Sailor Moon- Series Overview

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Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #176: School test shenanigans are afoof, as Usagi, Minako AND Seiya fail their tests and need to do make-ups, but Seiya's ALSO struggling with a stage director, who criticizes his entire performance. Meanwhile, Rei continues her "teleports straight to Juuban High" gimmick, while now copying the "Noblewoman Laugh" anime cliche as part of a persona to impress the Three Lights (it just weirds them out)- but she discovers that the stage director, Akane, is a nun/teacher at her Catholic Private School! Yes, the Shinto Shrine Maiden is at a Catholic School- Japan is weird that way. In any case, she wants to accomplish both stage direction and religious study, and sees no reason why she can't do both.

Finally, she explains her harshness- she was dazzled by the Three Lights' "singing with all their hearts" as if they were calling to "that one special person" (perceptive, that one)... but while Seiya's acting, he shows NONE of that same "fire", and that's what angers her so ("is this not worth your time?"). Thankfully, since Seiya is competitive and prideful, he gets the picture, and isn't satisfied unless he gives it his all- his FABULOUS dancing thus impresses her next time, in a good bit (the belly-shirt and undies over the tights make this look soooooooooo girly, but... YOU KNOW...).

Naturally, Akane is attacked by Sailor Iron Mouse, and a furious Seiya is left with no other option- he uses "Fighter Star Power... Maaaaaake up!" with the most Jem and the Holograms Transformation Sequence ever, appearing with a literal goddamn MICROPHONE/EARPIECE that shifts his male body to a female one (yes, no breast-binding here), and a bunch of still action-poses result- huh, no flowing transformation stuff. Must be a lower budget. Star Serious Laser wipes out the Phage (Sailor Director), but Sailors Moon & Mars arrive to protect it, since it was once human- Star Fighter's all "You have no idea what it's like! We had to leave our homeworld and stuff!", but Mars threatens her with the Flame Sniper attack (holding the arrow and flaming bow at her in a cool bit) and Sailor Moon casually reverts the Phage back to normal. Kind of a pointlses argument given everyone should know the deal by now, but whatever.

I liked the bits here between Seiya & Akane- one of those things where they give our Weekly Victim a lot of focus and give her some depth so she's not just some nobody. The debate about effort and fire gives more character to Seiya beyond "Smug, Aloof Douche" and reveals the kind of effort and strife needed to become truly great.

(First Appearance: Sailor Star Fighter Transformation Sequence)

(Monster Powers: Camera Reel Blast- cuts handrail)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #177: Taiki gets a Focus Episode this time- it's based around the fact that Mr. Fivehead is one of the smartest students in school- equal to AMI of all people! Both he and Ami nerd out over their Physics teacher being super well-educated, but Taiki's dialogue is hopelessly exposition-y and delivered in the most bland monotone from the actress playing him. Ami casually points out that the teacher is talking about the comet he discovered "like a lover", which is funny to just blankly state like that. In any case, the core story is one of those "Romance vs. Science" things that pops up in this series fairly often- the Sailor Moon S movie among them. Ami likes the teacher's more romantic idealism (dreams and wonder about the stars keeping him from taking a research job at Cambridge), while Taiki chides him for such odd viewpoints despite being a man of science.

Taiki disregards the notion of them viewing the comet because "there's a 100% chance of rain", but Ami is convinced things will work out- Taiki, despite his nature, finds himself compelled to come see anyways ("this is silly"), but naturally Sailor Iron Mouse attacks (showing some Mimete-style tendencies, crushing on what the teacher used to look like, and his "rugged" looks now when his glasses fall off). So Sailor Star Maker attacks the "Sailor Teacher" Phage, but Ami defends him as the teacher she once knew, pointing out that "the desire to pursue dreams and wonder is the energy that drives us as human beings!", to which Maker replies "so that's what you meant" with a smile. Yeah, it's a pretty "Sailor Moon" conversation to have.

Anyways, Sailor Moon shows up, but Sailor Teacher keeps throwing chalk at her- Star Maker uses "Star Gentle Uterus" (hee) again, but confesses she "reduced the power by half- after all, he's someone you respect"- Sailor Moon transforms him, and the day is saved. And of course the sky clears and everyone happily sees the comet- "I can see the dreams and wonder that you spoke of". Aw, Taiki, the comet has thawed your logical heart. Not a bad episode, but pretty old-hat for the show. Star Maker seems okay, but a tad stoic and forgettable- I can see why Captain Fivehead is the least-popular of the trio.

