Review - TSUBASA : RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE

This is an older review I wrote March 30th, 2009.

TSUBASA : RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE
52 Episodes
FUNimation

I don't necessarrily consider myself a CLAMP fan, but I'm finding I do like their work. And TSUBASA has something for everyone, CLAMP fan or not.

The story starts in the Kingdom of Clow with Princess Sakura and her best friend Syaoran. After an accident, Sakuras memories are scattered across many dimensions as feathers and it is up to Syaoran to locate each of them. Hence the story begins.

With the body of Sakura, Syaoran is sent to the Dimensional Witch Yuko (from xxxHolic fame) and with two other seekers, the four of them along with White Mokona to find Sakuras feathers. Syaorans companions are magician Fay is one of the travelers who is on the run from a powerful magician which is trapped in his home world and warrior Kurogane has been banished by his Queen (lover?) to travel through different worlds to learn humility. Each man must give to Yuko their most precious item. For Kurogane, it is his sword. Fay gives up the magical tattoo on his back. And Syaoran allows for Sakuras memory to be wiped of all memories they shared together.

The story is broken up episodically as the group travels to each world looking for the feathers. This keeps the story flowing with the group traveling to different worlds which could be from any time setting. One interesting aspect of this series is many of the minor characters are from other CLAMP series and often reappear on other worlds with different roles to play.

So not only do the travelers go to unique worlds, each world has their own challenges. One world might have an evil king who hordes the feather while another the group must win the race to receive the feather as a prize. I personally liked the worlds were more mysterious to achieve the goal than more action oriented. When the group had to solve the riddle or complete the puzzle instead of beating up the adversary.

There is a larger story arc concerning a battle of wits between Yuko and a mysterious man named Fei Wong Reed, who has some clone/twin of Syaoran. But I found this a little confusing and hoped that it would be explained a little in the series.

Each of the main characters are pretty likable, however Syaoran and Sakura are the only ones who grow along their journey. Fay and Kurogane are fully formed mentors/companions/protectors for Syaoran and Sakura. While Syaoran gets stronger as a fighter and protector, Sakura must regrow her feelings for Syaoran. But if she starts to remember too much of her past with Syaoran, she gets a mental purge and her memories are knocked back.

I believe that public libraries would be ok in picking up this series. There is no gratuitous sex or nudity. And the violence, while ubiquitous, is of a fantasy nature. So, for my library, this show would not go into the children's area, I would feel very comfortable putting it in the SciFi/Fantasy area.