Rose Reviews: Sailor Moon Crystal

[Yori Papilaya]

To be honest with you guys, I don't enjoy PGSM as much and drop the series after few episodes. But that PURELY a matter of my taste. Sailor Moon for me was supposed to be all these slender long legged girls moving about entirely in ballet stances. So I just couldn't get myself to see them not so supermodel-like and move awkwardly during the fight scenes and transformations. Lol

I also didn't enjoy their costumes. The chest ribbons are waaay to huge. Again, this is just me and it had nothing to do with the quality of the overall product. As a matter of fact, after seeing how it was very well received by fans, I might bring my self to watch it in its entirety one day.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Act 5: Makoto

Once again, I'm going in with the manga in hand to follow the similarities. This week starts out fairly standard with Makoto saving Usagi from being roadkill. The only item of note is that, rather than complimenting her perfume, Usagi says "she smells nice."

See, Ikuhara? You didn't have to work so hard to insert lesbian subtext. It's already all over the place.

After the opening, we get a scene with Beryl and Nephrite. Ah, so we're operating just like if Jadeite had died, but he isn't dead, and thus can return for additional battles. Nifty. Also, as a fan of Sailor Moon Abridged, I can only feel glad that Beryl got to be the "opening bit" this week.

Anyway, back on track with Naru in a wedding dress. Makoto shows up and gets scolded by a teacher for not wearing the correct uniform, to which she responds with the fact that none of them will fit her. Again, so far so standard.

Ah, but here's something new! Rather than simply cutting to her eating alone, we are provided with a scene where she is shunned by students and overhears people talking about her. Excellent character moment.

Speaking of lunch, the scene follows all of the beats from the manga, but takes a lot more time with it. Usagi is very impressed with Makoto's skill, and Makoto gets the now familiar Moon Kingdom flashes. One nice addition is Makoto straight up admitting that no one will talk to her and Usagi offering to show her around. It's a great touch that Makoto is so up-front with Usagi - excellent characterization.

The Arcade scene is pretty much directly out of the manga (although without a Sailor V playing a harp, sadly) but once again I am more interested in the idle animation of the video game behind them. FleetZ, I think? Anyway, it just struck me as being very authentic. Anyway, speaking of characterization, we already have our first "Sempai..." when Motoki (yay! I remembered his name!) shows up. I also enjoyed the Sailor V death animation (she gets covered in ash like a Looney Toons character who has just exploded). Cute!

One minor difference - in the manga, Ami and Luna seem to disapprove of Usagi befriending Mako-chan. Here, however, Ami is impressed with Usagi's skill at instant friendship. Yet again, I am pleasantly reminded of Pretty Guardian.

The bridal scene is the same, but extended, with more time taken for the girls (Usagi, Ami, and Mako) to discuss their preferred style of wedding dresses.

They meet up with Rei - who, as in the manga, professes a distrust for men. **see comment above**

We also get a close-up of Luna's ass. You know, something occurs to me - Luna looks and moves far more like a real cat in this version than any other version. She has a more cat-like body shape and size, more feline movements, and - like all cat - she hoists up her butt to show it to you. So.. yeah. Very cat-like.

Motoki gets possessed and - rather than cutting directly to a seduction of Mako, we are instead treated to Mako-chan being casually jealous of couples and thinking about her sempai (with flash-backs). ... and then the seduction. Mamrou shows up, but is not wearing his suit jacket. Tuxedo Mask goes to grab Usagi (and then vanish once she, in her PJs, is standing there in the middle of the street - thanks Mamoru) and Luna thoughtfully calls up Ami and Rei as well.

And then the translation jerks me out of the experience with the line "It isn't a ghost - it's evil!"

**head-desk**

I think you mean "It isn't a ghost - it's a youma!" - particularly since the word "Youma" is clearly spoken.

