aliceinclockland

[aliceinclockland]

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Special Chapter: Comments and Analysis

WELCOME BACK, CCS FAAAAAAAAAAAANSSS!!!!!

Oh my god 3 months went already by from that December 1st and chapter 80, didn't they?? Feels like yesterday 🙈But we're finally here, finally ready for the release of the definitive, last SPECIAL CHAPTER of Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card!!!! After this, no more CCS for at least a while!!

Why do you see me so euphoric?? WELL, THERE IS MORE THAN ONE VERY GOOD REASON 😂 But let's not jump the gun and let's introduce this post properly: this time around, I won't be posting pictures to "illustrate" the analysis/commentary, because this special chapter was treated differently from the other ones. It didn't get, in fact, a free release on CLAMP's Youtube channel, in any language, and wasn't even uploaded for digital purchase on Comic Days like all the rest of the chapters. The only way to obtain it was via the April issue of Nakayoshi, either with the physical or digital version. Since it is clear to me their intention to keep this gem of a special chapter away from the internet jungle, and since lately I used only the screenshots from Youtube to illustrate my analysis, this time around I won't be posting anything (aside from the color page, which was released by the official account themselves).

AND! I won't be mixing analysis and summary, because I have already conveniently prepared some screenshots with a detailed summary of the chapter for the people who were curious to know, but didn't get to see the chapter yet or did see it but couldn't read Japanese. I have already posted these screenshots on my Twitter account, and I'll put them here too under the cut (please don't repost them around or in other social media), so you can immediately get a broad view on the content of the chapter (I don't have to point out translation mistakes, haha 😅), and then, afterwards, I'll write my commentary. And there is SO MUCH to say!!

But before starting, we can't break the tradition right at the LAST ROUND of our chapter commentaries, right?? So off we go, with the GIF OF THE MONTH!!

Yes, I think this is the GIF that can represent this chapter the most. 😂

The Color Page

This special chapter is composed of 33 pages, and of course I can't avoid starting my commentary precisely from the color page!!

I admit it, I hoped for a color spread with the four main characters of Clear Card (hence, including Kaito and Akiho too), but since the other two appeared with their own color page just in chapter 79, we'll gladly take this single color page with SyaoSaku too!! ❤️ The JP text reads "We've been together till now, and we will always be! Featuring a long-awaited special chapter!!" Syaosaku look absolutely adorable....and so, so happy!! Looking at us, from a wreath made of cherry blossoms, of course dressed in their image colors pink and green, in a "pair look"...I think their shiny smiles conquered the hearts of the entire fandom (saw many comments about it) and it is certainly a perfect introduction to a chapter that is, indeed, completely made of this happy, leisurely, warm atmosphere. I feel like it tastes even better, after all the anxiety they made us go through, right? I'm pretty sure that was CLAMP's goal all along, giving us this little reward after all the hard situations they've put their characters through. This color page looks like Sakura and Syaoran are saying "goodbye" to us, holding their hands in a lover's hold, but seeing them so cute and happy definitely soothes the sad feeling 🥲 Until we meet again...hopefully!

Letters From Around The World

But it's when the chapter starts that we get our first surprise: the time skip is of one entire year!!! We left our little heroes at the end of the first year of Tomoeda Middle school, ready to go in spring break and then start the second year...here, Sakura says she's in her spring break of the next year, ready to become a 9th grader!!! I almost couldn't believe they actually went that far, I knew from CLAMP's podcast that there was a timeskip, but I expected just some months! Although....I have to say the characters don't look that different, Mokona said she made them a tiny bit older and she kept true to that, because it's barely visible! 🤭 But if you compare them with how they looked at the middle of the story, of course the difference is visible.

I was so happy to see that the chapter started right away with a letter from Akiho: a letter or a videocall was definitely among the type of content I wanted to see in this chapter, because of course I still was quite preoccupied about the difficult journey Akiho and Kaito embarked on, so I wanted to see how they were faring. The amount of letters Sakura accumulated over the span of this year tells me that they moved around quite a lot, and she had always something to share with her "long-distance sister" 🤭 Kero praising Akiho's skills and even feeling some sort of "reverence" for her insane talent to find all the crazy and rare books was so funny and nice!! 😂Sakura is adorable, feeling all proud about the talent of her "sister" 🤭 Loved that they actually mentioned the place where Akiho and Kaito are currently at!! (cause they didn't reveal where they'd go first, in chapter 80, and I guess we'll never know). I appreciated SO SO much that they let us see that Akiho didn't drop, but actually continued to practice her sewing skills like she was doing before everything went down the drain with the Alice in Clockland play: moreover, finding out later that this skill is also helping her greatly with the true ambition of her life made me incredibly satisfied. How cute of her to send outfits for Kero and Suppy, even from far away??

