Episode 43: "Sakura and Farewell to Meilin" or "Meilin's Story"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 42
Episode 43: Sakura and Farewell to Meilin (Card Captor Sakura) or Meilin's Story (Cardcaptors)
The Japanese version opens at the Li household. Li is practicing his swordplay and Meilin is practicing her cakebaking. Li is in the "zone" until Meilin shrieks, causing him to lose focus and cut his finger. It turns out that Meilin's cake that she was making for Li is all burnt up. Li comes into the kitchen to investigate, only to find the kitchen a mess and Meilin upset. Wei tries to sooth Li by explaining that Meilin put all of her feelings into that cake so he should keep that mind but Li is unimpressed. The phone rings and Meilin goes to answer it and it turns out to be her mother as Wei and Li talk about Meilin. Wei says that Li should think about her feelings but Li just complains that she is always jumping on him. As if on cue, Meilin jumps on Li. Li begins to berate her before he notices that she's crying. Meilin says that she doesn't want to go home. The English version starts with the next scene, where Sakura and Madison are looking at photographs when Meilin comes in, tears in her eyes. After going outside and being alone with Sakura, Meilin tells her off screen what's wrong. It turns out that Meilin is going back to Hong Kong. In the English version, it's because her grandmother is ill so the whole family needs to go to her. In the Japanese version, she just has to because her mother said so. Sakura is upset either way. At this point, Li comes over to the two girls. In the English version, Li remarks on Meilin going away and then tells her that it's not a big deal. Furthermore, she shouldn't worry about the Clow Cards because they can handle those on their own. Meilin gets upset because she felt she had been helping them catch the Cards. Li is exasperated: he's already told her that she can't capture Cards because she doesn't have magic. This really upsets Meilin who says that she knows she doesn't have the right lineage but she has been training her whole life. Li half-agrees with that and Meilin accuses Li of thinking she's in the way. Li, quite bluntly, says that yes, sometimes she is in the way. Now horrified, she runs off, crying as Li points out that it's true. Li then asks what he said and Sakura asks how he could have said that. Li just shrugs with a "Girls" comment and walks off. In the Japanese version, Li approaches the two girls. Li begins to nag Meilin to tell the teacher about the transfer and how there's a lot of paperwork involved. Meilin asks if Li even cares that she's going back. Li explains that if her mother asked her to come back, there's not much he can do about it. Meilin then asks if she is in Li's way. This takes Li off-guard so Meilin repeats her question. Li says that isn't the issue but Meilin accuses Li of being an idiot and runs off anyway. Sakura asks Li if Meilin really is going back and he says that it's true. In any case, after Ms. Mackenzie announces Meilin's impeding departure, it's the end of the school day. Li tries to talk to Meilin but she's not having it. She nearly leaves before Sakura suddenly invites her over for a sleepover, with just the two of them. After some reluctance, Meilin agrees. In the English version, Li scoffs and Sakura remarks that at least she is trying instead of someone she could mention. Li asks why Sakura is suddenly acting like they're best friends. Sakura explains that this will be last time she will get to know more about her and even if Meilin doesn't have magic, she is still one of them. Li advises Sakura to stay out of it. In the Japanese version, Sakura apologizes for inviting her over without asking Li first. Li asks why she invited her over. Sakura explains that she wants to have a long talk with Meilin and it would be bad if Meilin and Li don't make up before she leaves. Li promises to tell Wei for Meilin. The Japanese version adds a scene where Fujitaka tell Toya and Yukito about Sakura's guest but the English version omits it. Then it's later that night and Sakura and Meilin are having tea. Meilin asks where Kero is and Sakura explains that he's with Madison. In the Japanese version, there is a short scene with Kero watching Sakura videos at Tomoyo's house and Tomoyo making a costume and hoping that Sakura is able to get Meilin and Li to make up. Back to Sakura and Meilin. In the Japanese version, there is a scene where Meilin eats cakes and Sakura tries to talk up Li's virtues. Meilin doesn't respond until Sakura mentions that Li worries about her all the time. Meilin finally answers that she knows that. In any case, meanwhile, two little imp things are bouncing around town, especially near a mailbox. In the Japanese version, the next shot reveals that there are now two mailboxes. In both versions, the next scene is the girls in their two beds. In the English version, Sakura asks if Meilin is still mad at Li. Meilin says she's not mad, she just feels like she never measures up. Sakura is aghast: Meilin is good at everything. Meilin remarks that Sakura