Syaoran is a young Chinese sorcerer from Hong Kong, descending from Clow Reed and appearing in Tokyo during his introduction in order to capture the missing cards released by Sakura.

Although Syaoran is initially apprehensive towards the protagonist due to their shared goal, he, in time, finds himself falling in love with her as the series progresses.

Reception to the character was originally quite mixed with criticisms primarily directed at his initial role and alterations during the localization process.

Ohkawa was careful when writing Syaoran's characterization in the early chapters due to how he felt attracted towards Yukito but did not have the same type of love Sakura had towards him.

In general, Clamp found that Syaoran ended up as an attractive character that could be their younger brother due to his independency mostly as pointed out by Mokona and Nekoi.

[4] When Sakura believes she will never find the person she loves, Syaoran comforts her by denying such possibility and gives her his handkerchief to stop her tears.

Ohkawa compared Syaoran to that of a strong prince in order to describe his charm to the point male readers also related with him due to their mutual feelings towards Sakura.

[5] For all Japanese-language productions of the anime (including films, audio CDs, and video games), Syaoran is voiced by Motoko Kumai.

Kumai said that even though Syaoran grows up for the sequel Clear Card, she still wanted to properly portray him despite their different genders and thus would change the tone she uses when voicing him.

[24] When first introduced, Anime News Network described Syaoran as a "jerk" for how he competes against Sakura to get the Clow Cards but found it more surprising how he additionally becomes her rival also in terms of affection as both characters are attracted by the same teenager, Yukito.

[25] Similarly, the writers from The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture: From Godzilla to Miyazaki said that Syaoran becomes a weak awkward friend to Sakura as he is unable to confess her feelings towards her to the point being a comic relief.

[29] Mania Entertainment enjoyed how Syaoran and Sakura's relationship is developed in the film as their friends support them to confess their feelings.

[30] In regards to his role Clear Card, THEM Anime Reviews described him as "blunt but deep down very nice" and laments to how the series downplays the development of his relationship with Sakura despite both having become closer.

[32] Anime News Network also commented on their date as it gives the two characters a sense of maturity despite Syaoran hiding information from his girlfriend, something that the series does not properly explore.