There isn't much of an intro before the opening credits this time. This episode is actually very dense with information, but is also plagued by the same animation inconsistency we've seen before. Last week's episode was the best animated since the premiere, and this one takes a big shift in quality, and I must say, has a very weird sense of direction. You can kind of tell that they were SUPER cutting corners because of the weird holds on chins and necks, and how half the show is like that. There isn't a lot of 'animation' in this episode, but there's quite a bit of story. And the story is good! I just found the direction choice of weird stills to be a bit distracting.
Usagi is given the Moon Stick from the end of the last episode, and we go right into the opening credits. We then go to Mamoru waking up in his apartment, and parading around shirtless for all the fangirls (where are his nipples, though...? Stupid anime never drawing nipples...). He has a bad dream about an attack, and the shadowy princess asking about the Legendary Silver Crystal. We then go to Usagi, who is much more cheerful, as she greets Ami and Makoto. They're pretty surprised that she's up on time, but she says that she's been having bad dreams as well, and her dreams are similar to Mamoru's, except that she sees a shadowy warrior instead of a princess.
Annnndddd, then she totally slams into Mamoru. It's always Mamoru. Tokyo must become a small town REAL fast. Makoto teases Usagi about blushing over him, but then they're all distracted by the news report that Tuxedo Mask is going on a crime spree to get his hands on the Legendary Silver Crystal. He's doing this to gather as much information about it as he can. Can I just say that I LOVE that Usagi's mom is using a cat toy to play with Luna as the broadcast airs.
The report also reaches the Dark Kingdom (wow, that's some good reception - cross dimensional broadcasting!). It tickles me that Kunzie and Zoisite are standing close together (plllleeeeeaassseeeeeee keep them a couple). Beryl points out that they want the Silver Crystal too, and there's a long hold on how big her boobs are. Nephrite wants to go after the Senshi again, swearing revenge on Jupiter for DESTROYING his ass, but Zoisite is given the task. Him and Kunzite also have hilarious "oh no, he's talking again" looks on their faces. God, Zoisite looks gorgeous in this anime, but still masculine (unlike the 90's one) He's also apparently in charge of Europe. Okay there, Napoleon.
The girls meet at the arcade after hours (how does Luna use a key to get in?), and she tells them about the Princess from the Moon, and that the Legendary Silver Crystal has the power to destroy a planet, so they need to find it and protect it. While they're talking, Usagi's very upset about the idea of Tuxedo Mask being an enemy and won't believe it. She also thinks that the Sailor V game is talking to her, as she sees Sailor V using the Moon Stick in the game. The Sailor V sprite then tells Usagi to believe in herself. Luna also mentions that she's been sent from the Moon, and that they'll all understand everything when they awaken their memories completely. They wonder about Sailor V being a Guardian of Justice, but point out that she hasn't been seen much lately.
A report goes on the news with a Dr. Isono, who is an 'expert'. An expert on looking FABULOUS. Because it's totally Zoisite in drag. Yay! The report sends out brainwashing waves to make people go nuts trying to look for the Legendary Silver Crystal. Even Usagi's mom is affected, going into full on zombie mode. Then the whole city starts to rip itself apart in Legendary Silver Crystal mania. Okay, Zoisite's powers thus far make Nephrite and Jadeite look completely useless.
Back at the arcade at night, Luna shows the girls the underground research station she's been using, that's hidden under all the Sailor V arcade cabinets. The computers point out that all the evil energy is focused at a TV station. Luna thinks she underestimated Tuxedo Mask, and that all of this might be his doing (yeah right, he's not that competent), and Usagi flips. She says that Tuxedo Mask isn't their enemy because he's always coming to save her. Makoto and Luna are disapproving that it seems she's falling for him, and she runs off in a snit. She's just apparently running nowhere all through town, thinking of all the times that Tuxedo Mask came to save her.
Zoisite's persona is getting impatient with all the humans who can't do one single thing right like find the Legendary Silver Crystal, so she uses the TV waves to suck out all their energy (the most competent plan on the show thus far - hell, it's the most competent I've seen a villain in a while, including the 90's anime). Can you tell that I love Zoisite??? Say bye-bye to your energy humans. But, Luna and the Senshi (minus Sailor Moon) show up. Zoisite reveals himself, and he and the Senshi have a big drag down fight, which is intersected with scenes with Usagi.