I was quite surprised to find out that Akiho sends all the rare books to Eriol, and then laughed my as* off at Kero saying he's selling them off (the way Kero phrases it in JP makes it look a QUITE shady activity 😂). This shows there's a continued collaboration between the "group" in England and YunaAki, and it's very nice. They're not only "taking" support from Eriol, Akiho also does return the favor, providing Eriol with the books he needs.

And then....got really emotional to know that Kaito wrote a letter to Sakura, back when they left one year ago 🥲 I DID feel like some kind of acknowledgement or apology from Kaito to Sakura was missing from chapter 80 (but honestly, with everything they had to explain, where they could fit that?) and so this little mention completely fixed that sense of "he made a mess and barely managed to apologize to Akiho before leaving". Kaito isn't an ass*ole so of course he would've done something like that, and a letter seems perfect for an introvert boy of few words like him. I imagine the letter wasn't really long either. The little moon on the sealing wax...❤️The fact that Sakura is storing that single letter together with Akiho's letters in a specific box makes me almost cry. She cares for those two so, so much! 😭 Sakura wishes to receive more letters from Kaito and I really hope he will open up to her along the way, because he could benefit ENORMOUSLY from her advices and perspective! Also THANK YOU CLAMP for giving us a little "still" of those two next to eachother from the moment when they were leaving Tomoeda, with the suitcases and all 🥲that last faraway shot of all four of them together in chapter 80 was so great, but I wanted to see them like this too!

The SyaoSaku Date

Aaaaaand then we get to the long awaited, craved, coveted SYAOSAKU DATE!!! 🤣 I can't count how many people I've seen wishing for this....to be honest I was going to be ok with any kind of sweet moment between the two, but gotta admit that a carefree afternoon watching a stage play and then taking refreshment at a café gives this sense of normal, complete fun that was missing a bit for them. They are dressed in a very fancy way (loved that Sakura isn't wearing her usual long one-pieces but something different, with puff shorts! A sign of her growing up?) and even though they're not exactly wearing a "pair look" (too corny, maybe?), they are well matching eachother's outfits. And of course we find out that Tomoyo made Sakura's cute outfit and even the decorations on Syaoran's collar! The fact she was the one asking Syaoran to wear them at the date is kinda funny, like some sort of guidance into looking like a couple, thanks to the matching decorations! Tomoyo really takes care of everything....yes....everything. 🥲 The mention of Sakura's wedding dress of course made me go "OH MY GOD" and made me realize that if Tomoyo is already mentioning that.......we aren't *that* far away from that day (I always imagined SyaoSaku marrying early, since they're soulmates and got together so young!! 😆). Truly an emotional, sweet moment that was reinforced by Tomoyo's tender expression in the flashback. Her resolution to devote herself to learn to design even normal everyday outfits, or date outfits, everything that could accompany her dear Sakura everyday, reminded me that Tomoyo found her very own way to be with Sakura, and she's perfectly content with that. Tomoyo's happiness is seeing Sakura happy, and she will do anything to achieve that. ✨

Syaoran and Kaito's Friendship

And then my blushy blushy Sakura changes topic and suddenly throws me on the floor in a fit of laughter, because seeing Syaoran's confused look while he was trying to make sense of the pictures Kaito sent him on his phone WAS HONESTLY PRICELESS. 😆 My god, how long have I wished to see them like this? Moving their timid steps into a friendship (since their girlfriends are like sisters and Sakura literally saved Kaito's derriere), being their awkward dorky selves...they surprisingly get along so well and Syaoran doesn't seem to hold resentment towards him, which is GREAT for me!! He's learning from Sakura to just let go of hard feelings, when you've found out the person who acted in an oppositive way was just in a very desperate situation and had actually no ill intentions. And that makes me incredibly happy. Kaito needs all the support he can get, to make the right decisions in his life, and I can totally see him finding a particular connection with Syaoran, due to how they're both moon boys, who would give their life for the person they love. I think precisely for this, precisely because Syaoran can understand to a degree Kaito's situation and behavior, he wouldn't feel judged and would feel more free to establish a connection with him. I was k*lled with laughter and endearment when I saw that Syaoran felt confused, but still tried to understand Kaito's peculiar way of communicating with him 😂 And guess what? I think he doesn't realize it, but he's totally starting to get it! 😂The way our wolfie boy snaps that picture IMMEDIATELY as the cat passes by, and how he only framed the ear, really shows how in the end he's speaking "the same language" as Kaito 😂 Seeing Sakura so excitedly think to herself that the two became such good friends made me scream "SAME SAKURA-CHAN, SAME!!!" 😂 All in all, seeing these two having such a relaxed, comfortable date talking about their friends and stuff that happened lately made me completely feel that one year that elapsed, and now they act totally like a couple that's been dating for quite some time. 😊 Ooooh thank you sensei, really. Thank you so much for this scene. 🙏

The Moon Is Really Beautiful, Right?