Just after that awful line, however, is an improvement! Usagi does NOT transform into a Groom (with no super powers) for no reason before transforming into Sailor Moon - she just transforms into Sailor Moon. Makoto gets held hostage and Nephrite shows up and -

I was going to say Makoto is revealed as Sailor Jupiter, but you know what, the show did me one better and included another flash-back to Mako-chan's Sempai. And, for what I think is the first time in any version, we actually WITNESS Mako-chan's Sempai breaking her heart. The scene is very well handled (including being backlit so we can't quite see his face, thus allowing anyone to "resemble" him). Makoto finding her strength takes a little longer and requires a friendship speech from Usagi, but it makes what in some other versions came off as a bit Deus Ex Machina feel more justified.

Anyway, Makoto get her wand and... actually, I think her transformation is the weakest after Usagi's. They have a zoom in on her eyes that gets so foreshortened that it looks like something out of Evangelion. I think Rei and Ami's look far better.

The battle is very good. We get both Flower Hurricane and Jupiter Thunderbolt. And, of course, while Makoto kills the youma, Nephrite escapes unharmed. And he recognizes her, but he doesn't know from where. **cue ominous music**

The character falling action is basically the same, if a bit extended (and takes good advantage of the previous flashbacks). Good stuff. Luna shows up with the Moon Wand and... it's blue. Okay then.

Next time: Act 6 - Tuxedo Mask. So once again sticking exactly with the manga on chapters. Are we seriously going to wrap this in 13 episodes?

Nothing new to say, really. This is like the love child of Pretty Guardian (my favorite version) and the manga. I'm loving it.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

To be honest with you guys, I don't enjoy PGSM as much and drop the series after few episodes.
As a matter of fact, after seeing how it was very well received by fans, I might bring my self to watch it in its entirety one day.

Pretty Guardian is probably the worst looking version of Sailor Moon (even the manga, with its poor layouts, is at least consistently beautiful). However, the story is incredible. It takes the basic story from the manga and adds in elements from later seasons of the anime.

For example, Minako is already a successful singer in PGSM. She is basically all three Star Lights rolled into one (and without the gender swapping). She operates solo and refuses to join the group for a long time (acting like the Outer Senshi). And she's sick (picking up part of Hotaru's plotline).

So, PGSM is worth watching just for the awesomeness that is Sailor V.

They also do a whole lot more with the generals in PGSM.

Edit: In case it isn't clear from the above and my new avatar, I'm a HUGE Sailor V fan. ^^

 

[Yori Papilaya]

Horraaayy more review! I LOVE THIS EPISODE! The animation were less wonkier. I think by now they already aware which key animators should draw the close ups and battles, and who should be assigned to background characters or far away characters (forever and ever till the end of times). It's goddamn consistent and beautiful.

The direction. I like how they use show-not-tell academy of writing. They used gestures and pauses in Mako's movement to convey her torments and loneliness.

The comedy. The scene where Usagi first chatting with Mako is GOLD. I giggled like an impressionable 5 year old girl.

The tension. The Motoki scene with the bride, and then his evilish flirt with Mako are full with an eerie choral music which was just spot on. It managed to keep me on the edge of my seat. The music when Tuxedo get Usagi is spot on also, we heard that music in all episodes but somehow it worked more well in this episode.

The drama. The whole Mako's past sequence and her breakdown is so heartbreaking, and the sad music cranked the dramatization to 11. OMG

And that Mars' Akuryo Taisan. THAT'S BADASS

All in all, I wasn't a fan of Jupiter. From when I read the manga to when I saw the 4th episode of Crystal. Now I LOVE her. That's how successful the episode was.

 

[Yori Papilaya]

We also get a close-up of Luna's ass. You know, something occurs to me - Luna looks and moves far more like a real cat in this version than any other version. She has a more cat-like body shape and size, more feline movements, and - like all cat - she hoists up her butt to show it to you. So.. yeah. Very cat-like.

This is also a comedy gold of this particular thread LOL

 

[Yori Papilaya]

However, the story is incredible. It takes the basic story from the manga and adds in elements from later seasons of the anime.

Yes, I heard so too. So good in fact, that people constantly consider it canon and keep on comparing Crystal to this one (besides to the original anime). Allright I'll watch it

 

[Yori Papilaya]

Looky look!!! They do repair the animation for the bluray-dvd

http://codenamesailorb.tumblr.com/post/97228665813/tiffanybluesprinkles-found-a-few-more-animation

 

[Pyramid Head]

I never read the Sailor Moon manga. I originally tried to watch the anime because i was curious as to how it became such a phenomenon, kind of like why i in the past read the Cardcaptor Sakura manga (which weirdly enough i really, really liked), but i couldn't finish season one. I have a very low threshold for stupidity, and Usagi/Sareena just pissed me off to no end. Moping over a guy she had a purely antagonistic relationship with, falling constantly for obvious traps, basically embodying every stupid teenager cliche you could imagine... it was like she was Japan's answer to the dumb blond stereotype. I've heard the manga wasn't as bad, but i didn't touch it.


So... since you've watched a show that borrowed more heavily from the manga, i gotta ask...

Is Sailor Moon Crystal Usagi/Sareena less of an idiot? Or should i give this one a miss?

 

[DirectorK]

I never read the Sailor Moon manga. I originally tried to watch the anime because i was curious as to how it became such a phenomenon, kind of like why i in the past read the Cardcaptor Sakura manga (which weirdly enough i really, really liked), but i couldn't finish season one. I have a very low threshold for stupidity, and Usagi/Sareena just pissed me off to no end. Moping over a guy she had a purely antagonistic relationship with, falling constantly for obvious traps, basically embodying every stupid teenager cliche you could imagine... it was like she was Japan's answer to the dumb blond stereotype. I've heard the manga wasn't as bad, but i didn't touch it.


So... since you've watched a show that borrowed more heavily from the manga, i gotta ask...

Is Sailor Moon Crystal Usagi/Sareena less of an idiot? Or should i give this one a miss?

If you're expecting a major change in Serena's character, you're in for a major let down. She's just as bad if not worse. Like I said in my post up above, Sailor Moon Crystal still suffers from the exact same problems the original anime/manga had and that includes Serena.

If you want a more a less clumsy and more serious Serena, read this:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8344687/1/Sailor-Moon-Classic-Part-1-Return-of-the-Sailors

It's my fanfic and in my opinion THIS is how you do a reboot.

 

[Yori Papilaya]

I never read the Sailor Moon manga. I originally tried to watch the anime because i was curious as to how it became such a phenomenon, kind of like why i in the past read the Cardcaptor Sakura manga (which weirdly enough i really, really liked), but i couldn't finish season one. I have a very low threshold for stupidity, and Usagi/Sareena just pissed me off to no end. Moping over a guy she had a purely antagonistic relationship with, falling constantly for obvious traps, basically embodying every stupid teenager cliche you could imagine... it was like she was Japan's answer to the dumb blond stereotype. I've heard the manga wasn't as bad, but i didn't touch it.


So... since you've watched a show that borrowed more heavily from the manga, i gotta ask...

Is Sailor Moon Crystal Usagi/Sareena less of an idiot? Or should i give this one a miss?

I beg to differ. Manga Usagi is klutzy/stupid in the beginning, but her arc continuously evolved and she eventually evolved as a character. Unlike her original anime counterpart where she suddenly matured near the end of the season and catapulted back to her original character at the beginning of the subsequent season afterward. On and on.

So I like manga Usagi more. Her arc exist more realistically and she's not a walking predictable cliche.

 

[Yori Papilaya]

If you're expecting a major change in Serena's character, you're in for a major let down. She's just as bad if not worse. Like I said in my post up above, Sailor Moon Crystal still suffers from the exact same problems the original anime/manga had and that includes Serena.