is as well except she's a klutz. Sakura admits that's true and after some heming and hawing, Meilin remarks that she'll grow out of it. Sakura then asks if Li and Meilin go "way back". Meilin admits that could be said about them. She then launches into a flashback, which I'll get back to. In the Japanese version, Meilin repeats that she knows he worries but she doesn't want that sort of feeling from him. After a moment of sadness, she suddenly asks why Sakura starting liking Yukito. Sakura tells her "love at first sight" story, which she told Li earlier. Sakura then asks if it was same with Meilin. Meilin responds that it wasn't love at first sight. She then launches into a flashback. Apparently, Li and Meilin did their martial arts training together, under Wei. In the English version, Meilin's grandfather was a student of Clow Reed's magic so their two families were close. Meilin knew she didn't have magic but she thought if she studied with Li's teachers, she could learn. In the Japanese version, the two families simply lived close to each other and Meilin learned martial arts with Li but not magic, because she has no magical powers. Anyway, Li and Meilin were not friends at this time because Li never spoke to her and was always so very serious, not even smiling or having fun. The English version adds that he was arrogant and rude too. Anyway, one day, Meilin lost her prized bird. Meilin was very upset until Li handed her a hankerchief and told her not to cry. With that, he ran off. He was gone for a very long time and it even began to rain until Li came back, the bird in his hands. From that day on, she was sold on Li being awesome. In the English version, Meilin explains that when her parents moved to Reddington, she was sure that she was ready to help Li capture Cards and then he would see that she had special powers too. But now she's realized that Li was right, that all she does is stand around and watch and get in the way and that she should have never transferred to their school. Sakura is aghast and says that Meilin is wrong. They then have flashbacks about the Fight Card capture and the Cloud Card capture and Sakura explains that if Meilin hadn't been there, they would have not caught those Cards. But Meilin isn't convinced: Li and Sakura have the Clow magic and she doesn't and she doesn't belong. In the Japanese version, Meilin says that although she likes Li, it's clear that he doesn't feel the same although he "promised", which prompts Sakura to ask, "What promise?" but Meilin ignores her to go on to say that she's not very useful being by his side and she's not helpful in searching for Cards. Anyway, Sakura senses a Clow Card. Kero goes on ahead as Sakura, Madison, and Meilin get ready. Or rather the first two do because Meilin doesn't want to go and get in the way again. Sakura drags Meilin with them either saying that she's "one of them" (English) or that there are things that "only she can do" (Japanese). It turns out that everything in town has doubled, including Li's house (complete with two Weis!). This tells Kero that it's the Twin Card and they're kicking Li's butt. So, Sakura and Li spring into action. Sakura tries to hold the two parts down with Windy and then seal it but one escapes so the sealing doesn't work. Kero explains that they're two parts of the same Card so she has to seal them both at the same time. Eventually, Sakura and Li figure out that they can attack them at once, which they try but the Twin goes off in separate directions. Unfortunately, Sakura and Li can't read each other's minds so they need to signal but the Twin Card can see that. Then Sakura realizes that Meilin has trained with Li all her life so she and Li don't need signals to fight at the same time. At first, Meilin is reluctant but Li indicates that it's okay. So they fight in sync and it's perfect and they defeat the Twin Card. That over, Li tells Meilin that he never thought she was in the way. This pleases Meilin. The next scene is Meilin at the airport, with Li, Sakura, and Madison seeing her off. It's not really clear in the English verison if Wei going with her or seeing her off too. In the Japanese version, he seems to be going with her to make the arrangements. Also in the Japanese version, Li and Meilin have a private chat about that promise Li made. Apparently, Meilin declared that she would be Li's bride. Li was taken aback by this so she asked if there was someone he liked better. Li didn't so Meilin said that as long as there wasn't anyone he loved more than her, she would be his bride. If he ever found someone that he loved more, she would give up. Knowing that logic would get him nowhere, Li told her to do what she liked. In the present, Meilin reminds him that she is his fiancee until he finds a girl he loves more than her. In both versions, the kids say their goodbyes. In the English version, Meilin whispers to Sakura to not let her guard because she'll be back while in the Japanese version, she thanks Sakura for using her magic to save them that day. And then Meilin leaves on a jet plane and I don't know when she'll be back again.
