Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow, Vol. 4

カードキャプターさくら [Cardcaptor Sakura] #10

by Clamp, Anita Sengupta (Translator)

Capturing Cards was only the beginning...

Once upon a magic night, an English sorcerer mixed Western wizardry with Eastern enchantments to create a magical deck of cards called the Clow Cards. These cards were hidden inside a dusty old book for decades, their powers virtually forgotten. Then one fateful day, a young girl named Sakura Kinomoto discovered the book in her father's library. When she opened it, however, the Clow Cards were gone--and so was life as she knew it. The book's magical guardian, Cerberus, declared Sakura the Cardcaptor, and after many exciting adventures, she finally retrieved all of the cards. Now Sakura has earned the title Master of the Clow.

After defeating Clow Reed's latest batch of magical tests, Sakura must tackle her greatest challenge yet. No, not another enchantment, but the feelings in her heart. Young Sakura has long fostered deep feelings for the older boy, Yukito, and even though it's unlikely that he feels the same way about her, she cannot continue to keep her feelings secret. But even as Sakura prepares to pour out her heart, Eriol, the mysterious transfer student with an unknown link to Clow Reed, plots another dangerous trap for the new Master of the Clow.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Romance, Shojo, Magic

183 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 1999

About the author

Ōkawa Nanase 大川七瀬
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]

Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]

Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]

Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]


CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.

In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.

In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.

Reviews

[Meli Agüero · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMO AMO AMO AMO AMO DEMASIADO Esta reseña contiene alto nivel de fangirleo, se recomienda precaución
¡¡Touya y Yukito son demasiado adorables!! Casi me desmayo de la emoción. Necesito un beso (pinches CLAMPS que no ponen besos) De todas maneras, con o sin besos, se nota tantooo el amor entre ellos.
La escena en la que Sakura le cuenta a Yukito que lo ama es tan hermosa y tierna. Sakura es una persona maravillosa por aceptar que Yukito ama a su hermano y desearle toda la felicidad. Y Yuki tan bello cuando le dice que un día encontrará a la persona a la que más ama (Syaoran).
Casi lloré cuando Syaoran consuela a Sakura. (Últimamente lloro con todo lo que sea demasiado hermoso)
Acá te das cuanta que todo el mundo se ha dado cuenta de los sentimientos de Syaoran menos Sakura. Sakura, por favor. Tenía razón Tomoyo, realmente es distraída.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love story of Touya and Yukito is simply beautiful, they're so sweet and kind to each other. And Sakura is such a wonderful girl, especially in this volume, when she accepts that Yukito loves her brother, not her, and she's simply happy that he's happy. It's wonderful...

[Dyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two more volumes and we're done with this.
I don't know why I liked this story apart from the various magical cards. Now I find it over-dramatic...

[~Katan~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A volume with Touya & Yukito scenes is a good volume.

[Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy lindo volumen, lleno de amor desinteresado y comprensión.
Sakura y Syaoran son lo más lindo que hay, aunque por ahora Sakura sigue sin saber nada.

[Natalia Bas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series manga leídas: ''Card Captor Sakura'', de CLAMP. Ediciones Glénat España. 12 tomos. Magical girls, fantasía, poderes, cómic, aventuras, acción, romances varios, LGBT...

Otro manga comprado nada más salir al mercado español.

Una serie de televisión muy divertida y muy bien adaptada.

Unos dibujos encantadores, más infantiles, y a la vez maduros; ya que nos encontramos con una trama de bondad y maldad, y por otro lado también relaciones LGBT, con lo cual, no es sólo para niños. Un trazo delicado, detallado, totalmente recomendado para los amantes de los disfraces...

Las autoras CLAMP son un grupo de mangakas que crean historias varias, y de las que llegué a tener colecciones completas...

Nos encontramos con que tenemos audiencia de todo tipo, animales fantásticos que pueden hablar incluidos. Un día a día cargado de normalidad que se transforma; así como la protagonista con sus fantásticos trajes por temática..., en algo totalmente insospechado para el viandante común.

Unas cartas que tienen vida propia y a veces son pillinas, y otras... algo más.

¿Has cazado con Sakura y sus amigos?

[Brujaxa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonito, adorable, hermoso y ahora intrigante.

[Lectora_infiltrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

Que tomo mas tiernoooo aaaaaa

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 Read #267

Reread in 2020

Cardcaptor Sakura can be a very refreshing series, especially to read if you are feeling down and need a boost. It’s just a really sweet series that has great characters and whimsical art.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for the complete series



While not as big as similar titles such as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura is definitely a manga household name. Elementary Schooler Sakura finds a book in her father's library which not only proves to be magical but also releases the lion-like creature Kero-chan who tasks her with finding all the magical cards the book once contained. The cards were created by the mightiest magician to have lived - Clow. With each card Sakura adds to her collection, her own magical powers grow.

