Episode 20: "Transfer Student VS. Sakura" or "The New Rival"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 19
Episode 20: Transfer Student VS. Sakura (Card Captor Sakura) or The New Rival (Cardcaptors)
It's the first day of the new trimester and Sakura is pumped! In the Japanese version, she is a bit concerned about Li and his new "friend" but in the English version, she doesn't seem to remember that happening. She goes to school with Toya and Yukito. They discuss how some strange girl attacked some martial art expert. Anyway, Sakura gets to school and Tomoyo tells her that Li hasn't arrived yet. But soon enough, Li shows up and he looks like Death and won't explain what's wrong. The teacher starts class and it turns out they have a new transfer student: Li Meilin, who is Li Syaoran's cousin or Meilin Rae, who is from Li Showron's hometown. Meilin is very upset: Li left without her and she thought they were going to come to school together. Sakura tries to ask whether and/or how Li knows Meilin but Meilin gets in Sakura's face, telling her to back off. In the Japanese version, she explicitly states that they are engaged (Li denies it). At lunch, the girls are talking about how weird Meilin is and how possessive she is of Li. Li and Yamazaki come over, explaining that they're going to go eat in the cafeteria but Meilin bounds up, presenting a fancy boxed lunch for Li to eat. Li pulls her aside and says that she can't make him lunch. In the Japanese version, after a pointless babble about what Meilin made for Li, Li asks why Meilin is here in the first place. Meilin was sick of waiting for him to come home. Li explains that he's still capturing the Clow Cards and he won't come back until he's done. But Meilin reminds him that someone else is already capturing the Cards, just like the fortune said in Hong Kong. Li tries to remind her what he explained to her yesterday (off-camera) but Meilin just glares at Sakura instead. Li again states that he just need more time so she can just go home now. But Meilin is having none of it: she's going to help Li defeat Sakura! In the English version, Meilin says that her father was transferred to Reddington and it'll just like old times, pretending to be Cardcaptors. Li states that he is a Cardcaptor. Meilin says the Lasin Board said someone else is doing it then realizes that it's a girl and that girl is Sakura! And Meilin thinks that Sakura doesn't look like she has any idea about capturing Cards. Li explains that she just got caught up in it and he has to help her. Meilin brushes that aside: she's here now so she'll help Li capture the Cards and get more than Sakura. After lunch, it's time for gym class and they have to do cartwheels. Sakura and Meilin both rock at doing cartwheels so the teacher asks them to show off some gymmastics. Meilin is awesome but Sakura is even more awesome so Meilin glares at Sakura some more. At home, Sakura explains the whole Meilin situation to Kero. In the Japanese version, Kero asks her if Sakura did something to her (she didn't) while the English version, Kero tells her to fight back (she doesn't want to fight anyone). It's dinnertime and they discuss the girl who is attacking still more martial artists. It turns out that she never robs them and she's wearing strange clothing. Sounds like a Clow Card! So, Sakura, in a battle costume in the English version heavily but rightfully mocks, tries to hunt out this Card. Once Kero and Sakura have sensed it, a voice cries out: it's Meilin, on a lamp post, in a Chinese-themed battle costume of her own. Meilin explains that she's working with Li now and she will defeat Sakura. Kero objects to this claim and Meilin and Kero get acquainted. Meanwhile, the Card shows up. Kero identifies it as the Fight Card (the English version has Meilin identify it when she appears). The Fight Card likes challenging strong opponents and it decides to fight Meilin because she is actually a good martial artist. At first, Meilin does some damage and uses this as evidence that Sakura is not a good Cardcaptor but then the Fight Card starts scoring some hits on her and just as it looks like she's really going to get it, Li comes in with a flying kick, knocking it into the water. Li is pissed at Meilin because Meilin is not supposed to be here. In fact, she stole the Lasin Board and got Wei to help her use it so she go on her own. Sakura is very confused by this but Kero clarifies: Meilin was acting on her own and, furthermore, she has no magical powers. Meilin is sad because even with Wei's help, they couldn't figure out the exact location so she had to guess. Li is very angry at her: capturing Cards is dangerous and she has no business doing it. When he takes back his Board, a light shines out of it and Li realizes that it's the Fight Card again. He moves to protect Meilin, resulting in Fight kicking Li in the face. Even though Li's fine, Meilin is angry at the Card and so fights it some more. Meanwhile, Sakura is trying to figure out what to do. Kero explains that the only way to turn it back into a Card is to defeat it in battle. But Sakura can't fight it. Then Tomoyo brings up the Power Card and Sakura realizes she can power up her staff. So she does and defeats the Fight Card. Li is glad that Meilin is okay but Meilin is pissed: Sakura defeated the Card and she didn't. Sakura tries to explain that they both did because Meilin wore it out but Meilin ain't buying it. Meilin vows that they will defeat Sakura in the future. Tomoyo and Kero Greek chorus that things have become very complicated.