She's as bad IN THE BEGINNING. Why would you want a perfect character in the beginning? If she's perfect, she doesn't require to have an arc, and that's a bad storytelling. Worse? How is it worse?

And why are you hate Crystal so much?

 

[DirectorK]

If you're expecting a major change in Serena's character, you're in for a major let down. She's just as bad if not worse. Like I said in my post up above, Sailor Moon Crystal still suffers from the exact same problems the original anime/manga had and that includes Serena.

She's as bad IN THE BEGINNING. Why would you want a perfect character in the beginning? If she's perfect, she doesn't require to have an arc, and that's a bad storytelling. Worse? How is it worse?

And why are you hate Crystal so much?

I don't hate Crystal. I like it for what it is but it's not something I'd be wanting to watch over and over again because in truth I'm not all that impressed with it as you and the rest of the fans are.

The problem I have with Serena is that she's completely selfish, not in a mean way but in a childish way. She's always complaining about something whether in uniform or not, hardly puts up a fight, let's her fellow Scouts and/or Tuxedo Mask do most of the work, and is almost always lets her emotions get the better of her. She fails to understand anything on what the real world is like and practically never matures throughout her experiences. The rest of them did, she didn't. Sure she may have grown, a little, throughout the coarse of the original anime, but not enough to turn her into a likable character. At least for me.

Now before you start saying that she's the character we're supposed to relate to I'm sorry but I don't buy that. I have never met anyone in real life who is as frustrating as Serena is. And the fact that she's a princess and the leader of the Sailor Scouts is something I rather find insulting. In my experience titles don't mean a damn thing unless backed with action and responsibility. Serena is completely incompetent as a leader. I can go on for an entire rant providing one example after another but I'm not going to bother since it will fall mostly deaf ears anyway and I'm tired of arguing with the hardcore fans.

I will say this, however. In order to be a proper leader there are five qualities you HAVE, and I repeat HAVE, to have. No "buts" or "ifs".

1) You have to show responsibility.
2) Be completely honest with your companions even if they don't like it.
3) Never let you emotions and/or personal issues/ambitions get in the way.
4) Know what to do given the current situation.
and most importantly of all
5) TAKE CARE of your men, or in this case fellow Sailor Scouts.

Serena has NONE of those qualities and never obtains them throughout the entire series. And whenever the writers TRY to portray her as a leader, they fail each time by either turning it into comedy or some stupid emotional moment. Now honestly there's nothing wrong with that, but it's downright annoying when it comes to Serena. This reboot, I feel, it going to just further emphasize that.

Now I'm not saying that Serena should have been portrayed as a total B.A.S.S(Badass Sailor Scout) in the beginning with this reboot(although that would have been nice), but at least develop her from a ditzy klutz to something that I can accept as a likable character who's also a true leader for Christ's sake! But, seeing that this Toei after all that's wishful thinking.

 

[Yori Papilaya]

Did you watch the latest episode? I need to point out several things:

- Usagi is 14 years old in the beginning of the episode, and suddenly she has responsibilities. Not just a regular ones like say, supervising some business, but a very large one. If she suddenly know what to do, that will be unrealistic. She needs mentoring, she needs easing into it, and Luna isn't much of a help because her memories still flawed.

- Japanese stories like unreliable protagonist because of their history throughout WW2 (total annihilation and humiliation in the face of all nations of the world). The main protagonist almost always the less talented, the less strong, and generally an unlikely heroes. Despite all that, usually they have one quality which binds them all. In Usagi's case, which is pointed by Tuxedo Mask in episode 6, she has kind heart which opens up the other girls and made them realize their potentials. Without Usagi in the mix, the other girls will be a very strong heroes, but would never be connected as genuine friends, and less hopeful.

- Usagi is shown changed in the episode 6. She listens to Luna's brief, her mind didn't slip away like she did in episode 4. This shows her newfound determination (hence, a character arc). This differed from her original anime counterpart, whereas she has these default character traits and never seemed to change (hence, no character arc, not realistic). She is also trying hard to point out what her part in this battle, what her true power is, because she wanted to be a better leader. She doesn't just accept the fact that she's a leader (because Luna kinda forced her), but she question herself whether or not she has the qualities. When a character questions themselves, it adds nuance. More realistic.

- About her constant antagonistic attitude towards Mamoru. This is actually a romcom trope, whereas future couple bickering a bit in the beginning (this isn't realistic of course, but it adds drama, so it became a trope). The original anime played this a little too frequently it became sickening. In manga (and in Crystal, eventually), this will be happened only in the couple of initial acts, as both of them softened towards each other towards the end (hence, a character arc)

- Yes, she ran away. But that's not because she's chickened out from the battle and leave it to her friends. She had an opinion about Tuxedo Mask, and she wanted to acted that out. She wandered to find the damn man to prove it. She had disagreement with Luna, and she doesn't know how to react accordingly. SHE'S FREAKIN' 14. But she shows a determination in proving her point, which in my opinion, is new to her character.

So that. Where is Rose, anyway?

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Oh no! I completely forgot there was a new episode up! So, um, sorry for the delay. And now, without further ado -

Act 6: Tuxedo Mask

And (aside from a brief recap) we start with a flashback! -- no, wait, just a Mamoru tease-dream. Although that's some damn fine animated beefcake we get when he stands by the window shirtless.

We - very briefly - cut back to the flashback as Usagi meets Ami and Mako for the walk to school (apparently she and Mamoru are having the same dream). Speaking of Mamoru, he is apparently coated in flubber because bumping into him (while he stands still) causes her to bounce back several feet. Unlike some previous versions (or the manga) he politely offers to help her up, evoking a blush from Usagi, even though she refuses and stands on her own. Mako even calls Usagi on her blushing (which is in the manga) while Ami waxes on about his uniform/school.

I have to say, I much prefer this version of their budding romance to the 90s Relationship (ie, open mutual hatred) from the original anime.

This cuts to a news report about Tuxedo Mask. You know, I miss the early Tux vs Sailor V battles from Pretty Guardian. Having Sailor V actually do stuff before she joined the team was a nice touch, and I'm sad they seem to have missed that opportunity here.

In the Dark Kingdom, Nephrite (still alive, of course) steals Zoicite's line from the manga. Then Zoicite picks the rest of his line up, volunteering for the next mission.

In the Arcade, Luna does her backstory drop pretty much as written in the manga (although the manga claims that the Legendary Silver Crystal can destroy a star, whereas Crystal says a planet - a significant power decrease). Usagi notices that Sailor V carries a moon wand like hers, and Sailor V speaks to her through the game - again, beat for beat just like the manga. And, yet again, I'd like to comment on how much I like how they updated the Sailor V game. It looks very authentic.

I just realized that Sailor V doesn't talk to her in the manga until NEXT chapter. Nice foreshadowing!

Speaking of beat for beat, we then go to a TV news program. Zoicite is behind it, and quickly brainwashes all the viewers - which is far more visually impressive in Crystal than in the manga. Crystal also takes time to show all of Usagi's friends (including Umino) getting so zapped.

This leads Luna to showing them the secret base beneath the Arcade. It is a LOT cooler looking than in any previous version. No secret Karaoke base this.

Usagi is with them (instead of just Ami) so we are now treated to a scene of Luna accusing Tux and Usagi defending him until she gets upset and runs off.

Then, when we cut to the villains, we have Ami, Rei, and Mako show up to stop the evil transmissions and face them (rather than in the manga where they literally sit there while Usagi wins the battle alone). Although all three do transform directly in front of Zoicite, after speaking to Zoicite, and while Zoicite is literally looking directly at all three of them.

... I still like Ami and Rei's transformations better than Makoto's.

Usagi, meanwhile, faints (why? They just said the transmitter was disabled) and is caught by Tuxedo Mask. I like this version a lot better than the manga's version. While Usagi stumbles, she recovers faster and has a frank discussion with Tuxedo Mask about feeling powerless. There are elements of their manga conversation, but they see to be connecting far better in this version than the manga version.

