OH MY GOSH. I watched the first episode of the Cardcaptor Sakura continuation series Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (which you can check out yourself via VRV or Crunchyroll streaming), and I just about died from how successfully Madhouse recreated the tone and joy of the original anime (you know, 18-years later).
Of course, the nostalgia of it all about killed me. And thus, so I could have an excuse to gab about it here, Clear Card is our focus of today’s Tunes.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is Nostalgia CrackHonestly, you can probably count on your hand the number of successful reboots/sequels/remakes there have been in the pass ten years. Considering how popular they are–especially these days–it’s disappointing how few are able to hit the mark for non-fans and fans alike.
Well, from what I’ve seen, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card just might go down as a successful one. Considering we’re only one episode in is obviously too early to make any sort of definitive call, but if the first episode is any example of what’s the, it’s looking like this continuation is in good hands. I mean, they basically punched us in the heart with the “Platinum” chorus during the big reunite, so I think they know what’s up.
Of course, with every new anime series comes also a new opening and ending theme song, and Clear Card is no different. Tuesday Tunes is all about these new ditties and a little bit about they further show Madhouse’s detailed touch-backs to the original show.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Opening — “CLEAR” by Maaya SakamotoWhat I love about the opening theme song, titled “CLEAR” (who knows why, right?), is animated like this giant throw back to all the previous theme songs. First off, the song is sung by artist Maaya Sakamoto, who also sang the third season’s opening, “Platinum“.
Second, the beginning animation of clear is like a three-part tribute to all previous openings in one mash-up: The cherry blossom toe-touch of “Catch You Catch Me”, the crown of “Dreaming”, and the pensive beginning of “Platinum”.
It was like this fan-gasm moment for me, being all, “OHEMGEE IT’S LIKE THE OTHER ONES.” (Good thing I was alone when this happened.) It was also nice that, right off the bat, we get some Syaoran and Sakura ship sailin’. I’m sure that they took the fact that we’ve waited almost two decades for a little fan service, for which I’m quite grateful.
The song itself has the peppiness that a Cardcaptor Sakura fan would expect, the lyrics dictating Sakura’s inner trust that, while things don’t always go our way, no matter how down we feel, we can make it and we can go on.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Ending Theme — “Jewelry” by Sayori HayamiNo matter how down I feel, I’m filled with something clear.
THIS ENDING. I know that the opening touched on some S&S lovin’, but man this ending theme animation had me geeking out.
Guys, Syaoran and Sakura are not only going on a date in the end theme animation, but they also freaking hold hands. Did you just die from the cuteness? I know I practically did.
If you know Cardcaptor Sakura, then you know that the physical affection was, well, pretty miniscule (hey, they’re elementary schoolers, it would be weird to do anything otherwise). So yeah, to have this kind of service cut? Heart melting, I tell you.
Also, let’s just use this moment to touch again on the new, softer animation style from Madhouse. It’s beautiful to behold. I also especially enjoyed the symbolic imagery from some of the quick cut scenes of “Jewelry”.
“Jewelry” is basically a song about the changes that come from growing up, including the changes of the heart. It, in conjunction with the animation, describes Sakura’s in-transition relationship with Syaoran, which has evolved from friends to, well, what exactly? That’s what Sakura is looking to answer.
I may no longer be a child,
But the things I treasure will never change.
For my fellow Cardcaptor Sakura fans, how did you feel about Clear Card? Were you as happy with it as I was?
Share this:
