Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen - Episode 07 Review!!!

Episode 07: “Sakura and a Game of Tag in the Garden” aka Syaoran shows off his magic powers for no reason; Tomoyo masters drone technology; Sakura does air somersaults

We start of the episode with a three-way video-conference between Sakura, Yue, and Kero-chan, taking about capturing the Record Card, except Sakura and Kero-chan are in the same room, as Yue sarcastically points out. I love how Yue is still so sharp-tongued but seems to have opened up a lot more compared to CCS Season 3 days. And it's confirmed that Sakura's red laptop is actually for Kero-chan's use. We learn that Yukito finally joined a club in university, which is really heartwarming because he never joined a club in high school. But I have no idea what a “Recitation Club” is. Maybe it’s like a speech class. Probably more like reciting classical Japanese poems or elocution or something. And it's cute that Touya is buying books for Yukito. It's a pity he didn't join the archery club. I love how Sakura gives Kero-chan a hard time too, saying basically he’s a lazy bum. Kero-chan: "I have a busy schedule too!" And Sakura patiently says, "Yes, yes." How adorable is their dynamic. 

Yue: Get your fat face out of the way.

Tomoyo: I have enough costumes to last you for three more seasons of the Clear Card anime!

Tomoyo: And a high school sequel for the 40th anniversary of CCS as well!

I loved everyone’s outfits this episode, from Sakura’s red dress and yellow star-themed battle costume, to Tomoyo with her hair in two braided buns and rather steampunk-ish outfit with the suspender vest, to Syaoran’s nice, normal, preppy V-neck navy sweater vest with sky-blue button-down shirt outfit and white slacks, the kind of outfit I think I’ve drawn a hundred times on him as a default. Okay, maybe Tanaka Mikai beat him to it.

Sonomi: You look just like your mother! Especially your eyes! Well, only your eyes.

I loved getting a glimpse of all the fantastic battle outfits Tomoyo has prepared for Sakura! We are back at Tomoyo's huge house, and Daidouji Sonomi makes a comeback! Tomoyo really takes after her mother, in terms of passion and energy. But that was a sweet moment when Sonomi tells Sakura she looks more like Nadeshiko than ever, especially her eyes, and it makes Sakura really happy.

Syaoran, the tardy boy.

Syaoran's vision of Sakura, with flowers sprouting around her.

Syaoran makes a sudden appearance at Tomoyo’s house. Apparently he was invited by Tomoyo? And he’s late again. Syaoran used to be so punctual, but he’s always late nowadays. It’s tough having an affair with Eriol behind everyone’s back, I suppose. It was like good old days to have the original group hanging out at Tomoyo’s house. This was a nice change of pace from other more school-centric episodes. Sakura, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Kero-chan have afternoon tea on a dock in Tomoyo’s huge garden, and Kero-chan takes pictures of the food and new cards to send to Spinel Sun who apparently is not responding either. But Syaoran still does not admit that he’s in secret communication with Eriol. 

Tomoyo: Sakura's newest outfit is my best work to date. Syaoran: Yeah--I mean no! I mean--

Tomoyo: S+S are blushing so cutely. Drone camera action time! Record! Oh ho ho!

I missed Tomyo’s “Oh ho ho” laughter and glad to see it's back. Tomoyo is the boss. She got her mother’s employees to design her a drone to film Sakura in action! One that can be controlled by her smartphone! How kickass is Tomoyo? She even wants to make a waterproof, underwater version. Why am I not surprised that Tomoyo has a labyrinth in her garden?

Let's do a Tarot reading--actually no, it's just Kero-chan's selfie time!

It's a dark force! No, actually, it's just a full shot of Syaoran's nice, preppy outfit of the week, and a backside shot of Tomoyo's cool steampunk outfit.

And this is a gratuitous handsome Syaoran of the week shot with one button loosened.

We finally get to see Syaoran in action, and he’s learned some Tsubasa!Syaoran techniques, releasing his sword from the palm of his hand and surprising Sakura and the others. I was rather ecstatic to hear the good old “Raitei shourei” after all these years. It's also nostalgic to see his ofuda again. And it’s good to see that even if he can’t see, or sense anything, he hasn’t lost his sharp instincts. Quoting Kero-chan: “When did you learn to use a technique like that?”

New technique of the week--actually done first by Tsubasa!Syaoran.

It sparkles now!

Kero-chan: When did you learn new technique like that? Sakura: It is sparkly!

I was glad to see Sakura actually thinking out how to capture the Flight Card, caring about its feelings, not wanting to scare it and desiring to become friends with the force. Like how she stepped between the Flight and Syaoran, because she didn’t want Syaoran to scare the card anymore than necessary. And she didn't want to use other card that might frighten it. It rather reminded of the episode where they catch the Dash Card. Except, back then, Syaoran was a lot more confrontational against Sakura.

Syaoran: You know you missed it! Raitei shourai!

Syaoran apparently can't "feel" the force but still knows which direction it is heading.

Sakura: Wait! It's my friend. Syaoran: Are we doing this again? Seriously?! After all these years?

Also, kudos to Tomoyo for upping her game and capturing all the action shots of Sakura on camera today! As Kero-chan best put it, “Tomoyo’s persistence is really what produces one masterpiece after another.” I love how the group then resumes drinking tea as if nothing had happened. Tomoyo insists on seeing Sakura use the Flight Card, asking Syaoran doesn’t he want to see it and putting him in a pickle. He gives a Syaoran-like, “Yes, I mean I want to know what the new card does,” sort of answer. Poor Syaoran, who still can’t be truthful to himself and always gets played by Tomoyo. Kero-chan really is pushing out the best lines this episode, demanding, “Only the card? What’s wrong with you? If Yue were here, he’d beat up the kid.” I never knew Kero-chan was Team SakuSyao.

Tomoyo lives inside a Nintendo game. Sort of explains how she turned out the way she did.

You are my friend too.

The Flight is pretty much the equivalent to the Fly Card, and I finally get Sakura’s battle costume from the Opening sequence. But today, I really missed Sakura’s old cards as well, because they’ve got such character and personality as well. That’s also why the Flight might be a favorite card to date, because it actually seems to have feelings, and it’s a pretty, clear ribbon, what’s not to like about it. Sakura as she captures the Flight says, “We can be friends now,” which is a very Sakura-like thing to say. All the super-deformed shots were really cute as well.

Tomoyo: Okay, now that we're done with the distractions, let's get back to the main purpose of this episode.

Tomoyo: More filming Sakura in action time again.

Tomoyo: Li-kun, you agree with me, right?

Syaoran: Yes, er, I mean, I want to see the new card in action!

Kero-chan: What's wrong with you, Brat! If Yue were here, you'd be thwacked in the behind by him!

We get to see a lot of pretty shots of Sakura soaring up the sky—I forgot how much I missed the Fly Card. Syaoran waves at a smiling Sakura but then has a morose expression at the end of the episode, making him really suspicious again.

I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane, I'm more than just a pretty face.

Kero-chan: It's amazing Tomoyo's drone camera follows you everywhere!

Sakura: Actually, I find it a little bit creepy, but I can't tell Tomoyo that because it will break her heart.

Syaoran: I probably shouldn't tell Sakura I can see her underwear from here, right? 

Teehee Syaoran waved back!

Who knew Syaoran would be the most suspicious character in Clamp-verse since, well, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle.

I guess next episode we will finally be introduced to Yuna D. Kaito! I'm excited to see him!

Are you related to Fai D. Flourite?