The Best “Cardcaptor Sakura” Anime Episodes to Watch!

A magical girl classic, the Cardcaptor Sakura anime (1998-2000) captured the hearts of Japanese and Western viewers with its beloved cast, blend of fantasy and adventure, and colorful and lighthearted atmosphere. With 70 episodes in three seasons, the series is a 90s anime staple everyone should watch.

But which stories shone the brightest? Here are our picks for the best Cardcaptor Sakura episodes to watch. We’ve shortened episode names to keep things simple. (Also, beware of mild spoilers.)

“The Mysterious Magical Book” (Episode 1)

“The Mysterious Magical Book” introduces us to Sakura Kinomoto and the Clow Cards. Sakura hears a strange noise coming from the basement. She opens one of her father’s books and accidentally releases the inside cards. The Beast of the Seal Cerberus (Kero, for short) awakens and demands that Sakura retrieve them as a “Cardcaptor.” Otherwise, a great catastrophe will occur.

The one that started it all, “The Magical Book,” gives us a taste of the humor, action, and charm of the Cardcaptor Sakura anime. We meet spunky Sakura, her annoying older brother Touya, dreamy crush Yukito, admirer/best friend Tomoyo, and bossy but helpful teacher/cheerleader Kero. The episode is easy to follow and fast-paced and sets the stage for an awesome series. 

“Never-Ending Day” (Episode 12)

Sakura and Kero are having a stressful day: she has a recorder test, and he’s trying to level up in his video game. The evening finally arrives…but the school bell strikes midnight, and the day starts again! And Sakura and her rival Xiaolang Li are the only ones who notice. Is this the work of a Clow Card? Can they capture it before the day restarts?

This episode offers one of Sakura’s trickiest fights up to this point since she’s trying to capture the powerful Time card. More importantly, it’s her first time losing a card to the more experienced Xiaolang. This interaction strengthens her resolve – and Kero’s competitive streak – to capture the next card before him!

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“Sakura and Kero’s Big Fight” (Episode 15) 

After Xiaolang captures another Clow Card, Sakura and Kero have an argument that escalates quickly, leaving them both upset. While she’s away at school, Kero eats liquor-filled chocolates and flies away in a drunken state. The next morning, he wakes up at the house of a little girl named Akane. Will he find his way back to Sakura? 

While Sakura and Kero don’t always get along, this episode marks their first big fight. It also focuses on Kero for a change. He feels sorry for Akane, who is at home by herself and misses her deceased dad. He even decides to show some of his powers to her. It’s a bittersweet episode showing that Kero is more than just a sidekick.

“Dizzy Fever Day” (Episode 39) 

Sakura wakes up from a strange dream with a very high fever. She acts like everything is normal and goes to school so her father and friends won’t worry about her, but she gets so sick that she returns home early to rest. However, The Cloud card is wreaking havoc in town, and Sakura has to seal it, whether she’s ill or not.

While our last entry highlights Kero, this episode focuses on Touya, Sakura’s older brother. Though he likes teasing his little sister, he greatly cares about her. He’s also perceptive to spirits and magic, as shown when he senses Ms. Mizuki’s presence and sees through Sakura’s illusion. It makes us wonder: does he know about Sakura’s role as Cardcaptor?

“The Final Judgment” (Episode 46)

In the Season 2 finale, Sakura faces off against Judge Yue for possession of the Clow Cards. She doesn’t want to hurt him because of the false form he used on Earth. But if she fails the Final Judgement, a great catastrophe will fall upon the humans who came in contact with the Cards. Can she defeat Yue, and how?

“The Final Judgement” is the darkest entry on this list. Sakura is not only reeling from shocking revelations but also learns that retrieving the Clow Cards isn’t the end of her Cardcaptor duties. While some questions surrounding the Cards remain unsolved, viewers experience a taste of Sakura’s true powers – and see how much she’s grown from the first episode.

Why are these episodes so beloved?

Cardcaptor Sakura is beloved for many reasons. One of them is its lovable cast. Sakura is a relatable protagonist who goes the extra mile as a Cardcaptor. Kero is greedy and sometimes lazy, but he’s a great mentor. The rest of the cast also shines: aloof-yet-caring Touya, talented Tomoyo, gentle Yukito, and rival-turned-friend (and later love interest) Xiaolang. 

Matching the series’ bubbly tone, its animation is colorful, and the characters have memorable designs. The Clow Cards are unique, from the elegant Windy to the Cute Twin. Finally, each episode has an engaging story. While Season 1 has lighthearted shenanigans, Season 2 features more complex puzzles and some emotional scenes. Whatever happens, viewers know that Sakura and her friends will solve the episode’s problems together!

Cardcaptor Sakura is a staple of 90’s, kids’, and magical girl anime. Its episodes range from fun adventures to touching side stories and intriguing mysteries. You’ll fall in love with the show’s storylines as much as with its likable stars or lovely animation. If you’re new to this series, now’s the time to check it out. Have you watched the Cardcaptor Sakura anime? Drop your favorite episode in the comments!