Episode 56: "Sakura, Kero, and the Sweet Meeting" or "Spinning Out of Control"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 55
Episode 56: Sakura, Kero, and the Sweet Meeting (Card Captor Sakura) or Spinning Out of Control (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: Japanese Card Captor Sakura
The versions start differently again.
In the Japanese version, the episode starts with Sakura making a dress. It turns out that the students are holding a bazaar and they are going to be wearing matching outfits that Tomoyo designed. Sakura's class is giving out sweets. So, of course Kero wants to go now.
In the English version, the episode starts with another dream. It is the same as before except now Sakura sees images of Ruby Moon and Spinner Sun in their true forms (Spinner Sun even attacks in the dream). There is no "Sakura is making a dress" scene.
Both versions next go to Eriol's place. He is also making his outfit for the bazaar. The scene starts with Eriol and Spinel but then Ruby joins them. After Ruby greets Supiel with a stupid nickname ("Supie" in Japanese, "Spinny" in English) much to Spinel's annoyance, Eriol explains about the bazaar and Eriol invites Nakuru to come (the English version adds that if Ruby comes, then they can "keep an eye on" and I can't figure what Eli says at that moment. I think it's "them" but I'm not sure why Eli would note that in this case. Tori and Julian? Sakura and crew?). Nakuru is totally all for it and says Spinel should come too.
Spinel does not want to come. Nakuru asks why. Spinel explains that he's not a fan of sweets (Japanese)/has better things to do than eat sweets (English). This causes Eriol to start laughing. Nakuru asks why he's laughing (Japanese)/points out that if she's going, Spinner is going too (English). The versions differ significantly at this point.
Japanese version: Spinel snits that it was Eriol who made Spinel unable to eat sweets. Eriol corrects him: it's not that he is unable to, just that when he does, he has a "small problem".
English version: Spinner notes that Keroberos would likely be nearby and Keroberos will sense him. Eli assures him that there is an easy spell to hide his true identity, even from Keroberos. Eli then warns Spinner to "go easy" on the sweets.
Nakuru is puzzled and Spinel is embarrassed.
It is now the day of the bazaar. Sakura is wearing the outfit and serving guests. Tomoyo is videotaping her. (There is a funny change in tone in this scene between versions: In the Japanese version, Tomoyo is swooning over Sakura's cuteness. In the English version, Madison complains that not only do they have to work all day but they have to wear these awful outfits too.) Tomoyo asks what happened to Kero. Sakura sent him to the back of the school with a basket full of sweets.
Cut to Kero, who is eating his way through the basket in euphoria.
The Japanese version has a scene here with the other students in Sakura's class. We have our obligatory "Yamazaki lies" scene and our obligatory "Risa is dating the teacher" scene. The English version cuts these moments.
Both versions come back together with Sakura entering the back where Eriol and Li are preparing the food and drink that Sakura is bringing out. Sakura says they look good in their outfits (Japanese)/asks for another order of cupcakes (English). This causes Li to full-face blush while Eriol responds in an appropriate way based on whatever Sakura said.
Sakura proceeds to enter the space more fully, walking past Li who is staring at her. Li turns around to look at her once she gets past him. In the Japanese version, the soft gentle music continues throughout this scene while in the English version, when Li is finished turning around, the scary "magical sh*t is going down" chord happens. In any case, Sakura notices and asks Li what's up. Li turns away, saying it's nothing, and then overfills a cup with juice. Eriol chuckles at the moment.
Sakura leaves the tent and it's Yukito and Toya. They chitchat a bit (the Japanese version is slightly longer) and Toya is being his usual teasing self. Sakura leaves to get Yukito some more food. Toya looks at the tent (where Eriol and Li are) and it's clear he senses something. Meanwhile, in the tent, Eriol thinks to himself that Toya must be able to sense him and so he should be more careful.
Back to Kero, who is still eating the sweets. He hears someone coming and hides. It's Nakuru and Spinel Sun. Nakuru is super pumped about the sweets she is going to eat and asks if Spinel is sure he doesn't want any sweets. He's sure. They separate and Nakuru goes on to the bazaar.
