“So what if I'm a silly, dumb, flat-chested, lazy and clumsy crybaby?! I'm used to being called those things! But I'm not used to what you're calling Ami. And spreading rumors that Ami cheated on her test is totally unforgivable! I am Sailor Moon! In the Name of the Moon, I'll punish you!”
— Usagi Tsukino
(DIC Episode: "Smart Payoff")
Ami investigates a local cram school after having a painful encounter with some classmates who suddenly treat the genius girl with jealous hostility. She soon finds that the source of their cruel behavior is from a Droid who plans to use the Sailor Guardian against her friends after a few twisted mind games.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Bait-and-Switch:
- At first it looks like the Droid's Hallucination attack succeeded in breaking Sailor Moon. Only for the Pretty Guardian to shout out that she's used to being badmouthed and how she isn't bothered by it.
- The same applies to when Mercury has had enough of the hallucinations and is preparing to attack her team with her water attack. Only for her to direct her "Shine Aqua Illusion" at the Droid to destroy her mental manipulation powers.
- Big Creepy-Crawlies: Giwaaku resembles a giant ant. And her powers come from her two hair antennae.
- Bowdlerize: Every instance of Esmeraude bathing was cut from the DiC dub.
- Break Them by Talking: Giwaaku uses illusions of the Sailor Guardians to make them openly express their hatred towards Sailor Mercury to so she will betray their real counterparts.
- Bully Hunter: Makoto shows up to defend Ami from the accusatory mob. She even goes as far as to toss some of the boys onto the floor the second one of them grabs her uniform. Despite this, Ami doesn't approve as it'll only get Makoto in trouble for needless violence.
- Chekhov's Skill: Usagi mentions how she's used to being badmouthed and insulted for her flaws. When the Droid uses her Hallucination Attack on her, it has no effect since she's already used to being picked on for her flaws.
- Color-Coded for Your Convenience: Any cram student who was contaminated with Dark Power has grey colored skin.
- Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: Makoto (and Lita) have some very creative ideas for what they want to do to Umino for badmouthing Ami.Makoto (original): I'm going to squeeze his body and use him like a cleaning rag!Lita: I'll slash his spineless little body into fettuccini!Makoto (Viz Dub): Next time I see him I'm gonna ring his neck!
- Doppleganger Attack: Giwaaku uses a shadow clone jutsu to ambush Sailors Mercury and Moon.
- Dub Name Change: Giwaaku becomes “Mistrust”.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Ami chooses not to let the jealous accusations bring her down. And after defeating the Droid responsible for the madness, the uncorrupted students go to her for study advice while showering her with praise.
- Fighting Your Friend: Giwaaku hoped to invoke this by using hateful hallucinations to turn Sailor Mercury against her friends. Thankfully, the love and trust Ami has for them allows her to cast aside her doubts and subvert this scenario.
- Five-Second Foreshadowing: While Mercury takes her stance to use "Shine Aqua Illusion" with her friends worried that she'll try to attack them, Mercury briefly flashes her eyes towards the Droid's direction hinting that she wasn't manipulated after all.
- Friendship Moment: Usagi, Makoto and Naru openly assure Ami that they believe her and will stand by her against the accusatory students. And when Ami starts to breakdown in an alley, just remembering Usagi's words is enough to cheer her up.
- Frame-Up: A corrupted Umino accuses Ami of cheating on the latest test by pulling up a cheat sheet he "happened" to find in the genius girl's desk.
- Get Out!: Esmeraude says this to Saphir after he once again pops up in her secret lair while she's bathing.
- Green-Eyed Monster: The corrupted cram school students begin to act jealous and snippy towards Ami for being the best in academics.
- Karmic Jackpot: Ami taking care of the Droid turns the corrupt and jealous cram students into humble fans.
- Made of Iron: Tuxedo Mask manages to take a severe beating from the Droid's clones and a fall from a two story building without gaining serious injuries.
- Not Distracted by the Sexy: Saphir appears before his coworker to remind her about her mission, not even caring that she's in the middle of a bath.
- Odd Friendship: Criticized by the corrupted students. They find it weird how a straight A, straight laced, straight forward student like Ami chooses to hang out with a dunderhead like Usagi.
- The Power of Friendship: Sailor Mercury proudly declares to Giwaaku that her Dark Power hallucinations are no match for the trust and love shared between her and her friends.
- Running Away to Cry: After hearing more of the kids badmouth her on the street, Ami rushes to cry in an empty alley.
- Skewed Priorities: Ami isn't bothered by the accusations from the other students, but she's more bothered over missing one question from her test and keeping her from a perfect score.
- Stepford Smiler: Makoto notes that in spite of Ami's reassurance, she still feels miserable over the accusations and how everyone is being cruel to her.
- Turn the Other Cheek: When the hallucination Venus states that Ami bragging about her grades makes her sick, Ami apologizes for any unintentional bragging on her end.
- Villain Opening Scene: The first scene involves Esmeraude bathing in her secret lair while assuring Saphir that she's already secured another Negative Point. And the scene after has her planting the next henge while assigning her Infestation Droid to protect it.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Naru calls out Umino for picking on Ami all of a sudden.
- Your Favorite: According to Esmeraude, Prince Demande considers jasmine oil to be his favorite scent.
