Animation Sailor Moon: Crystal

[X Knight]

In the old anime, Serenity didn't commit suicide. Both she and Endymion were killed in front of the Moon palace by the Dark Kingdom.

Zoisite and Kunzite were definitely lovers in the old anime, but I think that was an original concept to that anime. It was always planned for the Four Heavenly Kings to be the lovers and counterparts of the Sailor Soldi--Guardians, but that never really panned out in the manga for some reason.

see. I never knew that. that's why it was a surprise to me when they revealed that in this ep.

 

[Manic]

There are apparently tons of parallels between Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. For example, I think Tuxedo Mask possessed a Gold Crystal as a counterpart to the Silver Crystal, but they gave it to Pegasus in the old anime for some reason.

 

[Leenie]

sooo.....wait.....

Spoiler

the 4 generals were not only Endymion's protectors ( making them the counterparts to the Sailor Guardians protecting Serenity ), but they were also the lovers of their respective counterparts??!!

So......who's supposed to match up with who?

And I guess they've been alluding to that throughout the series. Like when Mars debuted, the general she fought was struck by her beauty. And I believe when Jupiter debuted, the general she fought made some comment on how she seemed familiar.

In the manga, Naoko Takeuchi originally wanted to pair the Sailor Guardians with the Four Kings, but never got to explore it due to time constraints. Apparently she has a lot of say in this new anime, so I think she finally was able to do it.

As for the pairings, it's Mercury/Zoisite, Mars/Jadeite, Jupiter/Nephrite, and Venus/Kunzite. And yes, there was quite a bit of foreshadowing in Mars' first episode with Jadeite, and in Jupiter's first episode with Nephrite. Jadeite shows clear attraction to Mars (commenting on how attractive she is), and Nephrite recognizes Jupiter's eyes. I guess there was also some foreshadowing with Venus in Act 8, when she keeps telling Kunzite that he isn't acting like himself (but there wasn't any romantic foreshadowing in that case).

In the manga, it is revealed that the Four Kings are Endymion's guardians, but their reborn selves are killed by the Sailor Guardians in battle (and they are killed off rather quickly). In the 1990's anime, Zoisite and Kunzite are lovers, and Naru falls in love with Nephrite. In the live action drama, Mercury and Nephrite have something going on.

So yeah, lots of different interpretations of these villains!

 

[Primal Slayer]

Yeah for some reason they made promotional pics back in the day but never did anything with it in the Manga.

 

[X Knight]

In the manga, Naoko Takeuchi originally wanted to pair the Sailor Guardians with the Four Kings, but never got to explore it due to time constraints. Apparently she has a lot of say in this new anime, so I think she finally was able to do it.

As for the pairings, it's Mercury/Zoisite, Mars/Jadeite, Jupiter/Nephrite, and Venus/Kunzite. And yes, there was quite a bit of foreshadowing in Mars' first episode with Jadeite, and in Jupiter's first episode with Nephrite. Jadeite shows clear attraction to Mars (commenting on how attractive she is), and Nephrite recognizes Jupiter's eyes. I guess there was also some foreshadowing with Venus in Act 8, when she keeps telling Kunzite that he isn't acting like himself (but there wasn't any romantic foreshadowing in that case).

In the manga, it is revealed that the Four Kings are Endymion's guardians, but their reborn selves are killed by the Sailor Guardians in battle (and they are killed off rather quickly). In the 1990's anime, Zoisite and Kunzite are lovers, and Naru falls in love with Nephrite. In the live action drama, Mercury and Nephrite have something going on.

So yeah, lots of different interpretations of these villains!

ah, thanks!! I like the way they are going in this new anime series. makes the 4 Kings more than just one dimensional evil henchman.

and Kunzite seems to be the "leader" of the 4 Kings, right? makes sense to pair him with Venus, then.

and that's another thing I didn't know. that Venus is the "leader" of the Guardians.