Speaking of better than the manga - Makoto, Rei, and Mizuno "screw bubbles - ice attack!" Ami take this opportunity for a kick-ass battle against Zoicite! And, as the above may have hinted, Ami is the only one who gets a hit in (leaving Zoicite brushing ice off his shirt and with melted water running down his face and shirt). He responds with... green explody orbs. Not sure what those were, but they floor the whole team just in time for Beryl to show up in person.

There follows an... odd scene. Usagi doesn't seem to realize that Tuxedo Mask knows her identity, except that she told him that she was the 'leader of the team' during their earlier conversation. Um, what? Also, the others just transformed in front of Zoicite, so... yeah, not sure what the concern is. Usagi seems to be having some self esteem issues (possibly due to her not knowing how to use her new wand) but an awkward hug from Tux (and a few flashbacks) get her feeling all "warm and powerful". **purses lips in amusement** Um, Usagi - I think the word you're searching for there is "aroused". Anyway, this is reordered from the manga (where she has most of this conversation in the middle of the battle) so it flows much better here with Usagi having pre-battle gitters rather than a mid-battle extensional crisis.

After transforming, Usagi leaps a tall building in a single bound, landing with audible metal clanks on the metal roof-railing. The clanks make it sound like she has cast iron high-heels. And, after a brief speech, she lets fly with Moon Healing Escalation... which, seems kinda out of place since (unlike the manga) Usagi didn't just walk into a mass of corpse-liked energy drain victims. However, instead of healing, the attack seems to knock Beryl back into the Dark Kingdom (okay?) and with that the battle is won (?) and Usagi... flies around the city healing the people who were energy drained. Oh. Okay. So that did make sense. Kinda.

And then she passes out and gets carried off by Tuxedo Mask, back on track for the manga. OH! And Sailor V (and Artemis) show up watching them like stalkers. Neat! Usagi has a dream about Endymion and then wakes up in Mamoru's apartment with his broken watch. And she, of course, recognizes Mamoru as Tuxedo Mask.

And that's the end.

Next time: Act 7: Mamoru Chiba - Tuxedo Mask for more flashbacky goodness.

So yeah, we continue with the theme of "almost just like the manga, except -"

Not sure what all to say. I absolutely LOVED the battle between the Inner Senshi and Zoicite. Fantastic! Otherwise, the episode rearranged the material from the manga in a more satisfying and sensible fashion. Good overall (even if a few items made less sense).

So there's that.

I'd say see you in a couple weeks - but, I'm going to write up ANOTHER review. Not of Crystal - of the new dub of original Sailor Moon.

I'm gonna start a new thread for this, so I'll edit a link in here once it's up.

Crystal will continue in this thread for the moment - I just want to hear this new dub.

Edit:
Here's that link I promised:

Rose Reviews the Original Sailor Moon's new Dub [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.861573-Rose-Reviews-Sailor-Moon-original-new-Dub]

 

[DirectorK]

Serena only being fourteen is understandable, I won't deny that. The problem is(and this is another issue I have with this series) is that Luna should have had a firmer hand in disciplining Serena instead of giving her excuses all the time. I'm all for the fact that she has a kind heart that helps other people see their full potential, but that doesn't excuse her immaturity one bit.

Now we come to episode 6. *Sigh* I'm sorry, but this has got to be one of the most stupidest episodes I have ever seen! I had my gripes about the earlier episodes but this one just pissed me off to no end.

********WARNING! INCOMING RANT!********

First things first. WHY THE HELL WOULD TUXEDO MASK ANNOUNCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT HE'D BEEN COMMITTING THESE CRIMES IN SEARCH FOR THE "LEGENDARY SILVER CRYSTAL"?! That is just plain stupidity right there! No one in Tokyo knows what the Crystal is and even if they did they probably wouldn't care because they would likely think it was all a joke!