Thinking the coast is clear, Kero gets out of the basket. Meanwhile, Spinel is flying around, trying somewhere to be for however long he has to be there. Eventually, they fly into each other's line of sight. Epic stare-down commences.
Spinel is mentally freaking out about this - this is Keroberos and if he figures out who he is, then that is going to cause problems for Eriol. In the English version, along with freaking out, he notes that this will be a test of Eli's spell - if it works, his identity will remain hidden.
In the Japanese version, Kero just notes that Spinel has a big head. Spinel thinks that a. Kero looks like that too and b. if he argues that point, he'll figure it out so he just has to bear it. Both versions then proceed at the point where Kero thinks that Spinel is some sort of battery-operated toy.
Spinel corrects him - he is not a toy. Kero takes a better look and based on what he is saying as he thinks aloud, Spinel frets that Kero has figured it out. Nope, Kero thinks he's a monster (the English version calls him a "goblin").
In the Japanese version, on one hand, Spinel is glad that they have the ability to mask their powers. On the other hand, he is insulted that Kero called him a monster - a "fairy" would have been better. In the English version, Spinner is flabbergasted that Kero still can't figure it out.
In any case, Kero starts chattering on about who he is and what he is. Spinel thinks to himself, essentially, that Kero is an idiot (the English version also notes that the spell must be working). Kero asks what Spinel's name is. In the Japanese version, Spinel realizes that giving his real name is pointless so he gives him the stupid nickname that Nakuru gave him. In the English version, he just gives his real name so Kero will leave him alone. In any case, Kero thinks Spinel's given name is really silly and has a good laugh about it, much to Spinel's annoyance.
Anyway, Kero wants to be friends. When Spinel doesn't immediately shake hands (because he's thinking Kero is an idiot, essentially), Kero asks what's wrong. Spinel says it's nothing and they shake hands. Spinel thinks that is easier this way, since Kero isn't suspicious. In the Japanese version, Spinel just thinks that he will need to tell Eriol that he encountered Keroberos. In the English version, Spinel scoffs that Kero is no match for him and that Eli will be pleased.
In any case, Spinel has great timing, in Kero's opinion. They could eat the rest of the sweets together! Spinel is alarmed but Kero isn't paying attention. Spinel starts to full-body sweat in panic. Kero shoves a bunch of sweets into Spinel's mouth.
After finishing the basket off, Spinel isn't looking up anymore and Kero asks what's wrong. Spinel says that he wants more and then starts acting totally hyped up and crazy about wanting more sweets. Spinel flies off, with Kero trailing behind.
Meanwhile, Nakuru is pestering Toya and Yukito. Sakura goes to the back to eat more food for them as Eriol is coming out of the tent. He notices something going on with Spinel.
Cut to Spinel, who is now eating every sweet at the bazaar, much to Kero's increasing horror (mostly because he's going to get in trouble for it). Spinel goes to the teacher's lounge for more sweets, where Kero finds him. He tries to convince him to leave, resorting eventually to trying to pick him up so they can get out of there. In the Japanese version, Spinel starts to get teary-eyed and emotional because Kero is being "mean". Whether Spinner does this too isn't really clear in the English version.
In any case, Spinel flies out of the room with Kero and then starts lasering stuff after he stops holding on to Kero. Kero realizes that this has to stop and goes to Sakura. Once they are alone, he tells Sakura to use the Sleep Card to put everyone to sleep. She asks why but he says that she just needs to do it. So she does and everyone falls asleep.
Kero then goes to find Spinel again: he's under a table eating sweets again. Spinel notices Kero and fires a laser at him. Kero has no choice: he transforms into his true form and blocks the laser. Spinel is having none of that and fires another one, Keroberos fires back with... fire (that sounded better in my head). Spinel is shot away and taken away by a pink wind.
In the Japanese version, Keroberos just wonders if that was Clow's presence. In the English version, Keroberos realizes that Spinner wasn't just some goblin - the Sleep Card had had no effect on him. But if he has magical power, then why didn't he sense anything?
