Maryohki Review Series #1 CardCaptor Sakura vol. 1

Yes, I've decided to review anime now. Not that anyone reads this enough to care. but...y'know. Just in case. (These will be crossposted into my LJ, maryohki). Here's how it'll go: I'll start by reviewing the first volume of an anime or manga. It will be my first impressions, how good the first volume is, and what my speculations on the rest of it is. Later (when I have time to watch/read a whole series and write a review) I will review the whole series, and tell whether my review of volume 1 still holds true.

So let's get to it. The first thing I will review is Card Captor Sakura. Yes, the CLAMP classic. And I probably don't have much that hasn't already been said. But I will say it all again.

The series starts out with a very cute little 4th grader named Sakura. We see how a day in her life normally goes; waking up, eating breakfast, fighting with her brother, drooling over her brother's cute friend, school, cheerleading practice, etc. Normal girl stuff. During the second half of the first episode, the story we all know of (thanks to our lovely friends at WB) unfolds. The opening of the magic book, the awakening of Kerberos (better known as Kero), and all that jazz. Sakura also captures her first Clow Card besides Windy (the Fly). Amazing battle scene. The rest of the episodes go through things like her first date and household chores. Of course, the Clow cards have no intent of leaving her alone.

The first episodes were rather interesting. Yes, Nelvana, a series can be good without a boy. I was a bit weirded out by the date with Yukito episode, though. Isn't he a bit old for Sakura? Oh well. Sakura is a cutie, and I have a feeling she'll grow up to be something great. The artwork is very pretty, as well. I wish that CCS could have gotten the attention that Sailor Moon had when they were on TV way back when...Everything about CCS is just more likable to me than Sailor Moon's aspects (though I do love SM as well).

One thing is beginning to irk me, though. Well, 2 things. One is Sakura yelling "RELEASE" at the end of each next episode preview. The other is the omake type thing where Kero talks for like 2 seconds about Sakura's clothes.

So here's the final hash, rated on 1-5, 5 being the best.

Artwork: 4
Story: 5
Characters: 5
General appeal: 3
nitpicky stuff (subititles, extras, etc): 5
Overall: 4
Comments: I wouldn't recommend this to people who do not enjoy shoujo. The action is well drawn, but this is still an anime for young girls, so it's not going to get bloody a la X/1999. However, if you enjoy shoujo, CLAMP, or sweet fluff with a little action thrown in (and magic and fantasy), this is a good anime to try.