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ファイト／ステイナイト 
Since Garten is extremely overworked on his Japan leave and even has his second Kongetsu blog to take care of, he asked me to blog Tsubasa 02&03 for him. "Sure", I said, "no problem. After all, the first episode was really great!"
Unfortunately, the next two episodes were not. Not by a long shot. Episode 01 captured me with a good pace, likable characters (both Sakura's kawaiiness and Syaoran's levelheaded non-wimpiness appealed to me), a great score by Yuki Kajiura (I had the hymn of the last battle on repeat for over one hour) and great visuals. Most of these strong points have vanished. Sakura is out of commission due to the story, Kajiura seems to be on vacation, the animation quality has dropped a bit, but most importantly - the pacing is totally screwed. In these two episodes we had more pointless flashback-repetitions than good animes have in a full season. What the heck are they thinking?
I'm not going to drop the anime because of the strong start - otherwise I'd be outta here. And so, after a solid (+) in the beginning, the only fair verdict for the next two installments in my opinion would be "flawed and disappointing"
Episodes Rating: -
I should start the review by admitting that I'm not sufficiently proficient in the CLAMP universe. I have read the manga of CCS and have watched the animes of X TV, Chobits and Angelic Layer - that makes me a CLAMP neophyte. Barely. So please don't expect any insightful references to the crossover aspects.
I was planning to kick off the review with the standard "The fansubs are out already, so I'll skip on a summary" opening, but eventually decided against it. Why? Because so incredibly little happened in two full episodes that a quick summary of them takes less space to summarize than a Mai HiME installment till the eyecatch. Go figure...
Syaoran arrives with the unconscious Sakura at the place of Yuuko, the dimensional witch, meeting the swordsman Kurogane and the magician Fye there, who both just arrived from their respective worlds. Yuuko confirms that Sakura has lost her memories and is going to die unless the fragments in their feather forms are retrieved. Soooo Syaoran has to set off to different worlds to collect them.
Of course a story like this needs a party, not just a protagonist. Kurogane and Fye join in and receive Yuuko's price tag first. Kurogane needs to leave his sword behind, Fye loses his tattoo (?!?). However, Syaoran's loss is the greatest: He will lose what is most precious to him - his relationship to Sakura.
I mean, contemplate that for a second. Even if he manages to rescue her, he'll lose her anyway. Talk about fiendish. Pragmatist that he is, Syaoran concludes that saving her is more important than his own loss and proceeds. Kudos for the boy, but if I was in his shoes, I'd definitely be more affected than him.
No CLAMP anime would be complete without something cute fluffy-bunny, and the cutesy bundle for this show is named Mokona, able to lead our intrepid heroes through dimensions, capable of locating Sakura's memory fragment feathers while testing the patience of the audience to the breaking point. Well met.
Off they go, and during their dimentional travels, Syaoran sees a ball of flames approaching him. Even though his initial instinct is to protect Sakura from it, it will eventually turn out to be the Kudan of Fire who is willing to serve him fighting.
There's not too much to be said about the first world they reach. Syaoran finds himself in the middle of a battlezone while trying to secure the first feather. While doing so he is attacked by generic badguys, protected by the Kudan of Fire and challenged by a guy controlling the Kudan of Water. End of episode 2. Wait a second. That was all? Yeah, that was all.
Episode 3. After a brief initial clash between the Fire and Water Kudans, the battle is cut short in a draw. A convenient young couple arrives and introduces themselves as friends of Yuuko, the dimensional witch. Good for our heroes, who now get free rooms and board.
The still unconscious Sakura remerges her feather with her, and Syaoran merges with the Kudan of Fire. In a painful night full of irrelevant retell-flashbacks the viewers are beaten over the head with the profound insight that Syaoran really digs Sakura. Well, duh.
One sidecomment here: In episode 1 I wondered how the exciting conclusion would have "felt" without Kajiura's godly piece. Here we find out during the flashback which went without the dramatic hymn, and the result was clear: The scene went totally flat and boring. Someone tell the director please that flashbacks only have two valid uses: Either by repeating something which happened so far away that the audience NEEDS to be reminded, for the late-comers, OR if there was new insight gained since so that the scene gets a new aspect or meaning. Both wasn't the case here. Annoying waste of time.