BUT! The real reason why CLAMP will always have my heart and my gratitude is hidden in the next scene. 😂

Oh my god, the screams I've belted out when I saw them. And when I've read THAT. But let's go in order, let's go in order and not jump the gun! We're in Germany, Akiho and Kaito now seem to be living in an apartment in a nice building! They're still talking in keigo, and still calling eachother "Akiho-san" and "Kaito-san". 😊

Kaito SMILES genuinely at the picture Syaoran sent him!! And answers, to an observant Akiho, that he's having fun!! 😭HIM! The one who couldn't understand what was fun in interacting with others!!! He looks honestly so radiant and happy, a sign that his mental recovery is going strong. And that he's slowly expanding his "trusted people" network. 🥲🙏Also, he looks younger than ever!!! 😂

It made me INCREDIBLY HAPPY to see that Akiho didn't drop the "hobby" she had started in chapter 26 (ages ago!!), remember this scene?

I remember how much I loved to know she had started learning how to do this, because together with my friends, at the time, we all thought this could easily become her aspiration in life......and guess what?? CLAMP confirmed she wants to take on a job revolving around books and book repairing!! This is all canon!! T___T oh my happy tears.... There's a sense of pride in seeing that this journey for Akiho isn't only revolving around finding the cure for Kaito's shortened lifespan (which hurt his body terribly) and restarting his "stopped time", or finding Momo and the Alice in Clockland book, but she's also got the mental resolution to do something for herself, for what she wants to do in life, something that is completely disconnected from Kaito. Again, I cannot reiterate enough how this girl doesn't have an unhealthy codependent relationship with Kaito, and she's completely capable of thinking about her own future, aspirations and wishes. She wants him with her, and she could never live happily without him, but the love of her life isn't the only thing that exists for her. It is incredibly satisfying to see her working hard for her own future, where she'll be able to contribute (especially financially) to their livelihood. I can see Kaito helping her and assisting her with that. The other day I was dreaming away with my friends about Kaito and Akiho managing a "book cafè" together somewhere, how impossibly sweet that would be?

Seeing this volitive, ambitious, strong-willed Akiho once again filled my heart immensely. And I wasn't the only one, apparently.....

Oh god, you have no idea of the SHRIEKS I belted out when I saw Kaito saying "the moon is really beautiful, right?" in full daylight. Like. It is absolutely unmistakable at this point what kind of love he feels for her, and while I always knew, I'm sure the character took his own sweet time and personal introspection to reach that conclusion. If you remember, I've always said it and reiterated it at the end of chapter 80: Kaito won't understand things overnight, it will take a long time. And one year, at that age, is enough of a long time to come to terms with one's feelings and understanding what exactly they mean. They lived all that time together as two "equals", no more butler/boss bullsh*t, so they had even more opportunities to see eachother's true colors. And Kaito couldn't help but fall even more in love with Akiho, to the point that seeing her working so excitedly for her future made him gently overflow with that feeling....and said that sweet quote of Natsume Soseki that we all know, by now, what it means. I think the mere fact that what made his heart explode was seeing her so independent and strong, is a good sign that Kaito's love for her is the healthy and supportive kind, too. He doesn't love her and feels attracted to her soul because she's a weaker, younger, malleable being that he can dominate (as a toxic relationship would portray), but at the contrary, because she's free and strong and wonderful on her own. The more he sees her shining, the more that feeling grows. Throughout this scene, he looks at her and talks to her in such an intensely sweet way, you can totally see he's smitten with her.

The most popular reply to someone who confesses with "the moon is beautiful" is the equivalent of "I could die for you/I can die happy now", in Japanese. And Kaito had been unconsciously replying that way, with his actions, the whole damn time during the serialization of Clear Card. But since he took it way too literally, things were really heading to tragedy. Nobody wanted him to die for real, and yet, subconsciously, that was the only way he had found to give outlet to an enormous amount of feels that he couldn't express (because it wasn't appropriate, and nobody would ever love him, and he only caused her pain, and he had to let go of Akiho anyway at the end of it).

So considering all of THAT, this "I love you very much" he said now (he added とても, "very", like Akiho did ❤️) in this way, makes me think even more "yes, you finally understood what was the best way to convey it!" and therefore, it represents another character development for our moon boy. 🥲

There's debate over whether he had already understood what Akiho had meant, in chapter 48. I stand firmly by my convinction that, even if he was informed of the Japanese folklore tale around it, he quickly dismissed it as "no, she's meaning it literally for the moon", since he couldn't really believe that anyone would ever take interest in him, and was sure he would've always been alone. Otherwise, if he really understood and believed that Akiho was in love with him, I don't think he could've ever said that "I thought you didn't need me to be happy". It doesn't make sense. But everything that happened at the fake moon, and all her angry tears, and all her resolution to find a way to cure him, made him finally see that she really meant it in that way. ❤️So his own acceptance and introspection could finally start, and....it brought to this. ❤️ If you want to know more about the popular phrase "the moon is beautiful, right?", I invite you to check my first Clear Card Trivia post, focused on the literary and musical references portrayed throughout this story!

