Sakura (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle)

This article is about the female Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle protagonist. For other uses, see Sakura.
Sakura
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and
xxxHolic character

Sakura as seen in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
First appearance Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle chapitre 1
xxxHolic chapter 8
Created by Clamp
Voiced by Yui Makino (Japanese)
Monica Rial (English)

Sakura (サクラ), also known as Princess Sakura (サクラ姫 Sakura Hime), is a fictional character and one of the protagonists from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, a manga series written and illustrated by Clamp. In the series, Sakura is a princess from the Kingdom of Clow who has her memories separated from her body and sent to parallel dimensions in the form of feathers. Finding Sakura catatonic and near death, Syaoran, her childhood friend, goes on a quest to recover her memories. As a payment for travelling, Sakura will never recover her memories regarding Syaoran, who she was in love with. Nevertheless, as the journey continues, Sakura forms new bonds with Syaoran, and together they learn how the sorcerer Fei-Wang Reed was responsible for the loss of her memories and will benefit from their recovery. Besides Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Sakura also appears in other works from Clamp including xxxHolic and the drama CD series Holitsuba.

The character of Sakura and her relationship with Syaoran were both based on Sakura Kinomoto, the protagonist from Cardcaptor Sakura. Her character has been well received by Japanese readers and audiences, appearing in various popularity polls not only from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle but also for anime and manga series in general. She has also received praise from media publications for her personality, her relation with Syaoran, and her development across the series.

Character outline

In Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle

First introduced in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Sakura is the princess of the Kingdom of Clow. A force fragments her soul, including her memories, into feathers, which are scattered across various parallel worlds.[1] To retrieve the feathers and save her life, she and Syaoran go to Yūko Ichihara, who gives them Mokona Modoki to help them travel to parallel worlds. The cost for her help is Sakura's memory of Syaoran, which causes him to be absent from any memories restored to her.[2][3] Sakura is initially confused, and constantly tired, but she grows stronger as she regains her feathers.[4] She becomes very friendly with the group's new members, Fai D. Flowright, Kurogane and Mokona, and she grows close to Syaoran again.[5] Even though she notices that she has forgotten somebody from her memories, whenever Sakura realizes the one missing is Syaoran, her memories revert to before her realization.[6] Over time she also starts recover various abilities, including seeing spirits of nature, ghosts, and visions of the future.[7][8]

As the journey continues, Sakura comes to regard Syaoran as her most important person, but at the same time he betrays the group to Fei-Wang Reed, the sorcerer who can control him and created him based on another teenager.[9] Sakura learns that Fei-Wang was responsible for scattering her memories and set up the journey to recover them for his own plans, but she still decides to continue in order to save Syaoran.[10][11] From that point on, Sakura becomes very distant from the group, especially the newly arrived original Syaoran, because of his similarities to the clone whom she has come to know.[12] When she sees a future involving Fai killing the original Syaoran as part of Fei-Wang's curse, Sakura attempts to change it and succeeds in taking Fai's place, in that moment sending her soul to the Dream World and her body to Celes.[13][14] Her soul is destroyed by the Syaoran clone when trying to recover her feathers. Just before her death, Sakura reveals that she is a clone of the original Sakura and asks Syaoran to go back to his previous self.[15][16] Fei-Wang created the clone Sakura to increase the power from the feathers, and as a backup in case the original Sakura died in the journey.[17] After the destruction of her soul, the power stored in her soulless body is used by Fei-Wang as part of his plan to revive Yūko.[18]

Since clones cannot properly die, the Sakura and Syaoran clones are reconstructed by Yūko, who wishes to compensate them for how their existences were used.[19] She causes them to be reborn as humans, who eventually meet and start living together.[20][21] Sakura gives birth to the original Syaoran and they realize they are in their own past. They raise him until it is time for him to begin the events of the series, then they seal themselves in a glass tube in order to await the time when Fei-Wang will attempt to shatter reality.[22] After breaking free from the tube, Sakura and Syaoran reverse Fei-Wang's damage to the dimension using the magic they inherited from the sorcerer Clow Reed during their reincarnation.[23] They disappear after Fei-Wang is killed by Kurogane, leaving behind only a feather which the original Sakura and Syaoran absorb.[24][25]

Other appearances

Besides the manga and anime series from Tsubasa, Sakura also appears in the animated film The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom in which she still travels with Syaoran, Fai, Kurogane and Mokona across dimensions.[26] She is also a playable character in the two Nintendo DS video games from Tsubasa.[27] In the drama CD series, The Matinée of the Palace, the group performs a play that reenacts the series' story while searching for one of her feathers.[28]

Outside Tsubasa, Sakura makes various appearances in Clamp's manga xxxHolic, showing some of the events happening in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.[29] Sakura also appears in later volumes when her soul is separated from her body and sent to the Dream World.[30] There, she meets Yūko's assistant, a teenager named Kimihiro Watanuki, whom she finds similar to the original Syaoran.[31] One of her feathers – that of her memories of Syaoran – appears in Watanuki's world and gives the medium Kohane Tsuyuri the ability to exorcise spirits. After Kohane wishes for the removal of her ability, the feather stays with a black Mokona Modoki.[32] Sakura does not appear in the animated adaptions of xxxHolic until the original video animations series xxxHolic Shunmuki, in which she appears in the Dream World talking with Watanuki.[33]

