Episode 60: "Sakura and the Precious Friend" or "Just Like Old Times"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 59
Episode 60: Sakura and the Precious Friend (Card Captor Sakura) or Just Like Old Times (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
Sakura is in Art class, painting a picture. She notices Eli painting as well and asks to see his painting, which is amazingly good.
As Sakura gushes over Eli's work, Li is walking by and observes them. In the English version, Li doesn't do anything but just look. In the Japanese version, Syaoran blushes, has a flashback to the night before (when he tried to confess his love but was interrupted), and then blushes some more. Either way, Eli notices Li watching and so Li turns away and continues walking away.
Sakura notices that Eli is distracted. He tells her that they/she (English/Japanese) are being watched. Sakura doesn't see anyone watching but Eli informs her that it was Li. In the English version, Eli points out that Li is always watching them. Sakura asks why. It's because he thinks he's up to something, Eli explains. In the Japanese version, Eriol just says that "he" is having a hard time (he doesn't tell Sakura that Syaoran in particular is watching).
Like with the previous episodes, the two versions are following different plot lines so expect a lot of splitting summaries.
In the English version, Li is thinking when Madison approaches him. She asks him what's up. He explains that he's trying to figure out what's behind all of the strange things happening. Madison assures that he'll figure it out eventually. He is worried - the spells are getting more powerful.
In the Japanese version, Li is thinking when Tomoyo approaches. She apologizes for last night, since he got interrupted and everything. Tomoyo asks when he's going to finish telling her his feelings. He explains that he won't until he tells Meilin - he promised her that she would be his fiancee until he found someone else he liked more and, since he has, he has to tell Meilin first and then tell Sakura. Syaoran explains that he called Meilin to tell her that he needed to tell her something important and he wanted to do it face-to-face. When would that be? Over winter break.
In any case, suddenly Meilin shows up in front of them.
The next scene is in the classroom, where Meilin is surrounded by her old classmates. When Sakura asks her why she's in town, she explains that Li told her that his friends needed help/she has an errand (English/Japanese). Sakura suggests that they hang out after school and Meilin agrees.
This is followed by a scene where Sakura tells Kero that Meilin is back in town and she will be home late. It's kind of pointless so my assumption is the actress needed her paycheck that week. In any case, Eli is standing nearby and asks who Meilin is. Sakura explains and Eli acts So Obviously Evil once Sakura shares that she will be spending time with her after school.
It is now after school. Meilin observes that Sakura's really happy. She explains that she is happy to see Meilin again. Meilin asks to confirm that Sakura's Master of the Clow Cards; she is. But weird stuff is still happening, right? Yeah, it is. Meilin expresses doubt that Sakura can handle it and, in the English version, offers her assistance. Sakura basically responds with "Oh, you!" in the English version and they walk away. (The Japanese version is just bantering, mostly).
Li and Madison are observing this exchange between the other two girls. In the English version, Li and Madison talk about how it is nice that Meilin is back. Li even admits that he had missed having Meilin around but he worries if she knows what she is getting herself into. They have a flashback to the Fight Card episode and Madison assures Li that she'll be fine.
In the Japanese version, Tomoyo asks if Syaoran is going to tell Meilin today. He is because he has to keep his promise to her. Tomoyo remarks that must be the reason Meilin fell in love with Syaoran in the first place.
In any case, the kids are walking past the Penguin Slide and, in the English version, Eli and his crew get into position... somewhere. In any case, Sakura and Li feel a presence and the little penguin things around the Penguin Slide start attacking the kids. Fight fight fighty-fight.
There is too much to take care of and the kids wonder what to do. Eventually, Meilin remembers the Freeze Card and suggests that Sakura use that. She turns the Freeze Card into a Star Card and yay, the day is saved.
In the English version, Meilin remarks that Sakura did it but Sakura clarifies that "we" did it because Meilin had thought quickly. Li then jumps in to congratulate only Sakura on her good work, much to Meilin's visible disappointment.
In the Japanese version, Meilin says "yatta!" (and the subtitles translate that as "we did it!" but it could mean "we did it", "you did it", "I did it", etc) and Sakura thanks Meilin for her idea. Syaoran asks both Meilin and Sakura if they are okay, much to Meilin's visible disappointment.