And LOL, I couldn't help but noticing several things in how this scene played out: first, he immediately "runs away" blabbering about the breakfast being ready, a very similar way to how he "ran away" in chapter 52 when Akiho could see right through him and was trying to express her support and feelings to him. This is definitely an indication (taking into consideration also how he acted when he was little) that the reason why Kaito walked away back then, slamming the door, had a sprinkle of embarrassment embedded in it, too. Yeah. I mean, look at the face he's making here, just before he notices, puzzled, that his hand is shaking:

He's smiling so tenderly, among the pain he's feeling because of his poor health. He even laughs! He's happy he heard that! But he just couldn't stay hearing any longer, back then. Now, in this scene of the special chapter, he literally throws "the bomb" and runs away without hearing her answer or reaction 😂😂😂this is definitely embarrassment, and I'd like to think there's even a hint of teasing streak that I've always seen between the lines in his personality. It came out particularly with Syaoran and Momo, but Akiho isn't excluded from this dynamic! 😂

And excuse me, but Akiho's reaction literally made me roll on the floor laughing!! 😂The poor girl is probably so used to live abroad, and Japanese folklore isn't probably coming up immediately in her mind anymore, despite it's a phrase SHE used HERSELF back then! 😂Or maybe it's because she didn't really expect it from him, and so she took a moment to connect the dots. Either way, it was extremely funny! And I can't absolutely avoid pointing out how our girl isn't blushing like mad anymore, but just slightly.... I mean. It must have been quite clear to her too, by now, that her feelings were in some kind "reciprocated", be it for what Sakura said back at the fake moon, his decision to go back to her, and his decision to reveal his true name, hence giving her his most vulnerable part of himself... This isn't a shock for her, and she probably waited patiently, patiently, for him to finally say something like this. So maybe, more than embarrassed, she's surprised that the day finally came! 🥲 Goodness. This really puts all my worries to rest, Akiho will truly be happy. And it makes total sense that CLAMP made him say this now, and not at the end of chapter 80. As I said, more time was needed. This entire scene leaves me with a sweet, soft, comfortable feeling, and it's totally how I've always imagined their relationship to be. Also....no more of that "he loves her as a daughter/sister" crap, not canon-wise at least. 😊

One last thing I have to point out about this scene, which curiously reconnects everything together, is that recently CLAMP have announced the themes to which their upcoming exhibition will revolve around: among them, there's LOVE (of course!), and among the decorations surrounding the featured character on the key visual (Sakura, for now, but there's at least another one coming!) there are a couple of birds too. Birds are, in this sense, a symbol of love in CLAMP's language. I couldn't really help but noticing all the birds flying outside the window next to Akiho, the moment Kaito says that "the moon is really beautiful, right?". Basically, CLAMP were trying to scream it all over the place, however they could. 😂

"Momo-san?!"

It was so nice to see Yukito and Kero-chan gossiping about Touya right in his face, with the complete intention to tease him 😂in that sense, Yukito really seems like a sweet and harmless character, but don't be fooled! His teasing power is over 9000!! 😂Touya's killing glare made me crack up! He's so done for, now that both Kero and Yukito can tease him in the open! 😂😂😂

But please, please, let me scream about MOMO!!! Oh my god I would've never accepted a special chapter that didn't feature her!! Aaaaahhh I'm so glad to see that she's fine 🥲 The conversation between her and Sakura made clear to me that she isn't that free to move how I imagined her to be. Certainly, she decides where to go and who the book stays with (and when to leave), but the impartiality imposed on her role doesn't allow her to act freely like she wants, unless she pays a price. And she decided to pay a price, not to see Akiho and Kaito, but to go and thank Sakura herself first. Because, as her "those kids" suggests, she of course still feels some kind of maternal instinct towards them, and as any mother would do, she wants to thank Sakura from the bottom of her heart for having helped and saved those two. Even her body language (the position of her hands) portrays that. And excuse me, but I A B S O L U T E L Y loved how CLAMP clarified once and for all, addressing directly the complaints of their own fandom, that Sakura wasn't forcingly dragged into a matter that wasn't related to her. Everything she did, she decided to do it because she felt it touched her personally. From the moment she became Akiho's friend and came to care for her, everything that happened and everything that she was involved with was related to her too. This wasn't "somebody else's business" anymore. Because Akiho is one of her most beloved friends, no matter how "fast" that happened. Some relationships bloom almost immediately, because the connection is just that strong. And so, this turned into just another expression of "your happiness is my happiness", with Sakura acting according to what her heart suggested. As Kaito is Akiho's most beloved person, Sakura couldn't help but care for him too, because doing so would've made her friend happy, in a wonderful "circulation of love".

Special mention for the scene with pregnant Lilie, oh my god I didn't really expect this either. How long ago I wrote that Tumblr post about cosmos flowers and the origin of Akiho's name? A couple of weeks ago? It's like CLAMP answered my curiosity, with this scene. I still keep my interpretation in my heart, but I also love the logic "it is a flower that keeps the same name in many countries". Of course. "Wherever you'll go, you'll always be your unique self". (And now I want to cry, mama's heart is so big😭) The way Lilie keeps her hands over her womb made me tear up. The ring isn't there anymore, a sign that she probably already gave it to Momo (understandably, since once Akiho would be born, she wouldn't really have much time left). The baby bump isn't that noticeable, probably because she's at the beginning of her pregnancy. Who knows if she kept seeing little Kaito while she was pregnant. 🥲Who knows if in the scene where she's telling him about how wonderful it is to have something you love, especially a person, she was already pregnant with Akiho. 🥲

Momo and Sakura's final words made me understand that Momo cannot go back to Akiho and Kaito till the circumstances and the moment is right. Whether it depends on Akiho's wish, or the right cosmic arrangement, it's surely not in the short term. Especially considering the limited scope of Momo's agency. It cannot come from Momo (unless she pays a huge price), it needs to come from them, strongly enough. I also want to think that, again as an acquired mother figure, Momo wants those two to find their own way, identity and figure out their relationship on their own, without her interference. I'm sure she's keeping an eye on them from faraway, though. 🥲Even though this still feels bittersweet because I wanted to see them reuniting in canon so badly, it gave me lots of hope for the future. Momo is just waiting for the right moment, and she'll be ready to embrace them when the time is right. Maybe, who knows, we'll see that reunion in another series or in a special publication in the future?

The End

And then....the final scene 🥲NOW it is finally clear what Ohkawa meant in that one Twitter Space, when she mentioned that there was a reason why they never featured Sakura's birthday!!! THEY NEEDED TO KEEP THE EXCLUSIVITY FOR THIS!! 😂 I'm so glad they did, really...it's so sweet to see her reaching 14 years old (the "standard age" of many shoujo heroines! 😂) and seeing Syaoran giving her a present, with that strikingly sweet smile full of love...but most importantly....the breathtaking final double spread 🥲🥲🥲🥲 The way she pulls his hand close to her chest, to her heart, while saying that Syaoran will be forever and ever her most important and special person.....really, this chapter is meant to k*ll us all with feels!🥲and I love how CLAMP keep finding ways to portray their physical displays of affection without resorting to the classic, most wanted (but also probably considered not appropriate yet) "kiss". The very final page is a direct parallel of a page from chapter one, where Sakura was going to school alone and looked back down the street to admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Now, she's not alone anymore, but actually hugging the love of her life on her special day! Really, what a wonderful and fulfilling way to give the final touch to this amazing story! 🥲 Her very last line also contributed to this. Sakura leaves us again, 24 years after the first ending, with words of positivity for the future, and love for her important people. This wraps everything up nicely, but it still keeps things quite "open-ended", hopefully in the eventuality to return to this wonderful series in the future. Sakura is growing up, as CLAMP wished, and it might be possible to see her dealing with more "grown-up" situations, magic and non-magic wise. But one thing is for sure, her relationship with her loved ones will always take top priority. ❤️

Well well well, we came to the end of this looooooong commentary for this special chapter too. I can't help but thank once again all of you who followed my posts all these years, and commented with your POVs on the story.

As I've said multiple times, Cardcaptor Sakura gave me so much ever since I was a kid, and this sequel was no exception. This special chapter, in particular, overflowed with things I wanted to see, and I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking so. I once again want to congratulate CLAMP for wrapping everything up nicely, and thank them from the bottom of my heart for these almost 8 years of emotional journey. 🙏

See you around with my other tumblr posts, and let's look forward to the release of volume 16 on April 1st, and hopefully, news about the anime sequel of Clear Card!!

[aliceinclockland]

its official: tumblr is selling our data to Midjourney

we'd been hearing rumors about this for a bit but now its open and out there. some details from this article

it goes without saying, but if @staff goes through with this its going to be an utter shitshow and im all but certain the website will not survive it.

[aliceinclockland]

now being aware of what cosmos flower got its name, and what it means, i personally think that there was no better name for Akiho than Cosmos

Do you know where Cosmos flowers get their peculiar name from?

Yes, it's a reference to the other type of cosmos...

Spanish priests found this flower in Mexico and were struck by their beautiful & orderly arranged petals, reminding them of the beauty found in the order of the cosmos.

...And of course, I can't help but think about the reason why Lilie named her daughter like that.

The most obvious reason is of course the meaning that the name takes when written in Japanese. 秋桜, a "cherry blossom of autumn".

As to indicate the inevitability of Akiho and Sakura's meeting, the power of hitsuzen, and how much they would influence each other's lives, as each other's counterparts. Spring and Autumn. Similar warmth, and yet distinct.

Lilie of course knew all of this, so she didn't miss the chance to name her daughter after the most distinctive flower in autumn. (Curious fact, Akiho is born on September 18th, when technically in the northern hemisphere it's still summer for 3/4 days! But going by meteorological seasons it's already autumn)

And yet, I also want to think that Lilie chose that name for its intrinsic meaning too.

I'm pretty sure that the moment Lilie saw her, she knew the baby girl would've never developed any magical power. Lilie was that powerful, she certainly knew. She might have already known from her foretelling dreams, although I'm not inclined to follow this theory.

So I like to think that she, actually both her parents wanted to bestow on her a name that could tell her in every moment of her life "you are beautiful and perfect as you are, to us. Everything in you is orderly and exactly as it's meant to be", exactly like the universe and the flowers that were named after it.

Cosmos are also resilient flowers that can grow beautifully everywhere, in most conditions with little care and little water. They grow very tall and if you cut the spent flowers they re-bloom stronger than before. The only thing that can kill them is frost. And I can't help but associate it with the ice cold brought by the loss of the most important person, indicated in the story itself with the final part set in winter. (Clamp themselves confirmed that the change of the seasons in Clear Card follow a certain change in the plot itself)

I honestly can't think of a more perfect flower for Akiho.✨🌼

(top images courtesy of ポムの蒼。@ pomu_iyashi on Twitter)

#cardcaptor sakura #clear card arc #akiho shinomoto #oh cinzia you have done it again

[aliceinclockland]

Do you know where Cosmos flowers get their peculiar name from?

Yes, it's a reference to the other type of cosmos...

Spanish priests found this flower in Mexico and were struck by their beautiful & orderly arranged petals, reminding them of the beauty found in the order of the cosmos.

...And of course, I can't help but think about the reason why Lilie named her daughter like that.

The most obvious reason is of course the meaning that the name takes when written in Japanese. 秋桜, a "cherry blossom of autumn".

As to indicate the inevitability of Akiho and Sakura's meeting, the power of hitsuzen, and how much they would influence each other's lives, as each other's counterparts. Spring and Autumn. Similar warmth, and yet distinct.

Lilie of course knew all of this, so she didn't miss the chance to name her daughter after the most distinctive flower in autumn. (Curious fact, Akiho is born on September 18th, when technically in the northern hemisphere it's still summer for 3/4 days! But going by meteorological seasons it's already autumn)

And yet, I also want to think that Lilie chose that name for its intrinsic meaning too.

I'm pretty sure that the moment Lilie saw her, she knew the baby girl would've never developed any magical power. Lilie was that powerful, she certainly knew. She might have already known from her foretelling dreams, although I'm not inclined to follow this theory.

So I like to think that she, actually both her parents wanted to bestow on her a name that could tell her in every moment of her life "you are beautiful and perfect as you are, to us. Everything in you is orderly and exactly as it's meant to be", exactly like the universe and the flowers that were named after it.

Cosmos are also resilient flowers that can grow beautifully everywhere, in most conditions with little care and little water. They grow very tall and if you cut the spent flowers they re-bloom stronger than before. The only thing that can kill them is frost. And I can't help but associate it with the ice cold brought by the loss of the most important person, indicated in the story itself with the final part set in winter. (Clamp themselves confirmed that the change of the seasons in Clear Card follow a certain change in the plot itself)

I honestly can't think of a more perfect flower for Akiho.✨🌼

(top images courtesy of ポムの蒼。@ pomu_iyashi on Twitter)

[aliceinclockland]

yuna d. kaito is the type of guy that lets his girl sit on a public transportation vehicle rather than sitting down himself, and akiho will be the same towards her man—

like i can picture them have a little playful fight on "who gets to sit first" and be pda, but not too pda, but they won't be like... shy abt showing affection towards each other like clear card syaosaku at the start of the arc

look i am BAD at words but i do hope my point gets across. like they are NOT ashamed of showing that they care abt each other even in public but they are not overly pda you know...?

#yunaaki #yunaaki when #on my way to work and im flooded with clear card inside my head #have mercy on my soul

[aliceinclockland]

clamp am i asking too much if i wish for a yunaaki date as well as a syaosaku date THAT IS NOT INTERRUPTED BY ANYTHING?

probably.

but i am still going to wish for it anyways.

#cardcaptor sakura clear card #cardcaptor sakura clear card arc #clear card arc #clear card #please clamp #i just want a yunaaki date #and an uninterrupted syaosaku date #please

[aliceinclockland]

Hi I was the anon who mentioned about the CCS subreddit. I actually don't visit the sub that much and would only check out the sub once a month whenever a new chapter dropped. In hindsight perhaps I should've not checked out the manga discussion thread but past chapter discussion threads had at least some positives so I was just surprised to see nothing but negativity for chapter 80 (at least when I last viewed the discussion thread).

Hi again, anon! It's understandable, just like it was largely predictable that the last chapter would've stirred up a hornet's nest...in general, it's basically impossible to make everyone happy, especially in a fandom with polarized expectations. Moreover, ever since I started following CLAMP's manga's serializations "live", I don't really remember any finale that truly made everyone satisfied or happy. It's always been a ruckus. I think Ohkawa's approach in some of the last Spaces where she talked about CCS CC is the valid one: we just need to give it time. I've seen it myself, how the perception of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle changed over the years, now it's beloved and praised by everyone, but do you think it was the same during the serialization, or just at the end of it? Nah, not at all.

I am glad with the journey that Clear Card has been, and if the finale left a taste of "I didn't get enough", there must be a reason...this is my personal opinion. You don't bring back a perfectly finished story after 20 years to end it with an open finale like that...maybe there's an epilogue waiting ahead (even Tsubasa's epilogue was only printed in the volume and not in Shonen Magazine) or something else entirely. At the end of the day, SyaoSaku are fine, YunaAki are fine, I really didn't need anything else. So I'm satisfied like this and I don't need to go looking for complete stranger's opinions. I've read those of my friends or people I follow, and take a very detached approach to it,

So don't be destabilized too much from opinions vomited in fandom spaces known for being the repository of negativity and drama...take a deep breath and move on, like our Sakura-chan said! 🩷

[aliceinclockland]

I know the mystery is part of the charm but i wish CLAMP made at least a one shot about Clow. Not even lore heavy just how obnoxious and silly he was

About Clow? One of the most hated characters in the entire CLAMP multiverse? (and I say this as a Clow defender! 😂)

Well, if you're interested in knowing more about silly but wholesome Clow things, have you read the "Soel & Larg - the Adventures of Mokona Modoki" book? It was published during the Tsubasa & Holic period and it got translated entirely in English by someone I know, here on Tumblr. Unfortunately, they deactivated their account, but I retrieved the direct link to their excellent work HERE . Additionally to the two Mokona, Clow and Yuuko, we also have Kero and Yue appearing in this book!

[aliceinclockland]

Just had a brainwave. You once said that you thought Akiho's real name was "Alice", right? But it turned out to be "Cosmos". What if "Alice" was actually Lillie's real name? In one post, you did point out that "Lillie" is a German name. So is Alice. What if that is the case?

WAAAAAIT WAIT WAIT wait this is a really good brainwave you got there, Aubretia....

(I didn't know Alice was a name of German origins!)

Yeah Lilie is indeed the German word used to indicate the lily flower! And indeed, when she met Nadeshiko, Lilie used to wear the same Alice-like outfit that many years later her clan would make Cosmos herself wear.......maybe in an attempt to "channel" the mother's vibe and in hope she could develop powers like her......

Hmmmmm this is really interesting and a valid theory!

[aliceinclockland]

Tears stream down your face When you lose something you cannot replace Fix You - Coldplay

[aliceinclockland]

hi

soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo i was thinkingggggg abt ccs high school au plott being kinda like Special A but there are more than 7 students in the group (as opposed to original plot)

but hey it would make people having some sort of dislike towards the Cosmos group kiiiiiiiiiiiinda justified (in an author sense, bc they're in a special section having a special treatment)

that would make some changes in the plot, yes, but yk............ it's not really a concrete and chronological story.. it's an au........ and i'm not really a consistent writer so i am so sorry for that T.T

#cardcaptor high #cardcaptor sakura au #cardcaptor au #hey yall i am back #sorry for hiatus #life is life-ing #help me why do i have to be an adult

[aliceinclockland]

the last time ive been to school was 2019 hELP how do i write a school au when im not at school 😆😆😆

[aliceinclockland]

[Credit to memory Loveybug's dialogue goes to @pisoprano's ficlet! ]

[Read on AO3]

[aliceinclockland]

(cardcaptor high school au drabble)

akiho & kaito's first day in crystal high would be their scary (and kinda awkward) introductions to section cosmos— reasons being:

1. they transferred in the middle of the school year (the school rarely allows those type of transfers), and

2. they had not-so-good experiences with the previous schools they were enrolled in.

but at the end they went home happy :)

kaito actually attended school 3 days after because he wasn't sure if they'll be accepted by their classmates or they'll be the "odd ones" again, just like the past schools.

on akiho's first day, he really didn't want her to go, but akiho assured him that she can handle herself, and added that if he's really worried, he can go with her anytime (after all, lilie enrolled BOTH of them and it's supposedly his first day too). in the end, he denied the offer and chose to anxiously wait for her to be home.

after hearing akiho telling lots of stories after her first day, he became curious. it was rare to see akiho telling school stories while smiling, so he wanted to see the section for himself.

he went with her on the third day. it was a wednesday. new students typically get introduced at the beginning of the week, but there he was, standing by the board. silently waiting for their teacher's cue for him to introduce himself to the class.

"good day, everyone. my name is kaito." he says as he looks for akiho's face in the crowd.

his face remains emotionless as the class looks at him curiously.