I didn't know the backstory, so I always assumed Sailor Moon was the leader. which, I guess, in the new formation, she technically is.

but in terms of their role as protector of the Princess, I like that Venus is the head of the group.

oh, and I always thought/assumed that Queen Beryl was the "great evil," too.

 

[Manic]

Beryl's is kind of a sad story. From what I understand, she was in love with Endymion back during the Silver Millennium as well, but he never knew because he was in love with Serenity. I always got the impression that Beryl cut a Faustian deal with Metallia so that she could rule the Earth with Endymion.

There's an episode in the old anime titled "The Legendary Lake Yokai: The Bond of Usagi's Family" (the one where Usagi takes a camping trip with her family) that parallels Beryl's story with a lake monster that used to be a bitter young maiden.


It's a shame DiC's old dub cut out what little backstory there was in the old anime in favor making everyone one-dimensionally evil, from an evil universe.

 

[Leenie]

VizMedia posted four new preview clips of the dub on their YouTube channel. I'll post two of them here.

Sailor Jupiter Arrives:
[YT]dHcaJUCqQME[/YT]

Minako Cheers Up Usagi:
[YT]PfFJXr0vtrU[/YT]

I love Jupiter's new English voice. Love it, love it, love it. I'm happy! Apparently the new VA said that she drew inspiration from all of the different voices she heard for Jupiter while watching the show as a kid (and she grew up watching the show in several different languages, mainly in English and German). I hear a little bit of Susan Roman in her new voice, actually! Susan Roman's voice for Jupiter was among the better ones in the DiC dub, but she still sounded a bit too old for my liking. This new voice takes some of the toughness from Roman's voice, while sounding younger and more feminine (which is key for Makoto; she's strong and tough, but still very feminine and graceful).

I need to listen to more of Venus before I come to a decision. I like what I heard just fine, but it doesn't really stand out, which is kind of how I feel about Mercury's new English voice actress. Moon, Mars, and Jupiter are the best voices, methinks.

 

[TheDreamMaster]

So I'm finally catching up on Crystal. I've been holding off for a while as to not make the wait so long for myself, at least through part 1, and I'm only up to the third episode, but I'm really loving it so far.
I also picked up the DVD release of Season 1 Part 1 of the 90's anime. Haven't gotten around to watching it yet though.

Lastly, I decided tot take some pictures of my Figuarts, since others have shown some of their collections. Sadly my phone didn't want to focus right so they could be better.

Spoiler

And for the hell of it

Spoiler

 

[TheDreamMaster]

Also, just going to leave this here:

 

[Leenie]

So I'm finally catching up on Crystal. I've been holding off for a while as to not make the wait so long for myself, at least through part 1, and I'm only up to the third episode, but I'm really loving it so far.
I also picked up the DVD release of Season 1 Part 1 of the 90's anime. Haven't gotten around to watching it yet though.

Lastly, I decided tot take some pictures of my Figuarts, since others have shown some of their collections. Sadly my phone didn't want to focus right so they could be better.

Spoiler

And for the hell of it

Spoiler

I've had some issues with Crystal in the past (particularly with episodes 2-4), but the show has really come into its own since. The past two episodes in particular have been excellent, in my opinion!

Also, great collection! Loving the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Zyuranger figures, too! I've been thinking about getting one of the Pink Ranger at some point (childhood memories; she was my favorite when I was a kid).

Also, just going to leave this here:

This may be the most amazing piece of fanart that I have ever seen. I've seen the girls before, but not Stan as Tuxedo Mask! That's hilarious! And Sailor Rose with the sock puppet ... Amazing. I also recognize Sailor Blanche's outfit! There was an episode where Blanche dieted so she could take a picture of herself wearing her old wedding dress ... And yes, that was the wedding dress. "Why not a red wedding dress? Me in white? Even *I* wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face!"

The Golden Girls is one of my most favorite TV shows of all time, I kid you not. I've seen every episode well over a dozen times, probably more. So yeah, this is fantastic.