In any case, Meilin's distress is noticed and Sakura asks if she's okay. She says that she's just fine. Sakura is glad but, once Sakura isn't looking, Meilin is obviously sad. Meanwhile, Eli remarks that Meilin knows about the Clow Cards/Meilin's advice helped Sakura (English/Japanese).
The kids hear someone coming and since they had just trashed the place, they run. Later, they talk about how odd it is no one is ever around when this weird stuff happens. A powerful person could keep people away but they would need lots of power to do that.
Meanwhile, Meilin is looking sad. The versions differ here:
In the English version, Madison remarks that Sakura and Kero feel Clow Reed's presence nearby. Meilin asks how that could be. They don't know and they still need to figure it out. Meilin notes that she's leaving tomorrow. Sakura remarks that is too bad. Meiling rallies: she can always come back to visit or she could show them around her home instead.
In the Japanese version, Tomoyo tells Meilin that she likes her very much. Meilin asks why she's saying that. Tomoyo doesn't explain, just says that if something happens, that she should think of her. Sakura asks when Meilin is going back: tomorrow at 10am. Sakura won't be able to see her off. Meiling rallies: Japan and Hong Kong are practically neighbors so they can still see each other again.
It is now later in the evening at Li's place. Li and Meilin are on the balcony. The two versions differ here:
In the English version, Meilin remarks that things didn't turn out as Li had planned. Li says that it's alright. Meilin then says that she is proud of Li. Meanwhile, Eli and his crew are observing. Ruby asks why Eli is interested in "the boy" but he doesn't answer. Anyway, back to Li and Meilin's conversation. Meilin remarks that Li is lucky because he's needed. Because he has magic and he's a descendant of Clow Reed, he will always have a role to play with the Clow Cards. Meilin slumps over but then rallies, remarking that it's a "big responsibility". She leaves the balcony. She tells Wei that she's staying over at Madison's house, downtrodden. At this point, Li puts two and two together and runs after Meilin, telling her that she's needed too. He apologizes for not always telling her. Meilin remarks that, yeah, he never does, and leaves.
In the Japanese version, Meilin asks what Syaoran wanted to talk about. He essentially tells her that he likes someone else. Meilin asks if it's Sakura; Syaoran asks how she knew. Because everyone knows, you numbskull Because he cares for her and pays attention to her. Anyway, Meilin calls off the engagement and leaves the balcony. She tells Wei that she is going over to Tomoyo's because she didn't get a chance to really talk to her, downtrodden. Syaoran runs after her, offering to escort her there, but Meilin snaps that she doesn't need him to.
In any case, Li wants to go after her but Wei tells him not to, because she's stronger than he thinks/she needs space (English/Japanese).
The Japanese version has a scene here that the English version completely cut. Meilin runs over to Tomoyo's place, where she wails into Tomoyo's lap. She screams that no one will ever love Syaoran as much as she does and that she will not lose to anyone. However, she is also upset because, despite all that, she can't hate Sakura and she understands why Syaoran fell in love with her, since she is a good person. But while she knows that, she can't help how she feels so she's going to cry and cry and cry until she can't cry about Syaoran anymore.
Both versions proceed to Meilin at the airport, getting ready to depart.
In the English version, Wei assures her that Li values her friendship very much, he just doesn't know how to say it. She says that she knows. She yells at Li to come wish her good-bye. She comes over and Li tells her that it was fun having her around and that she was brave yesterday. Meilin is glad and remarks that "it's about time!". She reminds him that while he has magical powers, she can kick his butt any day and he better not forget that.
In the Japanese version, after Meilin asks if her eyes are puffy, Wei assures her that she is still lovely. Meilin asks Syaoran what he is doing standing away from them and goes over to him, telling him to send her off properly. The mood is awkward so Meilin grabs Syaoran's face and asks if he's told her yet. He has not. Meilin scolds him for that: Sakura is not the type of figure it out on her own and after he chose Sakura over "cute little me". She tells him that if his relationship with Sakura doesn't work out, she'll never forgive him.
In any case, Meilin leaves and Wei remarks on some plot-relevant quality of Meilin to Li, who agrees.