At this point, Sakura and Tomoyo come up to Keroberos. Keroberos assures Sakura that Spinel is gone. Sakura isn't listening - she is furious because Kero ate all of the sweets and caused this mess! Keroberos explains that it wasn't him, it was "Supie" and draws a picture of him. Sakura and Tomoyo thinks that the picture just looks like Kero and Sakura continues to berate Kero for not being good, despite his protests that he didn't do anything.
Meanwhile, Eriol with Spinel in his arms looks on. In the Japanese version, Eriol mentally remarks that Spinel had quite a few sweets. Eriol explains that Spinel becomes ravenously hungry when he has sweets and thinks that Keroberos and Spinel get along better than expected. In the English version, Eli remarks that he had warned Spinner that spells and sweets don't mix. He then thinks that Spinner nearly blew their cover and that they'll have to watch their step from now on.
This wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. When I saw that it was a festival episode, my heart sank because they are always so boring in the Japanese version and the actors forget how to act in the English version. However, I was pleasantly surprised - it actually really funny in both versions. Also, Spinel/Spinner acts completely like a cat - if a cat could talk, it would talk like Spinel/Spinner.
I love the English title. It worked with the theme with the episode and was a stupid pun - my favorite things!
Very little was changed in this episode. There were some cut scenes (mostly with setting up the premise and the non-Sakura-team students) but they weren't important to the plot. Again, the English version added a dream sequence which actually worked very well with foreshadowing the focus on Spinner in this episode.
The biggest changes were more in, for lack of a better word, artistic direction. The same stuff still happened but there were adjustments as to how characters felt about it.
For example, I thought it was odd that they made Madison hate the outfits. I understood cutting the "Madison is gay" stuff but why hate the outfit? They look exactly like the outfits she routinely designs for Sakura so what gives?
Another odd change was the addition of the scare chord during the scene with Li and Sakura. The chord used in that moment (if you skip my summaries) is used when some sort of magical sh*t is going down - a Clow Card causing something to not look right in a scene, Eli is cursing something, etc. But Li didn't sense anything - he's been with Eli that whole time and nothing magical was even going on at that point so he's not sensing Spinner (and if Kero can't sense Spinner, then Li definitely shouldn't be able to). It was just there. I understand that they're shying away from Li's crush on Sakura but why not just cut that scene? It didn't really add anything except reminding us that Li is crushing on Sakura and Eriol is amused by Li being a massive dork about it.
Another odd change was Eli's final thoughts on the whole affair. On one hand, that reaction makes more sense ("way to nearly blow our cover, moron") but the image doesn't match because he's still smiling (the original line is nicer about Keroberos and Spinel getting along). It's like when people grin while they pet their dogs while jokingly saying horrible things like, "I'm gonna kill you tonight! Just gonna leave you to die!" Kind of creepy.
While this isn't an odd change, I did think that Spinel getting all emotional because Kero is "mean" was really funny so I was sad that Spinner didn't do it. Don't get me wrong - Spinner is full-on sugar high mode is hilarious too but when Spinel starts acting like a weepy drunk, it takes the humor to another level.
A funny change was the change from "was that the wind?" to "did you just see a pair of flying cats?" Finally someone notices these things!!!
Getting really nitpicky now, I don't really see why the English version didn't have Spinner give the nickname to Kero when they kept in the "Ruby calls Spinner something stupid" joke (By the way, every time Ruby said "Spinny Baby", I cracked up), especially since Spinner was played as way more paranoid about Kero figuring out who he is than Spinel was.
This is another change: I'm not sure why they decided that Spinner should worry about that and need an additional spell. The original version says that they can mask their own magical power. I mean, it doesn't break the episode or anything, it was just kind of head-scratching.
On the flip side, I liked the change from Spinner completely and utterly looking down on Kero. Spinel does it a little bit but Spinner just completely has no respect for Keroberos. It was awesome.