 

[Slushy]

Episode 11

Spoiler

PROS:

I didn't know Amy's family was a baller. Nice pad she had!

Darien's sword is poisonous and can break diamond!

We needed an Admiral Ackbar cameo once the Sailors met Evil Darien to say his famous line.

That cliffhanger.


CONS:

Darien has a super-hypnosis power? WTF?

Evil Darien should've been wearing his armor again instead of the tuxedo. Looks badass like that.

I don't think the final battle will place in Antarctica this time.

 

[Manic]

If Sailor Venus does what I think she's going to do in the next episode ([blackout]stab Beryl with the Moon Sword[/blackout]), I'm going to cheer.

If we're closing in on the final showdown, I wonder what role the Four Heavenly Kings will play. They were all dead by this point in both the manga and old anime.

It was nice to see Rei nag Usagi a little. She's usually so damn zen & calm in this anime. It's easy to forget she's there half the time.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I liked the episode, especially the music. But I gots to say, of all the episodes they decide to waste practically 2/3 mins for transformations/speeces, WTF. I am beyond tired of everyone who isnt Sailor Moon getting their butts kicked, it was not cool to not let us see Lita at least fight Tuxedo before succumbing to his powers, would've made it a lot better. Though what little fight they did manage to get in was nice. And it was nice to see Mercury use her powers on the defensive again. Also Rei fnally spoke up!

 

[Leenie]

The highlights for me in Act 11 were definitely Sailor Venus and Luna. I love that we got to see some of Minako's comedic side at the beginning, and then see her be serious and commanding in battle. And as for Luna, she tugged at my heartstrings.

I am also glad that we got to see a little bit of Rei nagging Usagi. She wasn't hot tempered about it like in the 90's anime, but she was just requesting that Usagi be a bit more reserved. That fits Rei's personality in the manga, so I'm glad we're seeing SOME personality from her.

On the "con" side, though, I agree that it's getting a little bit tiresome to see all of the Senshi get their butts handed to them before Sailor Moon saves everyone. I don't mind the Senshi losing their battles, but don't make them fail right away!

I also would have liked to have seen some more confrontation between Makoto and Mamoru.

 

[Silvermoth]

Does anyone know when the english sub will be avaliable on blurry/DVD? I've seen one episode and I'm dying for more

 

[Primal Slayer]

Of Crystal? Most likely not until early 2016.

 

[Leenie]

I don't think the United States will see a Blu-Ray release of Sailor Moon Crystal until after all of the 90's anime is released, which will probably be sometime in 2016.

I am really crossing my fingers that the Blu-Ray we'll get are the really nice ones being released in Japan. Those Blu-Rays have a lot of reanimated scenes so that the wonky stuff doesn't look wonky anymore.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Of course we are going to get the blu-rays that Japan has, they arent going to make their own. Now as far as packaging, that will most likely be different but we will get the same reanimated scenes and all that jazz.

 

[Silvermoth]

Of Crystal? Most likely not until early 2016.

Oh no! That's so far away!

 

[Primal Slayer]

Just got done watching the episode.....it was horrendous to watch on so many levels, I think this is my least favorite episode of the series. We litterly spend the entire episode with Sailor Moon crying "Mamo-chan! Mamo-Chan!" if I took a drink everytime she said his name, I would be so drunk it would not even be funny.

Lets not even talk about how they not only watered down Beryls death but they took away one of Venus's most iconic moments as a character in any adaption, but they gave it to Sailor Moon. Ridiculous.

And keeping the 4 generals alive? Served what purpose exactly? Just so we can see the Inners get their butt kicked again and be useless as usual? Then they manage to heal them and BOOM! DEAD. I expected them to die but I thought it would actually be a better death. I was hoping we would get an epic battle between the two teams and the Inners would be forced to kill them, but we got none of that.

Oh then we jump back to Sailor Moon who yells for "Mamo-chan!" some more, slashes him then decides to turn the sword on herself.....

