Episode 51: "Sakura and the Big Teddy Bear" or "Attack of the Teddy Bear"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 50
Episode 51: Sakura and the Big Teddy Bear (Card Captor Sakura) or Attack of the Teddy Bear (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: Japanese Card Captor Sakura
Sakura is putting the final touches on her teddy bear. It still looks like Kero, much to her dismay. She decides to write to Ms. Mizuki. She essentially does a "Last Time on Cardcaptor Sakura" in the letter, detailing the card battle that happened in the last episode. She also tells Ms. Mizuki that she carries the Cards at all times now, taking a handful out to look at them.
Eriol greets her, startling her when she realizes that the Cards are in full view of Eriol. She hides them in her bag. Eriol sits next to her and asks what she is doing. Sakura (hiding the letter) explains that she is writing a letter to their old homeroom teacher. Sakura explains that she was pretty awesome and Eriol remarks that he would like to meet her one day. Eriol then notices the teddy bear. Sakura is embarrassed and hides that too. Eriol asks if that is what she bought at the store and if he can see it. Sakura doesn't want to show it to him because it's bad. Eriol says that he likes crafts so maybe he can help her (strangely enough, Eli says that he's bad at crafts in this scene, in order to reassure her that her bear is probably fine). Asking Eriol not to laugh, she hands it over to him. He remarks that the issue is that the ears should be smaller and up higher on the head - then it will look like a bear. Sakura is delighted at the insight and wants to undo the stitches. Eriol offers to help to do it and then, as he is holding the bear with the scissors, does some freaky magic to one of the ears.
The English version cuts this next moment: the teddy bear is now finished and Sakura is pleased. Sakura asks what she can do to repay him and insists that she must repay him. Eriol asks if it can be anything. Sakura says as long as it is something she can do, that's fine. Eriol gets down on one knee and kisses her hand, much to Sakura's surprise. Eriol admits that he's jealous of whoever gets that bear.
Meanwhile, Chiharu (I had to look her name up, geez) is giving her bear to Yamazaki. Chiharu is all blushy and starting to explain what to name the bear when Yamazaki suggests Suama (some sort of Japanese dessert). This angers Chiharu greatly and she starts strangling him. In the English version of this scene, Chelsea is worried that Zachary doesn't like it and tells him that it's okay if he doesn't like it. He says that he likes it and suggests naming the bear "Chelsea", after her. This angers her and she starts strangling him.
In another meanwhile, Li is looking at his teddy bear. He wonders why he even bought it and flashbacks to buying the kit. Chiharu is still yelling at Yamazaki for not naming the bear after her so they can love each other forever (and Chelsea is asking Zachary what sort of name is "Chelsea" for his teddy bear). In the Japanese version, Li suddenly imagines Sakura, causing him to wonder why she suddenly popped into his head (the English version cuts this moment). Suddenly, Yukito calls out to Li, inviting him to have lunch with him.
While they are having lunch, after remarking how hungry he's been lately, Yukito remarks on Li's teddy bear - did someone give it to him? Li shakes his head. Did he make it then? Li nods. Yukito is impressed and asks if he's going to give it to someone.
The versions differ at this point so here goes:
In the Japanese version, Li imagines Sakura again and turns bright red, wondering why he would give it to her. He runs off. As he's running, he wonders why he feels this way. Only Yukito makes him feel this way so why is he having these feelings about Sakura? He stops and notices Sakura (who is looking at Eriol's retreating form - I told you it was "meanwhile") and just stares for a really long time. Finally, Sakura notices Li and Li runs away. Li then wonders why he had that reaction by just seeing her just then. As Li runs, Yueh floats down into his path with the teddy bear. Yueh explains that Li feels "confused" when he sees Yukito is because of the resonance from the Moon's power. If he calms down and listens to his heart, then he'll know who he truly cares for. Li is baffled and Yueh tells him to figure out the rest on his own. Yueh transforms back into Yukito, who is puzzled why he is there now. Eventually, he "remembers" that he was chasing after Li to give the bear back. Yukito tells Li that he should give the bear to whom it was intended for.