After that, Sakura and Madison report to each other that they got letters from Meilin. In the English version, Madison reports that her letter said that Li and Meilin worked everything out while Sakura reports that her letter said that Li told Meilin that she was still part of the Clow destiny. In the Japanese version, Tomoyo reports that Meilin apologized for "wetting her lap" and Sakura reports that Meilin wrote that she was worried that she was not realizing some things happening around her. Her letter also presumably has some Chinese at the end but it wasn't subtitled and I can't read Chinese so I have no idea what it said. Syaoran got a letter too and maybe that Chinese bit in Sakura's letter is translated here (I don't know) but essentially she wishes for him to hurry up and confess his love so he'll be happy and stuff.
Ugh, the filler episodes are killing me. However, I will admit that Meilin's crying scene in the Japanese version got me right in the feels. As I'm writing this, I broke up with my boyfriend of 14 months a little over a month ago. While I know that we had to break up because it wasn't going to work in the long-run, I still feel crummy about it. I'll admit that I thought to myself in the earliest part of the break-up that "no one will ever love him as much as I do!" but, to be honest, I know that's not true.
Alright, enough of that.
I prefer the English title because, while Meilin is one of Sakura's friend, the episode was more about Syaoran and Meilin's relationship so this was another time when the "Sakura..." thing hurt the title.
The main differences are back to the changed plot lines: the Japanese version is continuing the "Li is in love with Sakura" plot and the English version is continuing Li's subplot about feeling valued. The action taking place is the same but why people are doing what they are doing is changed.
And they both work. This isn't one of those "I hate this plot but I hate that execution" situations. Both episodes followed their respective plotlines relatively well. I will admit that I much prefer the English version's plotline and how they chose to incorporate Meilin into it.
What I found interesting is both episodes used an unnecessary flashback! While I was watching the English version, when the Fight Card flashback happened, I was, like, "Uh oh. What was cut? Is this flashback worth it?" And then the Japanese version had its own flashback about the previous episode. So that was pretty funny for me.
I will give kudos to the English cast: even Li's actor seemed to have figured out how to act for this episode, although I'm not sure if Li's line of "I'm trying to figure out what's going on" was supposed to sound as snarky as it did (I interpreted an implied "unlike Sakura, who seems to just be reacting").
One change that I liked was the end of the Star Card change scene and the follow-up scene after the balcony discussion. In the Japanese version, Syaoran asks both girls if they are okay, which upsets Meilin, which I thought was odd. It's not like he ignored Meilin in this scene and it makes sense that he would check in with the girl who fixed the problem.
In the English version, he doesn't even acknowledge Meilin's contribution to the success of the fix (even though Sakura just said that her advice helped). Here, Meilin's reaction makes more sense because Li basically just ignored what she did and that would hurt anyone's feelings. This makes her later discussion and behavior make a lot more sense since Meilin acknowledges that Li is valued but she is not.
As a bonus, I liked that Li put two and two together and figured out a. what was bothering Meilin (not feeling valued) and b. tried to fix it (telling her that she is valued), even if it was clumsy (in-story-wise, not production-wise. This moment was very well-done). Syaoran, on the other hand, doesn't seem to quite get why Meilin wouldn't want to see his stupid face right after getting dumped by him.
I will admit that the scene with Meilin at Tomoyo's house shines and is the highlight of the episode in the Japanese version. I understand why it was cut in the English version since it makes zero sense in the English plotline. However, that moment is emotionally powerful, well-acted, and realistic and sort of redeemed the episode at the last minute.
As it is most likely becoming clear, I am enjoying the English plot line more than the Japanese plot line. It just seems to drag on and on for me. It is just very repetitive: You should tell her. I will tell her. When will you tell her? I will soon. Have you told her yet? No, not yet. Argh, just get on with it!
Again, I am enjoying Eli's role and performance in the English version. Eriol is good too but I just prefer Eli's lines and motivations. The only weird thing about Eli is the English version keeps wanting to show that he's interested in Li but there never seems to be any pay-off to that. Why was Eli watching Li and Meilin's conversation? That moment wasn't in the original so they just added a scene just to have a scene (was it a time issue? The cut scene is quite long). It was weird.
There is only one plot hole: In the Japanese version, it is explicitly stated that Sakura can't see Meilin off because she has school. If she has school, then Syaoran has school too so how come he can see her off then?
