ALARIS' REVIEWS

23rd January 2010
Tsubasa: Episodes 1-2 (2009)

Based on the manga by popular mangaka group, Clamp, the anime series Tsubasa is a mash up of Clamp's previous works, re-imagined in a new fantasy adventure.

Syaoran is a boy archaeologist (in a universe where no one seems to be over 15) and the chief protagonist. When his childhood friend, Princess Sakura, has her memories taken from her in a mysterious, magical phenomenon, Syaoran must search through countless dimensions, hunting down the lost memories.

The fantasy settings are beautiful, and the animation is lovely, but the series is probably targeted to a younger audience. The characters aren't particularly complex, the plotting is very straightforward, and I don't think subtext exists in any of the Tsubasa universes.

It would probably be more entertaining if I recognised the characters from Clamp's other work, but as a standalone series, Tsubasa isn't fun enough, dramatic enough, or spectacular enough to keep me watching beyond the first 2 episodes.

Verdict: A beautifully animated fantasy series, best suited to a younger audience.

If you like Card Captor Sakura (1998) , you might like this.