The second half of episode 3 is about Kurogane. We learn that regardless of the fact that princess Tomoyo banished him from his homeworld, he still feels allegiance towards her. And when Kurogane sees a girl walking the streets who looks like Tomoyo, he sets off to confront her. Sakura and the others make similar experiences when they meet lookalikes of the King and High Priest of Sakura's world. However, except for the looks they have nothing in common, we learn that all worlds are very different.
Kurogane fails to find the Tomoyo-lookalike, but he runs into more generic badguys who try to use some strange spiked Kudan to whack him into submission, to coerce him to join their ranks. Kurogane has other ideas even after being slapped around a bit, and lo and behold - a dragon-like Kudan that Kurogane had seen before during their dimension travels appears and offers its service. It even conveniently transforms into a sword! Kurogane is delighted and shows the badguys what a proper hero does with the likes of them.
It should be noted that princess Tomoyo had placed a curse on Kurogane before: With every life he kills, his own strength will grow weaker. I wonder if this has triggered already? This was actually an interesting idea, and I'm curious to learn where this will lead.
Meanwhile back "home", Sakura wakes up in the middle of the night, and she watches the sleeping Syaoran for a long while, however without showing any signs of recognizing him. End of episode 3. End of episode 3? You gotta be kidding! No, they are not.
Conclusion
This was really bad, dear Bee Train people. Really bad. The pace was totally off, and the continuous boring pans of characters looking at each other and the unnecessary - almost insulting - flashbacks reduce the progress of the story to a snaillike crawl. Basically everything I liked from the first episode is gone - Sakura, the music, the speed, the drama. I have been warned before that the original manga storyline was very lacking in depth, but PLEASE don't replace it with something like this. And someone get Kajiura back from vacation. As one of her biggest fans I was appalled that only ONE brief new motif caught my interested ear. The rest was filler. Just like most of the anime was filler too.
I'm not gonna give up on Tsubasa yet, but it needs to improve quickly to avoid being relegated to the "put it away until it can be marathoned" pile. But thankfully, by then Garten should be back to give a more competent commentary ^_^
Heh Mentar your commentary wasn't as insightful as the HiME ones, but so weren't these episodes. It was funny though. Thumbs up once more! I was really disappointed with these two. Lame characters (like the fat bully with pink hair) and needless to say about the flashbacks. Well come on people! It's not as if we have forgotten anything! It was in the previous episode! Duh! I wonder how long the series will be. I guess 26 or more. I like the fact that in the next episode we'll learn something about Fye. His tattoo being taken was really strange. I haven't read the manga so I'm clueless. And I'm a CLAMP neophyte as well ^^ On the other hand, I like the opening and ending songs. Nice work! Oh and one last thing. What's with all this crazy interest by so many fansub groups! It's driving me nuts! -_-" Go sub "Honey and Clover" people!
i thought the flashbacks were totally unneeded, and the music did not fit at that sequencing at ALL.
This show is turning out to be such a downer after the very strong opening episode. The story for the two latest episode feels as something the writers did on a coffee break. Horrible. :/
Well, I dont know what to say...kawaii!!!!^^ I like it, also there will be a Movie for Tsubasa!!!
I love Clamp's work. I have almost all of their works, except the older ones. As much I like the manga, I can't find the anime as interesting. Tsubasa is a fairly good manga, like the well written dialogs, and the art is something new. However, Bee Train killed.
I understand that the art is hard to follow when it come down to something original, but Tsubasa just big no. I also understand that they followed the character design of the manga, but wow, they made the arms and legs (I only have problem with those) just a little too long than the manga. Because you have to understand that (I'm sure Bee Train does), when Clamp draw characters in Tsubsasa, most of the time it's in a angle, so the body seems longer.
Then there is the famous "clamness" of Bee Train. Ie, Noir, Madlax, and .hack//SIGN. However, when Syaoran screamed "Sakura o tasukete kudasai!!". The artist of Bee Train somehow couldn't catch the emotions, the desperations, of how much Syaoran wanted Yuuko's help... like in the manga. Maybe because they trying to make it like their other productions, which it worries me. Tsubasa shows more of emotions rather than calmness. I mean, if you read the manga, you'll understand.