(First Appearance: Sailor Star Maker Transformation Sequence)

(Monster Powers: Chalk multi-blast, long extending metal pointer)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

So, early "Sailor Stars" observations- Star Fighter is so clearly a retread of "First Season Mamoru", but I kind of like his spirit. Star Maker is a bit too boring. Sailor Iron Mouse seems to be a Mimete retread, and has by far the least amount of focus I've ever seen on a recurring "General".
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #178: And now it's YATEN's turn for some characterization! Luna ends up staying with him so he can have a pet to show off on a TV show, and this gives him some depth- he's terse, rude and impolite with people in person, but has a soft spot for animals. Since Luna's kind of a perv with pretty humans, she's into the idea (seriously it even shows her with the "drooly mouth of thirst"). The girls at first tease her, but when they find out Luna took a BATH with him, Rei & Mako are outraged, and Minako is beside herself with lust, hilariously getting the "anime pervert nosebleed" while thinking about bathing, sleeping and cuddling up next to Yaten. I love how she's just like "OH HELL YES MAMA WANNA RIDE THAT LIKE A PONY!", straight-up curling her fingers at the thought.

So of course Artemis is jealous and distressed, especially as Luna is giving Yaten these loving looks, and Rei's no help, immediately suggesting he'll find another cat (Mako's at least sympathetic, though he finds her pity annoying, too). But Luna is struck when the Three Lights have a conversation about the girl they're looking for, with Yaten saying she's the only one he's interested in knowing, and that he HATES humanity and doesn't trust any of them. He's even annoyed at Seiya's idea of "love at first sight". His grumpiness has him telling off a dipshit Teen Idol who refers to herself in the third person, too. When she mocks Luna's appearance, then suggests that Yaten doesn't like her so must be GAY, Luna swipes at her in a great bit, but then she's attacked by Sailor Iron Mouse. Yaten's like "Whatever, I don't even like this bitch" and tries to bail, but Luna actually attacks the villain, getting blasted for it!

So of course the Sailors are all there, with a great "Pre-Fight Lecture" about how Iron Mouse "violated an idol's privacy", to which Venus adds "Yeah, even I'VE been trying to hold back!" like a doofus, and then Moon starts tossing out her speech while Iron Mouse keeps trying to get a word in and is being ignored. Then she teleports out and Mars chides Moon for taking so long to call her out- hee, great fourth-wall gags. Anyways, Sailor Ojyou appears as our Monster, and RIPS HER CLOTHES OFF, revealing a scandalous whale-tail-thong lingerie outfit, but Yaten reacts to Luna's sacrifice by transforming and knocking the Phage (whose attack is just... using a whip) into the wall, setting up her defeat. Like, why would FIVE SAILORS need help against a Phage with only one attack shown? I guess they were outta time, lol.

Fun little episode, with Yaten being an adorable little grouch about everything- the soft spot for animals humanizes him, as is him having by far the most angst about looking for this mystery person. Though having Luna lust for another human after we know she's with Artemis is an, um, curious look, and is a bit irksome given there's an episode a season in the past that features her SLASHING HIM for possibly flirting with a human woman. HYPOCRITICAL LUNA, I AM DISAPPOINT.

(First Appearance: Sailor Star Healer Transformation Sequence, Sailor Iron Mouse's Blast)

(Monster Powers: Creates Whip)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #179: And now it's a Sailor Jupiter-themed episode, also featuring Taiki in a major role. And HARUKA AND MICHIRU ARE BACK! I was wondering when the "Outer Senshi" were gonna show up. So the Three Lights wonder about where their "Princess" is (is that the first time they use that term?), but Seiya notes she & Sailor Moon seem kind of alike. He's harshly scolded by Taiki for that ("Don't mention them in the same breath!"), and Taiki goes on about how Sailor Moon's optimistic "I have to save people!" act is the thought process of a "happy ignorant" who "doesn't know what a real war is". Oh, YOU- this is just a repeat of how Sailor Uranus & Neptune were in Sailor Moon S, right down to the "you're not merciless enough!" bit. To be fair, they're clearly unfamiliar with this world and all the insane stuff Sailor Moon's already went through (like fighting an evil planet or a Kaiju Queen).

