Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 9 Review: Sakura’s Thrilling Aquarium Visit

This Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card review contains spoilers.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Episode 9

OR. Literally everyone, even random ass kids, ship Sakura and Syaoran.

My middle school heart is so full right now. Look, it’s no secret if you’ve been reading these reviews that I adored Cardcaptor Sakura back in the day and a big part of that was rooting for Syaoran and Sakura to be together. Those two crazy kids, like in any good shojo, were clearly meant for each other but just couldn’t ever find the words. That or they were conveniently attacked before they could declare their love. 

Now we’re still getting some of that although it’s been shifted to “will Syaoran actually ask Sakura to be his girlfriend?” Unlike before though the entire world is shipping it. Sakura’s dad ships it. Yukito def ships it. Tomoyo ships it to a somewhat alarming degree. EVEN A RANDOM ASS KID, HIS MOM, AND TWO FOREIGNERS SHIP IT. The whole world knows their love is pure and everything is beautiful.

(Well, except for Toya but he’s always been incredibly over protective when it comes to Sakura’s love life.)

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Also how about that character development on Sakura’s part? Last time she came to the aquarium it was when she was crushing on an older gay man. Now she’s actually on a date with a boy her own age that likes women (you can pry bisexual Syaoran out of my cold dead hands.) 

While I’ve given praise to the last few episodes for totally bucking the storytelling rules of modern television it was nice to return to some more standard plotting. The only problem was that it was the exact same plot as “Sakura’s Heart-Racing First Date” in the original series. They try to cover it up by calling out the similarities but come on; it’s the same episode.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card really needs to work on whatever its overarching plot is with these cards and her dreams because they’re kinda lame right now. That doesn’t take away from enjoyment of the show since I’m still grinning my face off every week but it would help me be more invested in the card capture sequences.

Thankfully those are only a few minutes and even when they aren’t the most exciting the entire episode is still extra as all hell. Yue hanging up on Kero? Extra. Tomoyo dying over the idea of getting a good photo op of Sakura? So extra. Sakura dancing around as she goes to meet Syaoran? The cutest extra of all time. The shojo blushes and SUDDEN cherry blossoms during Sakura and Syaoran’s date? I CAN’T TAKE HOW ADORABLEY EXTRA IT IS.

It should also be noted that one of the first times Sakura has ever gotten down in Clear Card was when her date was ruined and she couldn’t give Syaoran the food she made him. It’s telling that Sakura isn’t phased by scary dreams or destructive cards but her confidence can get shaken by love. Her heart is on the line here and she just wants to make a good impression. 

That’s… so human of her. While all the magical stuff might be scary to someone else she’s faced it before. She knows she’ll always find a way to make it through. With love though? This is all new to her. She can’t use a card to make it all better. This is solely on her own abilities as a human being but thankfully she’s not in it alone. Lesbian Best Friend Tomoyo is here to be the ultimate wing woman and cheer her up.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card never stops being a delight and is still the cutest thing on TV even if it wholesale steals plots from itself. It’s just so extra I can’t knock them for it.

Shamus Kelley is a pop culture/television writer and official Power Rangers expert. “Leave it to Kero” might be the best part of every episode. Follow him on Twitter!