"i just transferred here, and i live with akiho's family. that is all." he says as he looked over to where akiho is seated and saw two girls talking to her. from what he remembers from her first day stories, these two must be the students named sakura and tomoyo.

the teacher assigned the seat behind akiho, but before he sat there he wanted to introduce himself to the girls who made akiho happy on her first day.

tomoyo was intrigued by his mannerisms while sakura tells him it's alright to be informal with them. kaito told them they both learned how to speak their language in a formal manner so it's hard to change it. tomoyo joked that she finally have "formal-speaking buddies".

during lunch break, the three girls invited him to eat lunch with the entire group, where he met the rest of them.

naoko and chiharu shared some gossip they've heard about kaito— mainly how "mysterious" he is and how many girls are interested in him. he was worried that he might've done something bad to be within the radar of any student here. the two assures him that what they've heard about him has been mostly positive.

kaito and akiho then opened their lunch box, and everyone marveled at how cute every dish looks. akiho proudly commented that kaito made all of it himself. kaito swore that he could see sparkles in everyone's eyes when they looked at him, probably out of curiosity.

not used to all this attention, he blurted out that he learned how to cook at a very young age. rika, who just arrived (she had to run some errands for a teacher), said that she had to do the same thing too.

that's when they got reminded that everyone haven't introduced themselves properly to kaito yet, so they did.

rika volunteered to be first, since she talked last in the most recent conversation, then yamazaki followed suit. he was about to give a random trivia before chiharu cuts him out with her introduction. naoko followed after, and then syaoran was next.

last to introduce themselves were sakura and tomoyo. after they introduced, kaito honestly confessed that he has heard a lot about the group, and he thanked all of them for taking care of akiho on her first two days.

sakura then told him that akiho is their friend, and that she and kaito can join the group anytime.

the rest of the day was a breeze, and kaito was more than happy that they both ended up in section cosmos.

it's almost as if fate decided that him and akiho will meet sakura's friend group because it knows that they'll be warmly welcomed by them.

for the first time, he looks forward in going to school with akiho.

=====

and cut!

my brain is having too much thoughts rn so this might not be as coherent but the plot outline in my head is:

kaito and akiho's first day. akiho went to school first, kaito went on their 3rd day, was welcomed by everyone despite his fear of them being treated like they're different taking over, and he's never been happier to go to school with akiho after he met sakura's group.

still remained a man of few words, though.

I'd like to believe that him and syaoran actually became close bc they share some similarities 😁

i think that's it? good night 😴

#cardcaptor high #cardcaptor au #yunaaki first day #of course kaito was the sketchy one #he just wants her girl to be happy #precious akiho

[aliceinclockland]

rereading some clear card chapters makes me realize that i want someone to look at me the way yuna d. kaito looks at akiho whenever she's there with him

#yuna d. kaito i swear to god #you better give akiho a worry-less life #or momo will lose her shit #cardcaptor sakura clear card #cardcaptor sakura clear card arc #clear card arc #clear card #literally why is almost everything in the prompt reminds me of yunaaki #yuna d. kaito

[aliceinclockland]

some people really just complain about everything...

they wanted a tragic story, complains that it's "heartbreaking"

wanted a lighthearted arc, deemed it's too "boring"

wanted a slice of life, feels "called out" because it's "too realistic"

like... guys, pick a struggle and fucking stick to it, will you?

#random thoughts #kinda a vent #call me a venting machine #this is a general statement #if the shoe fits

[aliceinclockland]

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card - a timeline of events

Here we are, I said I would do it and I did! 😁

This is a timeline of the events depicted in Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card, placed correctly in chronological order inside the bigger Cardcaptor Sakura story.

As explained at the beginning of the timeline itself, it is mainly intended as an aid to people who have already read all 3 arcs and might find confusing to place all the events in the correct order, as Clear Card revealed lots of events that pre-date the Clow Card Arc storyline. It is not suitable for people who haven't read the full story.

I heavily summarized the events of Clow and Sakura Card Arc because I believe by now all of us know them by heart. I tried to focus mainly on Clear Card Arc, since it's the more complex one, giving a recap of the events (and even this, is heavily summarized as it skips scenes mainly related to the relationships and bonds between the characters - I tried to keep it very plot-focused).

Because of this, the timeline is full of spoilers right from the beginning, and it is NOT intended as a replacement for a proper reading of the story (as in, don't read this and then go around saying you know the Clear Card story, cause you don't).

Whenever ages/years have been openly stated in-story, I included it in the timeline too (i.e., Kero says he slept 30 years inside the Clow Book, hence this also tells us that Clow died 30 years prior the events of Clow Card Arc).

There's a count for Kaito's time-rewinds, just for fun!

That said, you can check the animated timeline HERE. I used Visme to make it, as it makes things easier to read and it's cuter and more fun than making a post here!

Preview of how it'll look like:

If you liked it and was helpful for you, you're welcome to share it! 😁