In the 90s, Cardcaptor Sakura captured the imagination of manga readers and TV audiences. Sakura sealed magical Clow Cards and saved her corner of the world when she was just ten years old. Her adventure continued, however, in Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc.
The new series reminds fans what they love about the original magical girl series as Sakura has a similar task: using her own magic on Clear Cards to create a new set. So far, only a single season of the series has been produced. With just 22 episodes, the show has an average rating of 7.9 out of 10 on IMDb. These are the best episodes.
10 Sakura And The Room With No Exit, Episode 2 (7.3)
In the second episode of the sequel series, Sakura finds herself at the mercy of a new power. Though she and Tomoyo adjust to their middle school lives, Sakura’s bedroom proves a challenge. Sakura, Tomoyo, and Kero end up trapped with no doors or windows when inside. As it turns out, they’re in the magic of a new card, “Siege.”
While the new card provides a fun adventure for the friends, the episode also reveals more about the characters. Tomoyo, in addition to her many skills, is revealed as an artist, for example.
9 Sakura And The Lovely Transfer Student, Episode 4 (7.6)
Sakura is always good at making friends. Her kindness rivals that of Usagi Tsukino’s in Sailor Moon. Here, she befriends transfer student Akiho.
Any Cardcaptor fan knows to be suspicious of new students. Over the course of the franchise, Syaoran, Eriol, and Nakuru all turned out to be connected to Sakura’s adventures. It’s not immediately clear how Akiho would be connected, but her presence teases the coming conflict. In fact, this episode is full of teases for what’s to come as Syaoran is hiding something from Sakura too.
8 Sakura’s Clear Cards, Episode 22 (7.7)
It’s a bit surprising that this episode makes the top 10 since so many fans are still upset about the massive cliffhanger. In the season finale of Clear Card, it sees Sakura finally confront the hooded figure from her dreams.
Her friends and protectors are unable to help her while she’s in a dream state. When the figure is revealed as someone Sakura knows, time magic rewinds everything. It’s there that the story stops. Exactly when another chapter of the anime will be released remains unknown, frustrating fans, but leaving them wanting more.
7 Sakura And Meling’s Friend, Episode 16 (7.8)
This begins a string of episodes all ranked as 7.8. To keep the rankings fair, the higher-ranked of the 7.8 episodes actually have more IMDb ratings.
This particular episode is part of an arc that fleshes out Meling’s character. Created exclusively for the original anime, Meiling leaves Japan in the first series to return home to China. When she comes back into Sakura’s life, the two form a genuine friendship, which is solidified in this episode as they have to fight a Clear Card together.
6 Sakura, The Mirror, And The Key Of Memories, Episode 21 (7.8)
This episode is mostly about setting up the finale as Sakura makes her way home from her great-grandfather’s house with a special key. We do, however, learn one piece of information that delights fans.
Sakura’s father reveals to her brother that he’s known about their magical abilities. Fujitaka is proud of his kids, which is why he’s never made a big deal out of it. It’s a small moment, but it’s indicative of the kind of trust and loyalty Sakura and Touya inspire.
5 Sakura And The Fire And Water Birds, Episode 18 (7.8)
The bulk of the action in this episode comes from Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo catching the “Blaze” card. While that’s definitely fun to watch, it’s not the most interesting part.
Like many Clear Card episodes, this one features a tease for what’s coming. This time, it’s through Touya and Yue’s conversation. Touya gave up his magic in the original series so Yue and Yukito could live. Now, Yue knows that magic is returning to Touya, which they both find unusual, but Touya won’t confirm just what that magic is. That teaser hasn’t yet been paid off in the series.
4 Sakura’s Thrilling Aquarium Visit, Episode 9 (7.8)
Like a lot of early episodes, this one revisits Sakura’s original adventures as she takes a trip to the aquarium. This trip is a little different because she’s on her first date.
Sakura and Syaoran get adorably embarrassed at every turn, including when running into her brother. The date leads to a major mishap and the reveal of a card. Spiral requires the use of four other cards when Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo return to the aquarium to capture it. Sakura’s visit to the aquarium really combines the action, serial storytelling, and romance in a way that works perfectly.
3 Sakura’s Heavy Rain Alert, Episode 3 (7.8)
The third episode of the series has a lot going on. Sakura has some fun with her friends, gets more detail in her recurring dreams, and reveals two Clear Cards.
The bits and pieces of the episode don’t connect well, so it’s a little surprising that it ranks so high. That ranking is likely from fans of the romance. “Sakura’s Heavy Rain Alert” acts as a reminder that Touya and Yukito are as close as ever. It also demonstrates that Syaoran can be protective of Sakura and come to her aid without being in the middle of a fight.
2 Sakura And The Clear Cards, Episode 1 (7.8)
With nearly 20 years since the original anime aired, fans were excited for more Sakura. For that reason, it’s no wonder the series premiere ranks so high. Fans invested in the romance of the franchise were happy to see they didn’t have to wait long for Syaoran Li to make an appearance as he returns from China at the end of the episode. This one really kicks off all of the major events of the season as the Sakura Cards vanish and Sakura’s strange dreams begin.
1 Sakura, The Shrine, And The Zoo?, Episode 14 (8.1)
It’s absolutely no surprise that this is the top-ranked episode of the series. Not only does it start revealing major bits of the season mystery, but it also features a show-stopping moment.
Sakura and her friends decide to visit places to which Akiho has never been. While doing so, Sakura starts hallucinating, and her hallucinations are very specific. They coincide with the events of Akiho’s book, giving fans a hint at how the two are connected. In order for Sakura to beat the magic, Syaoran has to literally stop time, using all of the power inside of him, to provide her with support at a crucial moment. It’s one of the best parts of the series so far.