Later that day, Tomoyo and Sakura discuss Eriol's kiss on the hand, chalking it up to him being from another country. They then talk about how mature Eriol is. They then realize that Li is from another country and he's so different from Eriol. This brings up the issue of Li acting weird at lunch, since he ran away from Sakura and his face was red. Tomoyo remarks that is probably because he saw her. Sakura asks why that would cause him to run away. Tomoyo muses that Sakura is pretty clueless and that it must be hard on Li.
In the English version, Li panics and runs away. As he's running, he wonders why he's even still in Reddington. Sakura has all of the Cards and he nearly got Sakura and Madison hurt the other night so maybe he's in the way. He concludes that he should go back home. Yueh floats down into his path with the teddy bear. Yueh explains that, now that all of the Cards have been captured, Li feels that his "place in the Clow dynasty is in question". Li remarks that Sakura is the Master of the Cards now. Yueh agrees but says that his role in this whole business is still important. Li asks what he can do since she has the Cards. Yueh explains that the fate of many people are in Sakura's hands but she'll need his help more than ever. He changes back to Julian. Julian is puzzled how he got there but he returns the bear to Li, telling that he really should give that bear to someone as a present.
Later that day, Madison asks for clarification that Sakura received help from Eli. She confirms it. Sakura then remarks that Li was acting weird, like he had a lot on his mind. Madison asks if she talked to him about it - he bolted out of class so, no, she hadn't. Madison guesses that Li may feel bad about nearly hurting them the other night. Sakura says that surely he must know that wasn't his fault. Madison suggests that Sakura should talk to Li and tell him that it wasn't his fault.
Back to both version now. Tomoyo asks if Sakura finished the bear and will give it to Yukito. She answers in the affirmation so Tomoyo asks for a favor. That favor is for Tomoyo to videotape Sakura giving the bear to Yukito in one of her outfits.
Sakura gives the teddy bear to Yukito, who is pleased with it. Suddenly, Kero and Sakura sense something. Yukito passes out and the bear becomes huge and starts smashing Yukito's house. Yueh swoops Sakura up to attack it with ice shard things but they just bounce off. Yueh loses power and falls.
Meanwhile, Eriol and his team are looking on, remarking that things aren't going very well for Team Sakura, especially Yueh.
Sakura transforms Jump into a Sakura Card and jumps around for awhile, trying to figure out to do as the giant teddy bear destroys Yukito's house. Yueh and Kero figure out that some sort of magic is controlling the bear so Sakura needs to find the source of the magic. It's in the ear, so Kero suggests cutting the ear off.
Sakura activates the Sword Card but when she jumps at the bear, she gets swatted away. She needs to use Fly but both Fly and Sword use the staff. What should Sakura do?
Sakura prays that the Fly Card lets her find some way to fly without the staff and transforms the Fly Card into a Sakura Card. This time, her outfit changes and she gets wings on her back. Now she can fly and use Sword, which she does. The teddy bear shrinks.
Inside the ear, there is a small piece of paper and it has the Seal of Clow on it, which puzzles Sakura.
This episode was really good. I finally feel like the story is picking up again and I can't wait to watch the next episode.
I just love the English title - "Attack of the Teddy Bear" is just so goofy, I love it.
The biggest change is with Li in this episode. I am genuinely torn whether I prefer the English version or not.
When I saw how much of this episode involved Li's feelings for Sakura, I knew some cuts were going to happen. On one hand, I worried about another "episode collapse" happening but on the other, I was sure that Li/Sakura shipper on the writing team would go to town with it.
Neither happened.
At first, I was shocked that the Li's romantic plotline was getting cut (maybe the shipper writer got fired? Just kidding) but they replaced it with something very different. Before writing this evaluation, I briefly re-read the past two summaries and I was surprised that they had been building up to this very subtly. Kudos to the English team - at first, I felt like Li's "why am I even here?!" came out of nowhere but it honestly doesn't when you think back on what has been happening in the past two episodes (in the English version, obviously).
