Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen - Episode 06 Review

It's canon! Syaoran is an excellent pianist. What is he not good at?

“Filler episodes" of CCS are always the best! I don’t even consider them really filler because Ohkawa Nanase-sensei is in charge of script, so I suppose it’s Clamp’s expanded vision of the CCS-verse that they could not include in the manga. We start off with Sakura daydreaming of Syaoran eating Syaoran’s bento the other day at the flower-viewing gathering, then bumping into Akiho to do grocery shopping. We are finally introduced to Akiho’s “Momo-chan,” Kero-chan’s bunny equivalent aka Moonstone from New Trials. I mentioned before that Moonie-chan is probably a mixture between Mokona, Usagi-chan from Wish and more recently Momo-chan.

Moonie-chan?

Meilin: Poor Syaoran's still got it rough.

One of the highlights of this episode was the comeback of Meilin (or at least hearing her over phone). Thank goodness for smartphones so we see Meilin in action. The best part was her banter with Kero-chan, mocking him by eating her peach manju in front of him, teasing Sakura about how she’s always spacing out, but still a bit concerned about how Syaoran’s doing in Japan.  Meilin’s awesome as ever, and she hasn’t lost any of her sass. And she tells Sakura of course Syaoran is enjoying school since “he’s near a certain someone, after all.” Since her introduction Meilin was a bit nagging and overbearing, but she also was very shrewd and observant. I love her little sigh and offhand remark, “I guess Syaoran will still have it rough for a while,” because of how dense Sakura is. And best news, she said she will visit Japan over summer vacation! I also like her nice porcelain tea cup. 

 

Cutest dad award!

Touya: Gotta show Yuki Sakura's latest masterpiece!

Pretty Nadeshiko with an umbrella!

Even Kinomoto Fujitaka has also become moe-fied—he looked cute huffing and puffing on the hot gratin made by Sakura. Fujitaka is as busy as every with university work and says he might have to spend the night, so I don’t feel so bad I made him so busy in New Trials either. Mischievous Touya points out Sakura’s mistake slicing cucumbers and even takes a photo of it to send to Yukito. Sakura’s premonition of the mysterious cloaked figure is getting more elaborate than ever. So, on top of being in sort of dreamscape, there is clock imagery going on as well. I wonder if the final battlefield is going to be a dream plane rather than Tokyo Tower or the shrine, as was predicted with Yue and Eriol’s appearances. On a side note, I think this was one of the prettiest photo-of-the-day of Nadeshiko to date. I don’t know why, but no matter how many times it’s shown, I always feel giddy when Sakura crosses the bridge and sees Tomoyo waiting for her. The butterfly—I suppose it was meant to be the Record—really reminded me of the Dream Card more than anything else. After class ends, the girls discuss which club Akiho should join. 

Ninja Tomoyo: Li-kun, urgent matters! Assemble at music room ASAP!

Yandere Tomoyo: Akiho, I heard you humming along the other day. Admit it!

The best of this episode is the music room scene. Leave it to Tomoyo to know that Syaoran plays piano. Note, Tomoyo runs like a ninja, arms flying out behind her to chase after Syaoran going into the next door classroom (how did she even notice him) and brings the group to the music room she borrowed for lunch break. Akiho apologizes for butting in and humming along to Tomoyo’s singing during the flower-viewing gathering the other day, being the polite girl she is. Tomoyo and Sakura both tell Akiho they heard her singing along, and everybody encourages Akiho to sing.

Syaoran: Who told you I play the piano? Darn Meilin.

Sakura: Syaoran, you play the piano? I want to hear!

Syaoran: I'm not very good so don't blame me if it sounds bad!

Tomoyo then says she heard that Syaoran is actually very good at the piano and asks him to accompany them. Syaoran is taken aback and demands where she heard this from, and Tomoyo replies, from Meilin. Syaoran looks very troubled and annoyed like good old days. Of course, Sakura is amazed that Syaoran can play the piano, and Syaoran blushes like he used to and being modest as he always was, says he is not very good and not to blame him if they can’t sing along to his accompaniment. Of course, he’s very good (possible better than Eriol?!) and looks very hot playing the piano. Sakura probably asks to herself, why did she have to learn piano from Eriol back when she wanted to record a song for the Clow Cards, when she would have learned from Syaoran all along? Or maybe Syaoran is Eriol’s apprentice after all and learned from the master himself.

Of course I'm the next Lang Lang.

I'm Li Syaoran, what did you expect?

Legit duet off with Tomoyo and Akiho! Who is the winner?

Sakura only has eyes for piano-playing Syaoran.

