Hiiragizawa, Eriol
Summary
Born on March 23, Eriol Hiiragizawa serves as the primary antagonist during the second half of the narrative, widely recognized as the Master of the Clow arc. As the reincarnation of Clow Reed, he possesses Clow’s memories and full magical power. He wields a magical staff akin to Clow’s, commands the guardians Yue and Cerberus, and has created his own counterparts, Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun. After Sakura Kinomoto passes the Last Judgement and becomes the official master of the cards, Eriol transfers from England to Tomoeda Elementary school. While he appears as a quiet, mature student, he displays a mischievous side by joining classmate Takashi Yamazaki in crafting elaborate lies about local history. Although Sakura perceives him as normal, Syaoran Li is suspicious, and Yue and Cerberus detect his magical signature as Clow’s, forcing Eriol to erase Yue’s memories after an accidental encounter. Eriol traveled to Japan to assist Sakura in converting the Clow Cards into Sakura cards using her own magic. This process is vital because the cards draw energy from their master, and without conversion, they would slowly die, a fate also befalling Yue, whose life was being sustained by Sakura’s brother. Sakura remains unaware that Eriol is orchestrating magical disasters to necessitate these conversions until near the series’ end. He then puts the city to sleep and challenges Sakura to convert the final two cards, the Dark and the Light, simultaneously. Upon her success, he reveals she has surpassed Clow Reed’s power and asks her to divide his magic between himself and his father, Fujitaka, who is also a reincarnation of Clow, ensuring Eriol is no longer the world’s most powerful magician. He subsequently invites Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Yue, and Cerberus to his home to explain that the conversions were necessary to prevent the cards from going out of control or draining Sakura’s life. Eriol’s true age is unknown, as he used magic to halt aging and maintain the same physical appearance as Sakura. He is in a romantic relationship with Kaho Mizuki, whom he originally sent from England to support Sakura during the Final Judgment and who continued to offer guidance through letters during the second arc. At the conclusion of the manga, she returns with him to England, and they are depicted together in the second anime movie when Sakura seeks advice. In the anime adaptation, Eriol is the sole reincarnation of Clow Reed, removing the manga’s elements regarding Fujitaka’s connection and shared power inheritance. Additionally, the final explanation at Eriol’s house occurs the day after the final battle because Sakura seeks him out rather than receiving an invitation.
