Twenty years following its release in Japan, Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie still holds up, Clow Cards and all. From the beautiful battle scenes to the enchanting emotions, the film still stands as a whimsical reminder of why this franchise is such a classic within the Magical Girl genre.
But after two decades, there's a chance the Erase card did a number on your noggin - or perhaps you're a newcomer to Sakura's adventures. Have no fear though—from Clamp tie-ins, to behind the scenes tidbits; this list has got you covered just as well as Tomoyo's sewing skills. Here's a look at the 10 Things You Didn't Know About Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie—except that it's adorable, you knew that already.
10 The Pre-Movie Music Video
For the Japanese release of Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie, fans of the manga team CLAMP got to see something special before the main feature - a Madhouse animated music video of CLAMP's sci-fi tale, Clover.
Working as a loving tribute to the manga, this 8-minute long piece tells the story of a young woman named Suu. She is one of the "Clovers" - think Eleven from Stranger Things but with a technological edge. Considered to be the most dangerous of these individuals, locked away by the government, Suu dreams of companionship. And when Kazuhiko (a government agent) is assigned to escort her to Fairy Park, Suu's wishes seem to finally becoming true. But can this powerful girl live the normal life she craves, or will her abilities get the best of her? The short gives a glimpse of that future in the most striking of animated ways.
9 The Little Known "Uncut" Dub
One of the unfortunate things that can come from releasing an anime stateside is the possibility that the English version could ruin the source material. And when you cast actors that sound like they belong in Degrassi as opposed to an anime, important titles like Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie can have its quality diminished.
Luckily, Nelvana (the company who did the Cardcaptors dub) ended up doing a (visually) uncut version of the film that never aired on TV. Elements from Cardcaptors did (auditorial) carry over, including the localization of the entire cast's names, but at least the movie stayed intact. So if you like your Kero sounding ultra bro-tastic, this lesser-known cut of the film may indeed be for you.
8 The Production Staff Remained The Same
Often on film adaptations of popular anime, some members of the staff will change along the way. Whether it be a scheduling conflict, or that the movie is a reimagining of the original show, the team can't always stick together. But for the Cardcaptor Sakura crew, most of them were able to work on the first movie - including some key players.
Director Morio Asaka (Nana), character designer Kumiko Takahashi (Ouran High School Host Club), and legendary executive producer Masao Maruyama (Paprika), all returned to help make this film adaptation. Their work, along with the efforts of the entire crew, helped Sakura's transition from the TV to movie-sized screens go seamlessly. The essence of the series was still there, but now on a grander scale.
7 The Director's CLAMP Connections
As mentioned, director Morio Asaka returned to work on the first Cardcaptor Sakura movie after his work on the TV series was such a success. But this was not the first, nor the last, CLAMP related property that Asaka would work on.
In 1994, Asaka directed the first CLAMP in Wonderland - an Original Video Animation music video that showcased all of CLAMP's characters. Then would come the film adaptation of CLAMP's manga X, where Asaka became the co-assistant director, working with legendary director Rintaro (Metropolis). Along with the TV anime adaptation of 2002's Chobits, and the 2018 CCS sequel series Clear Card, Asaka would prove again and again to be one of the few talented individuals that has a grasp on the visual and storytelling specifics of CLAMP's work.
6 Sakura's Japanese Voice Actress
When a memorable voice is matched with a lovable protagonist, true cinematic magic can happen. That's the case with Sakura Kinomoto's Japanese voice actress, Sakura Tange. Not only does she share a first name with her most memorable role, but her similar spunky attitude (like the character) radiates from her real-life persona.
One thing that is always surprising to discover (especially as a kid) is that full-grown adults are usually the voice of your favorite kid-age characters. And in the case of Ms. Tange's performance in Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie, she was (wait for it) 26 years old when she recorded the role! And now at 46, Tange remains a voice acting treasure for continuing to embody that same sense of childlike wonder she had back in 1999.
5 It's An Award-Winning Film
When looking at Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie, it might appear like just another animated film adaptation of a popular anime. But this magical girl flick has many surprises up its well-dressed sleeve - because, in 1999, it won Animation Kobe's Feature Film award.
Ending in 2015, Animation Kobe was an annual event held throughout the city of Kobe, Japan that showcased the latest in the anime and media world. In the ceremony's short history, such winners included Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) for best director in 1996, along with Fullmetal Alchemist and Code Geass taking the TV award in 2004 and 2013, respectively. Clearly Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie was, and is still, in good company amongst these other historic winners.
4 A Familiar Voice
In anime's long history, many incredible voices from the Japanese acting world have appeared throughout. And in the case of Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie, the film's antagonist (Madoushi) is voiced by none other than anime icon Megumi Hayashibara.
Megumi started her voice acting career in 1986. After landing a small part in the anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku, she would eventually be cast in Takahashi's Ranma 1/2, playing the female version of the title character. This role would lead the actress to bring other memorable characters to life, including Lina Universe from Slayers and Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion, making her a fan favorite for decades to come.
3 Studio Ghibli Connections
Known for such memorable movies like Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli is not often associated with magical girl creations - unless you consider Kiki's Delivery Service part of the genre. But what the studio is known for is their stunning animation - which helped them bring something "special" to the first Cardcaptor Sakura movie.
Studio Ghibli is credited with helping on the special effects for the film. Unfortunately, there's no true knowledge about which scenes the Ghibli wizards animated. But knowing their skills in animating water, they may have had a hand in the film's final watery battle. Regardless of which elements they actually produced, knowing that two legendary studios such as Ghibli and Madhouse worked together is a thing of true nerd-approved beauty.
2 The Sorceress That Shall Not Be Named (Literally)
In most films, the villain usually has a name that strikes fear into the protagonist. But in the case of Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie 's baddie, her name doesn't have the same effect because she doesn't really have one.
Credited as Madoushi in the Japanese language version, this antagonist suffers a bit from the same situation that Beast from Disney's Beauty and the Beast goes through. Why? Because when translated, Madoushi essentially means "sorceress" in Japanese. This mystery towards her true identity (along with her past with Clow Reed) makes Madoushi even more of a threat to Sakura - and that's all a great bad guy needs to be.
1 The First Appearance Of Syaoran's Mom
Fans of Cardcaptor Sakura know that Syaoran (Sakura's rival and love interest) has quite an interesting family. With relations to Clow Reed, magic is clearly in his blood. But perhaps the most impressive member in all of Syaoran's family is actually his mother - who makes her first appearance in Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie.
Yelan Li (voiced by Kikuko Inoue) is a serious and strict matriarch, who is only briefly mentioned in the manga. Skilled in her craft, she has a confidence and regal nature that makes her not only stand as a symbol of strength, but continues on the great tradition of mature female characters in the CLAMP universe.