Tomoyo and Akiho sing a song called “Misty Moonlight” and harmonize beautifully, but truthfully I wasn’t paying attention because I was distracted because Syaoran was playing the piano! They even animated his fingers and all instead of lazy panning out shots. It makes more sense that Rika transferred out because I believe she was the piano player of the group. and we wouldn’t have this precious moment with Syaoran otherwise.

Sakura: Hanyaan! Syaoran's so good at the piano!

Syaoran: I should have shown off my skills in Season 1 if it would impress Sakura so much.

Another part I enjoyed this episode was Syaoran and Tomoyo’s unspoken communicative skills, like Syaoran asking if he could borrow the music room a little longer, and Tomoyo automatically ushering Akiho and Chiharu out of the room. Chiharu’s “hmm” was so funny when Tomoyo says Sakura and Syaoran have something else to do. Chiharu even has the audacity to wink at the two as they close the music room door. Sakura seals the Record Card without much hardship, but it was good to see Syaoran standing by her side and the two cooperating together for the first time in a long time. Also, that portrait of Beethoven making the picture-taking motion with his hand is the creepiest thing I’ve seen in CCS so far!

Syaoran, as observant as ever of Sakura.

The fantastic duo back at it again!

Creepiest Beethoven portrait ever!

Syaoran, you're my ally now, right? You better not betray me!

Then, Syaoran makes the shocking confession that he couldn’t feel anything, and it was nothing like when they were collecting the Clow Cards. And he makes a very troubled expression—so if he’s hiding something from Sakura, that would make him the best actor ever.

Frowning Syaoran is back!

Syaoran also makes this kind of troubled expression when he's worried about Sakura.

There was something about this episode that reminded me of elements of New Trials of CCS more than any other episode so far. I was already alerted that Syaoran might be playing on the piano this episode over by members of the Facebook group, but I didn’t realize we would get a full scene of him accompanying Tomoyo and Akiho on the piano. I loved it the whole scene, from Syaoran being very modest about his skills, to being an awesome pianist, to him being embarrassed at being complimented. Of course Meilin boasted about Syaoran’s talents to Tomoyo and not Sakura. I can die happily, knowing it is canon that Syaoran IS musically talented, no matter how much he sucked at the recorder in elementary school. Music plays such an important part of New Trials, but the reason I made it feature so heavily in the storyline was because I thought it kept up with the spirit of the original series as well. Syaoran is not only good at piano but he can sight read on the spot too—I’m sure he never heard the Japanese song “Misty Moonlight” before. Even Kero-chan during the “Leave it to Kero-chan” segment remarks “Who knew that kid was so good at piano” at the end.” Anyhow, Sakura must have a brother-complex too—Syaoran shares so many similarities with Touya. It was also good to see Syaoran being so expressive again after being pretty inscrutable in the episodes so far. 

Syaoran is still a pushover whenever it comes to Sakura.

Sakura's dream sequences are getting more and more complex.

The other point was the imagery in the dream sequence with the mysterious cloaked figure and the clocks. It reminded me of the Ending Theme 4 I made to NewTrials years back. Also, Tomoyo’s mother’s company making not only toys but smartphones, headphones and other technological equipment apparently. I’m looking forward to a Sonomi-related episode next episode, and Sakura’s new battle costume looks especially cute with all the stars!”

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen - Episode 05 Review

Sakura eats, drinks, and sings with friends!

I think Clear Card-hen should officially rename itself Cooking Master Card Captor Sakura with the amount of time spent on the show with characters cooking meals and showcasing bento. Not that I’m complaining—even in the original anime, I always enjoyed and appreciated all the food-related moments. I can’t get over what a sweet, feel-good episode this was. Even the dark force this time, Gravitation, was good-natured, bringing Sakura to a nice, isolated hill to view the prettiest cherry blossom tree. And the overall animation quality of this episode was spectacular—everything was so fluidly animated and all the character art was very pretty and background gorgeous. Totally made up for the ugly CGed-Ents from Episode 4—now I know where all the budget went! 

Who's taking pictures of a sleeping Sakura-chan and uploading them onto her laptop? Syaoran raises hand: "Can you send me one please?"

We started off with a hairdryer product placement moment after Sakura comes out of the shower. I appreciated hearing from Rika again, though over phone! Kero-chan reading a mystery novel recommended by Spinel Sun and getting the culprit wrong is so point on! I dig Sakura’s red laptop and matching mouse, but am more amazed that Sakura knows how to use a computer now. So, Kero-chan is taking photos of Sakura while she’s sleeping? I can’t decide if it’s creepy or for Tomoyo.