Wanna see it?
Cardcaptors Episode 43: Part 1/3
Cardcaptors Episode 43: Part 2/3
Cardcaptors Episode 43: Part 3/3
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 1/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cieemEv-O9U
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 2/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hThVRBWmUs4
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 3/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCum1oCAng
Yay! No more Meilin! I will admit that I practically watched this episode as soon as I could because I wanted to see if they would actually get rid of Meilin. And they did! I really tried to like Meilin but I ended up mostly tolerating her character. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate her character, and she had some amazingly funny moments and her actresses in both versions did a fantastic job with a hard part to like. But it should demonstrate something when my first reaction to the teaser at the end of the Japanese version about this episode being, "Yay! Meilin's getting put on a bus! Hooray!" Her character just never quite fit with the rest of the plot. It always felt like she was just getting shoehorned into storylines. It was really obvious once even the Japanese producers forgot that Meilin is not really supposed to like Sakura and she's Li's fiancee and all that. Furthermore, she couldn't really grow as a character because of her motivations were her purpose for being in the show. I think the Japanese producers realized that Meilin just wasn't working, especially since I believe her original purpose was to add some conflict but she barely did that after her first couple of episodes. It was pretty funny to watch Meilin go, "Oh, I don't belong. I just get in the way. I should just leave." with Sakura being all, "No! You're wrong!" while I'm going, "No, Sakura, you're wrong. She's made of clay. Let her go on her bus in peace." I just hope they keep away from the main plot until the second movie (I know she's in that so I can't escape her).
Card Tally
Sakura: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Thunder, Sword, Flower, Shield, Power, Mist, Float, Erase, Glow, Move, Fight, Loop, Sleep, Song, Little, Mirror, Maze, Shot, Sweet, Big, Create, Change, Firey, Arrow, Snow, Voice, Lock, Cloud, Light, Dark
Current number: 39
Li: Time, Storm, Return, Dash, Freeze, Dream, Sand, Twin
Current number: 8
Wow, English title writers, what is with this title? Am I about to watch a documentary about child brides? "This is Meilin. She has not gone to school since she was six years old. In a week, she will be married to a man she has never met and is old enough to be her father. She is only ten years old." Seriously, that's what ran through my mind with that title. Japanese title wins.
Alright, let's talk about the cuts. Before I go into the major cuts, I will say that the scene with Yukito and Toya was dumb and redundant so it was good to go.
Two major scenes are cut and I wished they had stayed. The first scene is, well, the first scene. First of all, it's a charming and cute scene. Second of all, and most importantly, it was revealing in a subtle way. This isn't just a one-time occurrence with Meilin and Li, it's every day. It shows that Meilin does cause trouble for Li, which will explain why Meilin may feel that Li thinks she's in the way. She can never seem to make him happy: she interveres with his training, she ruins the kitchen, she burns the cakes, she jumps on him even though he hates it, etc. And it foreshadows the whole "Li has a big heart after all" story later on. So I really liked this scene because it doesn't hit you over the head but once you think about the entire episode, it is very revealing about Meilin's place in Li's life. I know why they cut it: Meilin doesn't live with Li in the English version. But it's not clear when this is so she could be visiting (she's done it before) and maybe her mother just called Li's house because she was over there since her family lives in Reddington. Problem solved!
The other scene I liked was the promise scene. To stray off topic, so basically that whole fiancee thing was in Meilin's head?! Great, way to be cheaters, Japanese producers. Although, ironically, I had been wondering today why Li's mother had promised Li to Meilin anyway. First of all, traditional Chinese customs consider the marriage of two people with the same family name as incest unless you have proof that there is seriously no relationship between the pair. Since they're cousins, they certainly don't have that. Of course, modern Hong Kong people might not follow that law but certainly cousins would raise an eyebrow, wouldn't it? But, more importantly, if Meilin has no magic and the Li family is obsessed with magic, why would they marry off their sole male heir to someone without magic? Wouldn't that raise the risk of having magic-less or children with weak magical powers? So, that answers those plot holes: Meilin made it up. Anyway, back to the cut. I really liked this scene because it is quite sweet and charming, with the two kids near tears. I understand why it was cut in the English version. With the fiancee plot gone, it makes zero sense. But I wonder if the English producers could have made Meilin get a different but English-version-compliant promise out of Li. We'll never know.