Don't get me wrong - I like the Japanese version with the romantic subplot with Li. But I have to admit that the English version change for Li to struggle with what his role is - that is compelling storytelling and is truly something that the source material never addresses (and should have). This is one of those times that I only have an opinion about it at all because I've seen the original (and read the manga) and I do wonder if I would be jarred by it if I didn't know.
Like with Madison's "I'm-gay-but-I-have-other-qualities" thing from last episode, this is an example with Li. This change does not completely eliminate the romantic subplot (Li still has that bear) but Li has other concerns which, while they relate to Sakura, are not just about Sakura. The English version tends to change things to be more action-plot-focused and here it works. Li gets to be a character in his own right, not just someone who has a crush on Sakura. I like this change but I hesitate to say that I prefer it until I see where the English team goes with it. I hope they don't just drop it once the source material doesn't have a bunch of scenes with Li being upset in them.
All seriousness aside: Yeah, Li, your "place in the Clow Dynasty" is to create heirs, buddy. Sorry to break this to you but the only reason you haven't been summoned back to Hong Kong yet is because your family is just making sure that you marry Sakura at some point and help her make some Li-babies. And I think this is the case in either version - I am increasingly convinced that Li doesn't really like Yukito or Sakura solely based on emerging hormones; rather he is just some sort of magical power moth, attracted to whichever person has the most magic pumping through their veins in his immediate area.
Another character vs. plot change happens when Yueh falls during the fight with the bear. I much prefer the English exchange between Sakura and Yueh. The Japanese version is just "Are you okay? Yes, I'm okay. Are you sure you're okay? Yes, I'm sure". The English version has Sakura and Yueh talk about the bear - why did the bear deflect his attack? Is there a way to stop it? This is much more compelling to watch than just "are you okay?!" especially since Yueh is clearly not okay.
I want to briefly talk about two changes between the two versions:
The English version cuts the Eriol kisses Sakura's hand thing. I'll admit that this bit was just weird and off-putting. I knew it was going to be cut the minute I saw it - I guess it's to establish Eriol's character some more but, I don't know, the scene just didn't work for me as a viewer. So I don't mind the cut because it would have made no sense in the English version.
The English version also changes the Chiharu and Yamazaki scene. This change made zero sense. I understand that the English version didn't talk about the naming teddy bear love promise thing so they wouldn't bring it up. That makes sense. What didn't make sense is why Zachary chooses Chelsea's name when the original Yamazaki didn't. What is even weirder about this scene is that Chelsea is super pissed that he named it after her. Um, what? I'd be hugely flattered if I made something for a friend/cousin and they named it after me. That's actually really nice. So, this scene was just baffling for the viewer because Chelsea just seems like a huge jerk. A better change might have been to have Zachary say he would give it away to his dog and that would set Chelsea off or, if they wanted the naming thing, have him say that he'll name it Chelsea because she looks like a bear har de har har.
Time for plot holes!
1. So, are there different types of teddy bear kits? Because they all look different - some have fuzzy fur, some are grey, etc.
2. In the scene where Yukito meets Li, Li is holding the bear. Yukito then throws the bag at Li, who catches it. The bear magically disappears! But then he still has it during the eating scene. Li is maaagiiic!
3. Can Yueh read minds when he's Julian (I realized as I typed this question that moon=divination so Yueh can certainly read minds when he's himself)? How would Yueh figure out what is bothering Li?
4. In the Japanese version, Sakura remarks that Li was acting weird at lunch. No mention of him staying weird. Did he not go back to school that day? (English version fixes this by saying that he bolted out of class that day when Sakura tried to talk to him).
