Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 3 Review: Sakura’s Heavy Rain Alert

This Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card review contains spoilers.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 3

The pacing of this episode is wild. We not only have two Clear Cards to capture but also setting up more of the mystery of who that person in Sakura’s dreams is. It’s a lot and the episode can’t quite manage to tie it all together. All three of these plots felt like they existed in separate episodes.

If you’re going to do a multi card-capturing episode, tie them into together more. Have Sakura question why there have been two in such close proximity. Instead we get some adorable (as always) scenes with Sakura and her classmates that really contribute nothing to any of the plots going on.

Why do we need to be reminded of the time Sakura and Syaoran were in a play together? It adds nothing to the episode’s plot or theme. It’s just… kind of there. These first three episodes in fact have included a lot of random scenes that don’t add up to much.

I want to say they’re setting up for something but I feel like the series is just indulging in having all these characters hang out after so long. That’s cute and all but we would get much stronger episodes if these ties into the overall plots. Remember when the cards would effect one of Sakura’s friends? Why not do that so we get an excuse to learn more about them?

Also we need to get more creative with these cards. Aqua and Reflect cards? Come on, those are just fancier ways of saying Water and Mirror. This show has had over fifteen years to come up with new card ideas, don’t get lazy now. Even Gale is just a copy of Windy.

If these captures are going to be exciting we need some variety from the old show. Change it up. Have Sakura need to vary her tactics when it comes to capturing cards.

While the episode struggles to tie itself together some individual moments stand out. Anytime Syaoran and Sakura interact is just perfect, especially when he offers her his jacket. These two’s love is so pure and innocent, which fits their middle school environment. Just lending someone your coat is a GIANT moment.

Of course the boyfriends Yukito and Toya are the greatest relationship on this show. Anytime these two show up my heart flutters. They both care so much about Sakura! I wonder what the hell Toya is keeping a secret and I hope they don’t remind us of it every episode without giving us any information. Speaking of…

Yo, this person in Sakura’s dreams or whatever. Do not string this mystery out FOREVER. The way the preview for next week was structured I’m fairly sure the new mystery girl is tied into the mysterious figure. Sakura getting some info in this episode helped so let’s keep it rolling.

If Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card can fix these pacing issues and tie together its storylines the show could really start to take off. 

Shamus Kelley has got to find them to bring the power home. Follow him on Twitter!