They also cut the Twin Card making the two mailboxes. That would have been helpful because otherwise that scene is just kind of random. Why cut it off there? They didn't want the lady to hum on American television?
On to changes. I think the change in Li and Meilin's fight are worth discussing. Wow, it's like completely different conversations and it's amazing that they matched the animation so well that I didn't think anything was up until I saw the Japanese version.
All right, finally English Li was meaner to Meilin than Japanese Li. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite buy English Li being quite this blunt at this point. Li at his introduction? Oh, yeah, he would have said this but Li is pretty declawed at this point. It just seemed really out of line for Li's character in the English version. But, to be fair, although Li said it in the worst way possible, he was trying to cheer her up at first by saying that it's not a big deal. Of course, then Meilin gets mad and it just got worse from there until he said things that he didn't really mean quite that way. I think they were going for him being tactless, like he is in the Japanese version, but they went too far. But then again, Meilin seems awfully sensitive in the Japanese version when she still won't accept that Li doesn't think she's in the way and runs off crying. Maybe they were trying to justify the waterworks? I don't know. I keep going back and forth about whether it was a good change.
I did like some changes. I really liked the change in Sakura's motivation. Although the Japanese Sakura's motivation for inviting her over and bringing her along to the capture was noble, English Sakura's just seemed more geniune. In the English version, Sakura does consider Meilin part of their posse and wants to get to know her before she goes away, instead of just wanting to make Li and Meilin up. Being useful isn't what Meilin really wants (although it's nice to be useful too), she wants to be liked and to belong. Sakura's actions in this episode demonstrate that Meilin does have a friend in Sakura and Li.
I also liked the subtle changes to Meilin's story. First of all, I liked that Meilin worked so hard because she wanted to learn magic too. I thought that was a nice detail. But mostly I liked the change with Li's character. I liked that she points that Li was not only serious and quiet but rude and arrogant as well. Because he was when he first met Sakura so it fits. It also makes his behavior in the previous fight scene I mentioned make more sense, which is an added bonus. But I also liked that Li didn't say where he was going, he just goes. That makes it all the more surprising to Meilin when he returns with her bird. He could have come back at any time without the bird and no one would have known but he kept looking anyway. Japanese Li would have lost face if he had promised to look for it and never found it so he had to find it. I also found English Li's lines once he finds the bird and to Meilin's hugging much more entertaining than the wussy ones he gets in the Japanese version.
All right, so they have the Card capture flashbacks in the English version. For once, it worked. They picked the right Cards for the discussion and didn't go on too long. Although I had to laugh because Sakura mentions how Meilin fought the Fight Card and how awesome that was and I was thinking, "But didn't Li have to save you? Sakura won that fight, didn't she?" Ah, well, even Meilin figured out that much.
Oh, they also change the Yukito discussion to a "you're a klutz" discussion. Considering that Sakura already had the "love at first sight" discussion with Li, I don't know why they felt like mentioning it again. I guess to segue into Meilin's story but still, man, it was practically a flashback! And I did like that Meilin adds, "You'll grow out of it" at the end. I thought that was a rather sweet, subtle moment from Meilin.
One last change: I liked how Sakura said they could fight so well together because they had trained side by side as children in the English version. In the Japanese version, Sakura says that they can do it because Meilin had been watching Li for so long. That makes Meilin sound like Li's stalker rather than Li's fellow martial artist. By the way, that fight scene was awesome to watch so it was a joy to watch it twice.
But one thing, English version: Seriously, stop with the gong noise. This episode overdosed on gong noises. Cut it out.
Plot holes!
1. How did Sakura get Kero to Tomoyo so quickly if Meilin came over that day? I guess Meilin came at night but Li promises to tell Wei for her, as if she won't see him. Is Meilin just going to wander the street?
2. How did Li know which bird was hers? I know he asks if he has the right one but he still had to find and catch a bird he though would be hers.
3. And how did he know even where to look? It's a bird! It probably flew away into the sky!
4. Why is Wei accompanying her back to make arrangements? I thought he was only in charge of Li. Is he going back permanently with her or is he coming back? Either way, party at Li's house tonight, woo hoo!