As the girls are transforming, Usagi's been running around with no direction, and has tired herself out. She almost faints, but Tuxedo Mask is there to catch her. He apologizes for creating the whole mess, and points out that he did it to find out more about the Crystal since he doesn't have powers like the Senshi do. This is where the weird close up frames get REALLY distracting. It's like they blew their budget on the first half of the episode. Usagi admits that she also feels powerless, even though she's supposed to be the leader of a team. She knows that she has to protect everyone, but she feels she can't. But, she says that she'll just have to try harder, and looks to the skies. Things are looking pretty ominous with all the lightning and black clouds.
The girls are throwing their powers down on Zoisite, but he's dodging them all, until Mercury's bubbles turn into little water cannons. I love how organic their attacks are during this fight. There are no cut-scenes to power animations, and it makes the fight feel more alive. The girls charge their powers and tell Zoisite to say his last words, and chastise him for taking energy, but he says not to underestimate him, and knocks all the girls right on their asses and out of commission with one attack. With all of them nearly unconscious, and Usagi still watching from the sidelines, the skies open up, and Beryl appears to them. She's way sexier in this anime than she was in the 90's one.
Back to Usagi - she knows she needs to transform, but she doesn't want to do it in front of Tuxedo Mask. Wait... what? He came to her frickin' house and got her to come to where Makoto was in trouble last episode. True, he wasn't standing right there when she transformed, but wouldn't that lead one to believe that he knew she was Sailor Moon? Okay, okay, I know. This *is* Usagi we're talking about, but still! And she also just admitted in front of him that she was the leader of a team and felt powerless. Tuxedo Mask tells her to transform, giving away that he knows the truth.
Usagi points out that she doesn't have powers of mist, lightning, or fire like the other girls, saying that she's useless without Luna. Tuxedo Mask then takes her in his arms and points out that she has the special power to make everyone smile. She brought the best out in Ami, Rei, and Makoto, and they all feel stronger because of her. He gives her a boost of confidence that makes her feel 'warm and powerful'. I love that. In the old anime, that sort of thing may have been implied, but Usagi always did seem weak and needed Tuxedo Mask to tell her she could attack now in every episode. This time, the love she feels for him makes her stronger overall, and makes her realize how special she is, just like she made the other Senshi realize how special THEY are.
So, she transforms, and she is all kinds of BAMF as she flips onto the roof, Moon Stick at the ready. I don't know how she got there so fast, but she's looking pretty badass doing it all the same. Beryl threatens her, and Usagi admits she's a clumsy crybaby, but she wants to help everyone. She gets a flash of video game sprite V telling her she can do it, and so she uses the Moon Stick for the first time. We get an animation for Moon Healing Escalation (and it's way less involved than the 90's anime, but it's more badass). Usagi's face is set in determination, and Zoisite throws himself between Beryl and the attack. Zoisite's now unconscious, but Beryl retreats with him in her arms. Usagi then glides over the city and restores energy to everyone.
All that badassery makes Usagi weak, and she collapses. Tuxedo Mask is there again to catch her, and kisses her while she's unconscious (again). I think Usagi would like it if you kissed her WHILE SHE'S AWAKE, creeper. As he's kissing her, his moon phase watch falls onto her. He picks her up and carries her away. Usagi's inner monologue says that she's feeling more energized just by being near him, and that the feeling is so familiar, like she's felt it a hundred times before.
OMG OMG OMG OMG, SAILOR V ALERT. We only see her and Artemis for a brief second, but OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. Can you tell she's my fave? And I cannot WAIT to see her as a more competent soldier. I actually wish that Sailor Moon Crystal would do a mini season of Codename: Sailor V. That would RULE.
Ahem... anyway, back to the story. Usagi has a flash of her dream, of someone always calling her name. She wonders who he is, and wakes up in a strange bed (oh, you slut!). She wonders where she is, and the moon phase watch falls out of her clothes. It's broken now, when it wasn't at the beginning of the episode. It turns out that she's in Mamoru's apartment, and he appears in the room without his mask on, revealing himself to Usagi.
TO BE CONTINUED
Next episode - Chiba Mamoru - Tuxedo Mask. It looks like it will continue where we left off, learning more about Mamoru, his memory loss, and his desire for the Legendary Silver Crystal. Two weeks is too long to wait!
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