Sakura: Beda! Touya: Lord help me, what am I going to do with this little monster.

Again, I enjoyed Touya, Fujitaka and Sakura’s interaction in the kitchen making her bento. Especially Touya telling Yukito over phone that the lunch Sakura packed "should be safe" to eat because their dad making it with her so. Touya telling Sakura not to squeeze the rice so hard when making onigiri, which makes it too hard, is legit advice, though Sakura doesn't respond to it well. Then she’s so polite and sweet to Yukito on the phone—poor Touya, he’s so used to ignoring his bratty little sister’s antics—he should get more love. I really enjoyed the one serious conversation they had, when Sakura asked if Yukito is eating as much as he used to—and Touya said not as much in the past. I love how Fujitaka asks Sakura’s opinions for everything, like whether she wants the sausages octopus-shaped or bunny-shaped, or the vegetables grilled. What an awesome father! The Kinomoto family’s bunny-shaped sausages are adorable.

Outfit of the day! Pink for cherry blossom viewing!

I loved Sakura’s flower-viewing outfit, from the pink tea coat with flower-print collars and stylish brown boots and vertical-striped stockings. And Tomoyo’s hairstyle with the two braids down the side was really cute. It’s not like Syaoran to be tardy, but again he's mysteriously missing. It was interesting to note that Yamazaki Takashi is officially Syaoran’s spokesman. Apparently Yamazaki and Syaoran have that kind of relationship where they text each other and out of that entire group of friends, if Syaoran’s going to be late, he doesn’t contact Sakura, or even Tomoyo, but Yamazaki-kun who even knows that Syaoran told them to go ahead and start their lunch! When have been that close? The hidden dark horse was not Eriol, it had been Yamazaki all along! I really enjoyed Chiharu’s remark about Yamazaki enjoying “experimental cooking.” That is totally him. Akiho is adorable as well—I’ve been won over this episode. Akiho overlaps with Tomoyo a bit, except she is not as perceptive and shrewd. If Sakura and Tomoyo had a daughter, she would probably be like Akiho. 

The birth of Yandere-Tomoyo!

I can’t help thinking of the “Siege Card” as the “Cheese Card.” That’s what I hear. The whole action sequence with the Gravitation was animated so fluidly, nearly movie quality! As I mentioned earlier, again, like some of the Clow Cards of earlier days, the whole purpose of this card seemed to have been to draw Sakura and gang to view the prettiest “best kept secret” cherry blossom of the neighborhood. The Gravitation Card also was interesting because it was more of a physics-related card than an element and the likes. It rather reminded me of the Magnet Card from New Trials of CCS.

I am Syaoran, an elf of Lothlorien. Okay, I'll stop with the Lord of the Rings references.

Yandere Tomoyo is bummed at another missed filming opportunity—I rather like the idea of a dark Tomoyo in the making. Syaoran suspiciously makes his entrance like three minutes before the end of the episode. Where were you all this time? You better not be the one releasing all the Clear Cards at Sakura! He looks like a woodland fairy in his green and ivory outfit—I mean, who can pull off those ivory three-quarter slacks with socks and a matching green and gold man-purse—I mean satchel. Syaoran brings his infamous peach buns, Akiho compliments them, and I don’t know how I feel about Syaoran smiling at other girls except for Sakura, because back in the days, Sakura was the only person he smiled for. 

Akiho: The peach bun is so delicious! Syaoran: I didn’t make it for you, gurl!

Sakura’s dejected expression when she hears Syaoran already ate lunch is the cutest thing ever. And it’s so Syaoran-like that he is so perceptive, notices the slight change in Sakura's expression, remembers it, and asks “what’s the matter” a little later. (Yes, Syaoran must have telepathy when it comes to Sakura!) Sakura explains there was another card. But Syaoran cuts straight to the point that Sakura looked a little sad when he said he already had lunch. Sakura says, “Don’t worry about that.” Sakura’s worried that Syaoran’s already too full, but Syaoran looks really serious and says my favorite quote of the episode, “I have to, when it’s about you.” This guy, who always blushed red when interacting with his crush and running out of the scene in elementary school days, has gotten completely suave in the year or so he has been gone! What has he been studying in Hong Kong? Probably Eriol’s “Dating Manual for the Hopeless Guy.” For more info, check out my fanfic: The New Trials of CCS.

Syaoran: I can read your mind, you know.

Sakura: Hoe! No way!

"I have to worry, when it's about you." Syaoran always makes this troubled expression when Sakura's not looking.