Kajiura's music it's bad in Tsubasa, but it sounded too much like .hack//SIGN... actrually, even the animation backgrounds look .hack//SIGN.
The pace it about how I predicted, but not screwy like this. The second and thrid should cover this world, since is their first time travel through dimention, they're learning something, but no~ Bee Train dragged on to more eps because of the flashbacks. And to top it off, Sakura awakened?! What?! She shouldn't be, not yet!! Now how can we see when Sakura said "Anata wa dare?" to Syaoran, after Syaoran have the flashback of Sakura said "When I wake up, the first person I want to see is Syaoran."?! That scene was sooo sad...
But thank you for the review!! I like it and because of it, I don't have to watch the anime. Thank you!! But I might watch it here and there. And the last ep, since I want to see Sakura and Syaoran together. XD Also, the movie seem better, I'll be waitting for that one. SEE -> http://www.tokyojupiter.com/tsubasa/movie_ad.jpg
I'm sorry for the duble post but on the fouth paragraph. I meant to say "kajiura's music isn't bad in Tsubasa..." NOT "kajiura's music it's bad in Tsubasa..." I'm sorry, I type that wrong. I'm her big fan!!!
First off, I'd like to clear up the thing with Fye's tattoo. The reason why it's the most important thing to him is because its what gives him magical power. Now that he's lost it, he can no longer perform magic.
I do have to agree with your assessment of the series so far, sadly. ep. 2 was a big downer, especially with the animation. ep. 3 was better, in my opinion, but still not up to par. The reason why they keep having these ridiculous flashbacks, in my opinion, is because they want to draw out the characters' stay in Hanshin -_-
As a reader of the manga and a huge CLAMP fan, I'm severely disappointed that the anime director has rearranged some things that have made the show less funny. Sorata and Arashi have a very funny scene in the manga that I think should've been included, for example. The Tsubasa manga thrives on humor, and when you take that away...well, now you see what you get. It doesn't help that Fai's seiyuu sounds bored all the time. He needs to sound a lot more lively.
I'll stick through with Tsubasa (for Kajiura's music and Sakura if nothing else), but I sincerely hope that they put some more humor in the series...and get rid of the durn flashbacks!
Episode 1 was pretty good, with 2 and 3 being rather mediocre. I had trouble finishing 2 until the music started playing. I too am a Kajiura Yuki fanboy. So I'm not sure about this one, maybe I'll keep watching until a soundtrack comes out? Maybe, by then it will have gotten better and that won't matter.
KyoshiroM: Sorry, but... is there much more insight to be gained? :} ... I'm definitely no CLAMP specialist, and I doubt that there is so much more depth to the story itself - only the CLAMP fans can probably understand much more.
Clowmistress: Thanks for the tattoo hint, that gives the "price" much more weight. I mean, it was kinda obvious that Fye was a magic user, and stripping him of this power is quite nasty indeed.
Minna: I should confess that I've got no reservations against Bee Train and their typical pacing whatsoever - in general. Noir, Madlax, all no problem at all. But this?
I totally have to agree with your assessment of episode 2 and 3. The flashbacks were unecessary, especially for episode 2 and 3. I can understand if you flash back in episode 20 or something but not when a series is starting off. The only flashback worth watching was the one about the curse placed on Kurogane by Tomoyo. I get the feeling that they are just trying to strech out the anime as long as they can. In any case I hope from here it will only go up. I also hope that the fight sequences improve a little more too. Again thanks for your review Mentar, always appreciated.
Clowmistress: Actrually, Fye's tattoo doesn't give him magic powers. Kurogane knows Fye still can use magic, but he didn't want to since he's afrad Ashura-Ou will find him because of it. The tatto however is connect with the seal that sealed Ashura-Ou... maybe that's why is so important to him.
Ah, really? Thanks for the info. Could you tell me where it says that in the manga so I can look it up? I must have forgotten about that. That or I missed it completely...silly me ^^
Well, there are few hits that tells you he still know how to use magic but didn't want to.
