[DVD] Anime Review: Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie: The Sealed Card

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Suz in Animation, Anime, Fashion, Film & TV, Flashback, Geek It!, Reviews // 0 Comments

For the first time ever in Australian history, the long-awaited movie CARDCAPTOR SAKURA THE MOVIE 2: THE SEALED CARD is finally released on DVD!

Time has passed since Sakura Kinomoto proved herself to be the Master of Sakura (Clow) Cards. With Eriol Hiiragizawa’s departure from Tomoeda, a new amusement park now stands on the land where Eriol’s mansion used to be. Despite Tomoeda’s recent peace, an abandoned card in the form of a young girl named ‘The Nothing’ is suddenly causing mischief across the city. In the midst of these events, Sakura has her fair share of personal challenges that she must deal with. Not only has she been selected to play the leading role of a Princess in the school play, but her crush, Syaoran Li, has randomly turned up with his cousin Meiling for a visit!

The follow-up finale to the popular ’90s anime series, CARDCAPTOR SAKURA THE MOVIE 2: THE SEALED CARD is truly the greatest sequel that fans can ask for. From the director behind Cardcaptor Sakura who then went on to direct Claymore, Chihayafuru and My Love Story!!, The Sealed Card is a fine exemplary example where ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Maintaining the magic right to the very end of the series’ journey, director Morio Asaka has the ability to create a masterpiece by capturing the essence of Cardcaptor Sakura that no-one else can.

A combination of everything we love about CLAMP’s infamous shoujo series, The Sealed Card is a delightful movie that will bless old and new fans. Written by CLAMP’s Nanase Ohkawa, the film features signature costumes, comedy, romance, friendship, action, and of course, our beloved heroine, Sakura. Although some understanding of Cardcaptor Sakura‘s second season is required, the film manages to stand firm on its own as a separate story. Presenting a much more substantial storytelling than its predecessor, the overall concept of the story has a fair balance of Sakura and Syaoran’s romance, and the battle against Clow’s most destructive card.

Wth the Nothing card being the equivalence of all 52 Clow Cards, this is the most extreme challenge that Sakura must face on her own. Stealing Sakura’s cards and erasing parts of the city, the Nothing card must be stopped before it gets out of hand. However, only one issue stands in Sakura’s way — Sakura was to sacrifice her most important feeling, in other words, her love for Syaoran as payment. For the sake of her family, friends and city of Tomoeda, this is a heartbreaking decision that Sakura must somehow overcome.

Since this features Sakura’s first encounter with Syaoran after he left for Hong Kong, this film will have fans rejoicing at the sight of our favourite duo. Despite Sakura’s repetitive attempts to confess her feelings for Syaoran, the various romantic moments between Sakura and Syaoran will make every fangirl’s heart flutter. But with the constant interruptions and the catastrophe that befalls on the world, will Sakura and Syaoran ever get a happy ending?

Special DVD Features: This Madman Entertainment release of Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie: The Sealed Card (DVD) comes with a special feature titled ‘Leave It To Kero’. Featuring Kero and Suppi as the main characters, we see the two magical creatures embroiling in a battle for the last Takoyaki ball. From Sakura’s bedroom to the streets of Tomoeda, this great war between Kero and Suppi will provide great entertainment for CCS fans.

If you’re still yearning for more content after viewing this short feature, we highly recommend you to watch the entire movie again — yes, again! — in English dub. Staying true to many of the characters’ unique personalities, the English cast has done a fantastic job with the movie. If we are allowed to say so, the English dub is almost just as good as the Japanese version!

Overall: CARDCAPTOR SAKURA THE MOVIE 2: THE SEALED CARD is without a doubt the perfect finale to the anime series. The Sealed Card might be regarded as an action-fantasy film but there is not a moment in Sakura and Syaoran’s romance that we didn’t love in this film. Filled with innocence, action, magic, and Cardcaptor Sakura bliss, this film could do no wrong in our eyes. For fans of the series, Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 2: The Sealed Card is the greatest gift from CLAMP.