"Ami-chan, you haven't been acting like yourself lately. Is everything okay? Did something happen? If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me. Afterall, that's what friends are for. And if anyone dares to hurt you then In the Name of the Moon, I'll punish them!”
— Usagi Tsukino
(CWi Episode: "Damp Spirits")
Ami suffers through a period of self-doubt as she realizes that she doesn't have the same passion for her past dreams like she used to. As she navigates her thoughts, she unintentionally offends Michiru who demands a one-on-one competition at the pool.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Afraid of Needles: Mamoru admits that he's terrified of needles.
- Bald of Evil: Under Doburin's swimcap lies a bald head which houses the black star she uses to steal Pure Hearts.
- The Big Race: Michiru challenges Ami to compete against her in a 100 meter swim challenge where they should give it their best.
- Big "WHAT?!": Usagi reacts this way after Naru drags her to buy her and Umino pizza as a penance for letting her homework be copied.
- "Eureka!" Moment: During the big race, Ami realizes that it doesn't matter whether she wins or loses or achieves her doctor dream or not. What should matter most of all is that she tries her best.
- Evil Is Petty: Kaolinite comes dangerously close to smashing Ami's Pure Heart in anger over it being another blank.
- Exact Eavesdropping: Usagi is able to overhear Ami conversing with the vice principal about her academia.
- The Friends Who Never Hang: Mamoru notices Ami being depressed and goes to her side to talk with her about her problems.
- Goal in Life: Ami's always dreamed of being a doctor ever since she was a little girl. But now she's concerned if that was a dream she chose for herself or one that others expected from her.
- Hopeless Suitor: While strolling through the streets of Juuban together, Artemis' attempts at romantic serenades are shot down by Luna.
- Innocently Insensitive: After overhearing the conversation with the vice principal, Usagi demands that neither she nor her friends ask Ami for help and that she should focus on studying for herself. This actually feeds into Ami's insecurities and how she's only valued for her knowledge over her character.
- Jerkass: The Juuban Middle School Vice Principal calls Ami's friends "academically challenged slackers" and asks if they're interfering with her studies. Ami even notices that he only cared about her grades and not her personally.
- Jerkass Realization: After Haruka points out how Ami only wanted to be her friend and didn't have the confidence to insult her, Michiru feels bad for driving her away with her accusation.
- Making a Splash: Doburin is able to manipulate the pool water to attack Ami and capture her.
- Must Make Amends: Usagi immediately notices that she said something to make Ami cry and rushes out to find her so she can apologize.
- Noodle Incident: Mamoru brings up the time Usagi got a fork stuck in her hair in the Viz dub.
- Not So Above It All: Ami decides to show her teasing side by pretending to show "interest" in Usagi's boyfriend just to mess with her.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Makoto, Minako and Rei are horrified to hear Usagi proclaim that they shouldn't bother Ami for homework help and how they should study on their own.Minako: That's a little scary...Makoto: Usagi said something admirable...Rei: Should we... call a doctor?
- Rule of Symbolism: When Ami brings up people with strong dreams, her eyes turn to the Kimi-chan statue. The story behind the statue was that Kimi-chan's mother sent her to study abroad so she could have a successful life.
- Running Away to Cry:
- Ami runs out of the public pool after Michiru brings up how the former threw the race and asked if she thought so little of her to do so.
- She does it again after Usagi insists that she should focus on her own studies instead of helping her friends like before.
- Running Gag: Just like with Steering, Doburin expresses relief over wearing her floaties after falling into the pool.
- Shout-Out: Ami and Mamoru have their conversation next to the Kimi-chan statue
. - Throwing the Fight: Ami decides to slow down during the surprise race so she and Michiru could tie. Michiru took offense to the action.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Haruka playfully chastises Michiru for making Ami cry after she harshly accused her of throwing the race.
