Cardcaptor Sakura: The Complete Watch Order Guide for Anime Fans

introduction

Cardcaptor Sakura is a beloved magical girl anime that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

To fully enjoy its charm, it’s important to watch it in the right order.

In this guide, we’ll introduce the correct viewing order for the six Cardcaptor Sakura works, including the TV series, movies, and OVA.

1. Cardcaptor Sakura: The Clow Card Arc (1998)

Overview

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Clow Card Arc follows the adventures of Sakura Kinomoto as she begins her journey to collect the mysterious Clow Cards. This arc consists of 46 episodes, showcasing Sakura’s growth, friendships, and the magical world she inhabits.

Highlights

Sakura’s Varied Costumes: Sakura wears adorable costumes created by her best friend, Tomoyo, in each episode. These outfits are visually delightful and add to the series’ charm.
Diverse Clow Cards and Battles: Each Clow Card has unique abilities, and capturing them requires different strategies. This variety keeps the episodes fresh and exciting.
Heartwarming Episodes of Friendship and Family: The series emphasizes Sakura’s deep relationships with her friends and family, providing a touching and heartfelt viewing experience.

Where to Watch

Crunchyroll
Netflix
Hulu

2. Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (1999)

Overview

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie takes Sakura and her friends on a trip to Hong Kong, where they face new magical challenges. This 86-minute film continues the story from the Clow Card Arc.

Highlights

New Adventure Set in Hong Kong: The film’s setting in Hong Kong adds a fresh and exotic feel, with the backdrop of Clow Reed’s homeland enhancing the story.
Stunning Animation and Dynamic Battle Scenes: The movie features high-quality animation and large-scale battles, offering a visually spectacular experience.
Strengthening of Sakura and Syaoran’s Bond: The film delves deeper into the relationship between Sakura and Syaoran, highlighting their growing bond.

Where to Watch

Amazon Prime Video
iTunes
Google Play

3. Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sakura Card Arc (1999)

Overview

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sakura Card Arc follows Sakura as she transforms the Clow Cards into her own Sakura Cards. This arc consists of 24 episodes, blending everyday life with magical adventures.

Highlights

Introduction of New Cards and Sakura’s Growth: As Sakura converts the Clow Cards, she develops her magical abilities and faces new challenges.
Development of Friendships and Romantic Interests: The relationships between Sakura, Tomoyo, and Syaoran deepen, with sweet moments of friendship and first love.
Emotional and Satisfying Conclusion: The series culminates in a heartfelt and triumphant finale, showcasing Sakura’s achievements.

Where to Watch

Crunchyroll
Netflix
Hulu

4. Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card (2000)

Overview

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card is a 96-minute film that serves as an epilogue to the Sakura Card Arc. It delves into Sakura and Syaoran’s relationship as they face their final major challenge.

Highlights

Emotional Final Battle: The climax features an intense and moving battle as Sakura seals the last card.
Romantic Moments between Sakura and Syaoran: The film includes many touching scenes that highlight the deepening romance between the two characters.
Beautiful Animation and Music: The high-quality animation and emotionally stirring music enhance the storytelling experience.

Where to Watch

Amazon Prime Video
iTunes
Google Play

5. Sakura and the Two Bears (2017)

Overview

Sakura and the Two Bears is a single-episode OVA included as a bonus with the third volume of the Clear Card Arc manga. It serves as a prologue to the Clear Card Arc, hinting at the new adventures to come.

Highlights

Peaceful Everyday Scenes with Sakura and Syaoran: The OVA features heartwarming moments of Sakura and Syaoran in their daily lives.
Foreshadowing for the Clear Card Arc: The episode contains hints and foreshadowing for the upcoming Clear Card Arc, building anticipation for what’s next.
Charming Animation: The OVA’s cute and delightful animation style adds to its appeal.

Where to Watch

Available as a bonus with the Clear Card Arc Volume 3 Blu-ray/DVD

6. Cardcaptor Sakura: The Clear Card Arc (2018)

Overview

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Clear Card Arc follows Sakura as she encounters new cards and mysteries. This latest series consists of 22 episodes, introducing new allies and foes.

Highlights

Beautiful Modern Animation: The series benefits from the latest animation technology, offering stunning visuals that captivate viewers.
Introduction of New Characters: New characters bring fresh dynamics to the story, enriching the narrative.
Sakura’s Continued Growth and Challenges: As Sakura faces new cards and mysteries, her character continues to develop and evolve.

Where to Watch

Crunchyroll
Netflix
Hulu

Conclusion

By following this viewing order, you can fully enjoy all the magic and charm of Cardcaptor Sakura.

After watching the Clow Card Arc, Sakura Card Arc, and Clear Card Arc, if you find yourself wanting more, revisiting the movies and bonus OVA will be a delightful treat.

Immerse yourself in the magical world of Cardcaptor Sakura and enjoy every enchanting moment!