Syaoran insists on eating the bento Sakura made for him, though Sakura says he shouldn’t force it. He was especially hot when he asked, “Dame-ka?” That’s the kind of Syaoran I liked, and the most Syaoran-like he has been a while. The whole bento exchange scene was also probably the most shoujo manga-esque one between Sakura and Syaoran we’ve had in CCS in a while.
 

Syaoran: I want to eat your bento.

"Dame-ka?" Who can resist those eyes!

Of course, Sakura can't, so she gives him the bento.

 Sakura’s blushing smile when Syaoran eats her bento and says it's delicious is the most adorable thing ever. Also, I realized once again I like serious Syaoran the best, and though he is smiling with other characters, he is still very serious and attentive when it comes to Sakura, just like he was in elementary school. So, even if he smiles at all the other characters, I like how he still gets unsmiling when he is worried about Sakura and her feelings. 

Syaoran's eating my bento! Hanyaan!

Cute bunny sausages! The onigiri is a little bit tough though. Sakura should have listened to her brother's advice!

I can't let the new girl upstage me—gurl, why are you humming along?!

Yamazaki interrupts the rare S+S moment with a silly story about castella, Tomoyo sings, Akiho sort of hums along (isn’t that kind of impolite), and Sakura takes a furtive glance at Syaoran and is so cute. And probably Syaoran gets a tummy-ache later for having two lunches back-to-back to please Sakura.

Best view of the sakura-viewing outing!

Teehee, Syaoran's so handsome!

Happy 14th Anniversary to the New Trials Yahoo Group!!! (And mini-review of CCS Clear Card Manga Chapter 20)

Beauty and the Wolf: Sakura cheers up Syaoran by wishluv on DeviantArt

I think I have been writing more blog posts in the past month than I have in the past two years combined! I would have forgotten if Amethyst Beloved didn't remind us all, but today is the 14th anniversary of the creation of the New Trials Yahoo Group by Kirei Blossom on February 3, 2004. There are many of you out there who have been great support to me and the New Trials of Card Captor Sakura community, but these two individuals can be especially considered the pillars of the New Trials fandom, both in terms of dedication and longevity. So many thanks to them, and to all of you! I wouldn't have been able to remember the history of the Yahoo Group, without a reminder from Amethyst Beloved's lovely fan website. For some reason, 2004 doesn't even seem that long ago, but here we are, 14 years later. New Trials has seen Geocities and Bravenet guestbooks (remember those), a forum, and so on, but really it's the Yahoo Group that has endured for all this time, and sort of what we always ended up going back to.

The Yahoo Group, in modern times, can be considered quite a dinosaur, by all means. It sometimes eats up posts and at least for me is a bit clunky to navigate. Yet, at the end of the day, it's still the best place for in-depth discussion of both CCS and New Trials, (especially for those of you who want to avoid in-your-face spoilers in Facebook) and there is especially revived dialogue recently for those of you who haven't joined already. Facebook is great for posting updates, reactions, and photos, but it's really hard to keep track of conversations, after all. 

The fanart of Beauty and the Wolf is chibi-art, I know, but it actually took a bit longer than I expected. Maybe because I like the subject matter so much. I love Beauty and the Beast, and when I was writing about the play for Sakura's cultural festival, I so was set on doing Cinderella, but also wanted to do Beauty and the Beast, hence that disastrous play came to be. Actually, I had wanted to write a Goth Cinderella with Tomoyo as Cinderella and Eriol as the Prince, but I just couldn't wrap my eyes around Eriol playing the Prince. Not that Li Jinyu made any better a prince, I suppose. Anyhow, we were all talking about how we miss the grumpy, scowling, suspicious Syaoran from the original CCS series. I think what made Syaoran so distinct was what a lone-wolf he was, so here is Syaoran-Wolf and a bubbly Sakura-Belle trying to get him to come out of his shell.

So Happy 14th Anniversary to the New Trials Yahoo Group, but more importantly, today's a day to appreciate all of you guys, because all of you make New Trials possible! 

I'm also including a brief Card Captor Sakura Clear Card-hen manga commentary below, so skip if you don't want to be spoiled. I actually haven't read a whole chunk of chapters in between but was captivated by a Nadeshiko cover. I love her blue dress and that she's holding sakura branches, and she looks somewhat younger here to, as does everyone in the Clear Card Arc, but for me, it felt like Amimaya Nadeshiko of New Trials was looking out at me, so I went ahead and read the chapter.