Alright, plot holes:
1. So, why did Eriol design Spinel Sun with that design flaw? Just to be a jerk?
2. And why doesn't Nakuru already know about it? If Spinel is embarrassed about it, then it must have happened at some point. Wasn't Nakuru there for it? (While we're on this topic, what did they do together before this whole adventure began?)
3. I'm not clear as to why Spinel/Spinner is so surprised that Kero can't figure out who he is. As far as I can tell, Kero and Yueh think that they were the only things (besides the Clow Cards) created by Clow. Why would a cat with wings make Kero go, "Oh my God! You're created by Clow Reed!"?
3.5. And for the English version: Why is Spinner so shocked that the spell is working? Furthermore, couldn't part of the spell be that Kero is unable to even imagine a connection, sort of like in Harry Potter some places have wards on them to make Muggles suddenly remember something else they have to do and leave the area? Kero isn't actually an idiot, the spell is making him that way.
4. And even if Kero realized that Spinel Sun was created by Clow Reed, how would Kero know to connect that back to Eriol? Eriol probably hasn't mentioned that he has a cat to Sakura (unless he's really stupid) and even if he is that stupid, the likelihood that Sakura has brought this up to Kero so he can figure that Eriol is the master of Spinel Sun and that they're connected to Clow Reed and... it's ridiculous. There are too many "if, then, and" in that statement.
4.5 I mean, think of it this way. If anyone is going to connect the dots, it's Yueh, who has been threatened by Nakuru. Nakuru also hasn't mentioned a cat (unless she's an idiot). If Yueh hasn't made the connection between the weird situation and the girl threatening him, then Kero is not going to figure out that Spinel Sun is connected to Eriol.
5. Why exactly doesn't Sakura believe Kero at the end of the episode? Didn't she see him shooting fireballs at something? And why would Kero draw a picture of himself to pass the buck? Come on, think, Sakura!
For the final analysis, while I really liked both versions, in a "who wore it better" kind of way, some of the changes made to the English version either were nonsensical or took away from the humor of the original, so I judge these episodes to be...
Different, with the Japanese Card Captor Sakura being the superior!
Episode 57
Episode 55
Episode 56: Sakura, Kero, and the Sweet Meeting (Card Captor Sakura) or Spinning Out of Control (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: Japanese Card Captor Sakura
The versions start differently again.
In the Japanese version, the episode starts with Sakura making a dress. It turns out that the students are holding a bazaar and they are going to be wearing matching outfits that Tomoyo designed. Sakura's class is giving out sweets. So, of course Kero wants to go now.
In the English version, the episode starts with another dream. It is the same as before except now Sakura sees images of Ruby Moon and Spinner Sun in their true forms (Spinner Sun even attacks in the dream). There is no "Sakura is making a dress" scene.
Both versions next go to Eriol's place. He is also making his outfit for the bazaar. The scene starts with Eriol and Spinel but then Ruby joins them. After Ruby greets Supiel with a stupid nickname ("Supie" in Japanese, "Spinny" in English) much to Spinel's annoyance, Eriol explains about the bazaar and Eriol invites Nakuru to come (the English version adds that if Ruby comes, then they can "keep an eye on" and I can't figure what Eli says at that moment. I think it's "them" but I'm not sure why Eli would note that in this case. Tori and Julian? Sakura and crew?). Nakuru is totally all for it and says Spinel should come too.
Spinel does not want to come. Nakuru asks why. Spinel explains that he's not a fan of sweets (Japanese)/has better things to do than eat sweets (English). This causes Eriol to start laughing. Nakuru asks why he's laughing (Japanese)/points out that if she's going, Spinner is going too (English). The versions differ significantly at this point.
Japanese version: Spinel snits that it was Eriol who made Spinel unable to eat sweets. Eriol corrects him: it's not that he is unable to, just that when he does, he has a "small problem".
English version: Spinner notes that Keroberos would likely be nearby and Keroberos will sense him. Eli assures him that there is an easy spell to hide his true identity, even from Keroberos. Eli then warns Spinner to "go easy" on the sweets.