The drama CD series Holitsuba Gakuen features Sakura as one of the students from the fictional school Holitsuba, which includes characters from both Tsubasa and xxxHolic.[34]

Creation and conception

Sakura's voice actress, Yui Makino

Similarly to the characters created by Osamu Tezuka and his Star System, Sakura was based on the protagonist of Clamp's previous manga Cardcaptor Sakura, Sakura Kinomoto, and her relationship with Syaoran Li. Both Sakura and Syaoran's counterparts from Cardcaptor Sakura had a happy ending; Clamp said that the Tsubasa protagonists would have to overcome trials throughout the series to get their "own happy ending".[35][36] Sakura losing her memories of Syaoran and struggling to once again develop feelings for him is one of the main themes of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, showing the value of relationships throughout the series.[37]

Voice actresses

Sakura is voiced by Yui Makino in the anime adaptation, and by Monica Rial in the English adaptation.[38][39] Sakura's character was Makino's first work as a voice actress and she states she did not have to adjust her voice for that, finding the character similar to her.[40] During the series' original video animations (OVAs), Makino mentioned that one of Sakura's scenes was very sad, and worked to make it appealing.[41]

Reception

Singer Maaya Sakamoto wrote the anime's insert song "Spica" based on Sakura's character, describing how she moves forward across the series but still shows weakness at times.[42] Various types of merchandising have also been made based on her appearance, such as plushes and keychains.[43][44]

Sakura's character has been well received by publications for manga, anime and other media. While commenting on the series' protagonists, Ed Sizemore from Comics Worth Reading stated that Sakura had "natural grace and charm", indicating how she changes as the series continues.[45] Comparing her with her Cardcaptor Sakura counterpart, Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network found Sakura a likeable female lead character based on her personality and how she cares for others.[46] Animefringe writer Lesley Smith commented that Sakura was "becoming a much larger character" the more feathers she recovered, but even so "her relationship with Syaoran can never be the same."[47] Sakura's change in the second half of the manga has also received many comments. Carlo Santos of Anime News Network called it a large improvement, as she starts manipulating events in order to obtain what she wants.[48] On the other hand, Mania Entertainment's Sakura Eries had mixed feelings about this, stating that while it is not surprising she volunteers to get involved in a dangerous task, the outcome was "unbelievable" due to how she ended facing the creatures from Tokyo.[49] Megan Lavey from the same site found Sakura's death in a later volume unexpected, and the revelation that Sakura was a clone like Syaoran made her feel "cheated" since the two of them were the series' initial protagonists.[50]

Sakura's relationship with Syaoran and the way in which she begins caring for him again even without her memories has often been described as one of the series' strongest points.[45] Carlo Santos stated that the relationship even makes up for the issues in the anime,[46] while Active Anime's Christopher Seaman found such a romantic relationship one of the most mature developments of the series.[51] IGN's N.S. Davidson mentioned that the series would still be appealing to those who dislike romance, because of the "haunting" situation of these two characters.[52] Megan Lavey called it a "pretty simple love story", but liked their personalities though.[53]

Sakura has been popular among readers readers from series, placing second among all the characters in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle in a popularity poll held by Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 2005 right behind the Syaoran clone. She took a lower spot in the following poll behind Fai and the Syaoran clone, but has maintained a high ranking in other related polls from the series.[54][55] In the Animage's Anime Grand Prix poll from 2006, Sakura was voted as the fifth most popular female anime character,[56] and the following year she was seventh.[57] In the Animedia "2006 Animedia Character Awards", Sakura ranked highly in several of its categories. The most notable include second place in the categories "Most Beautiful / Loveliest Character Award" and "Most Heroic Character Award".[58]