Wanna watch it?
Card Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 1/3
Card Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 2/3
Card Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 3/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 1/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 2/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 3/3
So, this is Meilin. Here's the problem with Meilin, at least from my point of view. I understand why she was added. The problem with Card Captor Sakura is there isn't much conflict. After awhile, Li loses a lot of his bite and even some of his bark. Even in these last couple of episodes, Li isn't much of a rival anymore (the English version tries to make him a bit more aggressive but still, he's nothing like he was in his introduction). Which leaves us the Cards but they're not that scary or hard to defeat. Think of all the filler scenes we've had to sit through, where half the episode is nonsense about how pretty Yukito is or Sakura going grocery shopping while the actual Card capture takes about seven minutes at the very end. And, because I know that Sakura and Li end up together, the romantic conflict is more internal than anything (will they ever tell each other?) because there are no serious rivals in that area. So, they had to add something to shake it up and that person is Meilin. The problem is that Meilin is essentially a girl version of Li from his introduction episode. A Li with no magic (and Li's magic is useless 80% of time) but still, Li in drag. Furthermore, since she is essentially Li from his introduction when he was more aggressive than he is now, she makes Li look wussier in comparison to her. Seriously, how many scenes consisted of Li looking worn out and defeated? I spent a lot of time going, "Man, Li, you are whipped!" or "Li, stand up for yourself!" Of course, one may ask why didn't they just slow down Li's development into a nice character and keep him bratty for longer so he could serve Meilin's role all by himself? The world may never know. In other news, I notice that a lot of shots from this episode are used in the Cardcaptors opening. Man, I guess they really liked this episode, huh?
Card Tally
Sakura: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Thunder, Sword, Flower, Shield, Power, Mist, Float, Erase, Glow, Move, Fight
Current number: 20
Li: Time, Storm
Current number: 2
Both of the titles are kind of lame. Oh, you may think that the Japanese producers finally broke the silly "Sakura starts every title scheme" but actually, her name starts the Japanese title. The subbers translated it in that order. I left it that way to prevent confusion. Anyway, the titles are really boring and bland too. They're not even trying here. They're equal in their badness.
Okay, let's start with the basics. I'm not liking Meilin's English voice actress too much. She sounds too old for the part. She sounds at least sixteen years old and way too smooth for Meilin's hyperactive squealing. But it is her first time really having lines so we'll see how it goes.
Why does the English version refuse to bring up Hong Kong now? Seriously "she's from Li's hometown"? HONG KONG! Just say the silly name! And why does the teacher only write Meilin's first name on the board? He's got plenty of room.
I'm not sure if they're completely eliminating the cousins connection with Li and Meilin. They're definitely cutting out the fiance thing so I'll talk about that first. The whole fiance is kind of silly anyway and considering that Li denies it, it might not even be true. And if it is true, if Li won't even acknowledge it, then it probably won't come to pass in the future. I don't see a problem with omitting it. Meilin having a crush on Li will suffice for the purposes of the story. And I can understand that the producers didn't want child bride advocates on their case ("you're glorifying child brides!"). But if Meilin has a crush on Li, then being cousins is problematic. Yes, I know, even Americans not so long ago married their first cousins, nay, were encouraged to, but it's not the case today and is even illegal in some states in the United States of America. So, portraying a cousin in love with another is going to be seen as incestuous. I don't know what American viewers would find more offensive: childhood fiances or incestuous crushes. So, the producers have two choices: either they're cousins and Meilin is just possessive or they're childhood friends and Meilin's got a crush on Li. Either option, to be honest, I think will work. As it becomes clearer what they are doing with this, I will give you my opinion on whether they're doing a good job at it.
