Cardcaptor Sakura Returns to the Nineties with a Special Anniversary Film Screening

A new teaser honouring the historic occasion has been produced for the first Cardcaptor Sakura animated feature, which will be screening in Japanese theatres for a brief period of time in honour of its 25th anniversary. Interestingly, a short film that was a part of the 1999 theatrical run will also be shown with it.

Gamer released a press release with the first details. As shown in the recently released trailer below, the plot of Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie offers a unique scenario that transports Sakura and the rest of the cast to Hong Kong, the home country of Syaoran Li. In the meantime, the seven-minute short film that is included is based on Clover, another piece of art by CLAMP. The four volumes of the original Clover manga are adapted into an artistic vignette with a sad theme for the short film. Character introductions and extensive exposition are rushed, but the powerful visuals and music do a great job at capturing the mood of the piece. It undoubtedly makes for an interesting double feature with Cardcaptor Sakura, demonstrating CLAMP’s capacity to produce captivating works for a variety of audiences.

Cardcaptor Sakura Gets New Trailer Release for Its First Anime Movie

When Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie was first released in 1999, it was meant to make an impression. The visual effects department was helped by Studio Ghibli, but the cast and crew of the original anime series were kept intact. At the now-canceled Animation Kobe event, the movie was recognised for its efforts with the Feature Film Award, a category it shares with films like as Paprika and Spirited Away. The Sealed Card, the second Cardcaptor Sakura movie and the wrap-up to the first anime series, was also awarded this honour. The first film goes to considerable pains to represent Hong Kong in a realistic way; given how much the city has changed since the 1990s, it even functions as a sort of time capsule.

Fans Who Watch the Cardcaptor Sakura Movie in Theatres Will Receive Exclusive Bonuses

The label associated to the re-release is offering unique goodies upon theatre entrance as a way to entice viewers to attend multiple showings. Fans will get one of two unique drawn cards created by CLAMP within the first week. Sakura is shown in one, and Sue, the female lead of Clover, is shown in the other. For the duration of the movie’s theatrical run, viewers will be given a choice between two vibrant Sakura designs inspired by the anime’s aesthetic. These drawings will be great keepsakes for anyone in Japan who wants to relive the experience.

The 25th anniversary of Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card will occur in 2025, as it was released just a year after the first movie. So, it wouldn’t be shocking if the second movie’s anniversary was celebrated at some point in the upcoming year. For the time being, on August 9, 2024, fans in Japan will be able to enjoy the first movie’s theatrical re-release.