Nakuru is puzzled and Spinel is embarrassed.
It is now the day of the bazaar. Sakura is wearing the outfit and serving guests. Tomoyo is videotaping her. (There is a funny change in tone in this scene between versions: In the Japanese version, Tomoyo is swooning over Sakura's cuteness. In the English version, Madison complains that not only do they have to work all day but they have to wear these awful outfits too.) Tomoyo asks what happened to Kero. Sakura sent him to the back of the school with a basket full of sweets.
Cut to Kero, who is eating his way through the basket in euphoria.
The Japanese version has a scene here with the other students in Sakura's class. We have our obligatory "Yamazaki lies" scene and our obligatory "Risa is dating the teacher" scene. The English version cuts these moments.
Both versions come back together with Sakura entering the back where Eriol and Li are preparing the food and drink that Sakura is bringing out. Sakura says they look good in their outfits (Japanese)/asks for another order of cupcakes (English). This causes Li to full-face blush while Eriol responds in an appropriate way based on whatever Sakura said.
Sakura proceeds to enter the space more fully, walking past Li who is staring at her. Li turns around to look at her once she gets past him. In the Japanese version, the soft gentle music continues throughout this scene while in the English version, when Li is finished turning around, the scary "magical sh*t is going down" chord happens. In any case, Sakura notices and asks Li what's up. Li turns away, saying it's nothing, and then overfills a cup with juice. Eriol chuckles at the moment.
Sakura leaves the tent and it's Yukito and Toya. They chitchat a bit (the Japanese version is slightly longer) and Toya is being his usual teasing self. Sakura leaves to get Yukito some more food. Toya looks at the tent (where Eriol and Li are) and it's clear he senses something. Meanwhile, in the tent, Eriol thinks to himself that Toya must be able to sense him and so he should be more careful.
Back to Kero, who is still eating the sweets. He hears someone coming and hides. It's Nakuru and Spinel Sun. Nakuru is super pumped about the sweets she is going to eat and asks if Spinel is sure he doesn't want any sweets. He's sure. They separate and Nakuru goes on to the bazaar.
Thinking the coast is clear, Kero gets out of the basket. Meanwhile, Spinel is flying around, trying somewhere to be for however long he has to be there. Eventually, they fly into each other's line of sight. Epic stare-down commences.
Spinel is mentally freaking out about this - this is Keroberos and if he figures out who he is, then that is going to cause problems for Eriol. In the English version, along with freaking out, he notes that this will be a test of Eli's spell - if it works, his identity will remain hidden.
In the Japanese version, Kero just notes that Spinel has a big head. Spinel thinks that a. Kero looks like that too and b. if he argues that point, he'll figure it out so he just has to bear it. Both versions then proceed at the point where Kero thinks that Spinel is some sort of battery-operated toy.
Spinel corrects him - he is not a toy. Kero takes a better look and based on what he is saying as he thinks aloud, Spinel frets that Kero has figured it out. Nope, Kero thinks he's a monster (the English version calls him a "goblin").
In the Japanese version, on one hand, Spinel is glad that they have the ability to mask their powers. On the other hand, he is insulted that Kero called him a monster - a "fairy" would have been better. In the English version, Spinner is flabbergasted that Kero still can't figure it out.
In any case, Kero starts chattering on about who he is and what he is. Spinel thinks to himself, essentially, that Kero is an idiot (the English version also notes that the spell must be working). Kero asks what Spinel's name is. In the Japanese version, Spinel realizes that giving his real name is pointless so he gives him the stupid nickname that Nakuru gave him. In the English version, he just gives his real name so Kero will leave him alone. In any case, Kero thinks Spinel's given name is really silly and has a good laugh about it, much to Spinel's annoyance.
Anyway, Kero wants to be friends. When Spinel doesn't immediately shake hands (because he's thinking Kero is an idiot, essentially), Kero asks what's wrong. Spinel says it's nothing and they shake hands. Spinel thinks that is easier this way, since Kero isn't suspicious. In the Japanese version, Spinel just thinks that he will need to tell Eriol that he encountered Keroberos. In the English version, Spinel scoffs that Kero is no match for him and that Eli will be pleased.
