Ep 13. Sakura and Welcome Back, Meiling

Sakura and her friends have been trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the new transparent cards that have been appearing. In the previous episode, Syaoran returned from Hong Kong, much to the joy of Sakura and the rest of the gang. As they catch up, Meiling, Syaoran's cousin, makes an unexpected return to Japan. In episode 13, titled "Sakura and Welcome Back, Meiling," we see the group come together to welcome Meiling back to their hometown.

The episode opens with Sakura and Tomoyo making preparations for Meiling's arrival. They are seen baking a cake and discussing how much fun it will be to have Meiling around. Meanwhile, Syaoran is seen en route to the airport to pick up his cousin. As Meiling exits the airplane, she is greeted by a wave of nostalgia and memories of her previous stay in Japan. Syaoran welcomes her warmly and they make their way back home.

As soon as Meiling arrives, she is greeted with a surprise party thrown by her friends. The party is filled with balloons, streamers, and a big banner saying "Welcome Home." The group reminisces about old times and catches up with each other’s lives. Meiling asks about Sakura's new transparent cards, and Sakura senses something familiar in the way Meiling talks about them.

The next day, Sakura and Meiling go to school together. They are joined by Tomoyo, who informs them that she has planned a day at the aquarium. As they walk around, they come across a giant aquarium tank that catches Sakura's attention. She examines it closely and suddenly realizes that one of her transparent cards is inside. Using her magic, Sakura successfully captures the card.

As they continue to walk around, the group comes across a dolphin show. They are all captivated by the skills of the dolphins as they perform acrobatic stunts. Suddenly, the show takes an unexpected turn. The dolphins begin to act agitated, and the trainers are unable to control them. The crowd starts to panic, but Sakura, who senses something is wrong, uses her magic to calm the dolphins down, and they return to their healthy state.

After the show, Sakura is approached by a mysterious figure. The figure introduces herself as Akiho Shinomoto, and Sakura recognizes her as the girl who had rescued her during a previous incident. Akiho tells Sakura that she has been studying magic and is interested in learning more about it. Sakura is initially hesitant, but Akiho's sincerity and curiosity win her over, and she agrees to teach her.

In the meantime, the group is approached by a mysterious man who asks them to take a survey. The man, who is undoubtedly up to something, starts asking them strange questions. Syaoran, who is suspicious of the man's intentions, tries to intervene, but he is unable to do anything as the man quickly disappears.

As the day comes to an end, Meiling is seen packing her bags to return to Hong Kong. Sakura and Syaoran see her off, and they all promise to stay in touch. As Meiling leaves, Sakura reflects on the fun times they had together and how much she will miss her.

In conclusion, episode 13 of season 1 of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, "Sakura and Welcome Back, Meiling," is all about reunion and bonding. Sakura and her friends warmly welcome Meiling back to their hometown and spend a fun day at the aquarium. The episode also introduces a new character, Akiho, who shares Sakura's interest in magic. The mysterious man's intentions, however, remain unclear. This episode is a heartwarming addition to the series, and the perfect end to Meiling's short visit.