Yelan Li is the mother of Shaoran Li and appears in the first Cardcaptor Sakura movie. She is a tall, beautiful woman known for her long black hair and sharp eyes. Yelan is a very strict person with strong magical powers, and she trained Shaoran with tough love since he was little. Even though she is strict, Yelan can also be gentle and caring, especially towards Sakura Kinomoto and Meiling Li. In the Clear Card arc, her image appears briefly. Yelan is close to the famous magician Clow Reed through her mother's side. She helps the main characters with her wisdom and magic, leaving a deep impression on everyone she meets.
Yelan Li is a tall woman with long, jet-black hair tied up high on her head.
Her eyes are long and sharp, giving her a serious look.
People often mention that she looks very young.
Yelan is well-known for being very strict, especially with Shaoran.
Shaoran gets so nervous around her that he stands straight without moving.
She believes in hard training, and she expects a lot from her son.
Even though she is strict, Yelan also shows kindness to Sakura and Meiling.
She can be gentle and caring when the moment calls for it.
Yelan is a widow after her husband passed away.
She is Shaoran Li’s real mother.
Her family is related to Clow Reed on her mother's side.
She comes from a powerful magic family in Hong Kong.
Yelan has very strong magic powers.
When she uses magic, she holds a small fan decorated with a butterfly.
She has the ability to sense strong magical power in other people.
Yelan can break through strong barriers when needed, but using a lot of magic makes her tired.
She is the mother of Shaoran Li.
The sisters of Shaoran call her "Mother."
Shaoran calls her "Mother."
Meiling Li, their cousin, calls her "Aunt."
She is thoughtful to Sakura and even gives Meiling presents on her birthday.
When Sakura first meets Yelan, Tomoyo Daidouji says she looks very young.
Yelan gives Meiling a bird as a birthday gift.
Even though she is usually very serious, she can show a gentle side.
She always uses her special fan when casting spells.
- “Great power can also attract challenges. Especially here in Hong Kong...”
- “If it’s Sakura, I’m sure she’ll find an answer.”
- “Be careful around water.”
Meeting Sakura
Yelan first appears when Sakura accidentally falls into a well while chasing a bird from her dream.
Sakura becomes soaked and goes to Shaoran’s house for a change of clothes.
Yelan meets Sakura and can immediately tell she has strong magic.
She sees that Sakura has Clow Cards.
Yelan warns Sakura that strong power may bring trouble, then invites Sakura to stay the night.
Advice in the Night
During the night, Sakura has a bad dream.
Yelan appears in Sakura’s room and invites her out to the garden.
There, Yelan uses her magic to tell Sakura’s fortune.
She warns Sakura that she faces great danger in Hong Kong.
Yelan tells Sakura she must choose her own path but comforts her with, “If it’s Sakura, I’m sure she’ll find the answer.”
Farewell Gesture
The next morning, Sakura thanks Yelan for her help.
Without saying a word, Yelan kisses Sakura on the cheek and simply tells her, “Be careful around water.”
Shaoran is shocked and frozen by this, while Tomoyo records the event.
Battle and Help
Later, Yelan tells Shaoran to protect Sakura and the group.
At the end of the movie, when Sakura tries to face the magical enemy again, Yelan senses Shaoran’s magical energy has faded.
Yelan appears near the well and successfully breaks a strong magical barrier that Sakura could not.
Helping Sakura took a lot out of her, and Tomoyo helps steady her.
Yelan and Tomoyo stay by the well and watch Sakura return safely.
Return in Clear Card Arc
In the anime version of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc episode 21, Eriol Hiiragizawa asks Yelan for advice in order to learn more about Yuna D. Kaito.
Yelan’s image is shown, but she does not speak.
She also makes an appearance in the original manga.
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