Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie is a Japanese anime film based on the series adaptation of CLAMP’s Cardcaptor Sakura manga series. It was directed by Morio Asaka and produced by Madhouse and Bandai Visual. Mario Asaka is well-known director of Chobits, Nana and Chihayafuru. Written by Nanase Ohkawa, Clamp’s head writer, it was released in Japanese theatres on August 21, 1999.
Set between the first and second seasons of the anime, it features Sakura and her friends going to Shaoran’s home country, Hong Kong and encountering the angry spirit of a woman who was hurt by Clow Reed, the creator of the Clow Cards.
Cardcaptor Sakura : The Movie Wiki
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
| Directed by | Morio Asaka |
| Screenplay by | Nanase Ohkawa |
| Based on | Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP |
| Release Date | August 21, 1999 |
| Production Company | Madhouse |
| Running Time | 82 minutes |
| Language | Japanese |
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie Characters
- Sakura Kinomoto
- Touya Kinomoto
- Tomoyo Daidouji
- Shaoran Li
- Meilin Li
- Yukito Tsukishiro
- Wang Mei
- Yelan Li
- Shaoran’s Sisters
- Madoushi
- Clow Reed
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie Plot
Sakura wins a trip to Hong Kong and brings her friends and brother Touya, as well as Shaoran and Meilin. In Hong Kong, they meet Shaoran’s family. Sakura then encounters two strange birds that lead her to a showdown with Madoushi, a water-based fortune teller who had a past romantic relationship with Clow Reed.
Madoushi had developed a rivalry with Clow after he accidentally put her out of business with his more accurate predictions. She lingers in another dimension, waiting for Clow to release her. When Sakura tells Madoushi that Clow is long dead, Madoushi refuses to accept it.
Sakura and Madoushi have a magical battle. Sakura realizes Madoushi loved Clow and had been waiting for him for a long time after he gave her a hair ornament. Finally accepting the truth, Madoushi sadly dissolves into water, leaving behind only the cherished hair ornament as she departs.
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie Cast
| Character Name | Japanese Cast | English Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Sakura Kinomoto | Sakura Tange | Carly McKillip |
| Tomoyo Daidouji | Junko Iwao | Maggie Blue O’Hara |
| Shaoran Li | Motoko Kumai | Rhys Huber |
| Kero | Aya Hisakawa | Matt Hill |
| Meilin Li | Yukana Nogami | Nicole Oliver |
| Touya Kinomoto | Tomokazu Seki | Tony Sampson |
| Yukito Tsukishiro | Megumi Ogata | Samuel Vincent |
| Fujitaka Kinomoto | Hideyuki Tanaka | Brian Drummond |
| Clow Reed | Kazuo Hayashi | Dale Wilson |
| Yelan Li | Kikuko Inoue | Stevie Vallance |
| Madoushi/Su Yung | Megumi Hayashibara | Nicole Oliver |
| Fudie Li | Yuriko Yamaguchi | – |
| Shiefa Li | Chiyako Shibahara | – |
| Fanren Li | Rika Wakusawa | – |
| Feimei Li | Sachiko Sugawara | – |
| Mr. Terada | Toru Furusawa | Brian Drummond |
| Maggie | Kotono Mitsuishi | Nicole Oliver |
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie Review
As a huge fan of Cardcaptor Sakura anime, I was more than overjoyed to learn that there was a movie based on the series, and I loved it. This was the movie that stayed the longest in memories for me.
It is not exactly a stand-alone movie, as it requires at least foreknowledge of the relationships between various characters. However, the movie succeeds in taking the essence of the series, placing the sense of suspense and atmosphere, and the crescendo into the climax in such style that it was totally worth the high budget.
Yet even though there is a high amount of detail in the backgrounds and character animation, the movie feels like an extension of the anime, much like an elongated episode. I mean it in a good sense, as the anime series has quite the charm of its own and the movie didn’t forsake it for the glamour. Plus adding to the Hong Kong setting, it brings in a whole new experience which is strangely familiar as well, seeing your favourite characters frolicking in a new fascinating environment.
The best part about the movie is the engaging and well-written plot that takes little to no time in hooking me in. The storyline is evenly paced and coherent. The music is one of the highlights of the movie, complementing the animation just right. The action sequences in the film are incredible, something only a movie budget can give justice to.
Overall, a great watch with the right kind of ambience to hook anyone in, Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie is something I would recommend with all my heart, even for those who aren’t so fond of these genres. It’s a feel-good movie you just have to watch!