I do understand why they made Sakura forget about the events of last episode, what with her meeting Meilin and all, but I don't think it was a wise move. They probably did it to make it easier to syndicate because they tend to show these types of shows out of order in reruns. But if we work off of that logic, then Sakura shouldn't've remembered Li's taunt at the end of episode 8 at the beginning of episode 9. Since they left it in there, they should have left it in here. So, I don't like that they made Sakura forget because it makes her look stupid. Speaking of looking stupid, since Meilin has spoken to Li already, wondering why they didn't come to school together, one could logically guess that Li knows her. Duh, Sakura!
Some venom has been added to Madison's dialogue. Madison is really mean in this episode, which is unlike her. I mean, she's taken potshots at Li before but she's seriously out to get Li and Meilin in this episode. Although, Tomoyo's line "Li sure looks masculine" during Li's lecture, however funny, was pretty space cadety so perhaps they had no choice in some areas.
On the other hand, Sakura and Li are downright pussy cats in this episode. Especially Li. Li's pretty declawed in the original but he's not faring much better in the English version. And what's up with Li's claim that he's helping Sakura in the English version (although he does note that she's not good at it, which Japanese Li doesn't do)? Since when has he been helping her? I mean, okay, I know he helps her but he's usually not like "I must help this poor soul who stumbled into this horrible mess!" more like "Argh! Why do you suck so much?! Let me do something! Oh, wait, no, I suck too. I'll just stand by this tree" in the English version. What's weird is that, if anything, Japanese Li should be making that claim and English Li should be saying the original line that is essentially, "No, I got this totally under control!"
Some of the line changes given to Meilin are confusing. In the English version, Meilin relates that the Lasin Board revealed that someone else is capturing Cards. It can do that? And how does she know that if she can't use the Lasin Board? Unless there's another one back home that someone used. But why would they? Don't they already know about Sakura? Unless Li didn't tell them. Oops! Busted! Meilin also says that they used to pretend to be Cardcaptors as children. Although this creates the cutest mental image of five-year-old Li and Meilin running around someone's backyard, playing pretend, in addition to producing the funniest line so far ("But I am a Cardcaptor now!" Sure, you are, dear), it doesn't make any sense. The Cards escaping is a recent event so they would have seen no need to pretend that. Unless they pretended that the Cards somehow escaped and it was UP TO THEM TO GET THEM BACK, kind of like how kids pretend their parents have been kidnapped by aliens or whatever. Then again, the Cards were missing for some time so perhaps they pretended that they would get them back somehow. And still further again, perhaps the English version is implying that the Cards running loose has happened before. I've mentioned a few lines that rang wrong because the time frame doesn't work ("years of experience" springs to mind). Or maybe I'm giving them way too much credit.
Moving away from Meilin, it's nice to see funny Tori again. He's been mean or dull these past couple of episodes so it was refreshing to see him be funnier in the English version. I really liked what they did with the commuting to school scene. In addition to trimming it (Dear Japanese producers: We got the memo about how Sakura likes Yukito. Stop reintroducing it as if it's new every five episodes), they made it focus on the plot, which is the attacks. And then, later on, they made it into a running gag where Tori brings up how Sakura is trying to figure out how to finish dinner, change, beat people up, and be back for dessert. It's a lot funnier than the original which is standard "Toya is mean to Sakura again" fare.
I love how they made fun of Sakura's outfit this time in the English version. It was seriously bad this time and I don't even understand what Tomoyo was trying to do here. Especially since the description of the suspect is that she wears funny clothes, she still decided to make an outfit? Tomoyo, think! They even had Kero hate it which was a nice change of pace (his looked dumb too). But Madison was still proud of herself which I appreciated. Don't back down, Madison! And I'll admit I preferred the "Millenium" joke instead of "it doesn't look strange to me" joke, even only because Fight Card's outfit does look like something that would show up on a fashion runway these days.
Now, for some plot holes.
1. Okay, why is Li surpised that Meilin is there at his school? Why didn't she tell him last night?
2. And if Li was trying to avoid Meilin, why was he late? Shouldn't he be early, trying to escape as soon as he can, especially since she apparently had time to make him his massive lunch?