Chapter 18: When Syaoran-tachi can't find a door to the Lord because the Lord had made that place into a maze. Fye touched a random wall and said to move forward is through that wall. Kurogane and Syaoran asked him if used his magic to found that out, but he said he didn't. However, after the wall got broken, they find a different room and was out of that maze.
Chapter 20: Fye said they might die after a Kiishima released a wave of attack. However, he said he don't want to die yet. Kurogane asked him: "You don't want ot die, yet you don't want to use magic in a time like this?" And Fye said: "Yeah~ Sorry about that."
Chapter 37: After Fye got injure, he told Kurogane that he won't die don't worry. Kurogane said: "It look like you wanted to die, but you can't, right?" Fye didn't said anything.
Just little hits, not that big.
Sweet jesus... have just watched episode 4. ep 2 and 3 were gems compared to ep 4, which was so bloody boring.
This doesn't even rate as coffee break work!
Tsubasa = no Mokona = no CLAMP. Therefore, I'm not going to watch this anime.
Does anyone know what song is played throughout the series whenever there's an important and or action scene? And I don't mean the opening or closing songs. Any help would be appreciated.
Strangely enough, watching the first couple episodes reminds me of an old american cartoon called Popeye. The physical characteristics of the main characters seem a bit offbeat or perhaps I'm just not used to this style of animation. In terms of plot I wasn't really taken back either by its originality either. Nevertheless I've only completed episodes 2-3 so I'll continue to watch the series until I find something of interest.
Sorry about the typo. I forgot to mention I just recently came to this site and I enjoy reading all your reviews.
Hey, nice review, i liked it. I'm a really big fan of the manga and i'm anxiously awaiting book 6. i was just wondering (because i've read so many reviews) where Tsubasa anime is being shown? is it only in Japan? out of all the reviews i've skimmed, they say nothing of where it is, except little clues that tell me it might be in japan.
Also (for the people who are claiming this is boring and un-interesting): if you've read the manga, you'll know it'll get better. Usually you have to get through a few chapters or sections to get to the part you think is interesting ^_^-v
if someone could PLEASE email me about where to find the showings of Tsubasa, i would so much appriciate it.
(P.S.: i know i'm late :P)
Hi! I'm sorry i haven't really read your post. I would like to know if Tsubasa is sort of part of/ same as/ or continuation of the cartoon Cardcaptor Sakura? As the characters look alike, and even the names are the same.. Thanks.. Also, =) can you tell me how to navigate this website efficiently? like find all the animes i want without searching date by date..
Lyn, Tsubasa is simply an alternate universe of CSS. It has little to nothing to do with CSS except the name of the characters.
As for how to navigate this blog efficiently, you can check the left hand side for the name of the series that we've covered thus far. If you can't find it there, then try using the search box at the top of the page. If you still don't find it, then it's likely we don't cover it.
First of all, I would say that Clamp is one of the few comic writers that still can produce meaning storylines here. At least you can take off your eyes on the brillant pics for a sec and read the words and still finds them likeable. Loves everyone of their works.
And just a small comment about Fye's tattoo. It's true power is still unkown. But I suspect that it isn't Fye's magic power source, but instead the controlling mechanism for Fye to be able to use his magic, as they said inthe manga
Unfortunately, a great deal of the responsibility for poor pacing lies with the director/storyboard coordinator, which is the one, the only, Mashimo Koichi, famous (or infamous?) for his work on the .hack series, which was paced in much the same way. Lots of action to suck you in, then the carrot-on-a-stick routine until the unimpressive denoument. I say stick to the manga as far as this series is concerned. At least you can flip through all the confusing fight scenes.
I must say one thing for CLAMP: they did plan ahead. There are references to "hitsuzen" as early as the CCS anime, and the themes of forgetting as the worst possible scenario and a "fair deal" are well set-up in previous works.
Eurgh! They've drawn Kurogane HORRIBLE!!! Yeah, the episode wasn't really nice, but I only liked the fact that Kurogane spotted a Tomoyo look-alike and that we saw some clips of Tomoyo in Japan!!! That was the only thing I liked
Well, I also think that episodes 2 & 3 were a bit slow paced, but I don't think it was that bad...
