Sailor Moon Crystal Episode 11 [ Partners ]

Hello feelings, I did not need you! This episode quite clearly confronts the idea that Usagi loves Mamoru more than her friends. How? Mamoru returns, and now he is a puppet of the Dark Kingdom. His goal? To find the Princess and the Legendary Silver Crystal. He will stop at nothing and will use everyone in his path to reach this goal.

The most distinct part about this episode is actually Luna. I would not have been surprised if this episode was not about Mamoru, but instead titled ‘Luna’ or ‘Partners’ because the episode really does a wonderful job at showing you just how much Usagi loves her. In the original, which I have watched more times than I can count, it always felt more like Usagi saw her as a nagging mom. Here we see Usagi really cherishes her like a friend and a partner and that’s so heartwarming.

We got to see some really funny things in between the serious parts. If this were the old anime I could easily see them making the funny parts much longer. I think it does the job it meant to do and it makes me feel like they’re all close, but people also have to realize this anime actually spread out and expanded on things from the original manga. Volume one of the manga (Special edition) covered up to Venus, and the friendship stuff almost matches perfectly. Honestly I am way more fond of the way they all get along because they seem sympathetic even when things are hard. Usagi falls asleep? Mars isn’t calling her a lazy idiot anymore. Thank God.

The one who probably shines the most is Mako. In the episode we see that evil Mamoru has started to influence people and hypnotize them to get closer to people. Motoki is his main victim, as he’s replaced his best friend in his mind, and he is using the Arcade as a base. Finally we see something happen that did not happen in the original “Hey your hair looks like Sailor Moon’s, is that a popular hairstyle?” Like, FINALLY! Her hair is so weird it’s hard not to notice she looks EXACTLY like Sailor Moon!

How does Mako shine? When she sees Usagi is being manipulated by this Mamoru look alike she is like “oh hell no” and confronts them at night. Being she is so strong I can’t blame her for thinking she could do it, but she gets hypnotized and lures everyone into a trap with Mamoru and Motoki. She reveals the Legendary Silver Crystal and it immediately becomes an all out brawl for possession of it. In the brawl we see some really cool things worth noting. First off? Venus Love me Chain!!!!!

Another thing I am thrilled about is that now it’s not just one automatic attack that all the scouts have and once they do that they’re screwed. Now they all use their abilities really creatively and they manage to just all out fight for the Crystal, but we see that evil Mamoru has considerable power and gets the Crystal. He beckons for Sailor Moon until the greatest part of the episode is when Luna tells her to fight, but then says “I’ve hurt you, but I understand you now. I know who you truly love, and that we’re partners!”

Luna attacks and is thrown to the side. In a furious rage, Usagi declares that is not Mamoru and purifies everyone in the room. Of course that is not enough to fix him, but after a moment we see that he has given the Crystal to someone. . .Beryl, who has appeared to kill them all.

There was such a nice reminder this episode that Usagi loves everyone around her. She couldn’t comprehend why everyone was fighting Tuxedo Mask and so blue screened, but once her precious nakama was hurt she understood the truth- this is not Tuxedo Mask. The unfortunate truth of the end of the episode is. . it is him. She knows she has to fight him. . .and unfortunately this might be their new fate.

I love this adaptation. I don’t even know what to say about it other than that! Other than the lack animated 2-d transformations, this is a perfect adaptation I can’t wait to own. I wish it aired more frequently but what are you going to do? I’m going to sob that’s what. This episode hurt. I want happy feelings.