3. This is a silly nitpick but I must make it: Why do Li and Meilin speak in Japanese to each other when having a private conversation? Shouldn't they speak in Chinese?
4. And why can't Li focus on his conversation with her? He's like "Argh, go home!" and Meilin's like "Look, yummy food!" and He's like "Ooo, food, yummy!" Focus! The food can't be that good!
5. So, in the Japanese version, everyone was cool with her just coming to bug Li? It seems like she just came because she was bored. They know she has no magic so she can't help him. I mean, I'd find it more believable if the family sent her there to keep on an eye on him and give him a kick in the pants ("get those damn Cards, already!"). At least the English version changes her reason for being there.
6. I don't know whether this is a translation error but Li states that "this is a school" therefore she can not make him lunch. Um, did Meilin never go to school? Well, maybe they were both privately tutored or he meant "we are at school now and we can't act like spouses at school which you wouldn't know because we've never gone to the same school before" or something like that. Or she really is a child bride.
7. So, when Meilin was stealing the Lasin Board and asking Wei for help, what was Li doing? They live in the same house!
8. Apparently, Li rushed over to save Meilin from herself but found time to put on his Chinese outfit? Unless he was already wearing it when Wei came to him but that begs the question: Why did he go without Lasin Board?
9. If Li's robes are his family heirlooms, then what are Meilin's? Copycat robes? I mean, it's cool-looking and all but what's up with her robes?
10. Where was Meilin keeping the Lasing Board? There's no way that outfit has pockets, much less pocket that can hold that thing!
11. How come the Lasin Board does its laser light show without Li chanting his little spell? It felt like being cooperative today?
12. And why is he so surprised when Fight Card comes back? He just kicked it, it's not like he killed it or something.
13. How come Li gets kicked once and he's covered in bruises while Meilin gets punched and kicked and rolls around on the ground for ages and she's spotless?
14. Why do you have to defeat Fight in battle to seal it? Can't she just stand there and seal it while it's fighting Meilin?
15. And why couldn't she use Sword? Sword would help her duel Fight, which would count as a fight.
In conclusion, although changes were made, they were changes that were either not clear enough to show their impact or my feelings toward them evened out by the episode's end, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 21
Episode 19
Episode 20: Transfer Student VS. Sakura (Card Captor Sakura) or The New Rival (Cardcaptors)
It's the first day of the new trimester and Sakura is pumped! In the Japanese version, she is a bit concerned about Li and his new "friend" but in the English version, she doesn't seem to remember that happening. She goes to school with Toya and Yukito. They discuss how some strange girl attacked some martial art expert. Anyway, Sakura gets to school and Tomoyo tells her that Li hasn't arrived yet. But soon enough, Li shows up and he looks like Death and won't explain what's wrong. The teacher starts class and it turns out they have a new transfer student: Li Meilin, who is Li Syaoran's cousin or Meilin Rae, who is from Li Showron's hometown. Meilin is very upset: Li left without her and she thought they were going to come to school together. Sakura tries to ask whether and/or how Li knows Meilin but Meilin gets in Sakura's face, telling her to back off. In the Japanese version, she explicitly states that they are engaged (Li denies it). At lunch, the girls are talking about how weird Meilin is and how possessive she is of Li. Li and Yamazaki come over, explaining that they're going to go eat in the cafeteria but Meilin bounds up, presenting a fancy boxed lunch for Li to eat. Li pulls her aside and says that she can't make him lunch. In the Japanese version, after a pointless babble about what Meilin made for Li, Li asks why Meilin is here in the first place. Meilin was sick of waiting for him to come home. Li explains that he's still capturing the Clow Cards and he won't come back until he's done. But Meilin reminds him that someone else is already capturing the Cards, just like the fortune said in Hong Kong. Li tries to remind her what he explained to her yesterday (off-camera) but Meilin just glares at Sakura instead. Li again states that he just need more time so she can just go home now. But Meilin is having none of it: she's going to help Li defeat Sakura! In the English version, Meilin says that her father was transferred to Reddington and it'll just like old times, pretending to be Cardcaptors. Li states that he is a Cardcaptor. Meilin says the Lasin Board said someone else is doing it then realizes that it's a girl and that girl is Sakura! And Meilin thinks that Sakura doesn't look like she has any idea about capturing Cards. Li explains that she just got caught up in it and he has to help her. Meilin brushes that aside: she's here now so she'll help