References

  1. ↑ Clamp (2004). "Chapitre 1". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 1. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47057-7.
  2. ↑ Clamp (2004). "Chapitre 2". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 1. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47057-7.
  3. ↑ Clamp (2005). "Chapitre 22". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 4. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47791-0.
  4. ↑ Clamp (2004). "Chapitre 13". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 2. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47182-6.
  5. ↑ Clamp (2007). "Chapitre 87". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 12. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-48532-8.
  6. ↑ Clamp (2005). "Chapitre 35". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 5. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47792-7.
  7. ↑ Clamp (2005). "Chapitre 32". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 5. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47792-7.
  8. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 145". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 19. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50579-8.
  9. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 119". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 16. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50148-6.
  10. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 133". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 18. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50409-8.
  11. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 134". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 18. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50409-8.
  12. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 140". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 18. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50409-8.
  13. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 150". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 20. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50580-4.
  14. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapitre 152". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 20. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50580-4.
  15. ↑ Clamp (2009). "Chapitre 178". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 23. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-51230-7.
  16. ↑ Clamp (2009). "Chapitre 179". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 23. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-51230-7.
  17. ↑ Clamp (2009). "Chapitre 180". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 23. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-51230-7.
  18. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 215". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 27. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52071-5.
  19. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 219". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 27. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52071-5.
  20. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 220". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  21. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 221". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  22. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 223". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  23. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 224". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  24. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 232". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  25. ↑ Clamp (2010). "Chapitre 233". Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 28. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-52164-4.
  26. ↑ Clamp Double Feature: Tsubasa Chronicle and xxxHOLiC (DVD). Funimation Entertainment. February 2008.
  27. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (May 23, 2005). "Tsubasa Chronicle to DS". IGN. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  28. ↑ 「王宮のマチネ」Chapter.1 ~ありえないゴール~ ["The Matinée of the Palace" Chapter.1 ~Coral, the City on the Water~] (Media notes). Clamp. Victor Entertainment. 2005. VICL-61794.
  29. ↑ Clamp (2004). "Chapter 8". xxxHolic, Volume 1. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-47058-4.
  30. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapter 73". xxxHolic, Volume 12. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50565-1.
  31. ↑ Clamp (2008). "Chapter 76". xxxHolic, Volume 12. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50565-1.
  32. ↑ Clamp (2009). "Chapter 84". xxxHolic, Volume 13. Del Rey Manga. ISBN 978-0-345-50566-8.
  33. ↑ xxxHolic Shunmuki, Last Part (DVD). Kodansha. June 2009.
  34. ↑ 「私立堀鐔学園」第1話･バレンタインデーにドッキドキ! [Private High School Holitsuba' Episode 1: A Heartpounding Valetine's Day!] (Media notes). Clamp. Kodansha. 2006.
  35. ↑ Fujie, Kazuhisa; Labaamen (2008). Tsubasa Chronicle Factbook: Mystery, Magic & Mischief. DH Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-932897-26-5.
  36. ↑ "Anime Expo 15 Cosplay 2006". John (Phoenix) Brown. January 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  37. ↑ Clamp (2005). CLAMP no Kiseki Vol. 12. Translated and adapted by Tokyopop. Los Angeles: Tokyopop. p. 15. ISBN 978-1595326164.
  38. ↑ "STAFF & CAST". Production I.G. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Tsubasa English Cast Announced". Anime News Network. February 25, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  40. ↑ Miller, Evan (June 29, 2009). "Yui Makino". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  41. ↑ "舞台は日本国！ 「ツバサ」アニメ企画に向け監督＆キャスト陣にインタビュー" [The stage is Japan! Tsubasa, Planning for the new animation and interviews with cast member]. ASCII Media Works. October 30, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  42. ↑ "Interview: Sakamoto Maaya outlook on Tsubasa Chronicle's world in "Kazemachi Jet / Spica"" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  43. ↑ "Tsubasa: Sakura Flower Metal Key Chain". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Tsubasa: Sakura Plush". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  45. 1 2 Sizemore, Ed (March 17, 2009). "Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles Books 1-20 and Character Guide". Comics Worth Reading. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  46. 1 2 Kimlinger, Carl (January 18, 2008). "Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE DVD 4+5". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  47. ↑ Smith, Lesley (June 2005). "Tsubasa RESERVior CHRoNiCLE Vol. 5". Animefringe. 6 (6). Animefringe. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  48. ↑ Santos, Carlo (December 16, 2008). "Tsubasa, RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE GN 19". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  49. ↑ Eries, Sakura (August 19, 2008). "Tsubasa Vol. #17". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  50. ↑ Eries, Sakura (December 24, 2009). "Tsubasa Vol. #23". Mania Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  51. ↑ Seaman, Christopher (May 22, 2007). "TSUBASA RESERVOIR CHRONICLE STARTER SET (ADVANCE REVIEW)". Active Anime. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  52. ↑ Davidson, N.S. (December 10, 2007). "Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle: Volume 5 - Hunters and Prey DVD Review". IGN. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  53. ↑ Lavey, Megan (June 23, 2004). "Tsubasa Vol. #01". Mania Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  54. ↑ Clamp (2005). Tsubasa CHARACTer GuiDE. translanted and adapted by William Flanagan. New York: Del Rey Manga. pp. 148–152. ISBN 978-4-06-372001-3.
  55. ↑ Clamp (2006). Tsubasa CHARACTer GuiDE 2. translanted and adapted by William Flanagan. New York: Del Rey Manga. pp. 144–148. ISBN 978-4-06-372216-1.
  56. ↑ トップ ＞ 第28回アニメグランプリ　［2006年6月号］（現在位置） [Anime Grand Prix by number of age > 28th Annual Anime Grand Prix June 2006 issue (current position)] (in Japanese). Animage. June 2006. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  57. ↑ "Anime Grand Prix 2006-2007". Animage (in Japanese). Gakken. May 2007.
  58. ↑ "2006 Animedia Character Awards". Animedia (in Japanese). Gakken. February 2010.
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