Okay, fellow tape-heads, let's rewind slightly past our usual stomping grounds for a moment. While the year 2000 might feel like just yesterday to some of us seasoned video voyagers, the delightful little morsel that is Leave it to Kero! (or Kero-chan ni Omakase!) carries the vibrant, bubbly spirit of the late 90s anime boom that many of us remember fondly, perhaps catching glimpses on specialty channels or through treasured fansub tapes passed between friends. This wasn't your typical blockbuster rental, but more like finding a hidden bonus track on a favorite album – a pure burst of joy starring everyone's favorite Guardian Beast... when he's off duty.
Attached as a scrumptious appetiser to the second Cardcaptor Sakura movie, The Sealed Card, this 10-minute short is a concentrated dose of everything that made the side characters of that beloved series so endearing. Forget Clow Cards and world-altering magic for a second; the stakes here are far more critical: the last remaining takoyaki ball.
### Snack Attack Showdown!
Directed by Seiji Okuda and penned by Nanase Ohkawa of the legendary CLAMP collective (the powerhouse minds behind Cardcaptor Sakura itself, Magic Knight Rayearth, and X/1999), Leave it to Kero! strips away the grand magical narrative to focus on a purely comedic conflict. Our hero, the ever-hungry, ever-bombastic Keroberos (in his adorable plushie form, voiced with infectious energy by Masaya Onosaka), finds himself in a pitched battle against his stoic, sweet-toothed rival, Spinel Sun (aka Suppi, voiced with delightful dryness by Yumi Kakazu). The prize? A single, perfectly cooked octopus ball. What follows is pure, unadulterated slapstick.
It's a simple premise, executed with the kind of visual flair and character comedy that CLAMP excels at. The animation, though brief, is fluid and expressive, capturing every comical grimace, exaggerated leap, and desperate grab. Seeing these two magical beings reduced to squabbling over a snack like hyperactive kids is inherently funny, especially knowing their immense power in their true forms (Kero's true form Cerberus even makes a brief, hilarious appearance, voiced by the elegant Aya Hisakawa, who also voiced Kero in that form in the series).
### More Than Just a Side Dish
What makes Leave it to Kero! such a treat, especially looking back, is how perfectly it understands its characters. Kero isn't just loud; he's passionately, operatically devoted to his appetites. Spinel Sun isn't just quiet; his facade of calm barely conceals a laser-focused desire for sweets. Their clash isn't just about food; it's a clash of personalities, played out with cartoon physics and zero dialogue, relying entirely on action, music, and those brilliant voice actor exclamations and sound effects. It’s like a classic Looney Tunes short, but filtered through the distinct aesthetic and character dynamics of late 90s/early 00s anime.
It’s the kind of short that probably elicited delighted squeals from fans in the cinema back then, a perfect little palate cleanser before the main feature's emotional rollercoaster. Even watching it now, detached from that initial release, it holds up as a wonderfully silly piece of character animation. It might not have the narrative weight of the main series, but its purpose is different: pure, unadulterated fun featuring fan-favorite characters cutting loose. And honestly, who didn't love Kero? Seeing him get his own mini-adventure, fueled entirely by his stomach, felt absolutely right.
### Retro Fun Facts
While official "behind-the-scenes" for such a short piece are scarce, its very existence speaks volumes about the popularity of Cardcaptor Sakura and its characters at the time. Pairing it with The Sealed Card movie (which grossed modestly but was well-received by fans) was a smart move, offering extra value and a dose of lightheartedness. The lack of dialogue also made it universally accessible, relying on visual humor that translates across languages – a testament to the skill of the animators and storyboard artists working under Okuda's direction. It’s a tiny gem that showcases the broader appeal of the CCS universe beyond just Sakura's journey.
### The Verdict
Leave it to Kero! is exactly what it intends to be: a short, sharp, hilarious burst of character-driven comedy. It doesn't try to be deep or world-changing; it just wants to make you laugh using two beloved characters bouncing off each other (sometimes literally). For fans of Cardcaptor Sakura, it's an essential, delightful little side story. For those unfamiliar, it might seem slight, but its energetic animation and universal slapstick still offer a chuckle. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest battles are fought over the smallest snacks.
Rating: 7/10 - A thoroughly charming and funny short that perfectly captures the spirit of its lead characters. It’s not substantial, but it’s pure Kero and Suppi gold, delivering exactly the dose of sugary slapstick it promises. A lovely little bonus feature that brings a smile.
So, while it might technically be a Y2K baby, Leave it to Kero! feels right at home in the spirit of fun, characterful animation we cherished back then. Just maybe keep your own snacks safely hidden if Kero's around.