After much heming and hawing, I simply can't decide between the two, each version did things I liked and didn't like so, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 44
Episode 42
Episode 43: Sakura and Farewell to Meilin (Card Captor Sakura) or Meilin's Story (Cardcaptors)
The Japanese version opens at the Li household. Li is practicing his swordplay and Meilin is practicing her cakebaking. Li is in the "zone" until Meilin shrieks, causing him to lose focus and cut his finger. It turns out that Meilin's cake that she was making for Li is all burnt up. Li comes into the kitchen to investigate, only to find the kitchen a mess and Meilin upset. Wei tries to sooth Li by explaining that Meilin put all of her feelings into that cake so he should keep that mind but Li is unimpressed. The phone rings and Meilin goes to answer it and it turns out to be her mother as Wei and Li talk about Meilin. Wei says that Li should think about her feelings but Li just complains that she is always jumping on him. As if on cue, Meilin jumps on Li. Li begins to berate her before he notices that she's crying. Meilin says that she doesn't want to go home. The English version starts with the next scene, where Sakura and Madison are looking at photographs when Meilin comes in, tears in her eyes. After going outside and being alone with Sakura, Meilin tells her off screen what's wrong. It turns out that Meilin is going back to Hong Kong. In the English version, it's because her grandmother is ill so the whole family needs to go to her. In the Japanese version, she just has to because her mother said so. Sakura is upset either way. At this point, Li comes over to the two girls. In the English version, Li remarks on Meilin going away and then tells her that it's not a big deal. Furthermore, she shouldn't worry about the Clow Cards because they can handle those on their own. Meilin gets upset because she felt she had been helping them catch the Cards. Li is exasperated: he's already told her that she can't capture Cards because she doesn't have magic. This really upsets Meilin who says that she knows she doesn't have the right lineage but she has been training her whole life. Li half-agrees with that and Meilin accuses Li of thinking she's in the way. Li, quite bluntly, says that yes, sometimes she is in the way. Now horrified, she runs off, crying as Li points out that it's true. Li then asks what he said and Sakura asks how he could have said that. Li just shrugs with a "Girls" comment and walks off. In the Japanese version, Li approaches the two girls. Li begins to nag Meilin to tell the teacher about the transfer and how there's a lot of paperwork involved. Meilin asks if Li even cares that she's going back. Li explains that if her mother asked her to come back, there's not much he can do about it. Meilin then asks if she is in Li's way. This takes Li off-guard so Meilin repeats her question. Li says that isn't the issue but Meilin accuses Li of being an idiot and runs off anyway. Sakura asks Li if Meilin really is going back and he says that it's true. In any case, after Ms. Mackenzie announces Meilin's impeding departure, it's the end of the school day. Li tries to talk to Meilin but she's not having it. She nearly leaves before Sakura suddenly invites her over for a sleepover, with just the two of them. After some reluctance, Meilin agrees. In the English version, Li scoffs and Sakura remarks that at least she is trying instead of someone she could mention. Li asks why Sakura is suddenly acting like they're best friends. Sakura explains that this will be last time she will get to know more about her and even if Meilin doesn't have magic, she is still one of them. Li advises Sakura to stay out of it. In the Japanese version, Sakura apologizes for inviting her over without asking Li first. Li asks why she invited her over. Sakura explains that she wants to have a long talk with Meilin and it would be bad if Meilin and Li don't make up before she leaves. Li promises to tell Wei for Meilin. The Japanese version adds a scene where Fujitaka tell Toya and Yukito about Sakura's guest but the English version omits it. Then it's later that night and Sakura and Meilin are having tea. Meilin asks where Kero is and Sakura explains that he's with Madison. In the Japanese version, there is a short scene with Kero watching Sakura videos at Tomoyo's house and Tomoyo making a costume and hoping that Sakura is able to get Meilin and Li to make up. Back to Sakura and Meilin. In the Japanese version, there is a scene where Meilin eats cakes and Sakura tries to talk up Li's virtues. Meilin doesn't respond until Sakura mentions that Li worries about her all the time. Meilin finally answers that she knows that. In any case, meanwhile, two little imp things are bouncing around town, especially near a mailbox. In the Japanese version, the next shot reveals that there are now two mailboxes. In both versions, the next scene is the girls in their two beds. In the English version, Sakura asks if Meilin is still mad at Li. Meilin says she's not mad, she just feels like she never measures up. Sakura is aghast: Meilin is good at