In any cause, Taiki finds out Mako can cook, so invites her to be his "friend" on a cooking show he's been invited to. Mako, blushing, just calmly accepts, hopefully not falling head over heels for another handsome grouch. Usagi of course pushes her way in, as well, while Sailor Iron Mouse is given a near-final chance by Sailor Galaxia, with two dark silhouettes with glowing eyes taunting her- replacement Generals, no doubt (I recognize one as Sailor Lead Crow).

Usagi immediately crashes the live broadcast of the cooking show, and that goes about as well as you'd expect, as she smooshes the eggshells into the batter and then uses baking powder instead of flour, completely wiping out the joint. The host chef manages to save the day, and even laughs it off, but the big reaction is from grumpy Taiki, who laughs uncontrollably at Usagi's foul-ups and messy appearance- something that impresses his bros.

And then it's the fight- Iron Mouse attacks the chef, Sailor Chef throws out one attack and gets blasted by Jupiter Oak Evolution, but then Sailor Moon is distracted by the chef's chocolate cake and nearly dies- Sailor Star Maker saves her and blasts the monster with her Uterus (hee) and we're out. Taiki is now obsessed with the way Usagi got him to laugh (almost like they're teasing a "ship" here). Nice enough episode, though I'm annoyed at how Usagi completely stole the spotlight from what I assumed was supposed to be a "Mako Episode".

(Monster Powers: Helmet Weapons Array- Frying Pan Toss, Knife)

Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #180: And finally... FINALLY... we come to a Uranus/Neptune episode! Now, Michiru is doing a joint concert with the Three Lights, and homina homina hominta- WHITE EVENING GOWN WITH SHOULDER-LENGTH GLOVES, Y'ALL! Michiru is congratulated by Seiya after the show is a success (weird how the Three Lights are Pop Idols but NEVER SING- why not use this to make some new songs? They redid the entire soundtrack of the series, but didn't use many with words!), and he promptly begins flirting, attracted to the mystery of her personality, and her joking about how his fans might go crazy on her.

She politely leads him on and teases him, at which point HARUKA shows up and is immediately jealous- kind of hilarious that Haruka is the jealous one, given how often she flirts with other girls. Michiru is unapologetic and like "oh, JEALOUS?", too, while Seiya just cracks wise ("you really had me going, Michiru"). Haruka mutters "get the hell out" at Seiya and he coolly takes his leave.That whole interaction was great fun, and very unsual for the show- most people flirt in a one-sided nature- with a confident aggressor and a blushing recipient- real Shoujo shit. This was straight-up "two cool, confident equals" in a contest of words. Meanwhile, Iron Mouse is threatened by Sailor Galaxia, and her two smirking rivals now appear in full to taunt her.

In any case, today's victim is actually an elderly conductor, and there's a neat bit where he correctly guesses that the Lights' songs are "sending a mysterious wave of energy" outward, like "a message to a loved one". This delights Seiya. He's turned into Sailor Conductor and throws stuff at Sailor Moon, but is promptly beaten by a Star Serious Laser and the Therapy Kiss... and I realize that Uranus & Neptune don't get involved in this fight AT ALL. But then Sailor Moon & Star Fighter make a truce and THERE THEY ARE- and Sailor Uranus fires out a "World Shaking" at Seiya! Snarling "Get lost", a narrow-eyed Uranus & Neptune arrive and chase the Starlights away, declaring that they "come from outside the solar system!" and that "beings like them can't be trusted!". The Starlights are PO'd and bail, with a heartbroken Moon wondering why this has to be- the Guardian Bitches just go all "Well it's our job to protect you", which is a new one from them, who are usually as unhelpful as humanly possible.

A pretty good episode, with some fun interactions- the annoying Phage Fights are getting increasingly short and tiresome and distract from some pretty good stories. Sailors Uranus & Neptune being adversarial to the Starlights is a twist you can probably see coming, seeing as how obsessively-separate they are- that the Starlights have adopted many of their Sailor Moon S traits as mysterious outsiders with a separate mission that might involve sacrificing people... now that's just irony.

(First Appearance: Sailor Lead Crow, Sailor Aluminum Siren)

(Monster Powers: Throwing Conductor Rods- Multiattack)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #181: So with Sailor Iron Mouse on her last shot at a Star Seed (complete with a fun bit where telephones simply appear to harass her wherever she goes), she targets the Three Lights, while Seiya just aggressively asks Usagi out to meet him at the park! Not realizing he means it's a date, she goes along, despite being annoyed at how demanding he is... and she finds Haruka & Michiru, who now engage in their most MASTER-CLASS example of P.D.A., as Michiru drags Haruka off after warning Usagi not to let the wolf "devour" her- Haruka: "Be more gentle", Michiru: "Maybe when we're alone". This is probably the most infamous example of "YUP- THESE TWO BONE" to the fandom.

Usagi & Seiya hang out at what is obviously the Ueno Zoo (the pandas behind glass is a dead giveaway), then an amusement park, and we even see a cutesy Archie Comics-ish gag with a "Panbresto" prize machine ("Banpresto" being a big company for making Japanese figurines and such). Usagi is annoyed at his consistent flirting, but he's taken aback by how serious she is in defending her relationship with Mamoru, finding her similar to his "Princess". Though it's again pointed out that he never replied to her letters (because he ded). Then he takes her to an exclusive club that the Lights always visit, and through Comedic Misunderstandings (tm), Usagi thinks he's about to mount her when LOL turns out he just meant "first time" as in "first time going dancing at a club".

Then the true push of the writers to make Usagi/Seiya a thing happens, as Iron Mouse turns out the lights at the club, and Seiya holds Usagi close- "A warmth just like Mamo's- but a different scent". Yeah, they disliked Mamo THAT MUCH that we now get a big Seiya "shipping" push, lol. Usagi runs off to transform, but Seiya avoids Iron Mouse's "Star Seed Blaster" and transforms right in front of the villain! Sailor Moon arrives, and her concern over Seiya makes Sailor Star Fighter realize that she & Usagi must be the same person, and just as Iron Mouse threatens them one last time... Sailor Galaxia appears, coldly takes away her bracelets, thus vaporizing the general once and for all. Then she taunts the other Sailors, and the Starlights confirm that she's the one who destroyed their home.

We end things with Seiya apologizing for bailing and gifting Usagi the prize he won at the theme park, and he goes all "Nah, she couldn't POSSIBLY be Sailor Moon..." before leaving. And so Sailor Iron Mouse is dead, having never really had an effect on the plot or been a serious threat. What a ho-hum villain- a Wannabe Mimete.
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #182: OH GOD IT'S THE DEBUT OF CHIBI-CHIBI!! This is, by far, the major Sailor Moon character I know the least about, as the fandom hadn't really "gotten" to that point when I first got into the series. She was treated as a pariah by '90s fans because she was a sign of the show pulling a Cosby Show and falling entirely to "Uh, well they don't like the old kid anymore, so let's make a NEW kid", creating another, even younger, cutesy "Kid Focus" character.

In any case, Sailor Galaxia talks to two of her remaining "Sailor Anima Mates", Aluminum Siren & Lead Crow, and they announce that they now control 80% of the galaxy (!!), and have collected many "True Star Seeds" (what the late Iron Mouse was searching for). Aluminum Siren is the new "General", sporting an extremely elaborate look- a weird "X"-mask over her face, long white hair, and a stripperific mega-cleavage outfit with a blue theme. It's very solid, but nearly EXACTLY like the colors used for Berthier & Viluy- past Generals- that she comes off as them running out of ideas.

The gang contemplates the Starlights being evil, now that they know both they and the Anima Mates are from outer space, and now SETSUNAH shows up again! Yay, a Pluto-focused episode! Except she's sharing it with Chibi-Chibi! And the new villains! Oh, Pluto. In any case, we find out that Siren & Crow are actually "eternal rivals" for "#1 Anima Mate", but Crow is actually sweetly concerned with how her rival is doing on "this godforsaken planet!"... but is terribly annoyed at how flighty and ditzy Siren is being, as she stress-eats and cleans up Mouse's old crap and throws it away. Okay, these two are fun.

