Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Act 36 Review
Aug. 5th, 2010 11:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iariaPrincess Sailor Moon Appears!
Awards
Hottie Of the Week: Princess Sailor Moon was very pretty.
Best Shibby Moment: Mamoru approaching Princess Sailor Moon, pulling her into a hug and calling Usagi’s name. Then reassuring her with a smile that it was alright and he’d come back to her.
Funniest Moment: “Why don’t you say my name? … It can’t be… you didn’t forget it did you? (denial) But you’ve never called me by name… With you anything’s possible.” Heee. Mamoru had to have been teasing Usagi here but he was so serious! I find the seriousness of him, and Usagi pouting and just the idea of Usagi forgetting his name hilarious.
Cutest Moment: Usagi and Mamoru shopping together was so cute. They were holding hands! Shopping and laughing and smiling and looking at flowers and just enjoying being with each other. It was adorable.
Saddest Moment: The hospital scene between Rei and Minako. Rei’s devastation at learning that Minako is dying and then Minako being so calm and professional about it all was sad. Rei being unable to process at first what Minako was saying was sad. But I found it heartbreaking that Minako just didn’t seem to realize that Rei’s reaction, her grief, was about losing Minako, not about losing Venus. Oh, Minako. “I don’t want to waste my life.” Sniff.
WTF of the Week: Princess Sailor Moon attacking Beryl – even though Mamoru was standing right there with her. Granted the explosion was in front of them a fair bit and it was very likely just a warning but still…
Coolest Moment: Princess Serenity, as Princess Sailor Moon, versus Queen Beryl. Serenity shows up and proceeds to intimidate the hell out of Beryl and undoubtedly would have kicked her ass if Beryl hadn’t hid behind Mamoru. Serenity re-directing the Shitennou’s attacks, then all of Beryl’s attacks with this calm focused demeanor, not once flinching or wavering – it was awesome. Then her taking the energy of the final attack and sending it back at Beryl was very cool. I liked how that played out – Serenity using her sword to create a shield and then making a pentacle and then directing that stolen energy back. Plus: “The one being insolent is you!” Imagine how much cooler it would have been if she had an actual sword instead of a toy one.
Best Senshi Moment: ... I don’t like to use the same thing twice but the only moment that really stuck out as fitting was Princess Sailor Moon kicking Beryl’s ass.
Best Senshi Interaction: Rei/Minako in Minako’s hospital room. This was a scene that was built up to wonderfully with all their previous interactions. I loved the expression on Rei’s face when she looked in and Minako’s smile when she invited her in.
“I can tell you the truth. I need your support.” – Minako. So when I saw/heard this I squee’d a little because I actually thought for a moment that it was Minako reaching out for help, reaching out to Rei for personal support, and that made me so happy. For Minako, to feel like she could reach out, for Rei, to be acknowledged as a friend and trusted, and for Minako/Rei. Of course in the end it was all about the mission and her duty. Oh, Minako.
“What a miserable face. (smiles) It’s all right. I can still fight. I can’t trust you to do everything yet.” – Minako. Seriously, I keep just wanting to hug her so much. She sees the anguish on Rei’s face, sees her about to break down, and she doesn’t seem to consider that it’s because Rei loves her and is in pain at the thought of Minako being gone instead of her worrying over Venus being gone. That’s just so sad.
Awards
• “Do not touch him!” – Serenity. What I am finding most fascinating is that Serenity has such a different personality from Usagi. I don’t know that I like it, I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s intriguing.
Usagi has always been so similar to Serenity that it’s easy to think of them as the same person. The few short flashes of Serenity we've gotten in previous flashbacks have made her seem very Usagi-like. But the Serenity we got here on the battlefield was a whole different person – this Serenity I could see as a warrior, as a leader, as a queen. So... interesting. Especially when you think about it and realise that this composed and unyielding Serenity is the exact same person who frolicked with Endymion through a meadow. The disconnect is kind of large. It makes Serenity an even more fascinating character. The fact that she is so much more confidant, serene and commanding are all things I could buy considering she was a princess and heir-apparent but that... harshness I’m less certain about.
