Episode 48: "Sakura and the Awakened Star Key" or "Unlocking the Key" OR The Unexpected Finale
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 47
Episode 48: Sakura and the Awakened Star Key (Card Captor Sakura) or Unlocking the Key (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
So, it's still raining in Reddington and only in Reddington. Sakura is up early and moping about how her Key won't work. As Sakura contemplates her Key, Tori shows up and remarks that she's up. As Tori sits to have breakfast, Sakura remembers that Kero told her that he needs to speak to Yueh. After Sakura awkwardly tries to figure out some way to get Tori to get Julian to come over, Tori suggests that if there was something good to eat, he'd come. So Sakura agrees to make something and Tori agrees to invite him over. After this, Kero sits in Sakura's room, looking at the floating Sakura-ified Book of Clow, and says something cryptic and vague about the presence he felt.
At school, Sakura thinks some more about how it won't stop raining and how she already caught all of the Clow Cards. The Japanese version includes a scene with Sakura's friends talking about the rain and Yamazaki telling a tall tale but it's cut in the English version. As Sakura contemplates, Eli hands her a flower, imploring her to cheer up. Sakura thanks Eli for his thoughtful gesture and he heads over to the flower vase to put the rest of the flowers away. The Japanese version has Li totally freak out, run over, and loudly greet Sakura good morning. The English version jumps straight to the following moment, with Li scowling at Eli's benignly smiling face. At this point, Madison comes in and after some brief conversation, this scene ends.
Later on, Sakura and Li stand under a porch, presumably after Sakura has just explained to Li what happened with her wand the night before. In the English version, Li acknowledges that the wand won't work and then remarks that he thought he had felt something strange, especially with the weather. Sakura adds that Kero sensed something too but he couldn't say what it was. She then wonders what it could be since she has all of the Clow Cards. Li explains that there are forces more powerful than the Clow Cards. Sakura asks why she can't sense it. Li explains that whoever or whatever it is might not want to be found and probably has more power than either of them do. If that's the case, then Sakura acknowledges that she'll need his help. The Japanese version is similar to this except Li is a little more vague and Sakura doesn't ask for his help. In any case, Tori and Julian happen to see Sakura and Li hanging out, which makes Tori and Julian pause. After acknowledging that the two kids are hanging out (the English version actually has Julian remark that "she does spend a lot of time with him"), Tori starts to say something to Julian but is interrupted by Ruby pouncing on him. Apparently Tori's teacher really wants those papers Julian and he are holding. So, Tori takes the rest of the papers and off he goes, leaving Ruby and Julian alone together. In the English version, Ruby's voice suddenly drops and she asks if Julian remembers her. Julian looks shocked but doesn't reply. Ruby concludes that "this" will be easier than she thought. In the Japanese version, her voice dropping, Akizuki remarks that Yukito doesn't know. Yukito doesn't answer but looks shocked. She then says that she'll take "him" then. In any case, she runs off.
On her way home, Sakura contemplates what Li and she discussed until Eli shows up. The two walk home together. Sakura thanks Eli for the flower and Eli asks her if she's better now. Sakura admits that she's not perfectly alright but she is better. Eli hopes that the rain will stop soon in the English version while Eriol discusses where the flower came from in the Japanese version. The Japanese version has them discuss the possibility of Sakura coming to Eriol's house someday but this conversation is skipped in the English version. In any case, they have to part ways and as Eli walks to his home, Sakura thinks about how nice Eli is.
After Julian, Tori, and Sakura finish their meal, Tori decides to head out (his reasons vary depending on the version) and Julian decides to stay behind to help clean up. As Tori leaves, Julian notes that it's still raining and Tori mutters that it's because it's not a normal rain. Julian is taken aback and Tori tries to quickly forget that slip-up ever happened. When Tori leaves, Kero flies down and makes Yueh take his true form. In the English version, Kero chastized Yueh for not speaking to him for a week, to which Yueh explains that he can't waste his energy changing into his true form so it better be important. In the Japanese version, Kero remarks that Yueh is grumpy, to which he replies that it's cumbersome to have your true form and your disguise have different personalities. In any case, they head over to the kitchen and freak Sakura out.