Li capture the Cards and get more than Sakura. After lunch, it's time for gym class and they have to do cartwheels. Sakura and Meilin both rock at doing cartwheels so the teacher asks them to show off some gymmastics. Meilin is awesome but Sakura is even more awesome so Meilin glares at Sakura some more. At home, Sakura explains the whole Meilin situation to Kero. In the Japanese version, Kero asks her if Sakura did something to her (she didn't) while the English version, Kero tells her to fight back (she doesn't want to fight anyone). It's dinnertime and they discuss the girl who is attacking still more martial artists. It turns out that she never robs them and she's wearing strange clothing. Sounds like a Clow Card! So, Sakura, in a battle costume in the English version heavily but rightfully mocks, tries to hunt out this Card. Once Kero and Sakura have sensed it, a voice cries out: it's Meilin, on a lamp post, in a Chinese-themed battle costume of her own. Meilin explains that she's working with Li now and she will defeat Sakura. Kero objects to this claim and Meilin and Kero get acquainted. Meanwhile, the Card shows up. Kero identifies it as the Fight Card (the English version has Meilin identify it when she appears). The Fight Card likes challenging strong opponents and it decides to fight Meilin because she is actually a good martial artist. At first, Meilin does some damage and uses this as evidence that Sakura is not a good Cardcaptor but then the Fight Card starts scoring some hits on her and just as it looks like she's really going to get it, Li comes in with a flying kick, knocking it into the water. Li is pissed at Meilin because Meilin is not supposed to be here. In fact, she stole the Lasin Board and got Wei to help her use it so she go on her own. Sakura is very confused by this but Kero clarifies: Meilin was acting on her own and, furthermore, she has no magical powers. Meilin is sad because even with Wei's help, they couldn't figure out the exact location so she had to guess. Li is very angry at her: capturing Cards is dangerous and she has no business doing it. When he takes back his Board, a light shines out of it and Li realizes that it's the Fight Card again. He moves to protect Meilin, resulting in Fight kicking Li in the face. Even though Li's fine, Meilin is angry at the Card and so fights it some more. Meanwhile, Sakura is trying to figure out what to do. Kero explains that the only way to turn it back into a Card is to defeat it in battle. But Sakura can't fight it. Then Tomoyo brings up the Power Card and Sakura realizes she can power up her staff. So she does and defeats the Fight Card. Li is glad that Meilin is okay but Meilin is pissed: Sakura defeated the Card and she didn't. Sakura tries to explain that they both did because Meilin wore it out but Meilin ain't buying it. Meilin vows that they will defeat Sakura in the future. Tomoyo and Kero Greek chorus that things have become very complicated.
Wanna watch it?
Card Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 1/3
Click to viewCard Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 2/3
Card Captor Sakura Episode 20: Part 3/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 1/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 2/3
Cardcaptors Episode 20: Part 3/3
So, this is Meilin. Here's the problem with Meilin, at least from my point of view. I understand why she was added. The problem with Card Captor Sakura is there isn't much conflict. After awhile, Li loses a lot of his bite and even some of his bark. Even in these last couple of episodes, Li isn't much of a rival anymore (the English version tries to make him a bit more aggressive but still, he's nothing like he was in his introduction). Which leaves us the Cards but they're not that scary or hard to defeat. Think of all the filler scenes we've had to sit through, where half the episode is nonsense about how pretty Yukito is or Sakura going grocery shopping while the actual Card capture takes about seven minutes at the very end. And, because I know that Sakura and Li end up together, the romantic conflict is more internal than anything (will they ever tell each other?) because there are no serious rivals in that area. So, they had to add something to shake it up and that person is Meilin. The problem is that Meilin is essentially a girl version of Li from his introduction episode. A Li with no magic (and Li's magic is useless 80% of time) but still, Li in drag. Furthermore, since she is essentially Li from his introduction when he was more aggressive than he is now, she makes Li look wussier in comparison to her. Seriously, how many scenes consisted of Li looking worn out and defeated? I spent a lot of time going, "Man, Li, you are whipped!" or "Li, stand up for yourself!" Of course, one may ask why didn't they just slow down Li's development into a nice character and keep him bratty for longer so he could serve Meilin's role all by himself? The world may never know. In other news, I notice that a lot of shots from this episode are used in the Cardcaptors opening. Man, I guess they really liked this episode, huh?