everything. Meilin remarks that Sakura is as well except she's a klutz. Sakura admits that's true and after some heming and hawing, Meilin remarks that she'll grow out of it. Sakura then asks if Li and Meilin go "way back". Meilin admits that could be said about them. She then launches into a flashback, which I'll get back to. In the Japanese version, Meilin repeats that she knows he worries but she doesn't want that sort of feeling from him. After a moment of sadness, she suddenly asks why Sakura starting liking Yukito. Sakura tells her "love at first sight" story, which she told Li earlier. Sakura then asks if it was same with Meilin. Meilin responds that it wasn't love at first sight. She then launches into a flashback. Apparently, Li and Meilin did their martial arts training together, under Wei. In the English version, Meilin's grandfather was a student of Clow Reed's magic so their two families were close. Meilin knew she didn't have magic but she thought if she studied with Li's teachers, she could learn. In the Japanese version, the two families simply lived close to each other and Meilin learned martial arts with Li but not magic, because she has no magical powers. Anyway, Li and Meilin were not friends at this time because Li never spoke to her and was always so very serious, not even smiling or having fun. The English version adds that he was arrogant and rude too. Anyway, one day, Meilin lost her prized bird. Meilin was very upset until Li handed her a hankerchief and told her not to cry. With that, he ran off. He was gone for a very long time and it even began to rain until Li came back, the bird in his hands. From that day on, she was sold on Li being awesome. In the English version, Meilin explains that when her parents moved to Reddington, she was sure that she was ready to help Li capture Cards and then he would see that she had special powers too. But now she's realized that Li was right, that all she does is stand around and watch and get in the way and that she should have never transferred to their school. Sakura is aghast and says that Meilin is wrong. They then have flashbacks about the Fight Card capture and the Cloud Card capture and Sakura explains that if Meilin hadn't been there, they would have not caught those Cards. But Meilin isn't convinced: Li and Sakura have the Clow magic and she doesn't and she doesn't belong. In the Japanese version, Meilin says that although she likes Li, it's clear that he doesn't feel the same although he "promised", which prompts Sakura to ask, "What promise?" but Meilin ignores her to go on to say that she's not very useful being by his side and she's not helpful in searching for Cards. Anyway, Sakura senses a Clow Card. Kero goes on ahead as Sakura, Madison, and Meilin get ready. Or rather the first two do because Meilin doesn't want to go and get in the way again. Sakura drags Meilin with them either saying that she's "one of them" (English) or that there are things that "only she can do" (Japanese). It turns out that everything in town has doubled, including Li's house (complete with two Weis!). This tells Kero that it's the Twin Card and they're kicking Li's butt. So, Sakura and Li spring into action. Sakura tries to hold the two parts down with Windy and then seal it but one escapes so the sealing doesn't work. Kero explains that they're two parts of the same Card so she has to seal them both at the same time. Eventually, Sakura and Li figure out that they can attack them at once, which they try but the Twin goes off in separate directions. Unfortunately, Sakura and Li can't read each other's minds so they need to signal but the Twin Card can see that. Then Sakura realizes that Meilin has trained with Li all her life so she and Li don't need signals to fight at the same time. At first, Meilin is reluctant but Li indicates that it's okay. So they fight in sync and it's perfect and they defeat the Twin Card. That over, Li tells Meilin that he never thought she was in the way. This pleases Meilin. The next scene is Meilin at the airport, with Li, Sakura, and Madison seeing her off. It's not really clear in the English verison if Wei going with her or seeing her off too. In the Japanese version, he seems to be going with her to make the arrangements. Also in the Japanese version, Li and Meilin have a private chat about that promise Li made. Apparently, Meilin declared that she would be Li's bride. Li was taken aback by this so she asked if there was someone he liked better. Li didn't so Meilin said that as long as there wasn't anyone he loved more than her, she would be his bride. If he ever found someone that he loved more, she would give up. Knowing that logic would get him nowhere, Li told her to do what she liked. In the present, Meilin reminds him that she is his fiancee until he finds a girl he loves more than her. In both versions, the kids say their goodbyes. In the English version, Meilin whispers to Sakura to not let her guard because she'll be back while in the Japanese version, she thanks Sakura for using her magic to save them that day. And then Meilin leaves on a jet plane and I don't know when she'll be back again.