CLAMP
Cardcaptor Sakura already wins points simply by being a work of CLAMP. The art is as gorgeous as one can expect and it's almost unavoidable to read if one wants to delve into the multiverse these artists have created. It's definitely one of their bigger works, especially as it features the characters that are later featured as the protagonists of CLAMP's crossover work: Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE. Although this manga's art is a tad less intricate and almost simple in the use of screen toning, there's something very light and loveable about it and it's undeniably adorable.

Magical Girl
I've always struggled to view Cardcaptor Sakura as a magical girl manga. It undoubtedly is, but I do find it drops some of this genre's typical tropes - and I mean that in the best way possible. Sakura doesn't actually transform through any magical means. She wears a different 'magical girl' costume for most chapters, but they are all tailored by her best friend Tomoyo and are really just for variety and cuteness (and surely the artists having their fun) rather than any magical process that all other magical girls go through. In fact, all the magic is much more akin to more traditional witches and wizard's and even draws on Chinese mythology. One thing I also really appreciate is that Sakura is just your normal girl who is collecting magical cards to stop them from causing havoc rather than a girl (or group of girls) pitched against an evil force to save the earth from certain doom. It just has a much lighter and appropriate feeling to it.

Characters & Plot
It definitely starts off very episodic, but it has a nice underlying plot that becomes more solid toward the second half of the story. I find myself more invested in the main story rather than the individual episodes in which Sakura finds yet another card. The plot itself is to an equal amount about the mystery behind the cards as well as Sakura's daily life with her family and friends. Unfortunately, if we're purely looking at the plot, I can't deny that I find Cardcaptor Sakura a little boring at times. It is a bit strange because Sakura and the male protagonist Syaoran are among my favourite manga characters. I absolutely adore these two and this series features a lot of other likeable characters such as Kero-chan and Tomoyo. It is, therefore, a little baffling that their plot is sometimes a little underwhelming, though it does not change that this is still a manga I hold dear.

Romance



This is where it gets complicated. CLAMP are known to have rather unconventional romantic couples. And despite Cardcaptor Sakura being one of their most innocent and light-hearted works, I think it is also easily the most controversial romance-wise. As mentioned above, I love Sakura and Syaoran and even more so as a couple. Mind you, these two are about 10 years old and their relationship doesn't develop until very late into the series - an embrace is as far as they get. Yet it's almost that innocent setup that makes them such an adorable couple - it doesn't need to be romance focused for these two to be an exemplary match.

When it comes to homosexual characters, I find that CLAMP has always been ahead of time, though not necessarily in a realistic way. On one hand, it is great that multiple sexualities are included throughout the CLAMP world. On the other hand, it is treated almost too idealistically. Don't get me wrong, equality is important. But there is truth to non-straight persons having to face certain difficulties in daily life that others might not. In Cardcaptor Sakura, as well as most other CLAMP works, the appearance of a homosexual character is almost taken for granted - it sometimes feels as though the whole of it takes place in an ideal parallel world. I believe that both in reality and in other fiction, there's bound to be a character or two who at least consider the situation around a homosexual character. This is probably even more true when one considers that this series is from the 90s.

The only true issue in regards to romance lies with a certain age gap. Mind you, I am not in the least against relationships with age gaps - fiction or reality alike. 10 years, 20 years - where to draw the line? I don't think there is anything wrong with an age gap as long as it's a relationship built on mutual feelings and care rather than an older party taking advantage of a younger one. You can't really choose who you fall in love with and age seems a trivial thing when you truly love someone. In the same sense, I have no issues with certain 'taboo' relationships such as student-teacher, provided again the feelings are genuine and neither party is taken advantage of. I know people in real-life who have loved and married their former teacher - they're just about as happy as any couple I know. A relationship like that brings its difficulties, but in my mind, it really comes down to how it's handled more than anything else.

Now, while I neither mind age gaps nor student-teacher relationships, I do believe there is a certain threshold of how young the younger party can be. Realistically, there's a massive difference between an 8-year-old dating an 18-year-old and a couple of, say, an 18 and 28-year-old. Cardcaptor Sakura blows all caution to the wind and introduces the relationship between the 10-or-so-year-old Rika and her teacher Terada. Now Terada might be as young as 20, which would result in an age gap of about 10 years. I don't see an issue with a 10-year gap, but the fact that Rika is around 10 makes this a really awkward couple. While everything is kept at a perfectly innocent level - there are clear signs that they're staying apart until she is old enough - the fact that Terada is even considering a 10-year-old is just not right. The only thing that makes this readable to me is the fact that none of the young characters, the protagonists Sakura and Syaoran included, behave like the 10-year-olds they're meant to be. I often seem to get this issue when it comes to manga, but most characters appear a good couple of years older to me than they are actually meant to be. I would much rather think of Sakura and co. as 14-year-olds, and that already makes the whole Rika business a tad less of a shocker.

