Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal – 08 Review
美少女戦士セーラームーンクリスタル
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Sailor V reveals herself to be AINO Minako, who’s true identity is Princess Serenity. Her cat is a male named Artemis. Sailor Moon’s tiara transforms and Tuxedo Mask flees as he’s ashamed he couldn’t protect Sailor Moon. After introductions, the group heads to the command center under the arcade as Minako reveals she’d been communicating and training the girls through the Sailor V game. She briefs the girls on the Dark Kingdom and how the evil from before, which destroyed Moon Kingdom, has been unsealed and is harvesting human energy and plans to take over Earth. That night, Usagi dreams that Mamoru was someone called Endymion and that he called her Serenity during a fierce fight with unknown forces.

Usagi runs into Mamoru while walking to school, where they have a chat. Usagi reveals she has his pocket watch, so he has her keep it until he can give her the item of hers he has (her handkerchief). Meanwhile, Queen Beryl informs Queen Metalia of Princess Serenity’s arrival and is given permission to draw her out. Kunzite is dispatched to handle this, and he has Tokyo under a blackout with people unconscious, telepathically communicating with Sailor Venus. She goes to confront him solo, knowing more about him, but fails to reach him. The other Sailor Warriors join her, but are unable to defeat him. Tuxedo Mask saves Sailor Moon who goes to attack Kunzite. Tuxedo Mask takes a hit meant for Sailor Moon.

Thoughts/Review:

So now there are five, and I can’t remember why Sailor Venus made the claim that she’s Princess Serenity. Well, it will be revealed soon enough.

I do remember liking Sailor Venus much more when she was properly introduced in the Sailor Moon manga than I did when she started in her own Sailor V manga. I believe that was because in Sailor V, Minako was basically Usagi — dumb and lucky.  When she showed up in Sailor Moon, she comes off like a war veteran who knows the score. I actually recall lamenting that Minako wasn’t made the leader of the Sailor Babes.

The shoujo romance continues with Usagi taking the initiative and kissing Minoru. Awwww. Isn’t that sweet?

Naturally, that would lead to a game of, “Can I die for you?” which Minoru wins by virtue of taking the hit for Usagi. Awwwww. Isn’t that sweet?

By the way, bishounen guys don’t like waiting for bishoujo girls to do their thing. Just saying.

Beyond that, I’m not finding a lot to discuss. This anime series does show how far things have advanced when it comes to intelligent storytelling, though I suppose my young nieces would all enjoy this anime.