
Sakura Kinomoto
Sakura Kinomoto |
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Series | Cardcaptor Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card |
Profile | |
Also Known As | Sakura-chan Kaijuu (monster) (by Touya) Kinomoto-san (byMeiling) Sakura-san (byAkiho) |
Birthday | April 1st (Aries) |
Age | Manga: 10~11 (Original series) 13~15 (Clear Card Arc) Anime: |
Relatives | Fujitaka Kinomoto(father) Nadeshiko Kinomoto(mother♰) Touya Kinomoto(older brother) Tomoyo Daidouji(2nd cousin) Sonomi Daidouji(1st cousin once removed) Masaki Amamiya(great-grandfather) Unnamed great-grandmother♰ |
Affiliates |
Syaoran(boyfriend) |
Residence | Tomoeda, Japan |
Likes | Music and P.E class
pink and white colors |
Dislikes | Mathematics, ghosts,Konnyaku(Konjac Jelly) |
Powers/Abilities |
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Characteristics | |
Gender | Female |
Hair Color | Brown |
Eye Color | Green |
Blood Type |
A
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Debut | |
Anime | Episode 1 |
Manga | Chapter 1 |
Voice Actor(s) | |
Japanese | Sakura Tange |
English | Carly McKillip(Cardcaptors) Kari Wahlgren(2nd movie) Andrea Kwan (Animax) Monica Rial(Clear Card) |
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— Sakura Kinomoto
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Appearance
Sakura Kinomoto is often depicted with short brown hair in the anime, styled with two raised partings and two curved ahoges, along with two long thin strands on either side. Her eyes are a striking emerald green. However, in some manga illustrations and official artwork, there are slight variations in her appearance—her hair may appear auburn, her eyes might be shown as grey or blue, and her skin can sometimes be depicted as pale or snow white.
As a child, Sakura is shorter in stature but grows taller as the series progresses. Her wardrobe changes throughout the story, with her most recognizable outfit being her school uniform, which also serves as her battle attire, adjusted to the season. In winter, her school uniform consists of a black long-sleeved shirt with red and white cuffs, a white neckerchief with a red stripe, and a white pleated miniskirt with a frilly knee-length petticoat. On colder days, she adds a thick black coat with her school’s insignia on the back. During the summer, she wears a white half-sleeved shirt, a red neckerchief, and a black pleated miniskirt. Regardless of the season, she always wears black shoes, white socks, and a white sailor hat with black trim.



Personality
Sakura is a lively and cheerful 10-year-old, often coming across as innocent, clumsy, and sometimes oblivious. Despite her occasional naivety, she is also capable of showing deep insight, and her optimism is one of her most endearing qualities. Athletic and energetic, she excels in sports, especially running, and is a proud member of her school’s cheerleading team—a talent she inherited from her father.
Her signature phrase, “Everything will surely be all right” (“Zettai daijoubu da yo”), helps her stay optimistic through the many challenges she faces, especially as she hones her magical abilities. A frequent expression of hers is “Hoeh!” (“Hoe!”), an exclamation she uses when surprised or frightened, often stretching it out. She also has a habit of shouting “Kero, NO!!!” when scolding Kero.
Sakura’s warm, trustworthy nature makes her approachable and friendly with everyone, whether strangers, acquaintances, or rivals. Her relationships, particularly with Syaoran Li, are shaped by her kind and outgoing personality. Despite her occasional gullibility and tendency to believe what others tell her, her charm and sincere nature help her win over those around her, as demonstrated with Syaoran in the series.
She is notably frightened of ghosts, a fear instilled by her older brother Touya, who can see spirits. Though Sakura herself cannot see them, her brother’s detailed and often unsettling descriptions, including spirits with missing limbs, left her terrified of them. Ironically, she has no fear of the Clow Cards, as she is aware of the magical nature of what she faces. For instance, when she discovers that the ghost haunting the park is actually a Clow Card, she is no longer afraid.
While Sakura tends to be oblivious to matters about herself, she is highly perceptive when it comes to understanding others. She usually keeps quiet about any private information she learns about her friends. Beneath her sweet and cute demeanor, she can also be quite temperamental. This side of her emerges when her brother Touya teases her, calling her a monster, or during heated moments, such as when she and Kero have a disagreement. Her temper can even be fierce enough to make Touya wary of her.
