“What could this warm glow be? Am I really the Moon Princess? I don't know how to deal with this. Or what to do anymore. What can I do?! Tuxedo Mask, everyone. Please lend me your strength!”
— Usagi Tsukino
(DiC Episode: "A Reluctant Princess")
An emotionally distraught Usagi and her Sailor Guardians process the grand revelation of her being the Moon Princess while remembering their past lives. Meanwhile, after the Heavenly Kings succeed in kidnapping Mamoru, a now heartbroken Kunzite returns to wreak vengeance on the heroes.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Attack Reflector: Kunzite manages to absorb the attacks of the Guardians and throw them all back with deadly force.
- Berserker Tears: Mars sheds these as she's chastising Moon for her selfish cowardice.
- Bowdlerization: The DiC dub cut out Sailor Mars slapping Sailor Moon in the face, however Sailor Moon can still be seen clutching her face in pain afterward. The scene was also kept in the opening episode preview in the dub.
- Crucified Hero Shot: Sailor Mars assumes the crucifix position after she's shot by her own sacrificial flames.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Princess Serenity uses the crystal's light powers to counter Zoisite's attack and sends him flying across the room. Later as Sailor Moon, she uses the Silver Crystal to send Kunzite back to the Dark Kingdom.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: Zoisite is able to accept his death knowing that he's being held by his cherished lover.
- Dude in Distress: Mamoru is taken to the Dark Kingdom by Kunzite and is set to be brainwashed by Queen Beryl.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Queen Serenity makes her first anime appearance in this episode, and is depicted with light blonde hair instead of her usual silver. The front bow on her dress is also colored light blue as opposed to white.
- Give Him a Normal Life: The cats explain that Queen Serenity wished for her daughter and the Sailor Guardians to be reborn on Earth so they can live happy, normal lives.
- The Good Kingdom: Silver Millennium is described as a glorious kingdom known for it's beautiful aesthetics and prosperous fortune.
- Heroic BSoD: Sailor Moon has an identity crisis after learning that she's the destined Moon Princess and is fated to fight the Dark Kingdom. She even admits that she's sick of fighting and wants to quit.
- Heroic Resolve:
- After learning of their past lives and the wish of Queen Serenity, Sailor Venus concludes that they must defeat the Dark Kingdom and enjoy the prosperous life that was promised of them.
- Usagi accepts her destiny and vows to not only fight for her friends but also to save Tuxedo Mask.
- Hold the Line: Jupiter, Venus, and Mars are taken out and Kunzite moves in on Sailor Moon. Mercury stands defiantly in his way.
- Last Request: Zoisite asks Kunzite to make him a beautiful resting place where he can die in peace. Kunzite grants his wish by creating a flowery atmosphere.
- Past-Life Memories: The heroes unlock their past memories as denizens of the Moon Kingdom along with the tragic romance between Serenity and Endymion.
- Previously on…: Luna gives a recap of Usagi awakening as the Moon Princess. The DiC dub changes this so that Serena is giving the recap.
- "Ray of Hope" Ending: Even though Mamoru was abducted, Usagi gains the will to accept her destiny as the Moon Princess and decides to continue her Pretty Guardian career alongside her friends.
- The Reveal:
- Usagi and Mamoru are revealed to be the modern reincarnations of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion.
- Luna and Artemis explain the history of the Moon Kingdom now known as Silver Millennium.
- Screw Destiny: Usagi declares that she doesn't care about her destined mission and just wants to go back to being a normal teenage girl.
- Techno Babble: Sailor Mercury goes over a complicated explanation regarding the interdimensional labyrinth of the Starlight Tower which none of her friends or the cats can comprehend.
- Too Dumb to Live: Literally in this case, as Zoisite gets killed by Queen Beryl for deliberately trying to off Tuxedo Mask twice and not thinking Beryl would find out, despite her explicit orders to keep him alive. It really doesn't help in the DiC when Zoisite tries to claim it was an accident.Queen Beryl: First the elevator, then the ice crystal, did you think I wouldn't know?!
- What the Hell, Hero?: Sailor Mars rips into Moon for being a coward who wants to run away without even caring for the gravity of the situation. She even mentions how Mamoru gave his life to save her would be for nothing.
- You Are Not Alone: When Venus tells the other three to protect the princess while she battles Kunzite, Jupiter steps up to tell her that she won't have to fight him alone.
- You Fight Like a Cow: Famously in the DIC Version, where Mercury stands defiant against Kunzite. She insults his hair.
- You Have Failed Me: Queen Beryl kills Zoisite for defying her orders as he tried to kill Tuxedo Mask.
