Tbf I hold a minority opinion that the name changes there are either sensical (Serena and by extension Rini, Darian Shields) or logical from at least a nicknaming or anglicisation perspective (Rei>Ray, Minako>Mina)
Its still not enough fore to put it over the original version though.
Edited by MorningStar1337 on Jun 29th 2023 at 7:32:32 AM
I think people are more accepting of some of the things (not all) that Di C did with the adaption looking back on it. Understanding that studios were still figuring out how dubbing should really work, especially in a time where the shows aired on regular TV and they had to balance keeping the show intact with network constraints. Its not like today where anime is almost all on streaming and therefore doesn't need to be edited for content.
Gah. I had a whole thing typed up, but "Save Draft" didn't work. Cliffnotes version of it recapping what I thought so far (which is thus far more about characters then really driving the plot)
- Usagi: I like her development from a normal teen into a more active hero, and I like that the times when she's most willing to jump into action are when people she knows are hurting or people's love is being messed with.
- Ami: Suffers a bit from not being given enough episodes with just her and Usagi before Rei shows up, but I like her balance of taking her role as a Guardian seriously, but also being sympathetic to Usagi having to ease into it.
- Rei: Thinks she's more mature then she really is, but is ultimately just as prone to normal teen wants and impulsions as anyone. Also, tends to fall more to adorable silliness when there's a boy she's crushing on. (At this stage, usually Mamoru)
- Mamoru: Not sure if he pokes fun at Usagi because he thinks its entertaining to tease her, or if he legitimately can't stand her. Plot-wise, seems to not fully be in control of his powers (don't tell me where this goes, I legit don't remember)
- Queen Beryl: I made lots of jokes about her being a totally fair ruler, but really so far she's just sat there playing with her crystal ball.
And now, finally getting back to it. I do want to speed up my pace a bit, so I'm gonna try to refrain from giving a play-by-play of each episode (emphasis on try, I have a bad habit of rambling even when I don't mean to, lol) and just focus on points I think are interesting.
There's also a moment where Mamoru and Nephrite brush past each other and both sense a "vibe" from the other, but nothing comes from it in this episode.
Seeing Usagi try to help her brother's problems with his crush is nice (even if it was misplaced at first), but kind of a meh episode on the monster side. Creepy dolls weren't quite creepy enough, and the fight against the doll monster was kind of lackluster. A monster that can separate its limbs to attack could be cool, but Mercury detects its foot is its weak point (for some reason?) and that's that, pretty much.
Anyway, Nephrite realizes Tuxedo Mask is a weak point for Sailor Moon and sends a love letter to draw her into a trap... But since he doesn't actually know who she is, he sends them to tons of girls. And then comedy of errors ensues when Naru runs into him and asks if he's Tuxedo Mask, as she's already crushing on him and.. Yeah, snowballs from there.
Okay, so we have confirmation Mamoru is not in control of his Tuxedo Mask powers. He transforms involuntarily when Usagi does. And he also mentions feeling like there's some past connection between him and Sailor Moon that he can't quite grasp.
Ha. Even Tuxedo Mask is getting tired of Moon and Mars' bickering.
No Dark Kingdom this time. Just an abusive dad using his daughter as a pawn for his fragile ego... Oh. But then when she loses control of her power, NOW he gets all concerned father, and she protects him, and... I dunno, I know love is an important part of the series, but the sudden about face here kind of just rubbed me the wrong way. A parent abusing their child, "I'm sorry" doesn't quite cut it in my book.
Huh... Last time Nephrite appeared, he seemed to be picking out Naru as a target specifically, but now he's back to targeting other people.
Rei once again putting on a front of being to mature for an interest, but showing that she is in fact invested in it as well. You don't have to put on these airs, Rei, let your true self show!
The Gemini Monsters copying the Guardian's moves was cool... But then immediately ruined by their petty squabbling. I mean, petty squabbling that makes what Usagi and Rei do look like playful banter. And Moon, Mercury, and Mars combine their attacks to destroy them, which was cool (I think Moon and Mars did a combo attack in an earlier episode too), but there really wasn't enough to the fight to show that the Gemini Monsters were as tough as Nephrite had been hyping them up to be.
I think the pacing for a lot of these episodes is too fast. I realize that is a risk with Monster of the Week story telling, but it can feel like the episodes wrap up just as they're starting to get going. Or the resolution can feel unearned. But the show is planting the seeds for more arc-styled plots, and judging by the next few episodes descriptions, it sounds like that'll start paying off.
Also, I should make it to Makoto's introduction next time. Yay!
Edited by diddyknux on Aug 18th 2023 at 4:34:04 AM
Its Jupiter Day!! But I'm getting ahead of myself, first I gotta finish up the Nephrite arc.
We see Kunzite for the first time, and its immediately made clear he and Zoisite have a deep relationship.
At a ball, Usagi shares a dance with Tuxedo Mask. And both have started to have vague feelings of their past together.
After everything... Usagi accidentally gets drunk, thinking alcohol at the ball was punch. Oh, uh... This is how Usagi and Tuxedo Mask have their first kiss... Not how I would have imagined that going.
Nephrite is ignoring Queen Beryl's summons. Honestly smart. Can't get "You've Failed Me For The Last Time"'d if you don't show up to your funeral.
I'm kind of annoyed by how this episode plays up Usagi's klutziness. In the past, usually when people's love is on the line is when she steps up the most. But here, she has a lot of trouble finding the right way to try and warn Naru about Nephrite's true intentions, and she's still very panicked when confronting Nephrite, having to be bailed out by Mars and Mercury again.
Anyway, Zoisite sent a monster to spy on Nephrite, so when he notices his Dark Crystal reacting to Naru's emotions, the monster tries to attack him, thinking its the Silver Crystal. Instinctually, Nephrite moves to protect Naru from the monster. Then tries to play it off like he's still just toying with her.
Then something weird happens. He talks about his search for the Silver Crystal... And the Guardians and Luna react as if that's new to them, even though they were searching for it in the previous episode. Continuity flub, I suppose.
The episode ends with Usagi wishing on a shooting start that if Nephrite really does have feeling for Naru, he'll stop being evil...
Nephrite is still in denial that he's developing actual feelings for Naru, and instead tries to capitalize on them to find out who Sailor Moon really is. This leads to him finding out Usagi's identity. But Zoisite has found out about Naru and kidnaps her to trap him.
Nephrite gets impaled by some electric thorns from a plant monster, and there's a great Naru moment where she tries to pull them out, and almost does. But then the monsters attack again and Nephrite shields her from some explosions. The Guardians show up to defeat the monsters, but they're too late to save him, and he dies in Naru's arms, apologizing for all his lies to her. A very well done and well acted scene, I even got a bit misty eyed there.
Usagi bumps into some guys who try to play a fall con on her, but she's saved by a kind girl who kicks their butts. Usagi's classmate tells her she's a transfer student with a reputation for getting into fights that she should stay away from, but Usagi befriends her immediately: Makoto Kino.
When Usagi introduces her to Rei and Ami and starts arguing with Rei as usual, Mako decides its a sign of how close the two are. I... don't see it. I mean, my understanding is that'll eventually be the case. But I don't think it works when I'm struggling to think of any interactions between them so far with no insults from either one.
There's a crane game guy that Mako crushes on ("He's just like him... My first love!"). Good thing too, he gets attacked by Zoisite. Wait, wait. "Big girls like that aren't my type." Zoisite, do whatever you want to him
Okay, but seriously, Zoisite extracts his Rainbow Crystal and he transforms into a monster Mako helps Sailor Moon fight and her Guardian symbol shows up. Luna gives her a pen to transform into Sailor Jupiter. SUPREME THUNDER! Luna also gives Sailor Moon a new weapon, the Moon Stick, so she can return the monster to a human without having to dust him.
After the battle, Luna states that now she's found "All Four Sailor Guardians." So, Sailor V is so much of a pop culture figure that Luna doesn't even suspect she's a real Guardian. Luna also officially states Usagi's the leader, which seems a little weird when Luna rarely seems like she has much respect of Usagi. I don't think this is literally out of nowhere - I think Luna can recognize that Usagi's strength is her compassion for others and that she is the one who has kept leading them to the other Guardians, even if she's not the most combat-capable. I just think its pretty rare for Luna to show that she appreciates that, so in the moment it can kind of FEEL sudden.
Yeah. One episode with her and I already remember why I gravitated to Sailor Jupiter so much back in the day. A great first impression with her.
I'm honestly starting to rethink this way of recapping too. Its fun, but it is time consuming. And I don't think I'm very good or consistent at it either. I mean, this was only four episodes, and I took way too much time getting through the, deciding what I wanted to say... I'll keep giving my thoughts, but I might try to re-adjust again.
Anyway, I really felt the way the series progresses starting to shift with these episodes. More of the plotlines are starting to come into bloom, and more development not just for the heroes, but for the villains as well.
Sorry if another post so soon seems silly, but I thought it was something worth discussing... Usagi is generally read as bisexual, right? She had a fair amount of blushing and noting Makoto's beauty when she met her. I think this is the first time her reaction to another girl was like that, or at least so notable.
I know later in the series she'll crush on Haruka for awhile, but I don't remember how much of that was when she thought Haruka was a boy (though I guess either way, it wouldn't change the fact she found Haruka attractive)... Also, I only know the 90's dub, and those seasons not very well, so I don't know how much they scrubbed.
Edited by diddyknux on Aug 24th 2023 at 6:24:48 AM
Usagi found Rei beautiful too. The anime kind of goes back and forth on Usagi's attraction to women. There's episodes that are more supportive than others towards the idea.
From a strict canon perspective I think only Ami is bisexual in the PGSM show (per Word of God), but yeah, that doesn't stop people from seeing Usagi as bisexual, or Minako and Rei.
Edited by PhiSat on Aug 24th 2023 at 5:42:12 AM
Oissu!A lot of people see Rei's manga depiction as lesbian because she *adamantly* hates men there, plus has some moments with Minako that do kind of feel...well, the art certainly looks pretty fuckin' gay. The live action series apparently amped it up.
But hell, in the anime, Michiru outright compares her relationship with Haruka to Rei's relationship with Usagi, which certainly feels like a not-so-subtle leaning into Rei having some more-than-friendly feelings for Usagi. And it's pretty clear that, even after they know Haruka is a girl, Usagi, Rei, and Makoto all have moments of blushing and feeling infatuated with them.
...there's still some moments that are mildly homophobic but it was the 90's. Can't win everything.
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I thought I remembered a moment when Usagi met Rei too, but was held back by wondering if I remembered wrong. Guess I should've trusted myself more.
I ran across this Usagi and Rei moment (Reisagi?) before that stuck in my head, that I've gone back to find again (Apologies for camera-pointed-at-screen quality. I didn't record it lol)
Edited by diddyknux on Aug 24th 2023 at 7:04:06 AM
It's kinda funny how Rei and Usagi's friendship is one of the deepest and most consistent parts of the anime and NONE of that is in the manga.
Mind, I think part of it is because the anime's format allowed the writers to delve more into developing Usagi and Rei's dynamic from what it was in the manga (as much as people harp on Rei's clashing depictions, one shared trait is that Rei frequently insults Usagi and makes her cry, it's just that Anime!Rei is a lot more hotheaded and aggressive about it). So it kind of builds from Rei being introduced in one chapter and then suffering the same issues of development the non-Usagi and Mamoru characters get, to Rei getting many episodes of the anime showing her as a foil to Usagi and developing into a somewhat gentler character.
I dunno, maybe Ikuhara and the others realized that there was some potential gold to be mined out of this and just kept on digging.
Ikuhara has always said he preferred Usagi/Rei to Usagi/Mamoru.
We've said it before in this thread, but Mamoru is just so boring compared to all of Usagi's other potential love interests.
I always forget Rei hated men in the manga because I'm used to the anime and Rei being a hot-headed Tsundere.
Edited by PhiSat on Aug 25th 2023 at 2:04:06 AM
Oissu!

Edited by dms3456 on Jun 29th 2023 at 9:56:32 AM