School Daze

These episodes opened the second season of this popular series: there's a new title sequence and the "Leave It to Kero" feature has been eliminated. Sakura enters the fifth grade and discovers her teacher is Ms. Mizuki, who seems to possess supernatural powers related to the magical Clow Cards. Is she the mysterious woman in Sakura's recurring dream? Sakura works closely with Shaoran Li to subdue the Snow, Voice, Lock, and Cloud Cards, and the two characters seem to be drawing closer, despite Sakura's crush on Yukito. In "Dizzy Fever Day," the spirit of Sakura's dead mother appears to watch over her. Toya, who usually teases his sister mercilessly, shows a gentler side of his nature when he takes care of her--and reveals that he knows more about the magical goings-on than anyone had suspected. Rated 13 Up, but appropriate for children three to four years younger. --Charles Solomon