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto's abilities as a Cardcaptor increase, her life grows more complicated. When she meets Sonomi, the mother of her best friend Tomoyo and the president of a major toy company, she discovers Sonomi is a cousin of her mother, Nadeshiko. Sonomi looked after the lovely, klutzy Nadeshiko when they were growing up and still resents Sakura's father for marrying her closest friend. But also she's mature enough to recognize that Professor Kinomoto made Nadeshiko very happy during her brief life. Sakura is enchanted to learn about her mother, who died when she was only 3. Kero, Sakura's irrepressible familiar, provides a comic counterpoint to serious feelings in these episodes, playing video games and demanding his share of any snack. Shaoran Li, the rude new boy from Hong Kong, continues to compete with Sakura as magical Clow Cards appear and have to be subdued. Matters take a turn for the worse when Li develops a sort of crush on Yuki, the high school student Sakura adores. No American cartoon studio would tackle this story line, fearing accusations of promoting homosexuality from conservative watchdogs. Li's attraction to Yuki isn't sexual, but the normal feelings of a lonely 10-year-old in need of a big brother/role model, and the emotional honesty only adds to the charm of Cardcaptor Sakura. Rated 13 and up, but story line aside, appropriate for a younger audience. The series is available in an edited format entitled Cardcaptors that aired on the Cartoon Network. --Charles Solomon

Cardcaptor Sakura - Sakura Fight (Vol. 4) (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: As they battle the magical Clow cards, Sakura and Shaoran Li find themselves reluctant allies--and tacit rivals for the attention of the gentle high school student Yuki. Episode 16, "Sakura and the Rainbow of Memories," has provoked some controversy, as Sakura accepts tea and gifts from an older man she meets during a stay in the country. The audience learns the man is her great-grandfather, but some parents have worried that young viewers might imitate Sakura's lack of caution around a potentially dangerous stranger. Hints that the relationship between Yuki and Sakura's brother may be more than platonic crop up in episode 14, when the handsome Toya appears as Cinderella in the class play. But the focus of this charming series remains Sakura, and her growing confidence as she captures the Power, Mist, and Float cards. Rated 13 Up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger; minor cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon