Sailor Moon
Woot. Our first "Sailor Moon" recap of 2021. As far as the gals are concerned, it is business as usual, so let's go ahead and dive right in.
"Usagi's a Model: The Flash of the Monster Camera"
Shingo: [laughing hysterically] "You!? Become a model!?" [more laughing]
Usagi: [slamming her palms on the kitchen table] "Why not!?"
Shingo: "Awww, gimme a break! That is never gonna happen. A model needs more than a pretty face and a nice body. She has to have a sharp mind, too."
Usagi: "Well then, I'll just study really hard from now on."
Shingo: "Too bad that won't do you any good. A brainless bunny like you can't change that easily. Bam! That's just the way it is. Trust me, there's no way you'll make it past the first round of auditions. So don't even bother trying. It's for your own good."
Everyone is abuzz about the famous photographer, Kijin Shinokawa, who goes to Rei's school. When Usagi comes to get an autograph, Rei shuts her down, but Usagi will not be deterred. She sees an ad in a magazine for a modeling contest. The prize? A photo session with Kijin. Usagi decides to become a model despite everyone around her telling her she doesn't have a chance. Usagi doesn't realize that Kijin is Nephrite's next target. Can Usagi save Kijin from having all his energy drained?
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| What a douche. |
I don't love this episode. My feelings towards it are very similar to my feelings towards the losing weight and working out episode early in the season. I'm not going to spend a ton of time on it.
I know that the episode is trying to send the message that beauty is on the inside and being pretty and thin isn't enough if you aren't smart and kind, etc. Yadda, yadda, yadda. That is all fine and good, but for the most part this message is being delivered by men. First by Shingo, in the quote that opens this post, and then by Mamoru at the arcade. Sailor Moon even parrots what Mamoru says when she confronts Nephrite's youma. Like, did the writers think that girls wouldn't listen to this message if it came from the female characters on the show? Because it was coming from men, who they are trying to impress, it would mean more? I'm not sure and I'm not super into it.
There were a few things that I liked. Kijin goes from being a mild mannered kid not wanting attention to an uber creepy douche perv who is willing to take pictures of any girl as long as she has a decent body and is scantily clad. I want to say that is some commentary on the "nice guy" trope, but I think that would be giving them too much credit. I do like how Mamoru is openly disdainful of the guy. I like the name of the youma: Kyameran. Sailor Moon acquits herself well. She actually fights, landing a good kick on the youma before Mercury and Mars appear.
All in all though, if you are looking to skip an episode, this one you could.
Grade: C
"Shingo's Love: The Grieving Doll"
Sailor Moon: "How dare you go and break the cute little doll Shingo made just for Mika? You evil monster. Don't you realize that doll was filled with the true heart of its maker? Even the girls day dolls are angry. In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"
Shingo's friend Mika is turning into a great doll maker, a skill she learned from her mother who is well known for her dolls. She attempts to give Shingo a doll that won her a prize because of his support but embarrassed he rejects it and it breaks. Usagi is informed of this by some girls in Shingo's class and she vows to get Shingo to apologize and mend his relationship with Mika. Little do they know, Mika has become Nephrite's newest target. In his Sanjouin persona, he commissions Mika to make 10 copies of the grieving doll she is working on. Can Sailor Moon save Mika and her friendship with Shingo?
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| Just fuck already. |
This episode I enjoyed a lot more than the previous one. For starters, it has some Zoisite and I loves me some Zoisite. He is a catty, tricky queen and she shows up at the start of the episode to stir the pot and cause some trouble for Nephrite. I live. Nephrite is so boring and is such a tool. I love watching Zoisite getting under his skin and planting seeds that will pay off down the line a bit.
Another thing I love about this episode is that it shows a different side to Usagi and Shingo's relationship. Up until this point it has been very antagonistic, but it is nice to see Usagi being a good big sister and giving Shingo some good advice on how to make up with Mika. She understands why he did what he did and she is trying to help him make amends. She is a little mortified by the look of the Sailor Moon doll he makes for Mika to apologize but it is pretty grotesque.
Having Shingo central to the action in this episode also makes Usagi a better Pretty Guardian. She senses something is off about Mika first and brings it to Luna. It is a nice side to Usagi and helps show how empathic she is and how tuned in she is to the people she cares about.
I do love how Masato Sanjouin has his hands in a lot of pies. He's a premiere tennis coach. Now he's a doll manufacturer. Is there nothing this guy can't do? I didn't realize they really drew out this who Rei and Mamoru kind of being a couple thing. I thought that was done until they showed up at the doll exhibition together. I've never identified with Mamoru more than his reaction to all those dolls. I feel you, dude. Can someone explain to me why when Mika is possessed her face is beat? Like, being evil means you need a full face of make up complete with the darkest purple lips, even if you're 11. Go on, bitch.
The youma of the week, Joumo, is creepy, looking like a goth mannequin crossed with the little girl from "The Ring." Of course, Tuxedo Mask shows up, does the bare minimum, gets heaps of praise and then takes off. I'm curious if Sailor Moon aimed for Joumo's foot when she threw her tiara or if she is just a really bad shot?
All in all, a standard, inoffensive episode of "Sailor Moon."
Grade: B
Next up, everyone gets a love letter from Tuxedo Mask and nothing says summer trip more than ghosts.
What do you all think of these episodes? Am I being too harsh on "Usagi's a Model?" Let me know in the comments.
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