For its 25th anniversary, the first Cardcaptor Sakura animated film will return to Japanese theaters for a limited time, with a new trailer commemorating the occasion. Notably, it will be screened alongside a short film from the original theatrical run in 1999.
Gamer issued a press release with initial information. The plot of Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie features an original story that takes Sakura and the rest of the cast to Hong Kong, Syaoran Li’s homeland, as seen in the recently released trailer below. Meanwhile, the included short film is a seven-minute production based on another of CLAMP’s works, Clover.
The original Clover manga spans four volumes, and the short film adapts it into an artistic vignette with a melancholy theme. With no time for character introductions or extensive exposition, the impressive visuals and music do a lot to capture the tone of the work. It certainly makes for a unique double feature with Cardcaptor Sakura, demonstrating CLAMP’s ability to create intriguing works for a diverse audience.
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie aimed to impress upon its initial release in 1999; while the original anime series crew was retained throughout the production, Studio Ghibli helped with the visual effects department. For their efforts, the film received the Feature Film Award at the now-defunct Animation Kobe event, alongside Spirited Away and Paprika. This award was also given to the second Cardcaptor Sakura film, The Sealed Card, which concluded the original anime series. The first film goes to great lengths to depict Hong Kong in an authentic manner, even serving as a time capsule given how much the region has changed since the 1990s.
As an incentive for audiences to attend multiple screenings, the label behind the re-release will provide special bonuses upon admission to the theater. During the first week, fans will receive one of two special illustrated cards designed by CLAMP. One features Sakura, while the other features Clover’s female protagonist, Sue. Throughout the film’s theatrical run, attendees will receive one of two colored Sakura designs based on the anime’s style. These illustrations will make excellent mementos for those in Japan who want to relive their experiences.
Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card was released just one year after the first film, making 2025 its 25th anniversary. It would not be surprising if a similar event was held to celebrate the second film within the next year. Fans in Japan will be able to enjoy the re-released theater experience of the first film beginning August 9, 2024. For those outside of the country, the first Cardcaptor Sakura anime series, as well as its newer sequel, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, are available to watch on Crunchyroll, as are both original sequel films.
Source – Gamer