Aaaaaaaaand Chibi-Chibi arrives, says only her name (like a Pokemon or something), and ultimately does the old "Brainwash Usagi's family to think she's the baby of the family" thing... except only Ikuko-Mama is seen, because Shingo had his last episode in SuperS, and Usagi's poor dad hasn't been seen for literally a HUNDRED EPISODES by now! The girls try to theorize her origins (thinking she's another daughter of Neo Queen Serenity & King Endymion), but Pluto refutes this, and warns them not to trust her (naturally). Chibi-Chibi is lost temporarily, but found by a "Police Chief For A Day" Seiya (REALLY? They had to jam the Starlights in here, too?), and the police chief is our Victim of the Day, given about ten seconds of dialogue before he turns into the huge, robotic Sailor Cop. Sailor Pluto's only contribution to the fight? A missed attack against the Anima Mates (Siren hilariously introduces herself to Sailor Moon via BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE, presumably hearing this is how Japanese people introduce themselves). Star Serious Laser stuns Cop after he fires his laser pistol, and he's beaten.

The fact that Sailor Pluto is barely even a character continues to be an issue in these- both of her "Focus Episodes" consist of her being a generic ally, seemingly knowing but still investigating everything. And the episode had a half-dozen things to accomplish at once- introducing Chibi-Chibi, still featuring the Usagi/Seiya adversarial stuff, etc., so it was super-full. But I really like the "feuding buddies" aspect of Siren & Crow- they have terrific designs, and Crow being "The Serious One" admonishing "ditzy but dangerous" Siren is fantastic.

(First Appearance: Chibi-Chibi)

(Monster Powers: Big & tough- takes Star Serious Laser and leaves a channel in the ground, Laser Pistol blows up half of a police car)
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Davies
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Davies »

The problem with Pluto, and the other Outers, really, is that they were really over-sold in their introductory storylines, and so any subsequent appearances are going to come as a letdown. It also doesn't help that we've already been shown that Pluto's counsel, in particular, is much more fallible than it should be ...
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Davies wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 12:40 am The problem with Pluto, and the other Outers, really, is that they were really over-sold in their introductory storylines, and so any subsequent appearances are going to come as a letdown. It also doesn't help that we've already been shown that Pluto's counsel, in particular, is much more fallible than it should be ...
Yeah, so much was made of their power levels early on that they had no chance to live up to it once they got threaded into the "Template Episodes" of the show- Pluto in particular was always such an unknown quantity that they were left with almost NOTHING, and they never bothered to give her a wild personality like they did the villains (Siren's "ditz" persona here is apparently an anime creation entirely).
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #183: Yes, with seventeen episodes to go, it's time for a BEACH FILLER EPISODE! Except this one at least features our villains, as Aluminum Siren tries to find a Star Seed and our Victim of the Week "Phage-ifies" in the opening moments, thus leading to our episode-wide plot- the girls have gone to a vacation spot, but a "monster" is terrorizing the other campers. And HO HO- the Three Lights are here and want to play a prank using the props from the "Power Rangers"-like suit-show they're doing! I'm sure you can see where this is going- the real monster and the fake one get mistaken for each other while the girls model swimsuits.

Thankfully, Sailor Mars recognizes his human quirks- it's her cousin, the temperamental artist! The pendant he's staring at is the one he made for her! She blasts at his tummy so he can't shoot any more clay pots at them, and the day is saved! Pretty generic "filler" episode, but at least it humanizes the prank-pulling Lights and gives Mars a more compassionate edge this late in the game- it might be her final Focus Episode!

(Monster Powers: Shoots clay pots from his tummy; has a chainsaw)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #184: A portentous episode, as neighborhood breakins (in JAPAN?) have led Usagi, who is housesitting by herself, to get Seiya to help her out. Usagi appears to have no idea how untoward this could get, leading the other girls to cry "no fair!" and Luna to warn her that "Men are animals, driven by instinct!", and to expect shenanigans! Seiya of course has romance on his mind (pushing down a picture of Mamoru that Usagi keeps on her table), but also confesses the deeper purpose of the Lights' signing- to call out to that "one special person". He's about to confess to being a Sailor Starlight, but Usagi thinks he's about to mack on her, then the awkwardness gets cut by Chibi-Chibi popping in out of nowhere and smashing him with cake. So he has to take a shower, and OF COURSE that's when the other girls arrive to check in on them (worried for Usagi's honor, I guess... plus fangirl out over Seiya), so they see him saunter in all shirtless, wearing a tiny towel! Naturally this leads to the imagined blushing faces and shocked looks.

