Sailor Moon R
The time has come divas. We have left the land of filler arcs behind and we are beginning the next arc adapted from the manga: The Black Moon arc. I love this arc. The Spectre Sisters are iconic and it introduces us to some classic elements of "Sailor Moon." Let's get right into it.
"Angel or Devil? The Mysterious Girl from the Sky"
Sailor Moon: "Stop right there!"
Koan: "Well, now. Who are you?"
Sailor Moon: "I am the Pretty Guardian who fights for love and for justice. I am Sailor Moon."
Koan: "Can't say I'm impressed."
Sailor Moon: "You are an evil villainess who has threatened to take a young girls life. So now, in the name of the moon. I'll punish you!"
Koan: "Yeah, whatever."
After the departure of the Makai Tree, things look like they are peaceful for the Guardians. Mamoru and Usagi are a real couple now that he has his memories back. Things change when a young girl with pink hair who is a doppelganger for Usagi shows up brandishing a gun. The girl is being pursued by a new group of enemies who want to capture and kill her to prevent Crystal Tokyo from coming to being. Usagi is not pleased with this girl, particularly when she brainwashes her family, but the Pretty Guardian is not going to let the Black Moon have her.
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| Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. |
I wasn't a huge fan of the Makai Tree Arc as you are all well aware. But we are finally back to manga content and I'm here for it. I've always really enjoyed the Black Moon Arc and I'm excited to re-visit it. There is a lot of set up in this episode and it doesn't waste any time in introducing us to our new antagonists and some allies as well.
In this episode, we are introduced to Master Rubeus and the four Spectre Sisters: Koan, Berthier, Calaveras and Petz. We are introduced to their leader, Great Wizard Wiseman. The travel in a really cool emerald ship and in this episode they are specifically looking for "The Rabbit." We meet the Rabbit while Mamoru and Usagi are on a nice walk by the pond. It's nice to finally see them back together and being boyfriend/girlfriend. You know that it won't last. The Rabbit, who we are just going to call Chibiusa from here on out, falls on Mamoru's head and brandishes a gun at Usagi. They definitely cut that gun part out of the DiC dub that I watched as a kid. So, if you have only seen that version of the episode, then you might be a little surprised there. I do think they do a good job of making this pint size child menacing. She just makes some idle threats and then runs off.
Chibiusa heads right to Usagi's house and brainwashes the Tsukino's into believing that she is a cousin of theirs come to stay. Usagi handles this about like you'd expect. She causes a fit and looks like a crazy person. She finally grabs a doctored photo and takes it to Rei so she can check for some bad juju. Rei doesn't find anything but she does find time to make a joke about the kimono Usagi is wearing in the picture making her butt look big. Never change, Rei.
Chibiusa shows up and uses her Luna P Ball to put a knockout potion in the tea that Rei's grandpa is serving the girls. It doesn't affect Usagi because Usagi didn't have any tea. Why would she have tea when there are buns available. The relationship between Usagi and Chibiusa in these early episdoes makes me a little uncomfortable at times. I get that they are meant to be antagonistic, but sometimes things go a little too far. Like when Usagi spanks Chibiusa. This does give the girls some new information. While she is wailing, a crescent moon symbol appears on Chibiusa's forehead. Very interesting.
Koan finds Chibiusa and attacks her. Sailor Moon springs into action. She's able to drive Koan away with some help from Tuxedo Mask (yay he's back. #sarcasm). Chibiusa breaks down, crying for her parents. This scene kind of drives home that despite all her bluster, Chibiusa is a child. And whatever is going on, it's a lot for anyone. Let alone a little kid. Not to mention the vision of Crystal Tokyo that Tuxedo Mask sees when he grabs Chibiusa's hand. The episode ends with Usagi agreeing to continue to shelter Chibiusa and the two Usagi's adorably sleeping together in basically the same position in the same bed.
Grade: B+
"Usagi Devastated: Mamoru Declares a Break-Up"
Sailor Moon: "You took advantage of a girl's wish to be loved by a boy. Trying to force her to buy your cheap looking cosmetics is just unforgivable. In the name of the moon, I'll punish you."
Chibiusa is continuing to ingratiate herself into the gang and put herself between Mamoru and Usagi's relationship. Mamoru continues to see visions of Crystal Tokyo and they become more extensive, including Usagi as Neo-Queen Serenity. Mamoru decides he needs to keep Usagi at arms length and breaks up with her. Meanwhile, the Black Moon Clan put their plan into action. Rubeus sends Berthier and the youma, Atsugessho, to one of the Crystal Points that will anchor the future city of Crystal Tokyo. If they can taint those points with dark energy, they can prevent the city from ever being built.
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| Berthier the Southern Belle |
Well, here we go. It lasted one episode but Mamoru and Usagi are broken up. I know we all loved watching Usagi mope around and then desperately try to get Mamoru back for the first thirteen episodes of the season. Well, maybe you did? If you did, then you're going to love this. If like me, then you are going to hate this. This is a pretty common trope in things. Someone breaks up with someone to somehow spare them from something but doesn't tell them the truth. It never works out well, but writers keep employing it. It's particularly disappointing here because we literally just had the adjacent version of this happening.
I am not a huge Mamoru fan, particularly when it comes to his relationship with Usagi. And I really think that has a lot to do with the anime writers. Mamo in the manga is completely different. In fact, because they didn't have an episode count to fill, Mamoru and Usagi don't break up in the manga. Mamoru goes full asshole here. Honestly, he's just the worst. Saying really despicable things to Usagi. Things that you don't come back from. And even though, Mamoru and the show are trying to tell us that it's for her own good, I'm not buying it. The whole thing just feels really unnecessary and I don't love it.
We get a clearer view of the Black Moon Clan's plans while they are in Tokyo. Apparently there are Crystal Points all around Tokyo. If the Black Moon Clan can infuse those points with their own dark energy the points will be corrupted and Crystal Tokyo will never be built. Rubeus sends Berthier with the youma, Atsugessho, to corrupt the first point. I love all the Spectre Sisters, but Berthier may be my favorite. She gives me Ice vibes from the Justice League International and I love that. I also love her Southern Belle costume from this episode and how the wind almost blows her skirt up when she's trying to scatter flyers. It's great.
I have an up and down relationship with Usagi this episode. A lot of the downs have to do with her feelings towards Chibiusa. Chibiusa officially gets her moniker this episode. But Usagi is jealous because it seems like Chibiusa has a crush on Mamoru. Usagi. Come on. This is a literal child we are talking about here. Do you really think that Mamoru is going to scam on her? He even says it. Plus, when you finally find out who Chibiusa is, you're going to feel real dumb. On the other hand, after Mamoru breaks up with her, my heart breaks for her as she's sobbing in that phone booth. Then, I'm cheering for her when she rejects the idea that make up and changing her face will make Mamoru come back. It's super empowering and its great that Usagi is the character that rejects that idea. It might be one of the most feminist moments of the show so far.
I love Atsugessho. She's a lot of fun. Her attacks are great. I love how her mouth opens wide and her eyes widen as she shoots acidic cold cream. Her expanding power puff attack is a hoot. I laughed a lot when she's trying to draw her face back on. Good times.
All in all, a solid episode that is really brought down by the break-up and just knowing we are going to have to be dealing with it for a while.
Grade: B
Next up, Ami is leaving Japan(?!) and Rei's grandpa is trying to... get more girls to the shrine.
Are you excited the Black Moon has arrived? Do you love Chibiusa? Are you over this break-up already? Let me know in the comments.
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