The other reason I had to read the chapter was because I saw in spoilers that Syaoran and Sakura both get to meet Sakura's great-grandfather (Nadeshiko's grandfather). That was extremely cute, and something that goes beyond my imaginations. Sonomi and Tomoyo's mother-daughter bonding time was really cute too, especially, how Sonomi remarked how Amamiya Masaki-ojii-san wanted to meet Syaoran because he's the guy that close to Sakura (aka boyfriend). This is especially significant because if you remember, Nadeshiko eloped with Kinomoto Fujitaka, hence didn't have the approval of her grandfather and family. It seems like Masaki is trying to right some of the wrongs of the past, but who knows, because the chapter cut off short. For the first time, I wondered if Masaki-ojii-san also has special powers like the vision, for who else would have Nadeshiko earned inherited them from. In New Trials canon, of course, Masaki as a descendant of Amamiya Hayashi would probably have inherited some sort of powers.

And why is poor Touya part-timing as a lobster? Can't he just tutor students or something if he needs to earn his college tuition? I probably won't be reading the manga first because I like being surprised by the anime first and then reading the manga for the details and beautiful art, but I might have to read next chapter as well to find out what's going on about Sakura's great-grandfather and what he has to give her (likely to be related to Nadeshiko). 

Music Spotlight: Beauty and the Beast - "Something There" 

   

I can never get enough of Disney's Beauty and the Beast--of course the original animated feature film would always be my favorite Disney movie ever. But I've also watched the musical on the Broadway and of course the 2017 live feature movie with Emma Watson, which I watched 4-D (which kind of made me sick). I watched it as a play at Disney World in Orlando as well and never will get tired to the music or story. In the original animated version, "Something There" is the only time we here the Beast singing. When I was little, I loved Belle's winter outfits, especially the maroon cape and the green dress she wears when the Beast shows her the library. I listened to a lot of Beauty and the Beast soundtrack, both original and movie versions while writing Chapter 73 of New Trials.

I was chocolate shopping today and realized that Valentine's Day is coming up soon , and I groaned to myself. I have started the year on such a good foot with updates, and had to question myself if I will have Chapter 73.5 ready in time for Feb. 14. I thought for a second, shoot, I should have saved Kaitou Magician Origins for Valentine's Day, and realized, wait, that's a horrible fanfic to celebrate the day. 

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen – Episode 04: Sakura and the Invasion of the Ents

Card Captor Sakura and the worst CG-ed Ents of Middle-earth!

I feel like this was the most absurd episode thus far, mainly because of the walking trees aka Ents who left Fangorn Forest. I’m sure I mentioned several times before that I am a big fan of Lord of the Rings, and if I wasn’t writing a Card Captor Sakura fanfiction, I might have written a LOTR fanfiction instead. (Correction, LOTR is the only franchise I’ve written a fanfic for besides CCS, though I haven’t posted it up online). 

Eat your broccoli, Sakura!

My favorite part of this episode again was Touya and Sakura’s breakfast interaction, Sakura worrying if her father is taking care of himself, and Touya replying, “Then don’t make him feel worried.” I enjoyed watching Touya flipping the pancakes one-handed, teasing Sakura that she sleeps with her belly uncovered, and even feeding Sakura all his broccoli. Their interactions are always so cute, entertaining, yet sweet in a heartbreaking way. I also appreciated a different Nadeshiko in a yellow dress photo in the kitchen. Sakura tattle-telling to her friends about her meanie brother, and Chiharu finding Touya amusing is a testament why Yamazaki-kun is her boyfriend.

Syaoran: Should I glare at the new kid or not? Nah, too troublesome, those two are in the way again.

My favorite line this episode is Chiharu to Yamazaki Takashi: “Your lies have gotten kind of lazy, lately.” 

Kinomoto Sakura to Shinomoto Akiho: We are mirror images! Akiho: I'm Nova, out to get you! (Check out Magic Knight Rayearth.)

Also, that was the least anti-climatic introduction of a new character in CCS to date. I think Syaoran matured a little bit in that he only gave Shinomoto Akiho a knowing stare, and actually was very civil to her, but refrained from his death glare. I’m not used to Akiho’s voice yet—her voice sounds a bit husky to my ears but I suppose her voice actress, Minori Suzuki, will grow on me eventually. 

Meilin-inspired battle costume!

Sakura’s battle outfit was my favorite one thus far because it’s quite original, compared to her previous outfits, and Chinese-inspired. I think this one’s the one Tomoyo used Meilin’s festival outfit as an inspiration from. Loved Sakura’s hair accessory too. I think Tomoyo made Sakura change into her battle costume underneath the stairwell this time! Worst is, you can’t tell from the screenshot, but this particular stairwell connects out to the school courtyard!  Also, I think the Li Group is on Tomoeda Middle School’s board of trustees and had the school renovated in shades of green. Their classroom walls are all painted light green too.