Interestingly, while Rika and Terada receive a lot of scorn from readers everywhere, there is another very similar couple which is rarely called out. There are clear hints of a budding - and encouraged - romance between yet another 10-year-old pupil and his female teacher. Their age gap is likely similar to that of Rika and Terada's, yet it does not receive nearly as much backlash. It seems people have a bigger issue when the girl is the younger party which frankly is quite unfair - I believe both are equally problematic.

So, coming to an end, Cardcaptor Sakura has its oddities and even boring moments - the romance must really be taken with a grain of salt or a flexible imagination. But it is also an adorable and loveable series with some of my very favourite and memorable characters that I can't help but love.

[Natali TabaiBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sakura por fin se entero qeu su falta d poder le estaba haciendo daño a Yue/Yukito por lo que iba a desaparecer si no hacia algo, pero se entero porque su hermano le entrego toda su magia a Yue, ahora sabemos que se va a esforzar el doble solo para poder protegerlo tambien a el de todo peligro.

Sabemos que la relacion de Shaoran con Sakura va muy lenta pero por lo menos Shaoran en el tomo pasado ya nos dijo bien fuerte y claro que le gusta, ahora falta que se lo diga a ella... necesito mas de estos dos niños. Pero ahora que hablo de amor lo mas importante de este capitulo es que Sakura por fin se le declaro a Yukitooooo,aunque fue completamente rechazada y Yuki le dijo que esta enamorado de su hermano mayor... no me importa, fue una escena maravillosa, la devlaracion de ambos fue magnifica. Saben que me emocione cuando Sakura le pregunto si estaba enamorado de Touya y el le respondio que si. tanto espere por ese momento, mi alma de fujoshi lo pedia a gritos. Y amo verlos juntos de forma tan natural

Poco a poco podemos saber mas del pasado de Clow y de como las cosas cambiaron hasta ser lo que son hoy verdad? Es muy interesante lo rebuscado que se vuelve todo

[Karla Jaime G-R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ay! 🥰 Sakura le dijo sus sentimientos a Yukito y luego me partió el corazón cuando se lo contó entre lágrimas a Syaoran 🥺 jajaja qué feeling! Siempre me sorprendió la forma de responder de Syaoran y Tomoyo sobre temas del amor y sobre el desearle la felicidad a la persona más importante para ellos. Creo que ese pensamiento es súper lindo y algo que todos deberíamos desear también para las personas que queremos 💖

Por oooootro lado, qué ha pasado con Eriol y el papá de Sakura? Eso si es totalmente nuevo 😱

Cartas Sakurita: laberinto, ilusión, bosque, trueno, brillo (solo quedan 4!) 👀

[Yue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww I love Yue! The relationship between Yukito/Yue and Touya has always been my favorite. Sakura is such a silly to fall in love with Yukito (well, obviously she did... after all, Yukito is perfect) but there is Li! How can she not fall in love with him?? Eriol is another character I love, even if he looks suspicious. I gotta say, there is nothing to hate about this manga, everything is sweet and funny <3

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, that was awkward, I took back what I said for the last volume! Sakura did found out what happened! Yukito and Toya, YAAAASSSS!! The handsome couple! Syaoran is really a kind boy, no wonder I had a big crush on him too! But Toya's the best! I like Yue a lot too, cold on the outside but kind on the inside! My favourite volume so far.

[Bobby Hougen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[naty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate the fact that no one neither did realize nor did care about Tomoyo's feelings but I really liked this volume anyway.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 2 out of 5]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! COMING OUT TIME! Aku yang dulu begitu polos baru ngeh soal hubungan Touya dan Yukito di sini. Padahal, sebenarnya hints-nya udah menyebar sejak volume-volume awal. SIYAL.

Adegan waktu Touya dan Yukito panik waktu kabel-kabel listrik di festival terputus mendadak dan mereka langsung memberikan gelas-gelas minuman yang mereka pakai kepada para dua gadis random biar bisa segera lari ke tempat Sakura jadi terasa ironis. Kenapa? Karena para gadis itu langsung bersorak, "Kyaa! Cakep-cakep, ya!"

