I don't know whose idea it was to make this a bi-weekly series, but I don't like those people right now. For while it certainly keeps the sense of nostalgia alive, it is so frustrating! Though with the possibility of each episode introducing a sailor scout, for now, at the very least there is something exciting to expect in the next few episodes. But, I must say, seeing how quick the battles are reminds me of the one thing I liked more about Dragon Ball Z when this and DBZ were back to back on Toonami.
Topic 1: The 4 Kings - Jadeite
Being that it has been years since I last attempted to watch the entire series, naturally I feel a bit lost here and there due to names. But it seems that as much as the show sometimes remakes shot for shot, they are redoing pieces of the program as well. For example, we are introduced to Queen Beryl in this episode and unlike the original Sailor Moon she comes off far less fearsome. Especially since there aren't hundreds of minions who seem ready to step up to impress her, instead her chambers are empty and she looks like a queen with nothing more than an empty castle. A critique that extends to Jadeite for even with his proclamation that he is one of the 4 kings of the Dark Kingdom, I continue to feel like I should revise how royals should be perceived. If just because both seem like people vying for the throne more than two people who have their seat already.
Topic 2: One Less Lonely Girl - Ami
If you thought Ami was sort of sad and depressing in the original, you may end up crying in this episode. For while they don't have her bullied or anything like that, she does seem so ostracized that when she and Usagi get together it warms your heart. Leading to me talking about the moment which may make you cry a little: as we know Ami is highly intelligent to the point where she thinks all she can do is study hard and make good grades, but with her meeting Usagi she makes what maybe her first genuine friendship. Of which their sailor scout pens, which they get this episode, solidify their bond. And when Ami is the victim of this week's monster who is absorbing the energy teens put into study, she takes and flings Ami's pen which she sees as a distraction. Which led to the moment where I was tearing up since moments after that pen was thrown, Ami was going after that pen brainwashed or not. Showing that as much as Ami finds studying important, and becoming smart enough to be a doctor like her mom, the importance of her new friendship with Usagi trumped all that. Making me feel that this episode, and perhaps series, may be far more invested in developing the scouts than the original. If just because the episode, over the course of 20 some odd minutes, really builds Ami as a character pass what I remember from the original version's introduction.
Topic 3: A New Power, a New Pen, and a New Friend! – Usagi and Ami
In the episode Usagi gets the pen which allows her to change her outfit after Ami gets her transformation pen and, as noted, this helps seal their bond. But I must say that with Usagi's story in the episode being placed in Ami's shadow, it did make me want to skip over what hopefully doesn't become a routine of the show. For, as I may have mentioned, between how long it takes Usagi to become Sailor Moon and how anti- climactic the fights are, I really don't think the battles she has with minions are really worth going over. After all, outside of her learning a new trick, or the first time a new scout uses their attack, like Ami with her mist attack, there is nothing of interest to really say. Sailor Moon gets into a battle and gets overwhelmed; some third party helps, of which said third party is usually Tuxedo Mask; then she uses her tiara for now, scepter later, and then the fight is over. Sounds boring, but pretty much that maybe what the series holds unfortunately.
Topic 1: The 4 Kings - Jadeite
Being that it has been years since I last attempted to watch the entire series, naturally I feel a bit lost here and there due to names. But it seems that as much as the show sometimes remakes shot for shot, they are redoing pieces of the program as well. For example, we are introduced to Queen Beryl in this episode and unlike the original Sailor Moon she comes off far less fearsome. Especially since there aren't hundreds of minions who seem ready to step up to impress her, instead her chambers are empty and she looks like a queen with nothing more than an empty castle. A critique that extends to Jadeite for even with his proclamation that he is one of the 4 kings of the Dark Kingdom, I continue to feel like I should revise how royals should be perceived. If just because both seem like people vying for the throne more than two people who have their seat already.
Topic 2: One Less Lonely Girl - Ami
If you thought Ami was sort of sad and depressing in the original, you may end up crying in this episode. For while they don't have her bullied or anything like that, she does seem so ostracized that when she and Usagi get together it warms your heart. Leading to me talking about the moment which may make you cry a little: as we know Ami is highly intelligent to the point where she thinks all she can do is study hard and make good grades, but with her meeting Usagi she makes what maybe her first genuine friendship. Of which their sailor scout pens, which they get this episode, solidify their bond. And when Ami is the victim of this week's monster who is absorbing the energy teens put into study, she takes and flings Ami's pen which she sees as a distraction. Which led to the moment where I was tearing up since moments after that pen was thrown, Ami was going after that pen brainwashed or not. Showing that as much as Ami finds studying important, and becoming smart enough to be a doctor like her mom, the importance of her new friendship with Usagi trumped all that. Making me feel that this episode, and perhaps series, may be far more invested in developing the scouts than the original. If just because the episode, over the course of 20 some odd minutes, really builds Ami as a character pass what I remember from the original version's introduction.
Topic 3: A New Power, a New Pen, and a New Friend! – Usagi and Ami
In the episode Usagi gets the pen which allows her to change her outfit after Ami gets her transformation pen and, as noted, this helps seal their bond. But I must say that with Usagi's story in the episode being placed in Ami's shadow, it did make me want to skip over what hopefully doesn't become a routine of the show. For, as I may have mentioned, between how long it takes Usagi to become Sailor Moon and how anti- climactic the fights are, I really don't think the battles she has with minions are really worth going over. After all, outside of her learning a new trick, or the first time a new scout uses their attack, like Ami with her mist attack, there is nothing of interest to really say. Sailor Moon gets into a battle and gets overwhelmed; some third party helps, of which said third party is usually Tuxedo Mask; then she uses her tiara for now, scepter later, and then the fight is over. Sounds boring, but pretty much that maybe what the series holds unfortunately.
