The 2014 series Sailor Moon crystal, the second attempt at an anime adaptation by Naoko Takeuchis Sailor Moon Manga, received mixed reactions from fans. It was a more faithful adaptation of the manga series than the popular ’90s anime adaptation, but its central characters, the Guardians of the Earth (aka Sailor Senshi), looked away. Sailor Pluto suddenly had lighter skin. The CGI transformations, where the characters shift into their overpowering forms, felt dated. And the muted tones lacked the brightly colored, brightly colored beauty that fans remembered from the 90s.
Until season 3 of Sailor Moon crystal, the CGI transformations were gone and the art style became less rigid and more playful. Now, five years later, Season 4 of the series is being presented on Netflix as a two-part film Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Filmternal, feels like a culmination of everything the makers have learned crystalthe original missteps. And it brings fans closer to the heart of what makes Sailor Moon so great.
Sailor Moon forever follows the dream arc of the manga in which the mysterious Dead Moon Circus arrives in Japan during a solar eclipse. Her ruler, Queen Nehelenia, seeks to conquer the world by keeping people trapped in nightmares, claiming the throne of the Kingdom of the Moon – known as the Silver Millennium – and ruling over the earth she believes rightly her belongs. But the title character Sailor Moon (or Usagi), her destiny Mamoru (also known as Tuxedo Mask), Chibiusa or Sailor Chibi Moon (Usagi’s and Mamoru’s future daughter, who has traveled to this day – yes, that’s one thing), and her confidants Friends and allies, the Sailor Guardians (named for their respective planets) have something to say about Nehelenia’s ambitions. At the same time, the Sailor Guardians encounter a human who became a unicorn Pegasus named Helios, who is looking for something called Golden Crystal and has eyes for Chibiusa.
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Image: Netflix
While the original anime of the 90s took liberties in adapting Takeuchi’s manga, such as completely changing the backstory of Queen Nehelenia, Sailor Moon forever is essentially an exact retelling of the dream arc. But even people who already know the manga may find the animated version fascinating as they have the opportunity to see things that are new in the animated Sailor Moon universe, like the full, elaborate transformation sequence of Sailor Saturn. However, the film often looks rushed, with a total running time of just 160 minutes compared to a typical 260-minute season of Sailor Moon crystal. Instead of a cohesive film, the two-part film often feels like a series of episodes strung together, which, to be fair, is laid out in the manga.
However, some of the charm of the 90s anime is still there. This is in part due to the return of Chiaki Kon, the series director for the third season of Sailor Moon crystal, and Kazuko Tadano, who directed character designs for the first two seasons of the 1990s anime and the 1993 anime Sailor Moon R: The movie. How she did it with crystal‘s third season Kon introduces a directing style that enables dynamic, beautiful scenes. With Tadano’s character designs, Sailor Moon forever helps create the best version of the crystal by giving the characters fresh looks in line with the incredible fashion that 90s anime is known for, such as Sailor Pluto’s mesh tank top and black shorts. But it also shows the characters in a way that is fun.
Thankfully, there are plenty of passed out romantic scenes and funny moments to make up for feeling like something is missing. The films alternate easily between comedic and serious moments. While Usagi and Mamoru compete for the “Make Your Face So My Partner Not Worried” award, some of the other guardians want their own romantic partners. In one scene, Rei (Sailor Mars) ventures that she would like to run her grandfather’s shrine “more efficiently”, and Mina (Sailor Venus) offers a solution with literal stars in her eyes – a “free husband-helper”. Makoto (Sailor Jupiter) and Mina go on to share how they want their own friends, but although passed out from the idea, they immediately become stoic when they are reminded that the villains may be making a move. “It’s about time,” says Sailor Mars. “Come on, we’re ready,” says Sailor Venus, while all the girls give a grim look.
The villains aren’t the only ones creating internal battles for the characters, however. As they fight villains and try to save the world, another monster sneaks in – Impostor Syndrome! As the film progresses, all inner Sailor Senshi (connected to the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter) are attacked by the Dead Moon Circus, who take advantage of their false fears and real insecurities.
One of the best examples is Sailor Venus, who, as the leader of the Inner Guardians, struggles with insecurity after losing her ability to transform. Their crisis escalates as the other members of the team keep spawning older, definitely cooler outer senshi who joined the team the previous season but have since disappeared. When Sailor Venus is attacked, the villains create a false dream scenario in which she can save children who are trapped on the roof of a building in what turns out to be a trap. But ultimately, her speaking buddy and best friend Artemis – seen here in human form for the first time – helps her regain her self-esteem and power. While Sailor Moon‘s storylines often revolve around romantic love, moments like this, about different types of love, are portrayed as just as important. In a fantastic, dreamy movie about fighting hideous villains, what’s special about the Sailor Moon series is the ability of its creators to ground them in real, everyday problems.
This story arc was also adapted into many Sailor Moon fans. least popular season of the original anime (although this season as Handsome soldier Sailor Moon SuperS, holds quite a bit of influence with Chibiusa stans). But in this more recent adaptation, the film keeps up with the rest of the franchise and does justice to the manga in a way that makes Sailor Moon fans swell with moon pride. Newbies to the Sailor Moon franchise may like this two-part movie, but they’re sure to find it confusing. There’s enough information to piece together a piece of the story, especially since it introduces a new villain – but ultimately it’s just like starting a show on season four.
But for fans, this return to form is normal business. Sailor Moon, the character and the show, demonstrate that when the characters’ forces are brought together, they become unstoppable because true power comes from the community. In his heart Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Filmternal it’s about overcoming evil with the power of love and friendship. And more is not possible Sailor Moon as the.
