I'm so happy that more and more people are beginning to realise that anime, while looking like "children's cartoons," are not necessarily just for children, and even without some of the more age-inappropriate animes, some still deliver a message home beyond that of English or American productions because Japanese animes are unafraid to include themes which these countries might not, and usually in an unexpected way.
CCS does just this. It explores the theme of love. I, like many others, saw it in English as a ten-year old and the beautiful, pastel art, chibi style characters and plot concerning magic and powerful cards had me captivated. As an adult (I watched those few recorded-off-the-telly VHSs I had constantly) I bought the entire 70 episode box set and two movies, each with Japanese audio. I still love it. In fact, I love it more.
Know this - if you're going to get the DVDs and can stand subtitles, it's worth going for the original Japanese with English subs as so much gets edited out in the English or American dubs (there are good complete box sets on Ebay) and some episodes didn't seem to get included at all.
So, storywise: 10 year old Kinomoto Sakura finds a magical sealed book in her basement one day after school. On opening it, and accidentally unleashing all 52 Clow Cards from inside, she awakes Keroberos, the magical (and cute!) Guardian Beast of the Seal. Devastated that his belated slumber has lost him all of his precious charges, he begs Sakura to help him recapture them. This, as it turns out, is not an easy process - he equips her with a magical "Clow Key" which doubles as her staff (to command and seal the cards with) and sets her on her way, sending her onto an amazing journey filled with personal and magical revelations, from her feelings to "that special someone," to her own realisations of her magical potential. Many surprises await, none of which I'll spoil here, but most of which are not predictable to the first-time watcher. On the theme of love, the Japanese version includes many different kinds of relationships including gay and lesbian love, father/daughter, mother/son, friendships, teacher/student, husband/wife, and occasionally, love between members of the same family (distantly related). The love in these relationships is explored in a pure, unjudging and unbiased way, and no physical contact is ever shown on screen, besides hugging, so the themes are accessible and varied without being graphic. CCS is brilliantly animated, the characters are well-developed (unlike some other animes, each character has blaring character faults but is still lovable in their way), and the sets are breathtakingly done, with sweet pastel foliage, bright buildings and colourful interiors - the entire feel is very "happy." People might argue this is one-sided but the anime does delve into themes of rejection and unrequition at times, with the "Meilin meeting Tomoyo" scene ringing clear (if you have seen the anime, you will know what I mean). Music is also beautiful, with 4 different openings and endings throughout the story, and flute-like, gentle music throughout. Sakura is also herself a very lovable, sweet and watchable character, and the anime is never annoying. An anime I could have (and have!) watched over and over again, at every stage of my life. The best thing about this anime is watching it on a rainy day, or after a bad day at work/Uni/College/School (yes, this anime really does stretch that far). I have watched quite a few animes, and I have to say, this is my absolute favourite. The best word to describe it is "innocent." There is absolutely nothing to offend or harm, except perhaps one episode involving a "Sword" card, in which one person becomes "possessed" and starts trying to hit her friend with a sword - this is not violent or bloody at all but may scare very young children. The magical element also gets very well done and covered - lots of staffs, magical circles and a huge variety of cards (which do everything from causing thunderstorms to turning everything into sweets). This mixes perfectly with domestic themes (yes, Cardcaptor Sakura also has to wash laundry, have baths and cook dinner!) Lots of funny (but maybe childish) scenes, most involving embarrassment because of romantic feelings, although there's a little slapstick for Kero too. In case you're wondering, I am 21 years old - that's how amazing it is. If this sounds like your bag, have a go! You won't regret it.
CCS does just this. It explores the theme of love. I, like many others, saw it in English as a ten-year old and the beautiful, pastel art, chibi style characters and plot concerning magic and powerful cards had me captivated. As an adult (I watched those few recorded-off-the-telly VHSs I had constantly) I bought the entire 70 episode box set and two movies, each with Japanese audio. I still love it. In fact, I love it more.
Know this - if you're going to get the DVDs and can stand subtitles, it's worth going for the original Japanese with English subs as so much gets edited out in the English or American dubs (there are good complete box sets on Ebay) and some episodes didn't seem to get included at all.
So, storywise: 10 year old Kinomoto Sakura finds a magical sealed book in her basement one day after school. On opening it, and accidentally unleashing all 52 Clow Cards from inside, she awakes Keroberos, the magical (and cute!) Guardian Beast of the Seal. Devastated that his belated slumber has lost him all of his precious charges, he begs Sakura to help him recapture them. This, as it turns out, is not an easy process - he equips her with a magical "Clow Key" which doubles as her staff (to command and seal the cards with) and sets her on her way, sending her onto an amazing journey filled with personal and magical revelations, from her feelings to "that special someone," to her own realisations of her magical potential. Many surprises await, none of which I'll spoil here, but most of which are not predictable to the first-time watcher. On the theme of love, the Japanese version includes many different kinds of relationships including gay and lesbian love, father/daughter, mother/son, friendships, teacher/student, husband/wife, and occasionally, love between members of the same family (distantly related). The love in these relationships is explored in a pure, unjudging and unbiased way, and no physical contact is ever shown on screen, besides hugging, so the themes are accessible and varied without being graphic. CCS is brilliantly animated, the characters are well-developed (unlike some other animes, each character has blaring character faults but is still lovable in their way), and the sets are breathtakingly done, with sweet pastel foliage, bright buildings and colourful interiors - the entire feel is very "happy." People might argue this is one-sided but the anime does delve into themes of rejection and unrequition at times, with the "Meilin meeting Tomoyo" scene ringing clear (if you have seen the anime, you will know what I mean). Music is also beautiful, with 4 different openings and endings throughout the story, and flute-like, gentle music throughout. Sakura is also herself a very lovable, sweet and watchable character, and the anime is never annoying. An anime I could have (and have!) watched over and over again, at every stage of my life. The best thing about this anime is watching it on a rainy day, or after a bad day at work/Uni/College/School (yes, this anime really does stretch that far). I have watched quite a few animes, and I have to say, this is my absolute favourite. The best word to describe it is "innocent." There is absolutely nothing to offend or harm, except perhaps one episode involving a "Sword" card, in which one person becomes "possessed" and starts trying to hit her friend with a sword - this is not violent or bloody at all but may scare very young children. The magical element also gets very well done and covered - lots of staffs, magical circles and a huge variety of cards (which do everything from causing thunderstorms to turning everything into sweets). This mixes perfectly with domestic themes (yes, Cardcaptor Sakura also has to wash laundry, have baths and cook dinner!) Lots of funny (but maybe childish) scenes, most involving embarrassment because of romantic feelings, although there's a little slapstick for Kero too. In case you're wondering, I am 21 years old - that's how amazing it is. If this sounds like your bag, have a go! You won't regret it.