I'm genuinely torn between the two versions: Because of their differing plotlines, I can't really compare them to each other so I will judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 61
Episode 59
Episode 60: Sakura and the Precious Friend (Card Captor Sakura) or Just Like Old Times (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
Sakura is in Art class, painting a picture. She notices Eli painting as well and asks to see his painting, which is amazingly good.
As Sakura gushes over Eli's work, Li is walking by and observes them. In the English version, Li doesn't do anything but just look. In the Japanese version, Syaoran blushes, has a flashback to the night before (when he tried to confess his love but was interrupted), and then blushes some more. Either way, Eli notices Li watching and so Li turns away and continues walking away.
Sakura notices that Eli is distracted. He tells her that they/she (English/Japanese) are being watched. Sakura doesn't see anyone watching but Eli informs her that it was Li. In the English version, Eli points out that Li is always watching them. Sakura asks why. It's because he thinks he's up to something, Eli explains. In the Japanese version, Eriol just says that "he" is having a hard time (he doesn't tell Sakura that Syaoran in particular is watching).
Like with the previous episodes, the two versions are following different plot lines so expect a lot of splitting summaries.
In the English version, Li is thinking when Madison approaches him. She asks him what's up. He explains that he's trying to figure out what's behind all of the strange things happening. Madison assures that he'll figure it out eventually. He is worried - the spells are getting more powerful.
In the Japanese version, Li is thinking when Tomoyo approaches. She apologizes for last night, since he got interrupted and everything. Tomoyo asks when he's going to finish telling her his feelings. He explains that he won't until he tells Meilin - he promised her that she would be his fiancee until he found someone else he liked more and, since he has, he has to tell Meilin first and then tell Sakura. Syaoran explains that he called Meilin to tell her that he needed to tell her something important and he wanted to do it face-to-face. When would that be? Over winter break.
In any case, suddenly Meilin shows up in front of them.
The next scene is in the classroom, where Meilin is surrounded by her old classmates. When Sakura asks her why she's in town, she explains that Li told her that his friends needed help/she has an errand (English/Japanese). Sakura suggests that they hang out after school and Meilin agrees.
This is followed by a scene where Sakura tells Kero that Meilin is back in town and she will be home late. It's kind of pointless so my assumption is the actress needed her paycheck that week. In any case, Eli is standing nearby and asks who Meilin is. Sakura explains and Eli acts So Obviously Evil once Sakura shares that she will be spending time with her after school.
It is now after school. Meilin observes that Sakura's really happy. She explains that she is happy to see Meilin again. Meilin asks to confirm that Sakura's Master of the Clow Cards; she is. But weird stuff is still happening, right? Yeah, it is. Meilin expresses doubt that Sakura can handle it and, in the English version, offers her assistance. Sakura basically responds with "Oh, you!" in the English version and they walk away. (The Japanese version is just bantering, mostly).
Li and Madison are observing this exchange between the other two girls. In the English version, Li and Madison talk about how it is nice that Meilin is back. Li even admits that he had missed having Meilin around but he worries if she knows what she is getting herself into. They have a flashback to the Fight Card episode and Madison assures Li that she'll be fine.
In the Japanese version, Tomoyo asks if Syaoran is going to tell Meilin today. He is because he has to keep his promise to her. Tomoyo remarks that must be the reason Meilin fell in love with Syaoran in the first place.
In any case, the kids are walking past the Penguin Slide and, in the English version, Eli and his crew get into position... somewhere. In any case, Sakura and Li feel a presence and the little penguin things around the Penguin Slide start attacking the kids. Fight fight fighty-fight.
There is too much to take care of and the kids wonder what to do. Eventually, Meilin remembers the Freeze Card and suggests that Sakura use that. She turns the Freeze Card into a Star Card and yay, the day is saved.
In the English version, Meilin remarks that Sakura did it but Sakura clarifies that "we" did it because Meilin had thought quickly. Li then jumps in to congratulate only Sakura on her good work, much to Meilin's visible disappointment.
In the Japanese version, Meilin says "yatta!" (and the subtitles translate that as "we did it!" but it could mean "we did it", "you did it", "I did it", etc) and Sakura thanks Meilin for her idea. Syaoran asks both Meilin and Sakura if they are okay, much to Meilin's visible disappointment.
In any case, Meilin's distress is noticed and Sakura asks if she's okay. She says that she's just fine. Sakura is glad but, once Sakura isn't looking, Meilin is obviously sad. Meanwhile, Eli remarks that Meilin knows about the Clow Cards/Meilin's advice helped Sakura (English/Japanese).
The kids hear someone coming and since they had just trashed the place, they run. Later, they talk about how odd it is no one is ever around when this weird stuff happens. A powerful person could keep people away but they would need lots of power to do that.
Meanwhile, Meilin is looking sad. The versions differ here:
In the English version, Madison remarks that Sakura and Kero feel Clow Reed's presence nearby. Meilin asks how that could be. They don't know and they still need to figure it out. Meilin notes that she's leaving tomorrow. Sakura remarks that is too bad. Meiling rallies: she can always come back to visit or she could show them around her home instead.
In the Japanese version, Tomoyo tells Meilin that she likes her very much. Meilin asks why she's saying that. Tomoyo doesn't explain, just says that if something happens, that she should think of her. Sakura asks when Meilin is going back: tomorrow at 10am. Sakura won't be able to see her off. Meiling rallies: Japan and Hong Kong are practically neighbors so they can still see each other again.
It is now later in the evening at Li's place. Li and Meilin are on the balcony. The two versions differ here:
In the English version, Meilin remarks that things didn't turn out as Li had planned. Li says that it's alright. Meilin then says that she is proud of Li. Meanwhile, Eli and his crew are observing. Ruby asks why Eli is interested in "the boy" but he doesn't answer. Anyway, back to Li and Meilin's conversation. Meilin remarks that Li is lucky because he's needed. Because he has magic and he's a descendant of Clow Reed, he will always have a role to play with the Clow Cards. Meilin slumps over but then rallies, remarking that it's a "big responsibility". She leaves the balcony. She tells Wei that she's staying over at Madison's house, downtrodden. At this point, Li puts two and two together and runs after Meilin, telling her that she's needed too. He apologizes for not always telling her. Meilin remarks that, yeah, he never does, and leaves.
In the Japanese version, Meilin asks what Syaoran wanted to talk about. He essentially tells her that he likes someone else. Meilin asks if it's Sakura; Syaoran asks how she knew. Because everyone knows, you numbskull Because he cares for her and pays attention to her. Anyway, Meilin calls off the engagement and leaves the balcony. She tells Wei that she is going over to Tomoyo's because she didn't get a chance to really talk to her, downtrodden. Syaoran runs after her, offering to escort her there, but Meilin snaps that she doesn't need him to.
In any case, Li wants to go after her but Wei tells him not to, because she's stronger than he thinks/she needs space (English/Japanese).
The Japanese version has a scene here that the English version completely cut. Meilin runs over to Tomoyo's place, where she wails into Tomoyo's lap. She screams that no one will ever love Syaoran as much as she does and that she will not lose to anyone. However, she is also upset because, despite all that, she can't hate Sakura and she understands why Syaoran fell in love with her, since she is a good person. But while she knows that, she can't help how she feels so she's going to cry and cry and cry until she can't cry about Syaoran anymore.
Both versions proceed to Meilin at the airport, getting ready to depart.
In the English version, Wei assures her that Li values her friendship very much, he just doesn't know how to say it. She says that she knows. She yells at Li to come wish her good-bye. She comes over and Li tells her that it was fun having her around and that she was brave yesterday. Meilin is glad and remarks that "it's about time!". She reminds him that while he has magical powers, she can kick his butt any day and he better not forget that.
In the Japanese version, after Meilin asks if her eyes are puffy, Wei assures her that she is still lovely. Meilin asks Syaoran what he is doing standing away from them and goes over to him, telling him to send her off properly. The mood is awkward so Meilin grabs Syaoran's face and asks if he's told her yet. He has not. Meilin scolds him for that: Sakura is not the type of figure it out on her own and after he chose Sakura over "cute little me". She tells him that if his relationship with Sakura doesn't work out, she'll never forgive him.
In any case, Meilin leaves and Wei remarks on some plot-relevant quality of Meilin to Li, who agrees.