Up in Sakura's room, Sakura tries to be a good hostess to Yueh but finds out that he doesn't eat. In the English version, Sakura asks how that can be since Julian eats so much. Kero explains that, in his human form, food gives Julian energy but Yueh gets his energy from the moon. In the Japanese version, Sakura remarks that Kero likes sweets. Kero explains that he can eat according to his needs. In any case, Kero asks for either more milk or seconds, depending on the version, to get Sakura out of the room. In the English version, Yueh asks why he asked to see him. Kero remarks that it isn't over for Sakura and then asks if he senses "it". Yueh replies that he does sense that a great power has settled in the area. Kero remarks that Clow Reed never told them what to expect after the Final Judgement. Kero transforms into his true form and continues on to say, regarding what he sensed the other day, they'll have to be on their guard to protect Sakura. Yueh agrees. Kero then huffs that he wish what they were dealing with. In the Japanese version, Yueh remarks that Kero got rid of Sakura on purpose. Kero asks Yueh what he thinks of this rain. Yueh says he thinks someone is making it fall.
... I watched this episode months ago and when I got to that part, I suddenly became very sleepy and couldn't finish. So I held off on it and promised myself to finish it later. But then I had school and holidays and work and, you know, life and I never got back to this episode.
A few days ago, I found myself with an empty house and lots of free time so I decided to start this up again. Only to find that every episode of the English language Cardcaptors was no longer on youTube. And it's not on hulu. And it's nearly impossible to find a copy with episodes from the third season, much less buy one.
So, unfortunately, this is where this experiment ends. Unless I find some way to watch Cardcaptors, I can't continue the experiment (Card Captor Sakura is easier to find and obtain) since the whole point is to watch and analyze both shows.
I really wanted to finish this. I was looking forward to watching every single episode and talking about them. But, alas, it will not be so.
I shouldn't be too surprised. Using youTube as my source was risky to begin with, I wasn't even expecting to find as much as I did when I was starting out. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't seriously bummed about this development.
Of course, a part of me sees this as justified. I live in America and America never got to see the third season. So perhaps it is best that I can't analyse it.
At some point in the future, I may try to see if I can buy the second movie (I was planning on it anyway: I've seen the second movie about five times by watching an old fansub that has sentimental value to me [one of my brothers worked on it] but I realize that I probably should buy the real version) and use that as the "final" analysis. I'll be sure to post when I do. When I do analyze the movie, I will use what I have so far and the movie to make a tentative conclusion about which version is better.
Thank you everyone who has been reading this, especially ihatejournalism for her comments. I say "everyone" even though it's highly possible that ihatejournalism is the only reader but there may be lurkers out there and I appreciate them spending their time with me.
Episode 48 (the second attempt)
Episode 47
Episode 48: Sakura and the Awakened Star Key (Card Captor Sakura) or Unlocking the Key (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
So, it's still raining in Reddington and only in Reddington. Sakura is up early and moping about how her Key won't work. As Sakura contemplates her Key, Tori shows up and remarks that she's up. As Tori sits to have breakfast, Sakura remembers that Kero told her that he needs to speak to Yueh. After Sakura awkwardly tries to figure out some way to get Tori to get Julian to come over, Tori suggests that if there was something good to eat, he'd come. So Sakura agrees to make something and Tori agrees to invite him over. After this, Kero sits in Sakura's room, looking at the floating Sakura-ified Book of Clow, and says something cryptic and vague about the presence he felt.
At school, Sakura thinks some more about how it won't stop raining and how she already caught all of the Clow Cards. The Japanese version includes a scene with Sakura's friends talking about the rain and Yamazaki telling a tall tale but it's cut in the English version. As Sakura contemplates, Eli hands her a flower, imploring her to cheer up. Sakura thanks Eli for his thoughtful gesture and he heads over to the flower vase to put the rest of the flowers away. The Japanese version has Li totally freak out, run over, and loudly greet Sakura good morning. The English version jumps straight to the following moment, with Li scowling at Eli's benignly smiling face. At this point, Madison comes in and after some brief conversation, this scene ends.
Later on, Sakura and Li stand under a porch, presumably after Sakura has just explained to Li what happened with her wand the night before. In the English version, Li acknowledges that the wand won't work and then remarks that he thought he had felt something strange, especially with the weather. Sakura adds that Kero sensed something too but he couldn't say what it was. She then wonders what it could be since she has all of the Clow Cards. Li explains that there are forces more powerful than the Clow Cards. Sakura asks why she can't sense it. Li explains that whoever or whatever it is might not want to be found and probably has more power than either of them do. If that's the case, then Sakura acknowledges that she'll need his help. The Japanese version is similar to this except Li is a little more vague and Sakura doesn't ask for his help. In any case, Tori and Julian happen to see Sakura and Li hanging out, which makes Tori and Julian pause. After acknowledging that the two kids are hanging out (the English version actually has Julian remark that "she does spend a lot of time with him"), Tori starts to say something to Julian but is interrupted by Ruby pouncing on him. Apparently Tori's teacher really wants those papers Julian and he are holding. So, Tori takes the rest of the papers and off he goes, leaving Ruby and Julian alone together. In the English version, Ruby's voice suddenly drops and she asks if Julian remembers her. Julian looks shocked but doesn't reply. Ruby concludes that "this" will be easier than she thought. In the Japanese version, her voice dropping, Akizuki remarks that Yukito doesn't know. Yukito doesn't answer but looks shocked. She then says that she'll take "him" then. In any case, she runs off.
