Keroberos

Lore & Background

Having spent a lengthy amount of time in the book while it was in Osaka, Cerberus speaks with a pointed Osakan-accent. He tends to be bossy, demanding, egotistical and gluttonous, but clearly displays his affection for Sakura, especially if she is hurt or in danger. He becomes very fond of video games, and is addicted to sweets. Cerberus spends most of his time in a "temporary" or "false form": a small figure resembling an orange stuffed animal with wings. Unlike Yue, Cerberus' magical powers are like the sun, and thus largely self-sustaining, and he is subsequently not as dependent on his master's power to support his life as is Yue. However, his master must have control of the Firey and Earthy cards in order to power his true form, a large-winged mountain lion. In the anime adaptation, the Light card is changed to the Earthy card to delay his obtaining his true form. Cerberus' name is taken from the Greek mythological figure, Cerberus, a large three-headed dog who was assigned to guard the gates of the Greek underworld.

In Their Own Story

In the anime adaptation, his false form is voiced by Aya Hisakawa, while his hidden form is voiced by Masaya Onosaka. In the Cardcaptors dub, his name is spelled Keroberos (based on the Japanese pronunciation of his name), and "Kero" was repronounced as "kirō" instead of "kerō". In this dub, his false form is voiced by Matt Hill with a New York accent, and Richard Newman voices his true form, though the accent is not as distinct. In the second film, he is voiced by Wendee Lee and Dave Wittenberg, in his respective forms. In the English dub of the Clear Card arc, Kero's false form is voiced by Mikaela Krantz and Kero's true form is voiced by Christopher Sabat. Cerberus appears in Episode 44 of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle in his borrowed form, although in the parallel world he dwells in it appears to be his singular body. Cerberus (using "Kero" as a nickname) guards the Country of Kero, and has a prophetic dream of Syaoran, Sakura, Fai, Kurogane and Mokona, the protagonists of Tsubasa, arriving in his world and recruits Mokona to climb up a mountain to retrieve one of Sakura's memory feathers which shrinks down the protagonists in size. Aya Hisakawa reprised her role as Cerberus for that appearance.

Reader's Guide

Cerberus serves as both a mentor and comic relief throughout Sakura's magical journey. Initially arrogant about his status as Clow Reed’s creation, he eventually grows deeply fond of Sakura Kinomoto. His primary role is assisting her in capturing scattered magic cards while protecting her from danger. Over time, he transitions from guarding the original Clow Cards to becoming a guardian of the new Sakura Cards alongside Yue. He possesses significant magical abilities, including flight and transformation into his true form—a large-winged mountain lion. Despite his love for sweets and tendency toward laziness, Cerberus proves brave when it matters most. He provides strategic advice during card battles using his extensive knowledge of mysticism. His relationship with Syaoran Li evolves from rivalry to mutual respect as they work together. Ultimately, Cerberus represents the bridge between Clow Reed’s legacy and Sakura's new era of magic, ensuring safety while allowing the young girl to find her own path.

Did You Know?

• Cerberus speaks with a pointed Osakan-accent because he spent a lengthy amount of time in the book while it was in Osaka.
• His master must have control of the Firey and Earthy cards in order to power his true form, a large-winged mountain lion.
• In the anime adaptation, the Light card was changed to the Earthy card to delay his obtaining his true form.
• In the Cardcaptors dub, his name is spelled Keroberos and "Kero" was repronounced as "kirō" instead of "kerō".
• Cerberus appears in Episode 44 of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle guarding the Country of Kero, with Aya Hisakawa reprising her role.