The whimsical '90s anime series Cardcaptor Sakura captured the hearts of audiences when it reached the shores of the U.S. in 2000 and has become one of the most beloved magical girl series of all time. The story followed the titular schoolgirl, Sakura Kinamoto, as she ventured to collect 52 Clow Cards and ultimately become the Master of the Clow Cards.
✕ Remove Ads
Created by powerful magician Clow Reed, who combined the magics of the East and West to create this mystical deck, each Clow Card has its own distinct personality and unique abilities. Some help Sakura in her quest with their kindness and courage while others delight in being a hinderance. Let's take a look at 5 of the best Clow Cards - and 5 which should remain at the bottom of the deck!
10 Worst: TheBubbles
Despite its cute, mermaid-inspired design, The Bubbles isn't the most helpful card in Sakura's collection. In fact, it was originally created by Clow Reed with the specific purpose of bathing Cerberus and has even been used to wash dishes. While quickly conjuring warm, soapy bubbles is a nice idea, it doesn't serve much use in battle.
Related: 10 Hilarious Cardcaptor Memes Only True Fans Will Love
✕ Remove Ads
Sakura even captured the card off-screen between episodes, suggesting that its main purpose is for domestic chores. That being said, it is a fun card which adds to the light-hearted, playful appeal of Cardcaptor Sakura, bringing comedic moments when Sakura does use The Bubbles' power.
9 Best: The Sword
The Sword holds immense power, able to cut through brick, metal, and giant monsters. It has even been known to pin down shadows and slice through space and time. While its unruly nature requires it to be chained into place when Sakura isn't using it, it demonstrates true loyalty to its master in battle, gifting the user with expert swordsmanship.
Related: Ranked: The 10 Best Anime Adaptations Of Classic Manga
✕ Remove Ads
The sleek design adds to the card's appeal, and when in use, it combines with Sakura's Sealing Wand to make an impressive - but dangerous - weapon. Perhaps most importantly, The Sword reflects the strength of its user. Considering how effectively Sakura can wield it, The Sword reveals just how strong a fighter she really is.
8 Worst: TheNothing
Undoubtedly one of the most powerful Clow Cards in existence, The Nothing was created by Clow Reed to balance the power of the 52 other cards. It's by no means The Nothing's strength that makes it one of the worst cards, but the cruelty she displays in seeking vengeance against Sakura in Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 2: The Sealed Card.
Related: Case Closed: 10 Things American Fans Need To Know About Detective Conan
✕ Remove Ads
The Nothing can wipe anything she touches from existence. Convinced the loneliness she felt was caused by Sakura capturing the other Clow Cards, The Nothing set out to defeat the young cardcaptor, going so far as to erase entire areas of Sakura's hometown from existence! Other Clow Cards have been known to be destructive, but The Nothing's methods of seekingrevenge are cold-hearted. Her tragic story fortunately received a happy end as Sakura transformed her into Sakura Card, The Hope.
7 Best: TheTime
The Clow Cards are all gifted with adorable designs, but The Time looks entirely different. Depicting a cloaked old man holding an hourglass, representative of Father Time himself, it stands out amongst the impish young women, cute animals, and winged objects of the other cards, and rightfully so.
Related: Cardcaptors: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Sakura
✕ Remove Ads
The Time has complete control over time itself, able to make time stand still completely. He can even speed events up or slow them down, and has been known to make history repeat. The Time is amongst the handful of OP cards Sakura carries, but use of his power comes at a cost - the user is quickly drained of their magic whenever The Time is called upon, severely weakening even the most powerful of magicians. He's therefore used rarely, but when he does appear, it always makes for an interesting event!
6 Worst: TheCloud
✕ Remove Ads
One of the cutest cards of the deck, The Cloud reflects the playful fun of Cardcaptor Sakura. She's gentle and mischievous, getting great delight in forming little clouds above the heads of humans and causing it to rain. However, she's another card which proves to be pretty useless in the grand scheme of things. While a cloudy, rainy day can be annoying, it's unlikely to deter foes or rogue cards from causing trouble. Sakura also holds The Rain and The Mist cards; both more powerful in generating heavy downpours and acidic fogs, so The Cloud is never used once Sakura seals the card.
5 Best: TheMirror
The Mirror's powers are relatively simple, able to reflect attacks and adopt the appearance of another person. However, her relationship with Sakura and her friends makes her one of the best cards in the deck. Originally causing Sakura real trouble, and even injuring the cardcaptor's brother, Touya, The Mirror appeared to be nothing more than another trickster card.But her character developed considerably throughout the series, showing genuine affection towards Touya and a deep care for her master. She has covered for Sakura as her doppelganger in times of need and - being one of the only Clow Cards capable of human speech - she's vocalized her strong support for Sakura succeeding in her quest. In a series which values strong relationships, The Mirror is a memorable card, firmly cementing the bond Sakura has with her cards.
✕ Remove Ads
4 Worst: TheWave
The Wave is one of the most pointless cards in the entire deck. Although part of the official pack of cards, it's never seen in the anime. Sakura seals it while on spring break, between episodes 35 and 36, leaving its capture to the imagination. The off-screen sealing of the card suggests that the show itself didn't believe it was a strong or interesting enough card to garner even a couple of minutes to show off its power and ultimate capture. It's implied The Wave is capable of generating huge tidal waves, but with a more powerful card like The Watery at her fingertips, The Wave ultimately becomes redundant and forgotten.
3 Best: TheDream
✕ Remove Ads
Dream sequences are a fun way of unfolding mystery in any show, gradually building towards an important event prophesized in dreams. The Dream introduces this trope in Cardcaptor Sakura, with its ability to tell the dreamer's fortune or influence people's dreams, allowing them to see their greatest desires.
Related: 10 Great Anime With Child Protagonists
Sakura sees visions of Tokyo Tower while she sleeps, as The Dream silently guides her towards her final confrontation in her quest to become Master of the Clow Cards. Hints of what lies ahead allows Sakura - and the audience - to prepare for her future. It's this unspoken loyalty that ranks The Dream as one of the best cards.
2 Worst: TheMove
✕ Remove Ads
The ability to magically move objects sounds like an excellent power which could be useful in a number of situations. Unfortunately, The Move is very limited in what it can do. A trickster spirit, it can inhabit inanimate objects and move them quickly. However, it can only move small, light objects at a very short distance. Instead of being able to shift an entire bookcase to reveal a secret passageway, it instead spends its time moving things just out of arms reach. While hindering Sakura's homework by moving a library book aroundher room is funny, The Move's limitations render it useless in the cardcaptor's quest.
1 Best: The Windy
✕ Remove Ads
The most loyal and reliable Clow Card, The Windy has been at Sakura's side since she began her adventure. It's hard to imagine one without the other. The Windy was responsible for scattering the cards when the Clow Book was opened. Instead of fleeing with the rest of them, The Windy returned to the book, becoming Sakura's first card - and the only one she didn't have to capture! The Windy is incredibly powerful and has rarely failed Sakura when the young cardcaptor needed her. In fact, The Windy even helped Sakura defeat Yue, Guardian of the Clow Cards, duringthe Final Judgement, despite being under Yue's command, showing the devotion and respect she has for Sakura.
Next: 10 Best Shoujo AnimeTo Show New Fans