The first question should actually be is this Serenity as she was then or is this Serenity simply because of the situation? I mean was this steeliness always a part of her? Or is it because of what happened in the past and in reaction to the destruction of her people, mother, friends and the deaths of her love and herself?
The fact that Serenity fights back, that she knows how and does so unflinchingly, that she has that sword ready to call at hand does indicate that she was a warrior. The thing with the pentacle was not something that could be made up right then (I don’t think). I love the idea of her training with the senshi. It also makes her being called as Sailor Moon in this life less head-scratching.
• I loved the change on Sailor Moon’s face signalling the switch from Usagi to Serenity.
• Something interesting – when Sailor Moon begins her change to Princess Sailor Moon there is this large flash of bright gold light that cause Beryl, the Shitennou and Mamoru to all cover their faces and cower back, meanwhile all the Senshi remained on the ground where they were and none of them turned away, covered their faces or even so much as flinched. It was a really small thing but I think it says so much. I loved it. ♥
• I liked that we got to see it both as everyone else saw the change (Sailor Moon suddenly being overlaid with Princess Serenity and then a large flash of light) and how it happened in that instant (Sailor Moon standing on the steps in the Moon Kingdom, Serenity walking down them behind her, Serenity stepping into and then through Sailor Moon and emerging as Princess Sailor Moon, cue posing) I wonder if the other Senshi, who were watching her so intently, saw it the first way or the second way?
- Interesting thing about this moment – it very much comes off as Serenity possessing Usagi which is something we see again later when Mamoru calls her name and Usagi seems to wake up from being Serenity – or shakes off her possession. Hmm.
• I had actually completely forgotten about the Star Locket that was so important to Usagi and Mamoru in the anime so it was a really lovely surprise to see it turn up here. I like the difference – that this one is the first gift Mamoru gives Usagi (instead of being a love memento between Serenity and Endymion.) It fits this series so much more. As for its appearance my first, and only, thought was to be so glad that it wasn’t made of plastic! It is too bad it doesn’t play music.
• I am going to assume that Serenity created a shield around herself and the senshi when Beryl attacked. The senshi were all cowering down on the ground but I think that was more them reacting to being attacked then them actually being hurt. Especially since they immediately get up after she walks past.
• There were a couple small senshi moments that I loved: Ami and Makoto’s shared smile after Usagi admitted that she might have taken advantage of knowing Venus’s identity, Mercury stroking the unconscious Usagi’s face, Jupiter catching Usagi when she collapsed and then holding her.
• Why was Zoisite being punished along with Kunzite? Kunzite is obvious but Zoisite wasn’t even there. Did she learn about his deal with Venus? If so, how exactly? If not, then was it just because she knows he is against her?
• I wonder at Beryl’s choice of Nephrite as the one to kill in order to get Mamoru’s co-operation considering he was her most ardent supporter. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to get rid of one of the troublemakers – Zoisite or Kunzite – instead? Her smirk when he fell – hmm. There was a lot of contempt there. I wonder if she sees her former self in him? All indications seem to lean to past Beryl having been completely devoted/head-over-heels for Endymion despite him never giving her the time of day. I wonder if she saw in Nephrite’s devotion to her, her devotion to Endymion? Going further – could she see in her disdain for Nephrite what she thus thinks Endymion thought of her, which instead of causing hatred for Endymion instead made her hate herself more, and for her to push that hate on Nephrite? In fact Beryl didn’t actually have to kill him since Mamoru was listening to her based on just her threatening them. I think she killed him because she wanted to.
• I wish that we’d gotten a Mercury reaction shot to Nephrites death. She was shocked along with the other Senshi but based on past episodes I think that she should have gotten a separate reaction shot. I mean the last time she saw Nephrite was when he saved her life.
• I loved the glimpse we got of young Beryl and I hope we get more flashbacks of everyone. The most interesting part of that (besides Endymion and Serenity kissing) was the fact that Beryl appeared to be the same age as Endymion and Serenity and not older as she is now. Is the current Beryl a re-incarnation like everyone else or is this the same Beryl, who lived in the Dark Kingdom since that time, aging ever so slowly? Hmm. Beryl tells him that it’s been ‘tens of thousands of years’... that is a hell of a long time to live. That’s a hell of a long time to stay obsessed with the same person.
• Kunzite managing to will himself free of Beryl’s control and then using that freedom to immediately – try to kill the person trying to save him. Sigh. That is so Kunzite. He is so stubborn and he really knows how to hold a grudge.
• I’m surprised that Mamoru didn’t transform into Endymion at any point while everything was happening. I would have thought he’d feel more secure in armour and with a weapon at the very least.
• The Senshi creating a shield, regardless of the fact that it was easily taken down and lasted really only a couple seconds, was very awesome and very intriguing. I want to see more of this type of thing. It’s making me think of the R movie and the five of the teleporting themselves to the asteroid and then of them teleporting themselves into the Dark Kingdom at the end of the first season. I’d love to see them do more stuff like that. Also it would have been nice if all of them had just automatically moved in front of Moon instead of waiting/needing Venus to tell them to protect her. Of course they’re going to protect her! We didn’t really need that as an example of how Venus is their leader.
• I am going to assume that the Shitennou’s attack on the senshi wasn’t only their power but was also the power of Metellia (since Beryl was controlling them) which is why it took the Senshi out so quickly and did so much damage to them.
• It was nice to see the Senshi arriving to a battle already transformed.
• I was surprised that Minako’s room was so empty. I would have expected it to have been full of flowers, cards and gifts from all her fans. In fact it was very weird that it wasn’t. I guess I could go with her manager having moved them back to her place while giving the flowers to others in the hospital? That seems like a Minako thing to do. Also where are all the reporters and the screaming/crying fans at the hospital? Her collapse was very public and probably caught on camera. There should have been more of a reaction.
• I hope that before the end of the series we get at least one Mamo-chan and Usako.
• Ikuko’s enthusiasm (and Shingo’s horror and disgust) at Usagi getting a boyfriend made me smile. Ikuko is adorable. I wonder though if she would be so supportive if she knew how much older Mamoru was? Actually how much older is he in this canon? He’s ready to go off to college so – 18? But is Usagi still 14?
Hottie Of the Week: Princess Sailor Moon was very pretty.
Best Shibby Moment: Mamoru approaching Princess Sailor Moon, pulling her into a hug and calling Usagi’s name. Then reassuring her with a smile that it was alright and he’d come back to her.
Funniest Moment: “Why don’t you say my name? … It can’t be… you didn’t forget it did you? (denial) But you’ve never called me by name… With you anything’s possible.” Heee. Mamoru had to have been teasing Usagi here but he was so serious! I find the seriousness of him, and Usagi pouting and just the idea of Usagi forgetting his name hilarious.
Cutest Moment: Usagi and Mamoru shopping together was so cute. They were holding hands! Shopping and laughing and smiling and looking at flowers and just enjoying being with each other. It was adorable.
Saddest Moment: The hospital scene between Rei and Minako. Rei’s devastation at learning that Minako is dying and then Minako being so calm and professional about it all was sad. Rei being unable to process at first what Minako was saying was sad. But I found it heartbreaking that Minako just didn’t seem to realize that Rei’s reaction, her grief, was about losing Minako, not about losing Venus. Oh, Minako. “I don’t want to waste my life.” Sniff.
WTF of the Week: Princess Sailor Moon attacking Beryl – even though Mamoru was standing right there with her. Granted the explosion was in front of them a fair bit and it was very likely just a warning but still…
Coolest Moment: Princess Serenity, as Princess Sailor Moon, versus Queen Beryl. Serenity shows up and proceeds to intimidate the hell out of Beryl and undoubtedly would have kicked her ass if Beryl hadn’t hid behind Mamoru. Serenity re-directing the Shitennou’s attacks, then all of Beryl’s attacks with this calm focused demeanor, not once flinching or wavering – it was awesome. Then her taking the energy of the final attack and sending it back at Beryl was very cool. I liked how that played out – Serenity using her sword to create a shield and then making a pentacle and then directing that stolen energy back. Plus: “The one being insolent is you!” Imagine how much cooler it would have been if she had an actual sword instead of a toy one.
Best Senshi Moment: ... I don’t like to use the same thing twice but the only moment that really stuck out as fitting was Princess Sailor Moon kicking Beryl’s ass.
Best Senshi Interaction: Rei/Minako in Minako’s hospital room. This was a scene that was built up to wonderfully with all their previous interactions. I loved the expression on Rei’s face when she looked in and Minako’s smile when she invited her in.
“I can tell you the truth. I need your support.” – Minako. So when I saw/heard this I squee’d a little because I actually thought for a moment that it was Minako reaching out for help, reaching out to Rei for personal support, and that made me so happy. For Minako, to feel like she could reach out, for Rei, to be acknowledged as a friend and trusted, and for Minako/Rei. Of course in the end it was all about the mission and her duty. Oh, Minako.
“What a miserable face. (smiles) It’s all right. I can still fight. I can’t trust you to do everything yet.” – Minako. Seriously, I keep just wanting to hug her so much. She sees the anguish on Rei’s face, sees her about to break down, and she doesn’t seem to consider that it’s because Rei loves her and is in pain at the thought of Minako being gone instead of her worrying over Venus being gone. That’s just so sad.
• “Do not touch him!” – Serenity. What I am finding most fascinating is that Serenity has such a different personality from Usagi. I don’t know that I like it, I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s intriguing.
Usagi has always been so similar to Serenity that it’s easy to think of them as the same person. The few short flashes of Serenity we've gotten in previous flashbacks have made her seem very Usagi-like. But the Serenity we got here on the battlefield was a whole different person – this Serenity I could see as a warrior, as a leader, as a queen. So... interesting. Especially when you think about it and realise that this composed and unyielding Serenity is the exact same person who frolicked with Endymion through a meadow. The disconnect is kind of large. It makes Serenity an even more fascinating character. The fact that she is so much more confidant, serene and commanding are all things I could buy considering she was a princess and heir-apparent but that... harshness I’m less certain about.
The first question should actually be is this Serenity as she was then or is this Serenity simply because of the situation? I mean was this steeliness always a part of her? Or is it because of what happened in the past and in reaction to the destruction of her people, mother, friends and the deaths of her love and herself?
The fact that Serenity fights back, that she knows how and does so unflinchingly, that she has that sword ready to call at hand does indicate that she was a warrior. The thing with the pentacle was not something that could be made up right then (I don’t think). I love the idea of her training with the senshi. It also makes her being called as Sailor Moon in this life less head-scratching.
• I loved the change on Sailor Moon’s face signalling the switch from Usagi to Serenity.
• Something interesting – when Sailor Moon begins her change to Princess Sailor Moon there is this large flash of bright gold light that cause Beryl, the Shitennou and Mamoru to all cover their faces and cower back, meanwhile all the Senshi remained on the ground where they were and none of them turned away, covered their faces or even so much as flinched. It was a really small thing but I think it says so much. I loved it. ♥
• I liked that we got to see it both as everyone else saw the change (Sailor Moon suddenly being overlaid with Princess Serenity and then a large flash of light) and how it happened in that instant (Sailor Moon standing on the steps in the Moon Kingdom, Serenity walking down them behind her, Serenity stepping into and then through Sailor Moon and emerging as Princess Sailor Moon, cue posing) I wonder if the other Senshi, who were watching her so intently, saw it the first way or the second way?
- Interesting thing about this moment – it very much comes off as Serenity possessing Usagi which is something we see again later when Mamoru calls her name and Usagi seems to wake up from being Serenity – or shakes off her possession. Hmm.
• I had actually completely forgotten about the Star Locket that was so important to Usagi and Mamoru in the anime so it was a really lovely surprise to see it turn up here. I like the difference – that this one is the first gift Mamoru gives Usagi (instead of being a love memento between Serenity and Endymion.) It fits this series so much more. As for its appearance my first, and only, thought was to be so glad that it wasn’t made of plastic! It is too bad it doesn’t play music.
• I am going to assume that Serenity created a shield around herself and the senshi when Beryl attacked. The senshi were all cowering down on the ground but I think that was more them reacting to being attacked then them actually being hurt. Especially since they immediately get up after she walks past.