I am just so disappointed to think that nothing here is even an improvment on the original anime since the original anime managed to do all of this better.

Praying that the final episode for this arc delivers but my hopes arent high.

 

[Leenie]

I thought that there were some good parts to this episode, but the bad stuff definitely overshadows anything good, so I don't care to mention the small stuff I liked. This might be my least favorite episode of Sailor Moon Crystal so far as well.

Beryl's death ... Toei dropped the ball BIG TIME on this one. This show tends to love to take away the Senshi's badass moments, water them down, and then give them to Sailor Moon. It makes me question why there are other Senshi in the first place if the show only lets Sailor Moon do anything? I also find that Sailor Moon is even more of a dainty little crybaby than she was in the original anime. As the Sailor Team is being zapped by Beryl, all Sailor Moon can do or say is "Mamo-Chan, why aren't you rescuing me?!" In big battles like this, Sailor Moon would NEVER say crap like this! If this were the 90's anime, she'd be shouting "Everyone! Don't die! Please let my friends go!" Also, her constantly shouting for Mamoru's rescue is completely contradictory to the message of Sailor Moon Crystal's theme song, "Moon Pride." *facepalm*

The setup for Beryl's death was freaking awesome, with Venus about to charge at her with the sword, and then what actually happened felt like a slap in the face to all of the Sailor Moon fans who were very much looking forward to this scene. The second Beryl used her force field so that Venus couldn't kill her, I just KNEW they were going to give the sword to Sailor Moon. Also, the show definitely did water down the violence with Beryl's death, which I don't understand at all. Briefly showing and hinting at freaking SUICIDE is a-ok, but the good guy killing the bad guy is crossing the line of violence? What the hell, show?!

And what happened with the Generals was one of the lamest cop outs ever. This big build up, and then Metallia ultimately kills them in a split second? We didn't even see the Senshi use their individual attacks once in this scene, which is so lame! I expected the Generals to die, but due to an epic battle with the Inner Senshi. We got none of that here, so I'm thinking it would have been much better if the Generals had been one-shot villains like in the manga, after all. At least the Inner Senshi killed the Generals in the manga, showing how badass and powerful they are.

Disappointed doesn't even begin to cover this episode for me. And that makes me sad, because I've been freaking rooting for this show.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Crystal has been ok but ultimately it is my least favorite adaption of the Manga. Manga/OG Anime/Crystal, in that order. If I watched the live action series, it would be ahead of Crystal.

And seeing this just puts in to perspective what is wrong with this episode, with the changes they did, they should've changed it to be more emotional all around.

 

[Slushy]

Act 12

PROS:

Spoiler

- Beryl's origins revealed

CONS:

Spoiler

- Beryl's hair attack

- Beryl dies anti-climatically when Sailor Moon breaks her necklack. REALLY?!!

- The Generals survived this long only to die by an energy blast from Metallia in jobber fashion.

- If I had a drink for every time, Serena said "Mamo Chan", I'd be in the hospital getting my stomach pumped.

Stupid fu**ing episode! Not looking forward to the Season Finale at all. Crystal had so much potential and its been a disaster!

 

[Leenie]

Crystal has been ok but ultimately it is my least favorite adaption of the Manga. Manga/OG Anime/Crystal, in that order. If I watched the live action series, it would be ahead of Crystal.

And seeing this just puts in to perspective what is wrong with this episode, with the changes they did, they should've changed it to be more emotional all around.

This scene from the 90's anime is my single favorite scene of the entire series.

Man, the two final episodes of the first season were so great. A few years ago, I watched these episodes, and my brother was around. He's far from being a fan of Sailor Moon, but after seeing those two episodes, I remember him telling me something alone the lines of "I can totally see why you love this show. This is deeper than I thought it was."

 

[Havok83]

Just like that Beryl is dead? What a letdown. The final battle in the original series was so much more epic in terms of scale and musical score. Really more emotional too, especially in terms of growth Sailor Moon as a character was forced to develop