Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie
A vengeful spirit from Clow Reed's past haunts Sakura in Hong Kong.
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie is a 1999 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Morio Asaka and written by Nanase Ohkawa, based on the manga series by Clamp. Produced by Madhouse and co-distributed by Shochiku and Bandai Visual, the film is set between the first and second seasons of the television series and follows Sakura Kinomoto and her friends as they travel to Hong Kong and encounter a vengeful spirit hurt by Clow Reed in the past.
- Release date
- August 21, 1999 (Japan)
- Director
- Morio Asaka
- Writer
- Nanase Ohkawa
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Distributors
- Shochiku, Bandai Visual
- Award
- Feature Film Award at the 1999 Animation Kobe
- Theme song
- "Tōi Kono Machi de" by Naomi Kaitani
Lore & Background
Sakura pursues the birds to an antique store, where she opens a book and is transported to another dimension. The woman, a sorceress named Madoushi, attacks Sakura, believing she summoned Clow Reed. Kero explains that Madoushi was a fortune teller put out of business by Clow's more accurate predictions; her hatred bound her to another dimension as a spirit. Sakura confronts Madoushi, tells her of Clow's death, and sympathizes with her, causing Madoushi to dissolve into water and pass on.
Reader's Guide
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie holds significance as a bridge between the first and second seasons of the television series, expanding the story with a Hong Kong setting and introducing the character Madoushi. It won the Feature Film Award at the 1999 Animation Kobe, highlighting its quality within the anime industry. The film was produced by the same staff as the TV series, ensuring consistency in animation and character design. Its English dub, released by Nelvana, retained the same name and story changes as the Cardcaptors dub, and was released in both edited and uncut editions. The film's theme song and soundtrack were released in 1999, and it received multiple home video releases in Japan and North America, including a Blu-ray release by Discotek Media in 2014. A second film, Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card, followed in 2000.
Did You Know?
- The film won the Feature Film Award at the 1999 Animation Kobe.
- The story is set between the first and second seasons of the television series.
- The film's antagonist, Madoushi, is a sorceress who was hurt by Clow Reed in the past.
- The film was re-released in Japanese theaters on January 21, 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the manga.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie?
It is a 1999 Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Madhouse, directed by Morio Asaka and written by Nanase Ohkawa, based on Clamp's manga. The plot centers on Sakura Kinomoto and her friends traveling to Hong Kong, where they confront a vengeful spirit tied to Clow Reed's history.
Where does Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie take place?
The entire story unfolds in Hong Kong, where Sakura and her friends journey and come face-to-face with a hostile spirit that Clow Reed wronged in the distant past.
Who is the villain in Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie?
The antagonist is a vengeful spirit from Clow Reed's past who was deeply hurt by him and now seeks retribution. This spirit actively haunts and threatens Sakura during her Hong Kong visit.
Where does Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie sit in the series timeline?
The film is set between the first and second seasons of the Cardcaptor Sakura television series, functioning as a narrative bridge connecting those two arcs.
What recognition did Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie receive?
The film was honored with the Feature Film Award at the 1999 Animation Kobe event. It premiered in Japanese theaters on August 21, 1999, with distribution handled by Shochiku and Bandai Visual.
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