Wanna see it?
Cardcaptors Episode 43: Part 1/3
Click to viewCardcaptors Episode 43: Part 2/3
Cardcaptors Episode 43: Part 3/3
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 1/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cieemEv-O9U
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 2/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hThVRBWmUs4
Card Captor Sakura Episode 43: Part 3/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCum1oCAng
Yay! No more Meilin! I will admit that I practically watched this episode as soon as I could because I wanted to see if they would actually get rid of Meilin. And they did! I really tried to like Meilin but I ended up mostly tolerating her character. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate her character, and she had some amazingly funny moments and her actresses in both versions did a fantastic job with a hard part to like. But it should demonstrate something when my first reaction to the teaser at the end of the Japanese version about this episode being, "Yay! Meilin's getting put on a bus! Hooray!" Her character just never quite fit with the rest of the plot. It always felt like she was just getting shoehorned into storylines. It was really obvious once even the Japanese producers forgot that Meilin is not really supposed to like Sakura and she's Li's fiancee and all that. Furthermore, she couldn't really grow as a character because of her motivations were her purpose for being in the show. I think the Japanese producers realized that Meilin just wasn't working, especially since I believe her original purpose was to add some conflict but she barely did that after her first couple of episodes. It was pretty funny to watch Meilin go, "Oh, I don't belong. I just get in the way. I should just leave." with Sakura being all, "No! You're wrong!" while I'm going, "No, Sakura, you're wrong. She's made of clay. Let her go on her bus in peace." I just hope they keep away from the main plot until the second movie (I know she's in that so I can't escape her).
Card Tally
Sakura: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Thunder, Sword, Flower, Shield, Power, Mist, Float, Erase, Glow, Move, Fight, Loop, Sleep, Song, Little, Mirror, Maze, Shot, Sweet, Big, Create, Change, Firey, Arrow, Snow, Voice, Lock, Cloud, Light, Dark
Current number: 39
Li: Time, Storm, Return, Dash, Freeze, Dream, Sand, Twin
Current number: 8
Wow, English title writers, what is with this title? Am I about to watch a documentary about child brides? "This is Meilin. She has not gone to school since she was six years old. In a week, she will be married to a man she has never met and is old enough to be her father. She is only ten years old." Seriously, that's what ran through my mind with that title. Japanese title wins.
Alright, let's talk about the cuts. Before I go into the major cuts, I will say that the scene with Yukito and Toya was dumb and redundant so it was good to go.
Two major scenes are cut and I wished they had stayed. The first scene is, well, the first scene. First of all, it's a charming and cute scene. Second of all, and most importantly, it was revealing in a subtle way. This isn't just a one-time occurrence with Meilin and Li, it's every day. It shows that Meilin does cause trouble for Li, which will explain why Meilin may feel that Li thinks she's in the way. She can never seem to make him happy: she interveres with his training, she ruins the kitchen, she burns the cakes, she jumps on him even though he hates it, etc. And it foreshadows the whole "Li has a big heart after all" story later on. So I really liked this scene because it doesn't hit you over the head but once you think about the entire episode, it is very revealing about Meilin's place in Li's life. I know why they cut it: Meilin doesn't live with Li in the English version. But it's not clear when this is so she could be visiting (she's done it before) and maybe her mother just called Li's house because she was over there since her family lives in Reddington. Problem solved!
The other scene I liked was the promise scene. To stray off topic, so basically that whole fiancee thing was in Meilin's head?! Great, way to be cheaters, Japanese producers. Although, ironically, I had been wondering today why Li's mother had promised Li to Meilin anyway. First of all, traditional Chinese customs consider the marriage of two people with the same family name as incest unless you have proof that there is seriously no relationship between the pair. Since they're cousins, they certainly don't have that. Of course, modern Hong Kong people might not follow that law but certainly cousins would raise an eyebrow, wouldn't it? But, more importantly, if Meilin has no magic and the Li family is obsessed with magic, why would they marry off their sole male heir to someone without magic? Wouldn't that raise the risk of having magic-less or children with weak magical powers? So, that answers those plot holes: Meilin made it up. Anyway, back to the cut. I really liked this scene because it is quite sweet and charming, with the two kids near tears. I understand why it was cut in the English version. With the fiancee plot gone, it makes zero sense. But I wonder if the English producers could have made Meilin get a different but English-version-compliant promise out of Li. We'll never know.
