Sailor Moon R
We are winding down the Makai Tree Arc and you kind of get the feeling withe these two episodes that they are running on fumes. I'm ready to move on to the next major manga arc, so let's get down to business.
"Steal a Kiss from Mamoru! An's Project Snow White"
Sailor Moon: "After long hours of tough rehearsals, all of these hardworking actors finally get to perform. This is the result of all their sweat and friendship. How dare you mess that up?! I am the Pretty Guardian that fights for love and for justice. I am Sailor Moon! And now, in the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"
An decides to get serious in her pursuit of Mamoru. When she finds out that the girls are helping Mamoru stage a production of "Snow White," after his acting troupe disbands, she rigs a straw draw to get the lead role. She hopes that the kissing scene will lead Mamoru to realizing his true feelings for her. Ail hates this and sends a Cardian to wreak havoc on the production.
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| Everyone wants to be Snow White. |
This episode jumps through a lot of hoops to get this plot in place and I'm not entirely sure its worth it in the end. First off, it's a little odd to me that junior high students are reading "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" for class. Isn't that a little simple for that age group? Also, the Guardians call a meeting about Mamoru's acting troupe? I get he left a prayer at the Hikawa Shrine saying he hoped that it went well, but like is Rei still that attached to Mamoru that she'd call a meeting just to help him out? And that the other girls would go along with it? It just seems like a huge waste of resources. I could understand this being Usagi's idea since she is the queen of frivolity and wasting resources, but it doesn't track that the other guardians, particularly Ami would go along with it.
But, you know, I am fully capable of suspending disbelief, particularly when it comes to "Sailor Moon R." So, the girls tell Mamoru they want to help and of course everyone wants to be "Snow White." The girls get into a super petty though entertaining fight about who would be the best candidate. I love that Mako believes that she should be cast in the lead because she has the biggest boobs and is happy to measure to prove it. Even Ami wants to be Snow White because she thinks that it will have few lines since Snow White ends up sleeping through most of the play. A part like that will help make sure it doesn't interfere with her studying and cram school. This stereotypical fighting among the girls is not my favorite. Mamoru mentions that this is similar to what happened with his friends who were originally going to put on the play, but it would be nice to have seen these men fighting too.
As the episode continues it just gets more and more unhinged. Umino decides that they need to do something to differentiate this production from others so he has the dwarves wear furry costumes. Ail has the Cardian, Bipierrot, attack as the play is going on, in full view of the audience. Usagi isn't concerned at all about who sees her transform because it looks like she does in full view of Naru. It's bananas. Apparently the Cardians don't recognize Ail and An in their human disguises because Bipierrot fully attacks An as Natsumi. I do love Bipierrot who is basically a take on Pierrot.
I think part of the reason I enjoyed this episode despite the way that its slapped together is because it's so unhinged. That is very on brand for me. Just hold on tight and enjoy and try not to think too deeply about what is going on.
Grade: B
"After-School Trouble: Usagi is a Target"
Sailor Venus: "That's enough! Aha. Sneaking up on victims again."
Sailor Mars: "you got guts to try that trick a second time. That's for sure."
Sailor Jupiter: "It's a serious crime to disturb the peaceful lives of those birds."
Sailor Mercury: "We won't let you get away with this!"
All: "Now, in the name of Sailor Moon, we'll punish you!"
After getting caught eating lunch in class and reciting a passage in an alien tongue respectively, Usagi and An end up in detention. The girls decide that this is the time to end their competition for Mamoru once and for all. Whoever finishes the homework questions in the fastest time will have to give up the ghost. An seems to be at a disadvantage since she is low on energy. Meanwhile, Ail sends a misbehaving Cardian after the rest of the Sailor Guardians.
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| Detention is fun. |
This is another episode where it feels like the writers just put some scenarios in a hat and pulled them out at random to craft a filler episode. Natsumi and Usagi get detention together. Check. Ail sends a Cardian out and it will not listen to him. It even attacks ducks. Hilarity ensues. Check. it's so disjointed that it's kind of ridiculous. Plus, this competition between Natsumi and Usagi over Mamoru was tired when it first started and it's even more tired eleven episodes into this arc. These girls are competing over a boy who for all intents and purposes doesn't even realize that either of them exist. And he's given zero sign that he is interested in either of them. So, it just makes them seem really, really sad. Plus, we all know that Mamoru and Usagi are destined to be together and that An is destined to be forgotten as soon as this arc is over. So, again, I ask. What is the point?
There is some fun stuff in this episode. Miss Haruna proves that apparently no matter how old you get whether or not a man is paying attention to you will always impact your mood. That is extremely sad. She's kind to Usagi earlier when she thinks she has a date to look forward too, but is in a horrendous mood when the dude cancels. She abandons detention duty altogether when he calls and says that he can only meet her right that instant. Great job, Haruna.
The attempts of An to try to drain Usagi's energy and Usagi consistently taking her out by accident is pretty funny. The fact that An thinks that Usagi is doing all this on purpose makes it even funnier. Then, there is Ail's Cardian, Amanju. It is not listening to anything that Ail is saying. It attacks ducks, which the Sailor Guardians are not happy about. I feel like they are more upset about these ducks getting attacked than the humans. I love how Usagi just casually watches her friends fighting and isn't even thinking about transforming until Luna gets on her ass.
This episode is OK, but I'm definitely ready to bid farewell to Ail and An for good.
Grade: C+
Next up, it's the final reckoning of Ail and An as the Sailor Guardians finally discover the new students secret and we bid adieu to the Makai Tree arc.
What do you all think? Are you as sick of this as I am? Are you ready for Chibiusa to make her debut? Let me know in the comments.
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