And what happens next? The Dark Kingdom sees this and takes advantages of it by having Zoisite pose as an expert of the Silver Crystal, going on television, and then brainwashing everyone into searching for the Crystal, causing chaos at the same time. Congratulations, Tuxedo Mask! You endangered an entire city simply because you were unable to find the Silver Crystal! And apologizing for it doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have happened because someone could have gotten killed thanks to your stupidity!

As for Serena, this episode just reestablished my points to the fullest! Instead of trying to see if Tuxedo Mask was on their side or not by going there and finding out for herself Serena runs away simply because she cannot accept the possibility the Tuxedo Mask may be an enemy instead of an ally. In other words, she abandons her friends before the upcoming battle because she has feelings for Tuxedo Mask!

And who shows up to give her a helping hand? Tuxedo Mask, of course! And then we have this long emotional scene of Tuxedo Mask apologizing for his stupidity and trying to convince her that she has all the traits of being a leader because she has a kind heart and is able to help other see their full potential. ARE YOU FUCKING SHITTING ME?! THAT IS WHAT MAKES HER QUALIFIED TO BE A LEADER OF MAGICAL SOLDIERS, WHO ARE RIGHT NOW BEING ALL BUT SLAUGHTERED AT THIS POINT BECAUSE SHE ABANDONED THEM BECAUSE OF HER FEELINGS FOR SOMEONE SHE DOESN'T FULLY KNOW?!

And of course she doesn't show up until the last moment to save her friends only to faint in the exact spot where she was when she transformed and Darien taking her back to his apartment where she wakes up the next day. Apparently her parents are not overly concerned that she didn't arrive home like she should have! Maybe she'll call them in the next episode, or maybe not, I don't care!

Who the hell wrote this episode?! This was obviously written by someone who's never served in the military and has no idea on what team work is about! Serena only being fourteen is no excuse for what happened here! You CANNOT, I repeat CANNOT, let your emotions or personal feelings get in the way in what needs to be done in a combat situation! You will get someone KILLED! And that's exactly what happened in this episode! Except, of course, no one dies because Serena saves everyone at the last moment for obvious entertainment reasons!

SO STUPID!

********END RANT********

Ugh... I'm sorry everyone for breaking into a rant like that but I just had to get it out of my system. You must think I hate this show now after this episode but the truth is I don't. It's episodes like this that just piss me off because they're just plain stupid and everyone excuses it because they consider that to be normal. No, I'm sorry, it isn't. There was no reason for Serena to behave like that despite her feelings toward Tuxedo Mask.

If I was Luna I would have immediately taken Serena's brooch away and given it to someone else that I can rely on after running away like that and abandoning her friends. And before you start saying that she's probably learned her lesson and won't do it again that doesn't excuse her rash action and is not enough to assure me that she won't do it again because the fact is the other Sailor Scouts almost died because of her.

When you're a leader of a team, you are responsible for the lives of your men. And if you can't lead them properly because you got caught up in your emotions they're not going to follow you because no one is going to follow someone who's completely incompetent and will just get them pointlessly killed. That is, if they don't shoot you first and have someone else take over.

True leadership requires a great deal of trust and if it's not there then there's no point of you being there as the leader.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Now we come to episode 6. *Sigh* I'm sorry, but this has got to be one of the most stupidest episodes I have ever seen! I had my gripes about the earlier episodes but this one just pissed me off to no end.
Who the hell wrote this episode?!

As noted above, the events are exactly what happened in the manga, except that everyone behaves more stupidly in the manga (with Usagi having an existential crisis in the middle of battle rather then while waking around town, and the rest of the Inner Senshi sitting around with Luna doing nothing while Usagi fights alone). So all of your criticisms were in the manga, or were worse in the manga.

Thus, none of your criticism has anything to do with Crystal specifically.

