Its critics have described it as Cardcaptor Sakura fan fiction rehashed by its own creators, but this review of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Season 1 is unbiased by familiarity with the aforementioned title. Regardless, the character designs of CLAMP, so familiar to viewers of shows like X and Code Geass, are readily apparent in the series.

Memory is integral to how a person defines themselves. It is perhaps the most valuable possession an individual has, because without that collection of experience, one's unique interpretation of the world around them is lost. Syaoran, the protagonist of the series, was discovered as a child with no memory of his own. However, through the kindness of an adopted father and the friendship of a beautiful princess named Sakura, he has forged a happy new life.

All of that changes when interlopers from another world invade and Sakura's memory is destroyed, scattered in the form of glowing feathers across dimensions. Her very life is said to depend on the retrieval of those fragments of memory, and knowing all too well the burden of amnesia, Syaoran is determined to save her.

But how does one travel to the distant worlds that are now home to Sakura's feathers? Thankfully, there exists a dimensional witch with control over space and time willing to help, for a price anyway.... To be granted access between worlds, Syaoran must relinquish his most prized possession: Sakura's memories of him. No matter how many feathers he collects, Sakura will never recall what lies between them. As the story progresses, Sakura regains some of her memory and realizes someone very important to her is missing from it. But even this awareness is taken away when she gets too close to the truth.

Joining Syaoran and Sakura on their hunt are three others. Kurogane is a cursed warrior who was banished from his homeland when there remained no one that could challenge his skill. The second companion, Fai, is a seemingly carefree wizard fleeing his past. Finally, there is Mokona, a rabbit-like creature that facilitates their travel between worlds and can detect the presence of Sakura's feathers. The characters are likeable enough, and their interactions rather than the plot, will likely make or break the series for the viewer.

In their travels, the group begins to encounter familiar faces from their past, including people from worlds visited since the journey's inception. While the phenomenon initially creates confusion for the group, the familiarity quickly becomes routine, which seems oddly appropriate given the main characters are themselves recycled by CLAMP.

As for Sakura's feathers, barring the occasional misdiagnosis by Mokona, finding their location is generally not difficult. However, these fragments grant great power to those who have come to possess them, and the new holders are seldom keen on surrendering them to their rightful owner. To make matters worse, a man from Syaoron's past, and those responsible for Sakura's condition also covet the feathers and oppose the group's efforts to reacquire them.

The basis of the series lends itself to meandering tales that span, on average, three episodes per world. Fans of a series like Inuyasha will find a new cast to love, but those seeking action, intrigue, or even romance, are better off looking elsewhere.