I am genuinely torn about the evaluation here. On one hand, I really like the "Li is realizing that he's bisexual into Sakura" plot line and the change to Chiharu/Yamazaki's scene was just so dang weird. On the other hand, the change to "Li is wondering about his place in Clow dynasty" is kind of neat and the battle scene flowed better in the English version. Since I keep waffling back and forth, that means that I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 52
Episode 50
Episode 51: Sakura and the Big Teddy Bear (Card Captor Sakura) or Attack of the Teddy Bear (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: Japanese Card Captor Sakura
Sakura is putting the final touches on her teddy bear. It still looks like Kero, much to her dismay. She decides to write to Ms. Mizuki. She essentially does a "Last Time on Cardcaptor Sakura" in the letter, detailing the card battle that happened in the last episode. She also tells Ms. Mizuki that she carries the Cards at all times now, taking a handful out to look at them.
Eriol greets her, startling her when she realizes that the Cards are in full view of Eriol. She hides them in her bag. Eriol sits next to her and asks what she is doing. Sakura (hiding the letter) explains that she is writing a letter to their old homeroom teacher. Sakura explains that she was pretty awesome and Eriol remarks that he would like to meet her one day. Eriol then notices the teddy bear. Sakura is embarrassed and hides that too. Eriol asks if that is what she bought at the store and if he can see it. Sakura doesn't want to show it to him because it's bad. Eriol says that he likes crafts so maybe he can help her (strangely enough, Eli says that he's bad at crafts in this scene, in order to reassure her that her bear is probably fine). Asking Eriol not to laugh, she hands it over to him. He remarks that the issue is that the ears should be smaller and up higher on the head - then it will look like a bear. Sakura is delighted at the insight and wants to undo the stitches. Eriol offers to help to do it and then, as he is holding the bear with the scissors, does some freaky magic to one of the ears.
The English version cuts this next moment: the teddy bear is now finished and Sakura is pleased. Sakura asks what she can do to repay him and insists that she must repay him. Eriol asks if it can be anything. Sakura says as long as it is something she can do, that's fine. Eriol gets down on one knee and kisses her hand, much to Sakura's surprise. Eriol admits that he's jealous of whoever gets that bear.
Meanwhile, Chiharu (I had to look her name up, geez) is giving her bear to Yamazaki. Chiharu is all blushy and starting to explain what to name the bear when Yamazaki suggests Suama (some sort of Japanese dessert). This angers Chiharu greatly and she starts strangling him. In the English version of this scene, Chelsea is worried that Zachary doesn't like it and tells him that it's okay if he doesn't like it. He says that he likes it and suggests naming the bear "Chelsea", after her. This angers her and she starts strangling him.
In another meanwhile, Li is looking at his teddy bear. He wonders why he even bought it and flashbacks to buying the kit. Chiharu is still yelling at Yamazaki for not naming the bear after her so they can love each other forever (and Chelsea is asking Zachary what sort of name is "Chelsea" for his teddy bear). In the Japanese version, Li suddenly imagines Sakura, causing him to wonder why she suddenly popped into his head (the English version cuts this moment). Suddenly, Yukito calls out to Li, inviting him to have lunch with him.
While they are having lunch, after remarking how hungry he's been lately, Yukito remarks on Li's teddy bear - did someone give it to him? Li shakes his head. Did he make it then? Li nods. Yukito is impressed and asks if he's going to give it to someone.
The versions differ at this point so here goes:
In the Japanese version, Li imagines Sakura again and turns bright red, wondering why he would give it to her. He runs off. As he's running, he wonders why he feels this way. Only Yukito makes him feel this way so why is he having these feelings about Sakura? He stops and notices Sakura (who is looking at Eriol's retreating form - I told you it was "meanwhile") and just stares for a really long time. Finally, Sakura notices Li and Li runs away. Li then wonders why he had that reaction by just seeing her just then. As Li runs, Yueh floats down into his path with the teddy bear. Yueh explains that Li feels "confused" when he sees Yukito is because of the resonance from the Moon's power. If he calms down and listens to his heart, then he'll know who he truly cares for. Li is baffled and Yueh tells him to figure out the rest on his own. Yueh transforms back into Yukito, who is puzzled why he is there now. Eventually, he "remembers" that he was chasing after Li to give the bear back. Yukito tells Li that he should give the bear to whom it was intended for.