After that, Sakura and Madison report to each other that they got letters from Meilin. In the English version, Madison reports that her letter said that Li and Meilin worked everything out while Sakura reports that her letter said that Li told Meilin that she was still part of the Clow destiny. In the Japanese version, Tomoyo reports that Meilin apologized for "wetting her lap" and Sakura reports that Meilin wrote that she was worried that she was not realizing some things happening around her. Her letter also presumably has some Chinese at the end but it wasn't subtitled and I can't read Chinese so I have no idea what it said. Syaoran got a letter too and maybe that Chinese bit in Sakura's letter is translated here (I don't know) but essentially she wishes for him to hurry up and confess his love so he'll be happy and stuff.
Ugh, the filler episodes are killing me. However, I will admit that Meilin's crying scene in the Japanese version got me right in the feels. As I'm writing this, I broke up with my boyfriend of 14 months a little over a month ago. While I know that we had to break up because it wasn't going to work in the long-run, I still feel crummy about it. I'll admit that I thought to myself in the earliest part of the break-up that "no one will ever love him as much as I do!" but, to be honest, I know that's not true.
Alright, enough of that.
I prefer the English title because, while Meilin is one of Sakura's friend, the episode was more about Syaoran and Meilin's relationship so this was another time when the "Sakura..." thing hurt the title.
The main differences are back to the changed plot lines: the Japanese version is continuing the "Li is in love with Sakura" plot and the English version is continuing Li's subplot about feeling valued. The action taking place is the same but why people are doing what they are doing is changed.
And they both work. This isn't one of those "I hate this plot but I hate that execution" situations. Both episodes followed their respective plotlines relatively well. I will admit that I much prefer the English version's plotline and how they chose to incorporate Meilin into it.
What I found interesting is both episodes used an unnecessary flashback! While I was watching the English version, when the Fight Card flashback happened, I was, like, "Uh oh. What was cut? Is this flashback worth it?" And then the Japanese version had its own flashback about the previous episode. So that was pretty funny for me.
I will give kudos to the English cast: even Li's actor seemed to have figured out how to act for this episode, although I'm not sure if Li's line of "I'm trying to figure out what's going on" was supposed to sound as snarky as it did (I interpreted an implied "unlike Sakura, who seems to just be reacting").
One change that I liked was the end of the Star Card change scene and the follow-up scene after the balcony discussion. In the Japanese version, Syaoran asks both girls if they are okay, which upsets Meilin, which I thought was odd. It's not like he ignored Meilin in this scene and it makes sense that he would check in with the girl who fixed the problem.
In the English version, he doesn't even acknowledge Meilin's contribution to the success of the fix (even though Sakura just said that her advice helped). Here, Meilin's reaction makes more sense because Li basically just ignored what she did and that would hurt anyone's feelings. This makes her later discussion and behavior make a lot more sense since Meilin acknowledges that Li is valued but she is not.
As a bonus, I liked that Li put two and two together and figured out a. what was bothering Meilin (not feeling valued) and b. tried to fix it (telling her that she is valued), even if it was clumsy (in-story-wise, not production-wise. This moment was very well-done). Syaoran, on the other hand, doesn't seem to quite get why Meilin wouldn't want to see his stupid face right after getting dumped by him.
I will admit that the scene with Meilin at Tomoyo's house shines and is the highlight of the episode in the Japanese version. I understand why it was cut in the English version since it makes zero sense in the English plotline. However, that moment is emotionally powerful, well-acted, and realistic and sort of redeemed the episode at the last minute.
As it is most likely becoming clear, I am enjoying the English plot line more than the Japanese plot line. It just seems to drag on and on for me. It is just very repetitive: You should tell her. I will tell her. When will you tell her? I will soon. Have you told her yet? No, not yet. Argh, just get on with it!
Again, I am enjoying Eli's role and performance in the English version. Eriol is good too but I just prefer Eli's lines and motivations. The only weird thing about Eli is the English version keeps wanting to show that he's interested in Li but there never seems to be any pay-off to that. Why was Eli watching Li and Meilin's conversation? That moment wasn't in the original so they just added a scene just to have a scene (was it a time issue? The cut scene is quite long). It was weird.
There is only one plot hole: In the Japanese version, it is explicitly stated that Sakura can't see Meilin off because she has school. If she has school, then Syaoran has school too so how come he can see her off then?
I'm genuinely torn between the two versions: Because of their differing plotlines, I can't really compare them to each other so I will judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 61