Sakura and the invasion of the Tomoyo-clones!

The walking trees were one of weirdest, or most grotesque, things I’ve seen in CCS to date—and I’m probably one to speak with some of the weird dark forces I introduced in New Trials Arc 1. I'm not used to visually unpleasing objects in CCS, especially ugly CG-ed walking trees. Worst is the sound they make when they are walking! And how did nobody look outside their classroom windows and notice? I know Syaoran probably was watching somewhere like the stalker he is, but in CCS, usually somebody set up a makeshift barrier or they came to seal the cards at nighttime! Also, of course Tomoyo is on the health committee! Figures why she is hanging out with Leiyun all the time in New Trials.

Moses-Sakura battling the invasion of the Ents. Go away, Treebeard!

The actually sealing of the Action Card itself was pretty cool, with the parting waters and crystal shard explosion, as is the card design, with the mechanical gears. I guess it’s equivalent to the Move Card of the Clow Cards. Or the Animate Card in New Trials. Clear Card Arc being animated in 2018 is making good use of CG for the card capturing scenes, overall, especially with the Aqua. But the whole time Sakura was capturing the card, I was thinking, oh no Tomoyo can’t film anything! And sure enough, Tomoyo was heartbroken once again she failed at videotaping though she was so fully prepared this time!

If Clow Reed had his own way. But thank goodness for Syaoran and Touya that Clow, despite being near omnipotent, fails as a matchmaker.

I also enjoyed Yue’s conversation with Sakura. The screenshot of the two above was the prettiest image in my opinion this episode, and I was annoyed with Kero-chan for popping up in the middle and ruining a perfectly symmetrical shot of the wand’s wings between Sakura and Yue. Yue aka Dr. Jekyll and Hyde transforming back abruptly as usual was typical as well.

Syaoran redecorated his room and there is no green!

It was nice seeing a shot of Syaoran in his room again, making a phone call to Sakura and then his secret lover/master Eriol. Sakura asking Syaoran if she could make him lunch was of course the sweetest scene, and then her asking “Can I call you even if nothing is going on,” is the cutest line this episode.
  

Yes, I think this episode confirms that Syaoran and Eriol are secretly seeing each other behind Sakura’s back. On a more serious note, I feel so bad for Syaoran for having to follow the orders of his mortal enemy Eriol. I don’t like the idea of someone as prideful as Syaoran having to do the bidding of Eriol as his faithful minion, deceiving Sakura. Eriol’s probably been brainwashing Syaoran over the past year, trying to drive a wedge between Sakura and Syaoran. It’s sad that Sakura’s all like a girl in love for the first time, while Syaoran reports everything back to Eriol. I like how Eriol’s reading Tarot cards at the end though. (Kara Reed also reads Tarot Cards in New Trials.) I've had gotten my fortune read by a Tarot Card reader several times--not because I wanted to but because my friends forced me to.

Syaoran, your future with Sakura is doomed unless you listen to what I say.

Some notes on Syaoran’s room décor—why does he have maroon curtains and sheets now? To match Eriol’s taste? Did we see a return of Syaoran’s infamous pink shirt this early on? And do you guys see that mirror on Syaoran bureau, next to Evil Syaoran-bear. I couldn’t help thinking, I’ve seen that mirror before! And yes, I think it’s think it’s Sakura’s birthday present to Syaoran! 

Sakura's birthday present this year sure bombed.

Today, for the first time, I realized there was a screencapture function on my video player program. Face-palm. I’ve been doing it manually via Photoshop till now. But then again, I do like to crop my images sometimes. Sorry I post the most random screenshots, but there are plenty other blogs that capture all the pretty, shiny shots! Also, with all the detailed cooking scenes, I think CLAMP is planning to release a CCS cooking book. I called it here first!  

Tomoyo: Sakura, change into my outfit over there underneath the stairwell. Sakura: Hoe no! What if people come by? Tomoyo: Don't worry, Syaoran's on watch.

 

New Trials Update: Kaitou Magician Origins Chapter Six

Kaitou Magician Origins Leon Reed Character Sketch by wishluv on DeviantArt

I posted over on the New Trials Yahoo Group that Kaitou Magician Origins Chapter Six: Leon Reed would be updated, and for the first time I actually kept my promise! Truthfully speaking, this chapter was mostly written out and nearly ready to release when I wrote Chapter Five: Mizuki Mayura, but I only held it back for possible spoiler reasons in the main New Trials of Card Captor Sakura storyline. 

