Gathering

The shojo (girl's) adventure Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle has been eagerly awaited in the U.S. since it debuted on Japanese television in 2005. Based on a manga by the Clamp Studio, it offers new adventures for the characters from their popular Cardcaptor Sakura. The looks and personalities of the characters remain largely the same, but their situations have changed. Sakura and Syaoran are teenagers: she's the princess of the Kingdom of Clow; he's the dedicated son of a famous archeologist. Toya rules the kingdom, with Yuki as his mage-in-residence. A mysterious power seizes Sakura in an ancient temple Syaoran has been excavating. Her spirit appears as pair of graceful white wings that shatter, sending the feathers of her memories flying through time and space. Syaoran must recapture them or the Princess will die. Launched on his journey by Yuko the Dimensional Witch, Syaoran is joined by three new characters from other dimensions: the rabbit-like Mokona; Kurogane, a hot-tempered warrior who served Princess Tomoyo; and Fay, a wizard who resembles Kaoru in Evangelion. Tsubasa is a picaresque tale that plays more like Fullmetal Alchemist than Cardcaptor Sakura, but Clamp fans will enjoy the mixture of romantic devotion and fantasy-adventure. (Rated TV PG, suitable for ages 10 and older: minor violence) --Charles Solomon