Where CCSakura differs the most is in its character relationships. This is where we'll find things of the yaoi and yuri variety. Not to mention shotacon, lolicon, and incest.

First we'll start with yaoi. It's not so much yaoi as it is shounenai in this series (after all, it is a kids show. They can't exactly have Ai no Kusabi action ^_-). The most prominent couple, and my favourite, is Touya and Yukito (note page URL ^_~). At first there are just subtle hints, but as the series progresses, CLAMP makes it more and more obvious this is a real couple. Touya risks his life to save Yuki (and loses part of himself by doing so), but he doesn't hesitate at all. We know Yukito's feelings for sure, because he discussed them with Sakura when she confessed to him. As for the anime, in ep 14 Touya turns down a girl, because he says he already has someone (who else can it be but Yuki?). Plus, when Kaho left (Touya's former girlfriend), she told him they'd both have other people by the time she came back. When she does come back, she hints at the TouyaxYukito relationship. There's lots of other proof, but I don't want this to go on forever. TouyaxYukito eien ni! ^_^

At the beginning of the series, Syaoran thinks he's in love with Yukito. He blushes whenever he gets close to him, and even competes with Sakura for his affection! In the anime, Sakura is discussing her love for Yukito with Syaoran, and asks him if it was love at first sight for him, too. It's really too cute.

There are also shounenai hints between Clow Read and Yue (it's more on Yue's side, though). Not to mention Nakuru. Nakuru is without gender. Spinal Sun refers to "her" as if "she's" a man, while "she" considers herself a girl. Regardless, "she" follows Touya around and practically begs for his affection. Of course, "she's" only after one thing...(no, not that, ecchi! :P).

Now we'll flip over to the yuri side of things. Sonomi (Tomoyo's mother) and Nadeshiko (Sakura's mother) were cousins. Sonomi always thought it was her duty to protect Nadeshiko. This was *her* Nadeshiko. It's quite obvious she was in love with her beautiful cousin. She never forgave Fujitaka when he married Nadeshiko.

Following in her mother's footsteps, Tomoyo is in love with Sakura (who would be her third cousin). Sakura thinks Tomoyo is "chotto hen" for wanting to video her all the time and dress her up in cute outfits, but she's too clueless to check on to Tomoyo's true motives. In tankoubon 2, Tomoyo tells Sakura that she loves her. Sakura responds that she loves Tomoyo, too, but Tomoyo knows it's not the same kind of love. When Sakura doesn't understand what Tomoyo's getting at, she says she'll tell Sakura when she's older. There's also a brave show of affection on the second drama album CD. Tomoyo gave Sakura chocolate for Valentine's Day. You can see a translated transcript (*badly*, by me) here. Here's the important part:

Tomoyo: Hai!
Sakura: To me?
Tomoyo: Ee!
Sakura: But, Tomoyo-chan, you're supposed to give it to the person you love best...
Tomoyo: So that's why I'm giving it to Sakura-chan!

Shotacon (Shotaro complex, when an older person goes after a boy (usually between 9-12)) can be seen a little in three places. Syaoran+Yukito wouldn't really be considered shota, because it's Syaoran who's going after Yukito, but still... And while Touya was 14 when he was going out with Kaho, she's still *a lot* older than him (she was a student teacher at his junior high). Now she and Eriol (same age as Sakura) are a couple... If you ask me, she needs to find someone her own age. ^^;;

Just as Syaoran+Yukito wouldn't be considered shota, Sakura+Yukito wouldn't be considered lolicon (Lolita complex, when an older person goes after a young girl). Neither would Fujitaka+Nadeshiko, but she was only 16 when they got married. And he must have been in his late 20s or early 30s... The only true lolicon relationship is between Rika and Terada-sensei. He even gave her a ring.

So, as you can see, this isn't exactly Hime-chan no RIBON. But we like it better this way! ^_^ Not that I have anything against Hime-chan, of course (turns into pile of goo after reading tankoubon 10 again. ^_^).