Chapter Six marks the second half of Kaitou Magician Origins, Thief of the Night, where Mizuki Kai officially begins his training as a thief and also may be marked by a darker tone than the first half, Prince of Light. I'm definitely excited that Leon Reed finally gets introduced in the KMO storyline because he probably is the character most full of intrigue in the Nadeshiko generation. I find KMO Part Two more interesting than Part One, so hope you guys can enjoy as well, while waiting for New Trials of CCS to get finished up!

You can find Kaitou Magician Origins Chapter Six newly updated on my New Trials website's Kaitou Magician Origins page: http://wishluv.com/kaitoumagicianspecial.htm.

KMO Chapter Six is also up over at: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4670496/1/New-Trials-Special-Kaitou-Magician-Origins.


I don't do it often, but I posted on devianart a rough character study sketch of Leon, because I did that for Kara Reed years before she was introduced in the New Trials story line at the end of Arc 3. You guys probably saw a roughly half-colored version of it in my WIP collage posted a couple years back.  

I also corrected some typos in New Trials Chapters 1 to 3 which had a few Kero-chan-chans because of my careless editing attempt some years ago, which Amethyst Beloved kindly pointed out to me. If you guys spot weird typos like that, or broken links, do let me know! 

And don't worry, I've been working on the New Trials final arc as well.  

Music Spotlight: X Japan - "Rain"



I am pretty sure I must have featured X Japan before, though I can't remember clearly. The main reason I chose X Japan today was because there is a scene in New Trials Chapter 73 where Kai is listening to the band in the classroom during the cultural festival, and he probably was listening to this song. The reason he listens to X Japan was because it was one of Leon Reed's favorite bands, though it probably isn't his own taste in music. 

X Japan probably bears no explanation since they are that famous, even if Japanese heavy metal is not your usual genre. "Rain" composed by Yoshiki is probably X Japan's most emotional ballad, as it was written about the death of his father. Check out the lyrics here. I think it rather fits Kai and Leon's relationship as well. X Japan has its links to Clamp because of the X anime. I've probably listened to X Japan while writing New Trials since Arc 1, because it is one of the first Japanese bands I have known, since I was introduced to them through "Rusty Nail." I also love "Crucify My Love" equally as much as "Rain." It's too much to listen to frequently, but every once in a while, I do go back to their hits.

I was asking the Yahoo Group for music recommendations because I've really hit a stump with my current playlist and would also welcome any suggestions here as well! Similarly, I asked the Yahoo Group if anybody has any trouble when searching for New Trials on Google. My wishluv.com domain didn't seem to show up for me right for a while, (and rather the wishluv.revolutionhosting.net site did) but it seems to be okay now. Still, just wanted to make sure because I'm never sure how the Google algorithm works.

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen - Episode 03 Review!

I enjoyed CCS Clear Card Arc Episode 3 as much as I did the previous episodes. I kind of wish I reread the manga so I can differentiate which areas diverge from the manga. But I like watching the anime with a fresh perspective, so I guess it’s fine as is. The animation quality is slightly subpar the previous one, just in some parts, but not noticeably. And I was glad to see Sakura finally had a different hairstyle, even though it was just two yellow barrettes.  Hope her twintails make a return!

Clockwise from top left: Syaoran's elaborate lunch; Tomoeda Middle School Cafeteria aka Hogwarts dining hall; Tomoyo's Norwegian wild salmon; Chiharu pelting Takashi: Don't you feel bad, seeing those gullible two?

My favorite scene this episode is the lunchtime scene again, where all the students are eating in their super posh cafeteria (more like a dining hall) because it’s pouring outside. Did you see the fancy chandelier lighting and the round buffet table? What kind of middle school has a cafeteria like that (didn’t they just eat lunch in their classrooms in elementary school)? I guess my deduction last week that Tomoeda Middle School is a very elite or well-financed school is probably correct. Despite their fancy cafeteria food, our main characters all packed their lunches, and Syaoran has a crazy elaborate lunch that would put any mother to shame, shown in the top left screen capture. It’s “leftovers” from his dinner last night. No wonder he has no time to help Sakura capture the new cards, when he’s cooking a five-course meal. I don’t even remember how canon it was that Syaoran was good at cooking anymore (sometimes my memory blurs with the character building in New Trials). Tomoyo also eats the most luxurious-looking cut of salmon ever, it made my mouth water. She must be following a high-protein, low carb diet. Favorite line of the week is from Naoko to Syaoran: “So, you’re a boy who can cook!” No kidding. 