In any case, Spinel has great timing, in Kero's opinion. They could eat the rest of the sweets together! Spinel is alarmed but Kero isn't paying attention. Spinel starts to full-body sweat in panic. Kero shoves a bunch of sweets into Spinel's mouth.
After finishing the basket off, Spinel isn't looking up anymore and Kero asks what's wrong. Spinel says that he wants more and then starts acting totally hyped up and crazy about wanting more sweets. Spinel flies off, with Kero trailing behind.
Meanwhile, Nakuru is pestering Toya and Yukito. Sakura goes to the back to eat more food for them as Eriol is coming out of the tent. He notices something going on with Spinel.
Cut to Spinel, who is now eating every sweet at the bazaar, much to Kero's increasing horror (mostly because he's going to get in trouble for it). Spinel goes to the teacher's lounge for more sweets, where Kero finds him. He tries to convince him to leave, resorting eventually to trying to pick him up so they can get out of there. In the Japanese version, Spinel starts to get teary-eyed and emotional because Kero is being "mean". Whether Spinner does this too isn't really clear in the English version.
In any case, Spinel flies out of the room with Kero and then starts lasering stuff after he stops holding on to Kero. Kero realizes that this has to stop and goes to Sakura. Once they are alone, he tells Sakura to use the Sleep Card to put everyone to sleep. She asks why but he says that she just needs to do it. So she does and everyone falls asleep.
Kero then goes to find Spinel again: he's under a table eating sweets again. Spinel notices Kero and fires a laser at him. Kero has no choice: he transforms into his true form and blocks the laser. Spinel is having none of that and fires another one, Keroberos fires back with... fire (that sounded better in my head). Spinel is shot away and taken away by a pink wind.
In the Japanese version, Keroberos just wonders if that was Clow's presence. In the English version, Keroberos realizes that Spinner wasn't just some goblin - the Sleep Card had had no effect on him. But if he has magical power, then why didn't he sense anything?
At this point, Sakura and Tomoyo come up to Keroberos. Keroberos assures Sakura that Spinel is gone. Sakura isn't listening - she is furious because Kero ate all of the sweets and caused this mess! Keroberos explains that it wasn't him, it was "Supie" and draws a picture of him. Sakura and Tomoyo thinks that the picture just looks like Kero and Sakura continues to berate Kero for not being good, despite his protests that he didn't do anything.
Meanwhile, Eriol with Spinel in his arms looks on. In the Japanese version, Eriol mentally remarks that Spinel had quite a few sweets. Eriol explains that Spinel becomes ravenously hungry when he has sweets and thinks that Keroberos and Spinel get along better than expected. In the English version, Eli remarks that he had warned Spinner that spells and sweets don't mix. He then thinks that Spinner nearly blew their cover and that they'll have to watch their step from now on.
This wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. When I saw that it was a festival episode, my heart sank because they are always so boring in the Japanese version and the actors forget how to act in the English version. However, I was pleasantly surprised - it actually really funny in both versions. Also, Spinel/Spinner acts completely like a cat - if a cat could talk, it would talk like Spinel/Spinner.
I love the English title. It worked with the theme with the episode and was a stupid pun - my favorite things!
Very little was changed in this episode. There were some cut scenes (mostly with setting up the premise and the non-Sakura-team students) but they weren't important to the plot. Again, the English version added a dream sequence which actually worked very well with foreshadowing the focus on Spinner in this episode.
The biggest changes were more in, for lack of a better word, artistic direction. The same stuff still happened but there were adjustments as to how characters felt about it.
For example, I thought it was odd that they made Madison hate the outfits. I understood cutting the "Madison is gay" stuff but why hate the outfit? They look exactly like the outfits she routinely designs for Sakura so what gives?