Later that day, Tomoyo and Sakura discuss Eriol's kiss on the hand, chalking it up to him being from another country. They then talk about how mature Eriol is. They then realize that Li is from another country and he's so different from Eriol. This brings up the issue of Li acting weird at lunch, since he ran away from Sakura and his face was red. Tomoyo remarks that is probably because he saw her. Sakura asks why that would cause him to run away. Tomoyo muses that Sakura is pretty clueless and that it must be hard on Li.
In the English version, Li panics and runs away. As he's running, he wonders why he's even still in Reddington. Sakura has all of the Cards and he nearly got Sakura and Madison hurt the other night so maybe he's in the way. He concludes that he should go back home. Yueh floats down into his path with the teddy bear. Yueh explains that, now that all of the Cards have been captured, Li feels that his "place in the Clow dynasty is in question". Li remarks that Sakura is the Master of the Cards now. Yueh agrees but says that his role in this whole business is still important. Li asks what he can do since she has the Cards. Yueh explains that the fate of many people are in Sakura's hands but she'll need his help more than ever. He changes back to Julian. Julian is puzzled how he got there but he returns the bear to Li, telling that he really should give that bear to someone as a present.
Later that day, Madison asks for clarification that Sakura received help from Eli. She confirms it. Sakura then remarks that Li was acting weird, like he had a lot on his mind. Madison asks if she talked to him about it - he bolted out of class so, no, she hadn't. Madison guesses that Li may feel bad about nearly hurting them the other night. Sakura says that surely he must know that wasn't his fault. Madison suggests that Sakura should talk to Li and tell him that it wasn't his fault.
Back to both version now. Tomoyo asks if Sakura finished the bear and will give it to Yukito. She answers in the affirmation so Tomoyo asks for a favor. That favor is for Tomoyo to videotape Sakura giving the bear to Yukito in one of her outfits.
Sakura gives the teddy bear to Yukito, who is pleased with it. Suddenly, Kero and Sakura sense something. Yukito passes out and the bear becomes huge and starts smashing Yukito's house. Yueh swoops Sakura up to attack it with ice shard things but they just bounce off. Yueh loses power and falls.
Meanwhile, Eriol and his team are looking on, remarking that things aren't going very well for Team Sakura, especially Yueh.
Sakura transforms Jump into a Sakura Card and jumps around for awhile, trying to figure out to do as the giant teddy bear destroys Yukito's house. Yueh and Kero figure out that some sort of magic is controlling the bear so Sakura needs to find the source of the magic. It's in the ear, so Kero suggests cutting the ear off.
Sakura activates the Sword Card but when she jumps at the bear, she gets swatted away. She needs to use Fly but both Fly and Sword use the staff. What should Sakura do?
Sakura prays that the Fly Card lets her find some way to fly without the staff and transforms the Fly Card into a Sakura Card. This time, her outfit changes and she gets wings on her back. Now she can fly and use Sword, which she does. The teddy bear shrinks.
Inside the ear, there is a small piece of paper and it has the Seal of Clow on it, which puzzles Sakura.
This episode was really good. I finally feel like the story is picking up again and I can't wait to watch the next episode.
I just love the English title - "Attack of the Teddy Bear" is just so goofy, I love it.
The biggest change is with Li in this episode. I am genuinely torn whether I prefer the English version or not.
When I saw how much of this episode involved Li's feelings for Sakura, I knew some cuts were going to happen. On one hand, I worried about another "episode collapse" happening but on the other, I was sure that Li/Sakura shipper on the writing team would go to town with it.
Neither happened.
At first, I was shocked that the Li's romantic plotline was getting cut (maybe the shipper writer got fired? Just kidding) but they replaced it with something very different. Before writing this evaluation, I briefly re-read the past two summaries and I was surprised that they had been building up to this very subtly. Kudos to the English team - at first, I felt like Li's "why am I even here?!" came out of nowhere but it honestly doesn't when you think back on what has been happening in the past two episodes (in the English version, obviously).