Relationships
Syaoran Li
The most significant relationship in the series develops between Sakura and Syaoran Li, particularly in the latter half. Their first encounter takes place when Syaoran transfers to Tomoeda Elementary, and Sakura is initially confused by his hostile attitude toward her. Syaoran demands that she hand over the Clow Cards, and when she refuses, he tries to take them by force. Sakura’s brother, Touya, intervenes before things escalate. Following this confrontation, Sakura attempts to befriend Syaoran, but he remains distant and often ridicules her for being unworthy of the Clow Cards. Despite his coldness, Sakura continues to show kindness and patience, gradually winning him over.
A turning point occurs when Syaoran rushes to save Sakura from the Earthy card, calling her by her first name for the first time. This marks the beginning of a deeper bond between them. In both the manga and anime, Sakura later expresses her desire to call him “Syaoran-kun,” signaling a shift in their relationship.
As the series progresses, Syaoran becomes more openly affectionate, though Sakura remains oblivious to his feelings. She notices his blushing and occasional clumsiness in her presence, but interprets it innocently. Despite this, Sakura’s feelings for Syaoran begin to evolve, especially after a series of events that culminate in Syaoran confessing his love near the end of the series. Sakura is initially shocked but begins to realize that she too has romantic feelings for him. When Syaoran prepares to leave for Hong Kong, Sakura’s heartache leads her to finally admit that he is her “number one person.”
In a beautiful culmination of their relationship, Sakura makes Syaoran a teddy bear, and they promise to wait for each other. Two years later, they reunite as a couple, symbolizing their growth and the deepening of their bond.
Yukito Tsukishiro
In the early part of the series, Sakura harbors a crush on Yukito Tsukishiro, a friend of her brother Touya. Her feelings for Yukito lead to moments of “floaty” excitement, especially when Yukito is around. Despite her affection, Sakura’s feelings are mostly rooted in admiration, and she often tries to impress him. Eventually, she confesses her love to Yukito, but he gently declines, explaining that while he cares for her, his feelings are purely platonic. He suggests that Sakura’s attachment to him may stem from his resemblance to her father.
This revelation allows Sakura to let go of her romantic feelings for Yukito, although they remain close friends. Yukito’s advice to Sakura is that her true “number one person” is still out there, guiding her toward a future with someone else.
Tomoyo Daidouji
Sakura’s bond with Tomoyo Daidouji is one of the most important in the series. The two are best friends and share a close, supportive relationship. Tomoyo has a deep affection for Sakura, though Sakura is entirely unaware of the romantic undertones of Tomoyo’s feelings. Tomoyo often films Sakura’s adventures and helps design her battle costumes. While Tomoyo is deeply fond of Sakura, she never pressures her and continues to support Sakura in her romantic endeavors, especially with Syaoran and Yukito.
Though Sakura is oblivious to Tomoyo’s deeper feelings, the two share a strong, platonic love for each other. Tomoyo’s selflessness is evident in her actions, always putting Sakura’s happiness first. The manga hints at Tomoyo’s unspoken love for Sakura, though the anime is more direct about this attachment, leaving it to the viewer’s interpretation.
Eriol Hiiragizawa
Sakura and Eriol quickly become friends, though Syaoran is initially jealous of their closeness. Eriol, who later reveals himself to be the reincarnation of Clow Reed, becomes an important figure in Sakura’s life. Despite their battles, Sakura never holds any ill will toward him and continues to trust him. Before leaving Japan, Eriol gives Sakura advice about understanding her feelings for Syaoran, emphasizing the significance of their relationship. Even after returning to England, Eriol keeps in contact with Sakura and remains concerned about her growing magical powers.
Chiharu Mihara
Chiharu, a classmate and friend of Sakura, offers advice when Sakura is confused about her feelings toward Syaoran. After observing Sakura’s sadness over Syaoran leaving for Hong Kong, Chiharu shares her own experiences with relationships, encouraging Sakura to express her emotions and not hold back. Chiharu’s wisdom helps Sakura understand the importance of apologizing and communicating with loved ones.
Rika Sasaki
Rika, another of Sakura’s friends, offers a kind ear when Sakura is upset about Syaoran’s departure. Rika, who is in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, reassures Sakura that it is okay to cherish the time spent with loved ones, even if they have to part for a while. Their conversation helps Sakura accept that she may need to let go of Syaoran temporarily, but also reinforces the idea that true love will always prevail.
Powers and Abilities
Origin
Sakura’s magic originates from both the stars and the balance of sun and moon energy, much like Clow Reed’s magic. Her heart, described as a starlit sky, reflects her inherent potential. Her abilities draw from both light and dark forces, which makes her a unique magical presence.
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Precognitive Dream: Sakura possesses the ability to see future events through her dreams. This includes visions of pivotal moments like the Final Judgment and her eventual meeting with important characters. Additionally, she experiences dreams of the past, including the death of Clow Reed, which may be a result of his powerful magic. By the end of the manga, Sakura has the potential to see into the future at will.