• There were a couple small senshi moments that I loved: Ami and Makoto’s shared smile after Usagi admitted that she might have taken advantage of knowing Venus’s identity, Mercury stroking the unconscious Usagi’s face, Jupiter catching Usagi when she collapsed and then holding her.
• Why was Zoisite being punished along with Kunzite? Kunzite is obvious but Zoisite wasn’t even there. Did she learn about his deal with Venus? If so, how exactly? If not, then was it just because she knows he is against her?
• I wonder at Beryl’s choice of Nephrite as the one to kill in order to get Mamoru’s co-operation considering he was her most ardent supporter. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to get rid of one of the troublemakers – Zoisite or Kunzite – instead? Her smirk when he fell – hmm. There was a lot of contempt there. I wonder if she sees her former self in him? All indications seem to lean to past Beryl having been completely devoted/head-over-heels for Endymion despite him never giving her the time of day. I wonder if she saw in Nephrite’s devotion to her, her devotion to Endymion? Going further – could she see in her disdain for Nephrite what she thus thinks Endymion thought of her, which instead of causing hatred for Endymion instead made her hate herself more, and for her to push that hate on Nephrite? In fact Beryl didn’t actually have to kill him since Mamoru was listening to her based on just her threatening them. I think she killed him because she wanted to.
• I wish that we’d gotten a Mercury reaction shot to Nephrites death. She was shocked along with the other Senshi but based on past episodes I think that she should have gotten a separate reaction shot. I mean the last time she saw Nephrite was when he saved her life.
• I loved the glimpse we got of young Beryl and I hope we get more flashbacks of everyone. The most interesting part of that (besides Endymion and Serenity kissing) was the fact that Beryl appeared to be the same age as Endymion and Serenity and not older as she is now. Is the current Beryl a re-incarnation like everyone else or is this the same Beryl, who lived in the Dark Kingdom since that time, aging ever so slowly? Hmm. Beryl tells him that it’s been ‘tens of thousands of years’... that is a hell of a long time to live. That’s a hell of a long time to stay obsessed with the same person.
• Kunzite managing to will himself free of Beryl’s control and then using that freedom to immediately – try to kill the person trying to save him. Sigh. That is so Kunzite. He is so stubborn and he really knows how to hold a grudge.
• I’m surprised that Mamoru didn’t transform into Endymion at any point while everything was happening. I would have thought he’d feel more secure in armour and with a weapon at the very least.
• The Senshi creating a shield, regardless of the fact that it was easily taken down and lasted really only a couple seconds, was very awesome and very intriguing. I want to see more of this type of thing. It’s making me think of the R movie and the five of the teleporting themselves to the asteroid and then of them teleporting themselves into the Dark Kingdom at the end of the first season. I’d love to see them do more stuff like that. Also it would have been nice if all of them had just automatically moved in front of Moon instead of waiting/needing Venus to tell them to protect her. Of course they’re going to protect her! We didn’t really need that as an example of how Venus is their leader.
• I am going to assume that the Shitennou’s attack on the senshi wasn’t only their power but was also the power of Metellia (since Beryl was controlling them) which is why it took the Senshi out so quickly and did so much damage to them.
• It was nice to see the Senshi arriving to a battle already transformed.
• I was surprised that Minako’s room was so empty. I would have expected it to have been full of flowers, cards and gifts from all her fans. In fact it was very weird that it wasn’t. I guess I could go with her manager having moved them back to her place while giving the flowers to others in the hospital? That seems like a Minako thing to do. Also where are all the reporters and the screaming/crying fans at the hospital? Her collapse was very public and probably caught on camera. There should have been more of a reaction.
• I hope that before the end of the series we get at least one Mamo-chan and Usako.
• Ikuko’s enthusiasm (and Shingo’s horror and disgust) at Usagi getting a boyfriend made me smile. Ikuko is adorable. I wonder though if she would be so supportive if she knew how much older Mamoru was? Actually how much older is he in this canon? He’s ready to go off to college so – 18? But is Usagi still 14?