Card Tally
Sakura: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Thunder, Sword, Flower, Shield, Power, Mist, Float, Erase, Glow, Move, Fight
Current number: 20
Li: Time, Storm
Current number: 2
Both of the titles are kind of lame. Oh, you may think that the Japanese producers finally broke the silly "Sakura starts every title scheme" but actually, her name starts the Japanese title. The subbers translated it in that order. I left it that way to prevent confusion. Anyway, the titles are really boring and bland too. They're not even trying here. They're equal in their badness.
Okay, let's start with the basics. I'm not liking Meilin's English voice actress too much. She sounds too old for the part. She sounds at least sixteen years old and way too smooth for Meilin's hyperactive squealing. But it is her first time really having lines so we'll see how it goes.
Why does the English version refuse to bring up Hong Kong now? Seriously "she's from Li's hometown"? HONG KONG! Just say the silly name! And why does the teacher only write Meilin's first name on the board? He's got plenty of room.
I'm not sure if they're completely eliminating the cousins connection with Li and Meilin. They're definitely cutting out the fiance thing so I'll talk about that first. The whole fiance is kind of silly anyway and considering that Li denies it, it might not even be true. And if it is true, if Li won't even acknowledge it, then it probably won't come to pass in the future. I don't see a problem with omitting it. Meilin having a crush on Li will suffice for the purposes of the story. And I can understand that the producers didn't want child bride advocates on their case ("you're glorifying child brides!"). But if Meilin has a crush on Li, then being cousins is problematic. Yes, I know, even Americans not so long ago married their first cousins, nay, were encouraged to, but it's not the case today and is even illegal in some states in the United States of America. So, portraying a cousin in love with another is going to be seen as incestuous. I don't know what American viewers would find more offensive: childhood fiances or incestuous crushes. So, the producers have two choices: either they're cousins and Meilin is just possessive or they're childhood friends and Meilin's got a crush on Li. Either option, to be honest, I think will work. As it becomes clearer what they are doing with this, I will give you my opinion on whether they're doing a good job at it.
I do understand why they made Sakura forget about the events of last episode, what with her meeting Meilin and all, but I don't think it was a wise move. They probably did it to make it easier to syndicate because they tend to show these types of shows out of order in reruns. But if we work off of that logic, then Sakura shouldn't've remembered Li's taunt at the end of episode 8 at the beginning of episode 9. Since they left it in there, they should have left it in here. So, I don't like that they made Sakura forget because it makes her look stupid. Speaking of looking stupid, since Meilin has spoken to Li already, wondering why they didn't come to school together, one could logically guess that Li knows her. Duh, Sakura!
Some venom has been added to Madison's dialogue. Madison is really mean in this episode, which is unlike her. I mean, she's taken potshots at Li before but she's seriously out to get Li and Meilin in this episode. Although, Tomoyo's line "Li sure looks masculine" during Li's lecture, however funny, was pretty space cadety so perhaps they had no choice in some areas.
On the other hand, Sakura and Li are downright pussy cats in this episode. Especially Li. Li's pretty declawed in the original but he's not faring much better in the English version. And what's up with Li's claim that he's helping Sakura in the English version (although he does note that she's not good at it, which Japanese Li doesn't do)? Since when has he been helping her? I mean, okay, I know he helps her but he's usually not like "I must help this poor soul who stumbled into this horrible mess!" more like "Argh! Why do you suck so much?! Let me do something! Oh, wait, no, I suck too. I'll just stand by this tree" in the English version. What's weird is that, if anything, Japanese Li should be making that claim and English Li should be saying the original line that is essentially, "No, I got this totally under control!"