On her way home, Sakura contemplates what Li and she discussed until Eli shows up. The two walk home together. Sakura thanks Eli for the flower and Eli asks her if she's better now. Sakura admits that she's not perfectly alright but she is better. Eli hopes that the rain will stop soon in the English version while Eriol discusses where the flower came from in the Japanese version. The Japanese version has them discuss the possibility of Sakura coming to Eriol's house someday but this conversation is skipped in the English version. In any case, they have to part ways and as Eli walks to his home, Sakura thinks about how nice Eli is.
After Julian, Tori, and Sakura finish their meal, Tori decides to head out (his reasons vary depending on the version) and Julian decides to stay behind to help clean up. As Tori leaves, Julian notes that it's still raining and Tori mutters that it's because it's not a normal rain. Julian is taken aback and Tori tries to quickly forget that slip-up ever happened. When Tori leaves, Kero flies down and makes Yueh take his true form. In the English version, Kero chastized Yueh for not speaking to him for a week, to which Yueh explains that he can't waste his energy changing into his true form so it better be important. In the Japanese version, Kero remarks that Yueh is grumpy, to which he replies that it's cumbersome to have your true form and your disguise have different personalities. In any case, they head over to the kitchen and freak Sakura out.
Up in Sakura's room, Sakura tries to be a good hostess to Yueh but finds out that he doesn't eat. In the English version, Sakura asks how that can be since Julian eats so much. Kero explains that, in his human form, food gives Julian energy but Yueh gets his energy from the moon. In the Japanese version, Sakura remarks that Kero likes sweets. Kero explains that he can eat according to his needs. In any case, Kero asks for either more milk or seconds, depending on the version, to get Sakura out of the room. In the English version, Yueh asks why he asked to see him. Kero remarks that it isn't over for Sakura and then asks if he senses "it". Yueh replies that he does sense that a great power has settled in the area. Kero remarks that Clow Reed never told them what to expect after the Final Judgement. Kero transforms into his true form and continues on to say, regarding what he sensed the other day, they'll have to be on their guard to protect Sakura. Yueh agrees. Kero then huffs that he wish what they were dealing with. In the Japanese version, Yueh remarks that Kero got rid of Sakura on purpose. Kero asks Yueh what he thinks of this rain. Yueh says he thinks someone is making it fall.
... I watched this episode months ago and when I got to that part, I suddenly became very sleepy and couldn't finish. So I held off on it and promised myself to finish it later. But then I had school and holidays and work and, you know, life and I never got back to this episode.
A few days ago, I found myself with an empty house and lots of free time so I decided to start this up again. Only to find that every episode of the English language Cardcaptors was no longer on youTube. And it's not on hulu. And it's nearly impossible to find a copy with episodes from the third season, much less buy one.
So, unfortunately, this is where this experiment ends. Unless I find some way to watch Cardcaptors, I can't continue the experiment (Card Captor Sakura is easier to find and obtain) since the whole point is to watch and analyze both shows.
I really wanted to finish this. I was looking forward to watching every single episode and talking about them. But, alas, it will not be so.
I shouldn't be too surprised. Using youTube as my source was risky to begin with, I wasn't even expecting to find as much as I did when I was starting out. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't seriously bummed about this development.
Of course, a part of me sees this as justified. I live in America and America never got to see the third season. So perhaps it is best that I can't analyse it.
At some point in the future, I may try to see if I can buy the second movie (I was planning on it anyway: I've seen the second movie about five times by watching an old fansub that has sentimental value to me [one of my brothers worked on it] but I realize that I probably should buy the real version) and use that as the "final" analysis. I'll be sure to post when I do. When I do analyze the movie, I will use what I have so far and the movie to make a tentative conclusion about which version is better.
Thank you everyone who has been reading this, especially ihatejournalism for her comments. I say "everyone" even though it's highly possible that ihatejournalism is the only reader but there may be lurkers out there and I appreciate them spending their time with me.
Episode 48 (the second attempt)