And from the looks of it, Tsubasa would be a very long anime, unless they find a way to get more than 1 feather every 4 to 6 episodes. I mean, if they were to collect the feathers that represent the memory fragments of Sakura, they must traverse a lot of worlds (with most episodes having around 2-6 episodes each, not to mention that the not all of the worlds have a feather).
And to think that they had the chance at one point...
Maybe when the rating of Tsubasa don't go as planned they would resort to that kind of ending...
You would still be able to see the "anata wa dare" scene in the next episodes. It was quite emotional, IMHO.
Oh, and there is another episode that gives you a hint that it's not Fye's tattoo that gives him magical powers. When they asked Yuuko for an item to break the seal that is protecting the castle (the world with Kiishimu), Yuuko asked Fye if he can't do it, and he said that he promised that he wouldn't use his magic without it.
Oh well, we still have to wait until April for the next season of Tsubasa (First season was 26 episodes, and they got 4 or 5 feathers only!).
Ah!! Yuuko-san! I cannot wait until I see the XXXHOLiC anime series! Other than that pishaw....I don't much care for the rest of the series...but Sakura is pretty.
i have all episodes in two dvds... just finished the first dvd. yeah, the episodes are kinda slow because 1) of the irritating flashbacks (that seem to be cut-pasted from the original scene 2) added with the "teleporting part where everyone just smiles at each other, or sigh, or fart (well, not really)... what's the point of that! 3) a scene is made unfairly long to last 30 minutes or so (think a game in slamdunk that could last a week's worth of airtime... at least the latter has a good excuse for lengthening the minutes... )
i've read a bit of the manga; no major changes, and some parts were cut to lessen the boredom. The thing is, I'm missing the *fun parts* that I enjoyed in the manga... there's less Fye/Kurogane/Mokona interaction, less humor, and more talk. The characters in the anime are less expressive; I was surprised because no one was laughing out loud, or shouting - everyone was just so damned reserved! even the bubbly, younger Sakura in the anime seem *dead* (she's debating with nii-san, but sounded as if she's totally okay with being teased). In the first scene (Sakura meeting Syaoran), Sakura jumping and hugging Syaoran to convey excitement was countered by how she spoke her lines... and she still has her memory at that point! the lightness of the series was held down by Sakura's state of well-being... and that's just a shame.
... but maybe the disappointment comes from the fact that most of the effects that the manga comes with are made up by the reader. or the fact that on paper, a page can be used for your own "spot the CLAMP character and identify the series" game.
support for the tattoo's significance: Fye can still use magic, Yuuko said so (in the Chun Hyang Arc; even in the manga) but Fye vows not to use them without his tattoo (which, from what I've nderstood from the manga and the first 13 eps, is a control for these powers) I don't know how it is related to Ashura, though..
on to the next 13 episodes.
if this was posted twice, i'm sorry ;p
I want to point out the various Clamp characters that were featured in this episode:
Sorata, Arashi, Shuugo (X/1999)
I'm off~
well.. ithink for me.. I like this tsubasa because of the lead characters and mixed other clamp buddies. but i really agree with the people who say it's boring... the story is so boring.. maybe the people are only interested of it is because of the characters. includes syaoran and sakura
i love all things Tsubasa and Clamp, but i totally think that the manga is so much better then the anime...maybe thats just because i read it first.....hummm. And i love how Tsubasa is intertwined with XXXHolic, its just cool, but the manga is STILL better... bubye! =)
The anime of Tsubasa does have a depressingly weak start, what with lots of pointless recap, but I assure all it develops into a rather strong series. With lots of Sakura and Syaoran. teehee. And Fay. We love Fay.
And I love the soundtrack. :D
super.............................. I really love it I wish that the story will repeat again here in tht Phillipines its not complete kase eh! please and I also hope that it will have more more seasons and last forever (wow! nacks!) I really love sakura kinomoto and li shauran actually i have a collection of their pictures super cute and beautiful kasi eh! well more power and please add more info because it is very short
Ugghhh how I hate Sakura >.<
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