Don't get me wrong - I like the Japanese version with the romantic subplot with Li. But I have to admit that the English version change for Li to struggle with what his role is - that is compelling storytelling and is truly something that the source material never addresses (and should have). This is one of those times that I only have an opinion about it at all because I've seen the original (and read the manga) and I do wonder if I would be jarred by it if I didn't know.
Like with Madison's "I'm-gay-but-I-have-other-qualities" thing from last episode, this is an example with Li. This change does not completely eliminate the romantic subplot (Li still has that bear) but Li has other concerns which, while they relate to Sakura, are not just about Sakura. The English version tends to change things to be more action-plot-focused and here it works. Li gets to be a character in his own right, not just someone who has a crush on Sakura. I like this change but I hesitate to say that I prefer it until I see where the English team goes with it. I hope they don't just drop it once the source material doesn't have a bunch of scenes with Li being upset in them.
All seriousness aside: Yeah, Li, your "place in the Clow Dynasty" is to create heirs, buddy. Sorry to break this to you but the only reason you haven't been summoned back to Hong Kong yet is because your family is just making sure that you marry Sakura at some point and help her make some Li-babies. And I think this is the case in either version - I am increasingly convinced that Li doesn't really like Yukito or Sakura solely based on emerging hormones; rather he is just some sort of magical power moth, attracted to whichever person has the most magic pumping through their veins in his immediate area.
Another character vs. plot change happens when Yueh falls during the fight with the bear. I much prefer the English exchange between Sakura and Yueh. The Japanese version is just "Are you okay? Yes, I'm okay. Are you sure you're okay? Yes, I'm sure". The English version has Sakura and Yueh talk about the bear - why did the bear deflect his attack? Is there a way to stop it? This is much more compelling to watch than just "are you okay?!" especially since Yueh is clearly not okay.
I want to briefly talk about two changes between the two versions:
The English version cuts the Eriol kisses Sakura's hand thing. I'll admit that this bit was just weird and off-putting. I knew it was going to be cut the minute I saw it - I guess it's to establish Eriol's character some more but, I don't know, the scene just didn't work for me as a viewer. So I don't mind the cut because it would have made no sense in the English version.
The English version also changes the Chiharu and Yamazaki scene. This change made zero sense. I understand that the English version didn't talk about the naming teddy bear love promise thing so they wouldn't bring it up. That makes sense. What didn't make sense is why Zachary chooses Chelsea's name when the original Yamazaki didn't. What is even weirder about this scene is that Chelsea is super pissed that he named it after her. Um, what? I'd be hugely flattered if I made something for a friend/cousin and they named it after me. That's actually really nice. So, this scene was just baffling for the viewer because Chelsea just seems like a huge jerk. A better change might have been to have Zachary say he would give it away to his dog and that would set Chelsea off or, if they wanted the naming thing, have him say that he'll name it Chelsea because she looks like a bear har de har har.
Time for plot holes!
1. So, are there different types of teddy bear kits? Because they all look different - some have fuzzy fur, some are grey, etc.
2. In the scene where Yukito meets Li, Li is holding the bear. Yukito then throws the bag at Li, who catches it. The bear magically disappears! But then he still has it during the eating scene. Li is maaagiiic!
3. Can Yueh read minds when he's Julian (I realized as I typed this question that moon=divination so Yueh can certainly read minds when he's himself)? How would Yueh figure out what is bothering Li?
4. In the Japanese version, Sakura remarks that Li was acting weird at lunch. No mention of him staying weird. Did he not go back to school that day? (English version fixes this by saying that he bolted out of class that day when Sakura tried to talk to him).
I am genuinely torn about the evaluation here. On one hand, I really like the "Li is realizing that he's bisexual into Sakura" plot line and the change to Chiharu/Yamazaki's scene was just so dang weird. On the other hand, the change to "Li is wondering about his place in Clow dynasty" is kind of neat and the battle scene flowed better in the English version. Since I keep waffling back and forth, that means that I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 52