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Magical & Supernatural Detection: Over time, Sakura learns to sense magical forces, including the presence of Clow Cards. She can also detect powerful magic users like Eriol Hiiragizawa. By the time of the Clear Card arc, Sakura gains the ability to see ghosts and spirits, an ability she shares with her brother, Touya.
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Use of the Clow Cards: Initially, Sakura uses the Clow Cards as magical instruments, each imbued with its own unique power. However, as the series progresses, she transforms the Clow Cards into “Sakura Cards,” which draw magic from her own power. These cards are central to her ability to combat threats and perform magical feats.
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Mystical Object Creation: Sakura shows an incredible ability to create new magical cards. This starts with the creation of The Nameless Card, which is a product of her feelings for Syaoran. In theClear Cardarc, she begins to generate new cards unconsciously, which are imbued with her unique magic and reflective of her emotional state.
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Dream Sharing: After losing her Sakura Cards, Sakura unknowingly begins to share prophetic dreams with her new friend Akiho, further highlighting her connection to the magical world and the strength of her abilities.
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Incredible Athletic Skills: Sakura is an exceptionally gifted athlete, known for her stamina and agility. She is a member of her school’s cheerleading team and uses her athletic prowess to capture and manage the magical cards she encounters. Her physical abilities play an important role, especially during the Clear Card arc, where she uses her skills to track and capture the new cards.
Cards
After Sakura captures all of the Clow Cards and successfully passes the Final Judgment, she faces new challenges created by Eriol, which her abilities as she works to transform the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards without overexerting her magical power.
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Innate Power Growth: Throughout theClow Cardarc, it’s suggested that Sakura’s natural magical powers and abilities grow stronger as she continues to collect and transform the Clow Cards. Cerberus often comments on this, noting that her powers increase with each card she captures. However, in the early stages, her inexperience is highlighted, and she frequently collapses after using her magic to transform the cards.
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Becoming More Proficient: As Sakura gains experience, she becomes more adept at transforming the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards. Her magical stamina improves, and she becomes less fatigued after using her powers. By the end of Eriol’s trials, Sakura is able to transform all the remaining Clow Cards into Sakura Cards simultaneously. This marks her growing mastery over her magic.
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Clow Reed’s Reincarnation: In the aftermath of these events, it is revealed that Clow Reed had reincarnated into two people: Sakura’s father and Eriol. This arrangement was made so that Sakura would have access to the full extent of Clow Reed’s magical power, enabling her to surpass even him in strength. As the Sakura Cards are transformed, they acquire a 5-pointed star symbol, signifying their new form and enhanced powers.
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Clear Card Arc: In the Clear Card arc, Sakura’s magical power grows even more, though she doesn’t realize it at first. She gains the ability to create the Clear Cards unconsciously, each one manifesting based on her thoughts and powerful magic. This shows that her powers have reached extraordinary levels.
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Power and Unhappiness: Eriol warns Syaoran Li that with such immense magical power comes great difficulty and sorrow, as “great power will bring great unhappiness to its owner.” This foreshadows the emotional burden Sakura may face due to her abilities.
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Sakura’s Power to See the Past: As Sakura’s magic reaches new heights, Cerberus remarks that her power has grown so strong that she can now access the past—an ability that only Clow Reed and a handful of top-level magicians had previously possessed. This marks another milestone in her development as a magical wielder.
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Transformation of the Sakura Cards: By the end of theClear Cardarc, the Sakura Cards undergo another transformation. Influenced by Sakura’s Staff of Dreams, the cards adopt the appearance of the Clear Cards, now bearing a 6-pointed star symbol, signifying the further evolution of her magical power and the Sakura Cards’ connection to her growing strength.
Etymology
Etymology
Sakura’s given name, Sakura (桜), means “cherry blossom,” symbolizing beauty, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life, with a particular association to the flowers that bloom in spring. Akiho refers to Sakura’s name as being inspired by the beautiful flower that blossoms during the season.
Her surname, Kinomoto (木之本), consists of three kanji:
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木 (ki) meaning “tree” or “wood.”
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之 (no) meaning “of.”
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本 (moto) meaning “base,” “root,” or “origin.” It can also mean “book.”
The literal meaning of her surname is “the origin of wood,” possibly alluding to nature and growth. The character 本 (moto), meaning “book,” could be a subtle reference to the beginning of Sakura’s journey with the Clow Cards, which started when she discovered the Clow Book in her father’s library, marking the origin of her magical adventure.