Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 12 Review: Sakura and the Icy Ball-Sports Tournament

This Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card review contains spoilers.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 12

We need to talk about Tomoyo. I’ve written in the past few weeks that her videotaping of Sakura has reached new heights of “extra” even for her. I know in the original series this was a big part of her character but now it’s an obsession. The fact she not only had an extra costume on hand but that it just happened to be waterproof is ludicrous in the most amazing way possible.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is over the top. It’s taking the sweet cuteness of the original series and dialing it up to eleven. In some ways this should be a flaw. It’s starting to make me question the internal logic of the show. Why is Tomoyo that obsessed with filming Sakura (besides her obviously being a lesbian)? What does she even do with all that footage?

The original series hinted she just has it all archived and watches it on occasion but she can’t possibly rewatch all of it, right? Why does she feel the need to catalog Sakura’s near every waking move? Is this her grand purpose in life? There’s something interesting to explore there but Clear Card really isn’t the kind of show to do that. It’s just a fun quirk of the character that’s getting progressively more hilarious as the show goes on.

This is a flaw, yes, but it makes the show what it is. Not every show can be perfect to all people. Some people will delight in this absurdity while others will try to find a logical reason for it. Clear Card is more about the former. Does it all make sense? No. Even things like Sakura bringing Kero to school doesn’t really work logically but the series doesn’t care. It’s about having fun!

Flaws sometimes make a series what it is. Its absurdities can become the most beloved parts. I’ve been watching Sailor Moon for the first time and yeah, Tuxedo Mask sucks as a character, but because he sucks so much it’s hilarious. A flaw becomes part of the enjoyment.

That’s Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card for me. It has flaws but even those make the show what it is. Much like the best kinds of relationships, you come to appreciate a person’s flaws as a part of who they are. Some shows you watch enough of and the flaws become too much. Here? The flaws actually become strengths.

So what I’m saying is let Tomoyo get even zanier about filming Sakura and having all kinds of outfits for her. The show knows what it’s doing, what with Kero calling it out, so just take it to the most absurd levels.

Shamus Kelley is a pop culture/television writer and official Power Rangers expert. We are all just pawns in Tomoyo’s game of filming. Follow him on Twitter!