Naoko

Naoko Yanagisawa
Alternate names: Kikki (US), Nadine (France)
Episode Appearances: 42 (1-3, 5-8, 10, 13, 17, 20-21, 23, 25-26, 28-39, 41-43, 47-50, 54-56, 59-60, 63-64, 70)

Character:
Naoko is probably the least known character in the entire series, her quiet bookworm fashion hides her behind her other friends. Naoko has somewhat the same kind of behaviour as Tomoyo. Both characters are very decisive and caring when it comes to their friends. Other facts about Naoko’s Family and other relations are not mentioned in either the television series or the manga. It is established early in the series however that Naoko is interested in things that behind her back, Sakura and Syaoran are conducting.

Naoko’s character is the least developed in her age group, this is due to the fact that Naoko is not in any form of relationship with anyone. Her main ‘love’ is for fantasy and science fiction. This leads to the most of Naoko’s Character developments to occur in the first half of the series. Naoko does however play a key part of some of Sakura’s adventures, specifically in the first season when Naoko provides Sakura with ‘ghost’ stories which transcribe the events of Clow Cards activities. In a later episode, Naoko’s imagination caused Sakura difficulties when she purchased a book that created monsters for Sakura to stop.

Naoko’s character starts to appear less in the 3rd Season as her role is slowly placed into the background, allowing for more important developments to take place (Syaoran’s relationship with Sakura, Sakura converting cards, etc)

Friendships:
In terms of friendship, Naoko depends entirely on Rita and Chihura for support. Most of the time, Naoko will agree with anything that her friends are doing. One other curious fact about Naoko is that her character is equally suspicious about events as Tomoyo but unlike Tomoyo, Naoko never finds out about the cards, she remains suspicious of Sakura and Tomoyo, then later of Syaoran and Eriol. Her character otherwise is wise not to enquire as she never had proof.
Conclusion, Despite having some flaws in her persona; Naoko plays a minor but actually important role in the early episodes.

Facts:
Of all of Sakura’s Friends, Naoko is the only person that isn’t in love or likes someone.
In the episode “Sakura and the Nameless book” (episode 31), the book that Naoko reads in the classroom scene; ‘Dragon mountain’, is an actual book, first published in the late seventies, then republished in the mid nineties.
Naoko has had many experiences with the Clow cards, even purchasing one by accident; but explained it off as ghost stories each time because of her beliefs.

Goofs:
Plot hole: Naoko is supposedly weak physically, which is shown in gym and running. But Naoko  is also on the cheerleading squad and is able to perform basic stunts, able to jump and other cheerleading stuff, how is this possible?
Continuity: throughout the first season and depending if she is talking. Naoko’s glasses change size.
Continuity: In the episode “Sakura and the memory of her mother” (episode 6), Naoko’s uniform scarf changes height from the back.

Credits: Profile researched and written by Isaac Zavelsky and proofwritten by Saffy.