In the kitchen, the girls actually have some disparate opinions- Mako is openly worried for "if we hadn't come in just then...", while even AMI thinks the worst, but is being passive-aggressive and weird about it. But have no fear! Yaten & Taiki are here to join in the fun! So what was billed as an Usagi/Seiya episode is now just "eight Sailors in a room", which is a much more fun episode to me anyways. Especially with Ami & Taiki fight-flirting over a card game while Luna & Artemis act thankful that "this is so wholesome that it's scary", lol. But then HARUKA & MICHIRU show up, owing to being nearby with car trouble, and it's complicated by Haruka's hatred of Seiya. But now THAT gets hilariously awkward, as Haruka reads passive-aggressively, Usagi points out that "Haruka doesn't like GUYS", but Michiru corrects her "Haruka doesn't like POPULAR guys", sending Haruka's annoyance through the roof.

Oh and now there's a TV crew running in, having selected the house at random, so it's getting even MORE nuts, but the Lights try to hide to avoid a scandal (them being in a teen girls' house at night), at which point the ANIMA-MATES attack, spoiling Seiya's chance to come clean to Usagi! Usagi can't transform, since their's Lights hidden all over her house, but Uransu & Neptune arrive! But Aluminum Siren is shocked that they're standing on the table, stunning them with the realization of their own rudeness for long enough to let the Anima-Mates escape. But now "Sailor Sommelier" arrives to attack, and EVERY SAILOR TRANSFORMS to fight him, only the kitchen is too small to have a real fight, and everyone tries to prevent the Starlights from attacking and wrecking the room while Sailor Moon's giant wings are knocking stuff off of tables. The Phage gets annoyed at them ignoring it, resulting in a "stay out of it!" backhand from Star Fighter... and that's the distraction needed for Sailor Moon to beat it.

Very fun "wacky stack" episode with an increasingly-awkward house party going insane, with a lot of great character animation (especially from Usagi) and so much going on that I'd swear Ikuhara (the director infamous for his love of wild comedy) was still on the show. A real crowd-pleaser, though it gets more mileage out of "LOL aren't there so many people in here now?" than real character interactions after a point, which would have provided just as much good stuff, and things more necessary to showcase these characters.

(Monster Powers: Red Wine Blast, Absorbs Deep Submerge in Wine Bottle, Extending Neck to Bite Minako)
Jabroniville
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #185: This one's about an adorable little sick girl who SO desperately wants to meet Taiki, who can't help but being aloof about everything, in addition to his frustration over nobody hearing their message to their princess. He's particularly annoyed at girls only cheering because of their looks and not even listening to the lyrics... which are literally all just generic stuff about love, so I dunno what HE'S so arrogant about- ain't like they're deep, son! In any case, young Misa loves the meeting, but refuses to share her art. Turns out her illness (which of course, per anime rules, is never mentioned by name) is so severe that a famous American doctor has to come to perform her surgery, and she's scared and lacks confidence about it.

Taiki, already annoyed by their fans and their Princess never hearing the message in the Lights' songs, is friendly to Misa but refuses to sing or anything, then tries to bail on a Lights concert, causing Seiya to SLUG him! While he's glowering over this, he learns that Misa has collapsed, and comes running- and when he sees her drawing, he realizes it's literally their Princess! Misa claims to see this image whenever she hears their songs, confirming to Taiki that their plan is working... but that it's stopped, Taiki realizing it's because he stopped singing with conviction! This naturally causes his own understanding, and he convinces Misa to be strong and have faith in herself, as he runs back to perform "just for you!".

Meanwhile, the doctor is attacked by Sailor Aluminum Siren, becoming Sailor Doctor... who misses with his needle-arm and is immediately beaten by a double-team. The subsequent scene where the surgery takes place, everyone prays, the Lights come running in to check, and the Doctor silently comes out and gives a thumb's up, is really well done, especially when he gives the opposite of the Doctor-Droid's Revenge of the Sith speech about the will to live, stating that Misa was fighting the whole way and the reason everything went well.