PERCUMA, MBAK! PERCUMA! :v *HISTERIS

*yha dulu kan aku mana paham kalau CLAMP tuh awalnya circle yang suka bikin doujinshi BL :v Entah aku harus mengutuk atau gimana sama temanku yang pertama kali memperkenalkan CLAMP padaku lewat komik ini. *aslinya aku udah tahu Magic Knight Rayearth sejak SD, tapi kan aku nggak tahu kalau itu buatan CLAMP.

[Sandra Girard-Demontigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than two books and this series will be finished. I’ve started to rewatch the anime due to the good memories that these mangas reminded me of. I love Sakura, younger I dreamed of having powers like hers. I can't wait to read more, but at the same time I dread it, because I wouldn't want it to end so quickly ...

Plus que deux livres et cette série sera terminé. J'ai recommencé à écouter les émissions dû au bons souvenirs que me remémoraient ces mangas. J'adore Sakura, plus jeune je rêvais d'avoir des pouvoirs comme les siens. J'ai hâte de lire la suite, mais en même temps je le redoute, car je ne voudrais pas que ça se termine aussi rapidement...

[Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sakura feels guilty that Toya had to give up his powers to sustain Yue since Sakura wasn't strong enough. Sakura confesses her feelings to Yukito, but he assures her that he is not the one she loves the most even though she does love him. Sakura asks if her brother is the one Yukito loves most and he confirms it to be true, but isn't sure if it's reciprocated. Sakura is sure Toya feels the same. When danger erupts at the school, Sakura manages to find Eriol with his magical staff, but she faints before she can confront him. Sakura sees a vision of Clow Reed's last living day. Transformed cards: Maze, Illusion, Wood, Thunder, and Glow.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Eriol continues to lure Sakura into dangerous confrontations with the Clow, she finds her feelings for Yukito about to burst, especially after her brother gives up all his magic to keep him alive - but is she the only one ready to admit her feelings, or will Syaoran be the next to open his heart? CLAMP brings another emotional entry for fans of its more romantic aspects, with plenty of beautiful art and decent pacing. If Sakura can finally build up the courage to confess, how will Yukito react?

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son rimasta indietrissimo con le recensioni della povera Sakura!

Non mi è dispiaciuto questo volume perché si occupa, per la maggior parte, delle vite dei protagonisti. Pochi combattimenti e molti discorsi! ^__^

Yukito aiuta Sakura a far chiarezza nei suoi sentimenti, ad esempio. E poi lei ne parla con Shyaoran, che ancora non trova il coraggio di confessarle i suoi sentimenti.

Perché che alla fine del volume cominci la battaglia finale...

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manga is one of CLAMP's adorable magical girl transformation stories. The characters are fun. It's cute and the main couple is absolutely adorable.

If there's one thing I have beef with is the age gap of a student (one of Sakura's friends) and a teacher relationship. I don't like it. It's weird and there's no reason a teacher should be involved with a student. Especially that young. Is that even legal in Japan? That's my main issue and all I have to say about that.

The artwork is absolutely beautiful and the design of the CLOW cards are fascinating.

Of all the characters, my favorite is Syaoran. He's a hilarious young kid who's badass in his own unique way. I love the dynamic between him and Sakura. They start off as rivals for the CLOW cards and even when he behaves like a brat at times, his heart is in the right place.

The development of this character as he begins to develop feelings for Sakura is so heartwarming and you feel for this kid as he acknowledges his love for her and makes attempts to confess to her. (Especially in the anime. some of those scenes are hilarious)

This manga is sweet, and I found myself enjoying it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. The scene with Sakura and Yuki with all the lights is one I remembered. I didn't remember Syaoran breaking through both Maze and Illusion to get to Sakura when she was in trouble, but good for him.

[LaGlitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

El amor en este manga es tan bonito lajflwj 😭🙏🏼
¿Podemos hablar de Touya y Yukito? ¿O de Tomoyo?
Se me ha parado un poquito el corazón cuando Syaoran cuenta por qué no le dirá nada a Sakura. Y casi lloro con su conversación en el parque. Not me derritiéndome con estos personajes 🫠

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sakura, Li, and Yukito in this one!!

[Aimé Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sakura y Syaoran son hermosos con almas puras y tesoros llenos de amor y comprensión ;;

[Tefy Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todo se esta volviendo diferente. Me encanta el romance que se esta formando. Ojala Sakura se de cuenta pronto de sus sentimientos ya que me gustaria ver esa parejita que se esta formando

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

DUUH TOUYA & SAKURA SIBLING GOALS BGT, tetep baper sama mereka lol.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

almost died on the inside when sakura, after confessing to yukito and getting rejected, went to syaoran to cry

and later he decided not to confess to her

I'M SCREAAAMMMIIINNNNGG

[✨Sky✨ ♏ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars