Sailor Moon
I have been waiting for these episodes ever since I started this recap of "Sailor Moon's" first season. Sailor Venus is my favorite of the Sailor Guardians and she finally makes her debut in these two episodes. These episodes are big on lore and they help to set up the final thrust of the second half of the season.
"Enter Venus, The Last Sailor Guardian"
Sailor Moon: "You up there! Let my impostor go. You're one sick puppy to tie up a girl and leave her hanging from a crane, you know that? I am the pretty guardian who fights for love and for justice. I'm Sailor Moon."
Sailor Mercury: "And I'm Sailor Mercury."
Sailor Mars: "And don't you forget Sailor Mars."
Sailor Jupiter: "And last, I'm Sailor Jupiter."
Sailor Moon: "And now, in the name of the moon, we're all here to punish you good!"
The Dark Kingdom is ready to take Tuxedo Mask's rainbow crystals from him. Zoisite and Kunzite have a plan on how to do that. Zoisite disguises himself as Sailor Moon to lure Tuxedo Mask out into the open. Usagi is not pleased that someone is pretending to be her, but doesn't hesitate to jump into action when her imposter looks to be in trouble. When Tuxedo Mask shows up, Zoisite and Kunzite spring their traps. Things are looking bleak, when a new Sailor Guardian appears.
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| Just hanging around. |
I love this episode so much and I am probably biased. Like I said in the intro, it introduces Sailor Venus, my favorite Sailor Guardian, but in addition to that, there is just so much good stuff. Some "Sailor Moon" episodes can feel like filler, entertaining filler, but filler nevertheless and this episode and the next don't feel that way. They are integral to the story and that is exciting.
This episode solidified my undying love for Zoisite. He's one of my favorite queer characters in media and there are so many great examples of why in this episode alone. He giddily trolls Queen Beryl by showing her a montage of their failures against the Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask. And of course, his big plan to lure out Tuxedo Mask is to dress in drag. I feel like we are getting a peek inside the private sexy time between Zoisite and Kunzite. I feel like there has definitely been some Sailor Moon/Tuxedo Mask role play between those boys and I'm not mad about it.
The second half of the episode is pure action and it's pretty dope. Kunzite attacks the Sailor Guardians, dropping bombs on them and trapping them in a darkness bubble that threatens to suffocate them. At the same time, Zoisite is gleefully pursuing Tuxedo Mask after stabbing him in the shoulder, slicing up things in the warehouse they are in. It's a great dichotomy and it's nice to see Tuxedo Mask in real danger, rather than just showing up at the last minute, spouting some platitudes and "saving the day." When he loses his mask, Queen Beryl clearly recognizes him and calls Zoisite off. The plot thickens.
Sailor Venus proves herself to be a badass in her debut appearance. Hitting Zoisite with a Crescent Beam and doing the same to the dome holding the rest of the Sailor Guardians releasing them. It's a fantastic first appearance for Venus and a great cliffhanger as the rest of the Guardians wonder if this is the Moon Princess.
Grade: A
"The Shining Silver Crystal: The Moon Princess Appears"
Sailor Moon: "You call that an accident?! Well, here's what I think. You're gonna pay big time for all this suffering you've caused. Especially for trying to kill us with your dirty tricks. I am Sailor Moon and in the name of the moon, I'll punish you."
It is revealed that the newest Guardian is not the Moon Princess, but actually, Usagi's hero, Sailor V. Her civilian identity is Minako Aino and she is the final Sailor Guardian, Sailor Venus, and her talking cat, Artemis. Zoisite appears on Mamoru's tv alerting him the Dark Kingdom knows his identity and that he wants to duel him at the Starlight Towers for his rainbow crystals. Mamoru agrees and on his way there is confronted by Usagi, who is concerned when Mamoru is kind to her. She follows him to the Tower where things get real really fast.
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| USAGI IS THE MOON PRINCESS???? |
This episode picks up immediately where the previous one left off and the tension is immediately high. The girls are excited to meet Sailor Venus but are a bit trepidatious. She immediately lets them know that she is not the princess. It's nice that they don't drag that out which they kind of do in the original manga. One of the few moments of levity come from Sailor Moon freaking out about finally meeting her idol, Sailor V. I love that Usagi, the leader of the Sailor Guardians, is so over the moon about meeting someone she clearly thinks is more adept than she is.
The majority of the episode is very much the Mamoru and Usagi show. This is really where the worm starts to turn so to speak and Usagi begins to see Mamoru in a new light, mainly because she finally realizes that he is Tuxedo Mask. Usagi and Mamoru's relationship has been openly antagonistic the entire series so far, but it's nice to see that start to change. When Usagi sees Mamoru on the street when he is on his way to his duel, Mamoru goes out of his way to be kind to her, telling her the things he admires about her. It is nice to see this side of Mamoru for once. Usagi is taken aback, but her innate kindness and care for others is on full display when she follows Mamoru to the Starlight Towers.
As the two rush to escape Zoisite's death traps, you see Usagi fully struggling with what she knows has to be true: that Mamoru and Tuxedo Mask are one and the same. But Usagi cannot accept that the guy that she has been head over heels with is the same guy that she actually detests. People give Usagi so much crap but she really shines here. She follows Mamoru even though she knows something is up, probably something dangerous. She doesn't hesitate to transform to save them even though she knows it will reveal her identity to him. People like to rag on Usagi, but it's episodes and moments like these that really solidify her place as one of the all-time greatest anime heroines. And if you think otherwise, I will fight you.
The episode ends with Tuxedo Mask seemingly sacrificing himself to save Sailor Moon and her crying out the Legendary Silver Crystal. In the process, revealing herself to be the Moon Princess, just as the other Guardians arrive on the scene. Another great episode with another great cliffhanger.
Grade: A
Next up, we learn a lot more about the Moon Kingdom and Tuxedo Mask goes bad.
As you can tell, I legit adore these episodes. Do you? Or am I overhyping them? Let me know in the comments.
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