TV-Series
Description
Li Meilin is a supporting character who appears exclusively in the anime adaptation of Cardcaptor Sakura, created by the manga artist group CLAMP. She is introduced as the first cousin of Syaoran Li, another main character, and hails from Hong Kong. In the English adaptation, her name is sometimes spelled as Meilin Li. Her birthday is March 25, her blood type is B, and her favorite school subjects are music and physical education. She has a preference for the color red, and her favorite foods include peach buns, sesame dumplings, and almond pudding.
Meilin's background begins in childhood, where she and Syaoran trained together in Chinese martial arts under the instruction of Wang Wei. A pivotal moment in their early relationship occurred when Meilin's pet bird escaped from its cage during a rainy night. The normally reserved Syaoran comforted her, ventured out into the rain, and returned hours later with the bird. This act of kindness deeply moved Meilin, and from that day she devoted herself to him. She declared that she liked him above all others and, believing the feeling was mutual, proclaimed them to be engaged. At the same time, she made a promise that if Syaoran ever found someone he loved more than her, she would give him up.
In terms of personality, Meilin initially appears as a spoiled, aggressive, and outspoken girl. She is energetic, hot-tempered, and eager to show off her abilities. She is also extremely competitive, often challenging others to prove her own worth. Her single-minded devotion to Syaoran leads her to become jealous of Sakura Kinomoto, whom she perceives as a rival for Syaoran's affection. Early in the series, Meilin actively dislikes Sakura and tries to assert her own position as Syaoran's intended partner. However, beneath this brash exterior lies a genuinely kind and caring heart. She is capable of deep empathy and selflessness, though these qualities are often hidden behind her pride and insecurity.
Her motivations are driven primarily by her love for Syaoran and her desire to be useful to him. Because she has no magical abilities—unlike Syaoran, who possesses magical power as a descendant of Clow Reed—Meilin relies solely on her physical fighting skills. This lack of magic sometimes makes her feel inadequate, as she cannot participate in magical battles on equal footing. She initially travels to Tomoeda, Japan, to help Syaoran collect the Clow Cards, and her presence is motivated by a fear of losing him to Sakura.
In the story, Meilin serves as a supporting character who is aware of the existence of Clow Cards. She uses her martial arts to assist in capturing cards, though her efforts are not always successful. For example, she challenges the Fight card in one episode and is nearly injured, requiring rescue by Syaoran. This experience makes her realize that she can be a burden. Later, however, her synchronized fighting style with Syaoran, honed through years of training together, proves crucial when they face the Twin card, as their coordinated movements allow them to counter the card's dual attacks. She also inadvertently obtains the real Shot Card, a Clow Card, after purchasing it as a fake incantation card, and Sakura later helps contain it.
Key relationships define Meilin's arc. Her relationship with Syaoran is the central one: she is his cousin, self-proclaimed fiancée, and childhood martial arts partner. At first, she treats Sakura as a rival, but as the series progresses, her respect for Sakura grows. She begins to see Sakura's kindness, determination, and magical skill, and a friendship develops between them. This shift is gradual, marked by moments where Meilin helps Sakura—such as finishing a poster for her when Sakura is sick, or stabilizing her during a battle against the Cloud card. By the time Meilin returns to Hong Kong in episode 43, she and Sakura have become good friends.
Meilin's character development reaches a critical point when she briefly returns to Tomoeda in episode 60. She notices that Syaoran now calls Sakura by her first name, a privilege he previously reserved only for his sisters and for Meilin herself. Recognizing that Syaoran's feelings have changed, Meilin interrupts Syaoran's attempt to explain and tells him that she already knows. With tears in her eyes, she smiles and officially calls off their engagement, releasing him from their childhood promise. She then spends the night at Tomoyo Daidouji's house, releasing her sadness through tears and screaming, but without burdening Syaoran. This act demonstrates her emotional maturity and genuine love for Syaoran, as she prioritizes his happiness over her own desires.
After this, Meilin returns to Hong Kong and is not seen again in the main series until the second movie, Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card. In that film, she returns with Syaoran and, together with Tomoyo, tries to help Sakura confess her own feelings to Syaoran. This shows that Meilin fully supports the romantic relationship between Sakura and Syaoran, having moved past her own attachment.
Notable abilities include her proficiency in Chinese martial arts, which she has practiced since childhood. She is extremely athletic and agile, capable of performing impressive acrobatic feats such as back handsprings and aerial maneuvers. She is also a competent cook, known for preparing Chinese cuisine, though her impatience sometimes leads to less-than-perfect results in baking. However, she possesses no magical powers, which sets her apart from the other major characters involved in the Clow Card adventures. Her lack of magic is a source of insecurity, but she compensates with determination and physical prowess.
Overall, Meilin Li is a character who undergoes significant growth from a spoiled, possessive rival to a mature, supportive friend who selflessly lets go of her childhood love for the sake of another's happiness. Her journey emphasizes themes of friendship, acceptance, and emotional honesty, making her a memorable part of the Cardcaptor Sakura anime.
Meilin's background begins in childhood, where she and Syaoran trained together in Chinese martial arts under the instruction of Wang Wei. A pivotal moment in their early relationship occurred when Meilin's pet bird escaped from its cage during a rainy night. The normally reserved Syaoran comforted her, ventured out into the rain, and returned hours later with the bird. This act of kindness deeply moved Meilin, and from that day she devoted herself to him. She declared that she liked him above all others and, believing the feeling was mutual, proclaimed them to be engaged. At the same time, she made a promise that if Syaoran ever found someone he loved more than her, she would give him up.
In terms of personality, Meilin initially appears as a spoiled, aggressive, and outspoken girl. She is energetic, hot-tempered, and eager to show off her abilities. She is also extremely competitive, often challenging others to prove her own worth. Her single-minded devotion to Syaoran leads her to become jealous of Sakura Kinomoto, whom she perceives as a rival for Syaoran's affection. Early in the series, Meilin actively dislikes Sakura and tries to assert her own position as Syaoran's intended partner. However, beneath this brash exterior lies a genuinely kind and caring heart. She is capable of deep empathy and selflessness, though these qualities are often hidden behind her pride and insecurity.
Her motivations are driven primarily by her love for Syaoran and her desire to be useful to him. Because she has no magical abilities—unlike Syaoran, who possesses magical power as a descendant of Clow Reed—Meilin relies solely on her physical fighting skills. This lack of magic sometimes makes her feel inadequate, as she cannot participate in magical battles on equal footing. She initially travels to Tomoeda, Japan, to help Syaoran collect the Clow Cards, and her presence is motivated by a fear of losing him to Sakura.
In the story, Meilin serves as a supporting character who is aware of the existence of Clow Cards. She uses her martial arts to assist in capturing cards, though her efforts are not always successful. For example, she challenges the Fight card in one episode and is nearly injured, requiring rescue by Syaoran. This experience makes her realize that she can be a burden. Later, however, her synchronized fighting style with Syaoran, honed through years of training together, proves crucial when they face the Twin card, as their coordinated movements allow them to counter the card's dual attacks. She also inadvertently obtains the real Shot Card, a Clow Card, after purchasing it as a fake incantation card, and Sakura later helps contain it.
Key relationships define Meilin's arc. Her relationship with Syaoran is the central one: she is his cousin, self-proclaimed fiancée, and childhood martial arts partner. At first, she treats Sakura as a rival, but as the series progresses, her respect for Sakura grows. She begins to see Sakura's kindness, determination, and magical skill, and a friendship develops between them. This shift is gradual, marked by moments where Meilin helps Sakura—such as finishing a poster for her when Sakura is sick, or stabilizing her during a battle against the Cloud card. By the time Meilin returns to Hong Kong in episode 43, she and Sakura have become good friends.
Meilin's character development reaches a critical point when she briefly returns to Tomoeda in episode 60. She notices that Syaoran now calls Sakura by her first name, a privilege he previously reserved only for his sisters and for Meilin herself. Recognizing that Syaoran's feelings have changed, Meilin interrupts Syaoran's attempt to explain and tells him that she already knows. With tears in her eyes, she smiles and officially calls off their engagement, releasing him from their childhood promise. She then spends the night at Tomoyo Daidouji's house, releasing her sadness through tears and screaming, but without burdening Syaoran. This act demonstrates her emotional maturity and genuine love for Syaoran, as she prioritizes his happiness over her own desires.
After this, Meilin returns to Hong Kong and is not seen again in the main series until the second movie, Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card. In that film, she returns with Syaoran and, together with Tomoyo, tries to help Sakura confess her own feelings to Syaoran. This shows that Meilin fully supports the romantic relationship between Sakura and Syaoran, having moved past her own attachment.
Notable abilities include her proficiency in Chinese martial arts, which she has practiced since childhood. She is extremely athletic and agile, capable of performing impressive acrobatic feats such as back handsprings and aerial maneuvers. She is also a competent cook, known for preparing Chinese cuisine, though her impatience sometimes leads to less-than-perfect results in baking. However, she possesses no magical powers, which sets her apart from the other major characters involved in the Clow Card adventures. Her lack of magic is a source of insecurity, but she compensates with determination and physical prowess.
Overall, Meilin Li is a character who undergoes significant growth from a spoiled, possessive rival to a mature, supportive friend who selflessly lets go of her childhood love for the sake of another's happiness. Her journey emphasizes themes of friendship, acceptance, and emotional honesty, making her a memorable part of the Cardcaptor Sakura anime.