(Monster Powers: Needle Arm, X-Ray Vision- sees Usagi's skeleton)
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #186: This episode is focused around Chibi-Chibi, who is getting candy from a mysterious place. God the animation here is weird- wild eyes, strange poses, etc.- must be an oddball director. First, Usagi & Luna follow her around, but then the rest of the gang stumble upon them, and it's a series of sight gags and unexpected humor, as Chibi-Chibi deftly avoids harm while running through traffic and seeing a huge dog, while the girls behind her are terrified. And it turns out she's been hanging out at the home of an extremely wealthy businessman. He apparently dotes on this mystery visitor, and regards the girls (and Three Lights, who of course have stumbled by, too) as a delight as well, but of course he's attacked. Sailor Antique is dealt with handily (Sailor Moon actually stops his sword with her BARE HANDS), as Chibi-Chibi repeatedly trips him up. He starts tossing around antiques to Sailor Moon's horror, summons a horse, but Star Sensitive Inferno burns him (and a chandelier, which falls on him), and we're done.

Entirely a Comedy Filler episode, but alright. Very little character stuff and more Usagi being a dope, though.

(Monster Powers: Big Sword, Summons Horse)
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Re: Sailor Moon- Series Overview

Post by Jabroniville »

Episode #187: We're in the home stretch of the series now, but it's more COMEDY FILLER, as Seiya press-gangs Usagi into joining him on the co-ed softball team in High School, and she's pissed about it. And so are the fangirls of the Three Lights, jealous over the Sailors always hanging out with Seiya in particular... including a girl with such an ostentacious character design that she looks like the main character of a whole 'nother series- Sonoko! With her gigantic green mane of hair and a rose in her hand, she's comedically showy. She doesn't approve of Seiya dating "that monkey", but the girls are bowing in reverence as she's Three Lights Fan Club Member No. 1 (when even AMI is bowing, you know it means something). She's also an older student, so she outranks them all anyhow.

Anyways, Sonoko makes the silly contest- a softball match, and if Seiya loses, he has to cut all ties with Usagi. As the girls know how bad Usagi is at sports, they get her to go along, as that'll get Seiya to finally leave her alone ("and leave him to us"- AMI says this. AMI!!). Meanwhile, Sailor Aluminum Siren & Lead Crow are finally given more focus, as Galaxia threatens Siren for continuously failing, and Lead Crow shockingly voices a protest, putting herself at risk ("Was I speaking to you!?", "Forgive me, master!").

Seiya tries to train Usagi to play, but she sucks at it and they seem doomed to lose. But her intentions to try her best and hope she wins, even though she probably won't, impress Sonoko, who agrees with Seiya that "her star shines bright". But she's promptly attacked by Lead Crow, leading to Usagi transforming... right in front of Aluminum Siren! Sailor Moon actually KOs the Phage by herself (grabbing a bat and firing Sailor Leaguer's ball back at her), but Siren now attacks, saying she's found a TRUE Star Seed- Sailor Moon's! She attacks, but when Chibi-Chibi arrives and grabs Sailor Moon's wand... a shining light bursts into the sky, reflecting the creation of a new star! Every Sailor feels it- even Galaxia! Chibi-Chibi is a Sailor Senshi, too! And when she touches Sailor Moon's hand, she awakens new powers within her (you can tell because the wand gets even MORE pimped out)- the Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss... operates exactly like the "Therapy Kiss" does, with the same results, making this pointless, lol.

In any case, the Phage is beaten and Siren bails when the Starlights arrive to aide Sailor Moon (for once, the villain bailing actually makes sense- she's way outnumbered here). Back to the ball game, where Seiya hits a home run to break the tie, but Sonoko is at bat with two on base. Sonoko hits it to right field, where Usagi, who's been playing horribly all game, fumbling again and again... CATCHES IT! Thus saving the game- her team cheers while even Sonoko smiles, impressed with her effort.

A really good episode, actually, with plot develoment, a "bad guy" with actual DEPTH (taking the "upperclass student" tropes and kind of having an understanding with the character anyways), and a nice bit between them as they make good. The moments here actually feel earned. Though Seiya continually sexually harassing and bothering Usagi definitely does not age well- it reeks of writers pulling the "if you bug a woman for a date enough, eventually she'll break down and say yes" thing.

(Monster Powers: Multiattack Baseballs, Big Spiked Ball- never actually gets used)

(First Appearance: Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss, Sailor Chibi-Chibi)
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