Some of the line changes given to Meilin are confusing. In the English version, Meilin relates that the Lasin Board revealed that someone else is capturing Cards. It can do that? And how does she know that if she can't use the Lasin Board? Unless there's another one back home that someone used. But why would they? Don't they already know about Sakura? Unless Li didn't tell them. Oops! Busted! Meilin also says that they used to pretend to be Cardcaptors as children. Although this creates the cutest mental image of five-year-old Li and Meilin running around someone's backyard, playing pretend, in addition to producing the funniest line so far ("But I am a Cardcaptor now!" Sure, you are, dear), it doesn't make any sense. The Cards escaping is a recent event so they would have seen no need to pretend that. Unless they pretended that the Cards somehow escaped and it was UP TO THEM TO GET THEM BACK, kind of like how kids pretend their parents have been kidnapped by aliens or whatever. Then again, the Cards were missing for some time so perhaps they pretended that they would get them back somehow. And still further again, perhaps the English version is implying that the Cards running loose has happened before. I've mentioned a few lines that rang wrong because the time frame doesn't work ("years of experience" springs to mind). Or maybe I'm giving them way too much credit.
Moving away from Meilin, it's nice to see funny Tori again. He's been mean or dull these past couple of episodes so it was refreshing to see him be funnier in the English version. I really liked what they did with the commuting to school scene. In addition to trimming it (Dear Japanese producers: We got the memo about how Sakura likes Yukito. Stop reintroducing it as if it's new every five episodes), they made it focus on the plot, which is the attacks. And then, later on, they made it into a running gag where Tori brings up how Sakura is trying to figure out how to finish dinner, change, beat people up, and be back for dessert. It's a lot funnier than the original which is standard "Toya is mean to Sakura again" fare.
I love how they made fun of Sakura's outfit this time in the English version. It was seriously bad this time and I don't even understand what Tomoyo was trying to do here. Especially since the description of the suspect is that she wears funny clothes, she still decided to make an outfit? Tomoyo, think! They even had Kero hate it which was a nice change of pace (his looked dumb too). But Madison was still proud of herself which I appreciated. Don't back down, Madison! And I'll admit I preferred the "Millenium" joke instead of "it doesn't look strange to me" joke, even only because Fight Card's outfit does look like something that would show up on a fashion runway these days.
Now, for some plot holes.
1. Okay, why is Li surpised that Meilin is there at his school? Why didn't she tell him last night?
2. And if Li was trying to avoid Meilin, why was he late? Shouldn't he be early, trying to escape as soon as he can, especially since she apparently had time to make him his massive lunch?
3. This is a silly nitpick but I must make it: Why do Li and Meilin speak in Japanese to each other when having a private conversation? Shouldn't they speak in Chinese?
4. And why can't Li focus on his conversation with her? He's like "Argh, go home!" and Meilin's like "Look, yummy food!" and He's like "Ooo, food, yummy!" Focus! The food can't be that good!
5. So, in the Japanese version, everyone was cool with her just coming to bug Li? It seems like she just came because she was bored. They know she has no magic so she can't help him. I mean, I'd find it more believable if the family sent her there to keep on an eye on him and give him a kick in the pants ("get those damn Cards, already!"). At least the English version changes her reason for being there.
6. I don't know whether this is a translation error but Li states that "this is a school" therefore she can not make him lunch. Um, did Meilin never go to school? Well, maybe they were both privately tutored or he meant "we are at school now and we can't act like spouses at school which you wouldn't know because we've never gone to the same school before" or something like that. Or she really is a child bride.
7. So, when Meilin was stealing the Lasin Board and asking Wei for help, what was Li doing? They live in the same house!
8. Apparently, Li rushed over to save Meilin from herself but found time to put on his Chinese outfit? Unless he was already wearing it when Wei came to him but that begs the question: Why did he go without Lasin Board?
9. If Li's robes are his family heirlooms, then what are Meilin's? Copycat robes? I mean, it's cool-looking and all but what's up with her robes?
10. Where was Meilin keeping the Lasing Board? There's no way that outfit has pockets, much less pocket that can hold that thing!
11. How come the Lasin Board does its laser light show without Li chanting his little spell? It felt like being cooperative today?
12. And why is he so surprised when Fight Card comes back? He just kicked it, it's not like he killed it or something.
13. How come Li gets kicked once and he's covered in bruises while Meilin gets punched and kicked and rolls around on the ground for ages and she's spotless?
14. Why do you have to defeat Fight in battle to seal it? Can't she just stand there and seal it while it's fighting Meilin?
15. And why couldn't she use Sword? Sword would help her duel Fight, which would count as a fight.
In conclusion, although changes were made, they were changes that were either not clear enough to show their impact or my feelings toward them evened out by the episode's end, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 21