I like how the crew also continues their talk about clubs—Yamazaki Takashi ended up joining the Lacrosse Club instead of the Performing Arts Club! What kind of Japanese middle school has a lacrosse club—they’re not some New England boarding school or Manhattan Upper-East Side prep school! I loved how Tomoyo recalled the Sleeping Beauty production in elementary school with Sakura as the Prince and Syaoran as the Princess—it’s one of the conversations I feel like could have been taken straight out of a chapter of New Trials, so it kind of satiated my desire of thinking, “if New Trials were animated, what would it have been like.” Even Yamazaki-kun enjoying the idea of acting again—and Chiharu’s sarcastic side commentaries are hilarious. 

Another adorable scene is Naoko’s sketches in Sakura’s science textbook, with a chibi Sakura and Syaoran doodle. I totally related because that’s something I would have done in school as well (doodling on friends’ notebooks, not textbooks). So, Naoko, on top of everything, can draw pro-mangaka quality sketches! We might find out later she’s a mangaka in training (maybe an avatar for Mokona). I missed Sakura's "hoes" in the middle of class as well! Their science teacher is a cutie as well! Also, in the Aqua sealing scene, I was worried that Tomoyo made Sakura change into a battle costume out in the open, although it was raining hard and they were under a pagoda. But luckily, Kero-chan’s battle costume explanation at the end shows the frog costume is more like a raincoat, worn over her uniform skirt. But then I realized it’s still sleeveless. Oh evil Tomoyo.  

Of course the first thing Sakura is worried about is if Tomoyo’s camcorder is wet after sealing a card. So, I guess Daidouji Toy Company’s link with Piffle Princess is canon now since the company’s development team’s mascot seems to be the Piffle Princess mascot? Yay! I always liked the idea of Tomoyo helming Piffle World in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. The center developer even looks like Icchan (Mihara Ichiro, president of Piffle Company from Angelic Layer). 

The flirty interaction between Touya and the clueless Yukito in the locker room was really cute. I’m glad they’re still doing part-time jobs together. But does Touya have the worst sense of fashion, ever? He’s wearing a denim blue jacket with yellow trousers and a green bag! What is he, a kindergartner? He should take some fashion pointers from Syaoran! Touya’s being all mysterious too, saying he discovered something else he could do to support Yue and Sakura and not elaborating, mumbling, “You’ll find out when the time comes.” Another aspect in which he’s similar to Syaoran. I’m glad Touya’s as sharp as ever, though, and him observing Yukito and Sakura both wear their hearts on their sleeves was rather sweet. I’m not sure if this scene was in the manga. 

Worst-Dressed Award goes to Touya!

And the scene I was looking forward to most, Syaoran taking off his uniform jacket and placing it over Sakura’s shoulders after she gets soaked was finally animated! It was sweet, how serious Syaoran looked as he unbuttoned his blazer and that glowing look Sakura gave Syaoran, clearly a girl in love. But I liked the scene slightly better in the manga—because manga art was so detailed and pretty!

Other random notes. Kero-chan is completely useless, isn’t he? And a complete mooch too! A considerable amount of grocery fees must go straight to Kero-chan’s stomach. And all he does is play video games all day—isn’t electricity fees expensive in Japan? Has anybody ever seen Sakura play video games? She must have a console simply for Kero-chan. And I’m not sure Kero-chan should be taking baths with Sakura? 

Cloaked Eriol 2.0 appeared at the end in a dream, and I guess Akiho is appearing next episode! It’s kind of confusing because so many Clear Card-hen character’s names slightly overlap with New Trials. Ah, synchronicity. 

I mentioned this over at the Yahoo New Trials Group, but I didn't really appreciate the similarities in premise between New Trials and the Clear Card Arc until watching this anime episode. It was a combination of watching a battle scene take place on the soccer field, and also taking care of two cards in one episode, I think. Creating new "cards" is not an original idea by all means, but I payed attention to Sakura's new incantation for the first time today: "Force without master, heed the call of my Staff of Dreams and become my power!"

The premise is similar, compared to the the New Trials incantation: "Spirit of the dark forces. I, Sakura command you. Return to a new shape under contract. Sakura Card!"  The main difference is in the Clear Card universe, she is creating new cards because the Sakura Cards are "gone." Spirit of the dark forces = to force without master. And in the New Trials universe, she is using her "name" to create a contract with the forces, whereas in the Clear Card-verse, her new staff is the proxy (hence she does not sign the new cards). 

And go over here for high-quality screencaps of the episodes on Tumblr by Jiri-chan!