Another odd change was the addition of the scare chord during the scene with Li and Sakura. The chord used in that moment (if you skip my summaries) is used when some sort of magical sh*t is going down - a Clow Card causing something to not look right in a scene, Eli is cursing something, etc. But Li didn't sense anything - he's been with Eli that whole time and nothing magical was even going on at that point so he's not sensing Spinner (and if Kero can't sense Spinner, then Li definitely shouldn't be able to). It was just there. I understand that they're shying away from Li's crush on Sakura but why not just cut that scene? It didn't really add anything except reminding us that Li is crushing on Sakura and Eriol is amused by Li being a massive dork about it.
Another odd change was Eli's final thoughts on the whole affair. On one hand, that reaction makes more sense ("way to nearly blow our cover, moron") but the image doesn't match because he's still smiling (the original line is nicer about Keroberos and Spinel getting along). It's like when people grin while they pet their dogs while jokingly saying horrible things like, "I'm gonna kill you tonight! Just gonna leave you to die!" Kind of creepy.
While this isn't an odd change, I did think that Spinel getting all emotional because Kero is "mean" was really funny so I was sad that Spinner didn't do it. Don't get me wrong - Spinner is full-on sugar high mode is hilarious too but when Spinel starts acting like a weepy drunk, it takes the humor to another level.
A funny change was the change from "was that the wind?" to "did you just see a pair of flying cats?" Finally someone notices these things!!!
Getting really nitpicky now, I don't really see why the English version didn't have Spinner give the nickname to Kero when they kept in the "Ruby calls Spinner something stupid" joke (By the way, every time Ruby said "Spinny Baby", I cracked up), especially since Spinner was played as way more paranoid about Kero figuring out who he is than Spinel was.
This is another change: I'm not sure why they decided that Spinner should worry about that and need an additional spell. The original version says that they can mask their own magical power. I mean, it doesn't break the episode or anything, it was just kind of head-scratching.
On the flip side, I liked the change from Spinner completely and utterly looking down on Kero. Spinel does it a little bit but Spinner just completely has no respect for Keroberos. It was awesome.
Alright, plot holes:
1. So, why did Eriol design Spinel Sun with that design flaw? Just to be a jerk?
2. And why doesn't Nakuru already know about it? If Spinel is embarrassed about it, then it must have happened at some point. Wasn't Nakuru there for it? (While we're on this topic, what did they do together before this whole adventure began?)
3. I'm not clear as to why Spinel/Spinner is so surprised that Kero can't figure out who he is. As far as I can tell, Kero and Yueh think that they were the only things (besides the Clow Cards) created by Clow. Why would a cat with wings make Kero go, "Oh my God! You're created by Clow Reed!"?
3.5. And for the English version: Why is Spinner so shocked that the spell is working? Furthermore, couldn't part of the spell be that Kero is unable to even imagine a connection, sort of like in Harry Potter some places have wards on them to make Muggles suddenly remember something else they have to do and leave the area? Kero isn't actually an idiot, the spell is making him that way.
4. And even if Kero realized that Spinel Sun was created by Clow Reed, how would Kero know to connect that back to Eriol? Eriol probably hasn't mentioned that he has a cat to Sakura (unless he's really stupid) and even if he is that stupid, the likelihood that Sakura has brought this up to Kero so he can figure that Eriol is the master of Spinel Sun and that they're connected to Clow Reed and... it's ridiculous. There are too many "if, then, and" in that statement.
4.5 I mean, think of it this way. If anyone is going to connect the dots, it's Yueh, who has been threatened by Nakuru. Nakuru also hasn't mentioned a cat (unless she's an idiot). If Yueh hasn't made the connection between the weird situation and the girl threatening him, then Kero is not going to figure out that Spinel Sun is connected to Eriol.
5. Why exactly doesn't Sakura believe Kero at the end of the episode? Didn't she see him shooting fireballs at something? And why would Kero draw a picture of himself to pass the buck? Come on, think, Sakura!
For the final analysis, while I really liked both versions, in a "who wore it better" kind of way, some of the changes made to the English version either were nonsensical or took away from the humor of the original, so I judge these episodes to be...
Different, with the Japanese Card Captor Sakura being the superior!
Episode 57