---
title: "Cardcaptor Sakura"
year: 1998
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/cardcaptor-sakura-1998"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 35790
imdb_id: "tt0221735"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 4
episodes_count: 92
runtime_minutes: 25
community_rating: 8.6
vote_count: 797
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# Cardcaptor Sakura (1998) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/cardcaptor-sakura-1998

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Cardcaptor Sakura is a television series that premiered in 1998. The series follows the story of Sakura Kinomoto, an elementary school student. According to the story, Sakura discovers that she possesses magical powers after accidentally freeing a set of magical cards from a book. She is then tasked with retrieving those cards to avoid an unknown catastrophe from befalling the world. The series was adapted into a 70-episode anime television series by Madhouse and aired on Japan's satellite television channel NHK BS2. The anime is based on a manga by Clamp, and a sequel titled Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card was later serialized in Nakayoshi. The original series features Sakura and her friends as they navigate the challenges of capturing the magical cards. The story explores Sakura's experiences as she learns to control her powers and retrieve the cards.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "An elementary school student must recover magical cards to prevent a looming global catastrophe."

### Why Watch
- engaging premise
- magical themes

### Caveats & Content Note
- high stakes plot
- Tone & Suitability: The series features fantasy elements and themes of responsibility suitable for a general audience.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: magical, adventurous, whimsical

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Crunchyroll | None | Apple TV Store |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (35 Episodes)
### Season 2 (11 Episodes)
Cardcaptor Sakura Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 11 episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Cardcaptor Sakura Season 1.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

### Season 3 (24 Episodes)
Cardcaptor Sakura Season 3 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Cardcaptor Sakura Season 2.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

### Season 4 (22 Episodes)
Cardcaptor Sakura Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Cardcaptor Sakura Season 3.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 92
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 7 (8%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 85 (92%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Sakura Tange** as *Sakura Kinomoto (voice)*
- **Junko Iwao** as *Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)*
- **Motoko Kumai** as *Syaoran Li (voice)*
- **Aya Hisakawa** as *Kerberos (voice)*
- **Emi Shinohara** as *Naoko Yanagisawa (voice)*
- **Hideyuki Tanaka** as *Fujitaka Kinomoto (voice)*
- **Masaya Onosaka** as *Kerberos(big) (voice)*
- **Megumi Ogata** as *Yukito Tsukishiro (voice)*
- **Tomokazu Seki** as *Touya Kinomoto (voice)*
- **Yukana** as *Meiling Li (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who is the protagonist?
The protagonist is an elementary school student named Sakura Kinomoto.

### Q: How does the story begin?
The story begins when Sakura accidentally frees a set of magical cards from a sealed book.

### Q: What is Sakura's main task?
Sakura is tasked with retrieving the magical cards she released.

### Q: Why must the cards be retrieved?
The cards must be retrieved to prevent an unknown catastrophe from befalling the world.

### Q: What powers does the protagonist have?
Sakura discovers that she possesses magical powers after the cards are released.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News](https://finance.yahoo.com/)
- [Cardcaptor Sakura (TV Series 1998-2000) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0221735/)
- [Cardcaptor Sakura (TV 1998) - MyAnimeList.net](https://myanimelist.net/anime/232/Cardcaptor_Sakura)
- [Yahoo Finance: Stocks & News - Apps on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.finance&hl=en-US)
- [Cardcaptor Sakura - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardcaptor_Sakura)
- [Yahoo!ファイナンス - 株価・最新ニュース](https://finance.yahoo.co.jp/)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*