They also cut the Twin Card making the two mailboxes. That would have been helpful because otherwise that scene is just kind of random. Why cut it off there? They didn't want the lady to hum on American television?
On to changes. I think the change in Li and Meilin's fight are worth discussing. Wow, it's like completely different conversations and it's amazing that they matched the animation so well that I didn't think anything was up until I saw the Japanese version.
All right, finally English Li was meaner to Meilin than Japanese Li. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite buy English Li being quite this blunt at this point. Li at his introduction? Oh, yeah, he would have said this but Li is pretty declawed at this point. It just seemed really out of line for Li's character in the English version. But, to be fair, although Li said it in the worst way possible, he was trying to cheer her up at first by saying that it's not a big deal. Of course, then Meilin gets mad and it just got worse from there until he said things that he didn't really mean quite that way. I think they were going for him being tactless, like he is in the Japanese version, but they went too far. But then again, Meilin seems awfully sensitive in the Japanese version when she still won't accept that Li doesn't think she's in the way and runs off crying. Maybe they were trying to justify the waterworks? I don't know. I keep going back and forth about whether it was a good change.
I did like some changes. I really liked the change in Sakura's motivation. Although the Japanese Sakura's motivation for inviting her over and bringing her along to the capture was noble, English Sakura's just seemed more geniune. In the English version, Sakura does consider Meilin part of their posse and wants to get to know her before she goes away, instead of just wanting to make Li and Meilin up. Being useful isn't what Meilin really wants (although it's nice to be useful too), she wants to be liked and to belong. Sakura's actions in this episode demonstrate that Meilin does have a friend in Sakura and Li.
I also liked the subtle changes to Meilin's story. First of all, I liked that Meilin worked so hard because she wanted to learn magic too. I thought that was a nice detail. But mostly I liked the change with Li's character. I liked that she points that Li was not only serious and quiet but rude and arrogant as well. Because he was when he first met Sakura so it fits. It also makes his behavior in the previous fight scene I mentioned make more sense, which is an added bonus. But I also liked that Li didn't say where he was going, he just goes. That makes it all the more surprising to Meilin when he returns with her bird. He could have come back at any time without the bird and no one would have known but he kept looking anyway. Japanese Li would have lost face if he had promised to look for it and never found it so he had to find it. I also found English Li's lines once he finds the bird and to Meilin's hugging much more entertaining than the wussy ones he gets in the Japanese version.
All right, so they have the Card capture flashbacks in the English version. For once, it worked. They picked the right Cards for the discussion and didn't go on too long. Although I had to laugh because Sakura mentions how Meilin fought the Fight Card and how awesome that was and I was thinking, "But didn't Li have to save you? Sakura won that fight, didn't she?" Ah, well, even Meilin figured out that much.
Oh, they also change the Yukito discussion to a "you're a klutz" discussion. Considering that Sakura already had the "love at first sight" discussion with Li, I don't know why they felt like mentioning it again. I guess to segue into Meilin's story but still, man, it was practically a flashback! And I did like that Meilin adds, "You'll grow out of it" at the end. I thought that was a rather sweet, subtle moment from Meilin.
One last change: I liked how Sakura said they could fight so well together because they had trained side by side as children in the English version. In the Japanese version, Sakura says that they can do it because Meilin had been watching Li for so long. That makes Meilin sound like Li's stalker rather than Li's fellow martial artist. By the way, that fight scene was awesome to watch so it was a joy to watch it twice.
But one thing, English version: Seriously, stop with the gong noise. This episode overdosed on gong noises. Cut it out.
Plot holes!
1. How did Sakura get Kero to Tomoyo so quickly if Meilin came over that day? I guess Meilin came at night but Li promises to tell Wei for her, as if she won't see him. Is Meilin just going to wander the street?
2. How did Li know which bird was hers? I know he asks if he has the right one but he still had to find and catch a bird he though would be hers.
3. And how did he know even where to look? It's a bird! It probably flew away into the sky!
4. Why is Wei accompanying her back to make arrangements? I thought he was only in charge of Li. Is he going back permanently with her or is he coming back? Either way, party at Li's house tonight, woo hoo!
After much heming and hawing, I simply can't decide between the two, each version did things I liked and didn't like so, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 44