Captcha: end of story

 

[DirectorK]

Now we come to episode 6. *Sigh* I'm sorry, but this has got to be one of the most stupidest episodes I have ever seen! I had my gripes about the earlier episodes but this one just pissed me off to no end.
Who the hell wrote this episode?!

As noted above, the events are exactly what happened in the manga, except that everyone behaves more stupidly in the manga (with Usagi having an existential crisis in the middle of battle rather then while waking around town, and the rest of the Inner Senshi sitting around with Luna doing nothing while Usagi fights alone). So all of your criticisms were in the manga, or were worse in the manga.

Thus, none of your criticism has anything to do with Crystal specifically.

Captcha: end of story

Wait... WHAT?!

I based that review on that entire episode in Crystal! What do you mean that I based it entirely on the manga? And before you say "Have you even read the manga?" Yes I have will acknowledge some of the differences between there and Crystal but the basic plot remains the same!

Did you even watch the same episode as I did? Or are you just brushing me off just because I don't share the same opinion as everyone else does when it comes to Sailor Moon?

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I based that review on that entire episode in Crystal! What do you mean that I based it entirely on the manga?

That isn't what I said. I said that the events that you criticized in this episode of Crystal were all taken directly from the manga.

You asked "who the hell wrote this episode". However, since all your criticisms were aimed at plot elements originally from the manga, the answer would be Naoko Takeuchi. She wrote everything you didn't like in the episode.

Do you also hate the manga? Because, if your answer is no, then you are being a huge hypocrite since all the elements that you disliked in the episode are also present in the manga.

But who knows, maybe you hate both Crystal and the manga. If that's the case, then fair enough - clearly Crystal isn't for you.

Maybe you only like the original anime? In that case, why not join me over in my review of the new dub of the original Sailor Moon anime [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.861573-Rose-Reviews-Sailor-Moon-original-new-Dub] where you can talk about the series you actually like.

 

[DirectorK]

I don't hate Crystal, and I wish everyone would stop saying that. I like it for what it is but when it comes to a reboot I'm expecting something more than just a rehash of what I've already seen and read and it let me down on that front.

And I don't hate the manga either. I'm not all that impressed with it but I will agree it's better than the original anime.

If Naoko Takeuchi really was responsible for the writing of that episode than I feel sorry for her because that's terrible writing all around. It's like I said before, the biggest problem I have with Sailor Moon overall is that there's no common sense whatsoever in this series.

The reason why I love Sailor Moon so much is because it has such a great concept that is just BEGGING to be put in full bloom, but yet its bogged down because of terrible writing. That's the reason why I started writing that fanfic because I always felt that Sailor Moon deserved better than what it got. Yeah it's Americanized and has a more religious theme to it but so what? I'm unleashing my imagination. Isn't that what fanfics are supposed to do?

Anyway, I'm tired of ranting but with you saying that I'm a hypocrite because I stated my problems with this recent episode is basically you telling me that I don't have the right to criticize a product that you happen to like even though that's my job as a reviewer. If that's the way you feel, fine. I won't post on this thread anymore. I'm tired of arguing with the hardcore fanbase.

 

[Yori Papilaya]

OK guys. Please settle down. I'm not gonna contradict DirectorK anymore since I can see your criticism is rooted from the place of love. We all want our beloved franchise to become flawless, well I know I do. But I don't think I can manage to muster any negativity. 75% of Sailor Moon forums filled with this vibe and it's so exhausting.

With that said, I agree that Naoko isn't a very good storyteller. Her pages are so convoluted and the pacing is honestly terrible. But this is the first iteration that made me love Sailor Moon. If you ask me to point out the shortcomings of Crystal or manga, I can do that. I can make an extensive list about it, but I choose not to. For me, it'll ruin my experience. It'll exhaust me, to the point where I can't enjoy the goodness anymore because it muddled with its shortcomings. I hate seeing myself doing that to Sailor Moon, so I focused on what Crystal did successfully than what it failed to do.

I'll talk about the episode later.