Sailor Moon Crystal Ep 22 [ The Queen and The Crystal ]

Today on Sailor Moon Crystal HLLFDKJGHLFKDJGHKL. First off I’m finally super glad that I did not read any of the manga for this arc because watching this part of the anime blind was a complete treat. It was absolutely wonderful this episode because as far as I remember in the original anime Sailor Moon while being objectified and abused by Demande was actually saved by Tuxedo Mask, but the circle of events is quite different now. Oh no, this episode we see some differences.

Incidentally, I both love and hate the way Crystal says their names. I’m used to just Diamond and Saphire and Emerald, and I don’t know if it’s just the sub. It’s hard for me to hear if they’re actually saying it correctly and I’m not familiar enough with the manga to know what Naoko Takeuchi wanted, so I’ve just been going with the hipster versions of the gem names, woops.

What’s great about this episode is two fold: While Chibi-Usa has gone mysterious darkside on us she provides an absolutely creepy shadow villain. No really, Chibi-Usa is terrifying in this form and for now she’s not even truly revealed. Second off, we finally get to see Usagi be useful again! The good thing about Crystal is when Usagi fails she will always come back fifteen times as amazing and prove always that the Legendary Silver Crystal reacts to her heart. One thing I really appreciate is that emotions are not seen as weakness here. You can be completely feminine, completely emotional, cry- and still be absolutely powerful.

Sailor Moon regains the power of the crystal through the emotional reaction of being blamed for all the destruction. This brings tears to her eyes and awakens the power in her heart. It was so heartbreaking for her to say ‘This is all because. . . I exist?’ The one truly unique thing about magical girl shows and Sailor Moon in general is the different types of strength you can see in girls. Usagi is the leader and amazingly strong but she doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of what makes her a girl, yet at the same time Jupiter is no more or less valid for being a tall girl who can physically dominate. Each girl has their own form of being feminine and being a girl and they’re all better for it. I can’t wait for Sailor Moon S when we get further into that, with genderfluid Haruka and absolutely feminine Michiru who are beyond badass. Sailor Moon goes above and beyond to show that no matter how you use your strength, the strength is inside you.

Another thing I love? This episode we see a glimpse of Neo Queen Serenity. In the original anime one thing I absolutely detested was in Sailor Moon S there was an episode devoted to making fun of future! Usagi as still stupid to show ‘Usagi never changed’. Maybe this was just the dub but seeing as it was in S I don’t know if they actually drastically changed it. The whole joke was Usagi’s future self was still illiterate and couldn’t write, but the Neo Queen Serenity we see here is well spoken and has an amazing presence to show the person Usagi will one day become.

Usagi rescues the Sailor Senshi with the power of the crystal and I had such a nostalgia call because they finally had to condense the transformations again, do you know how very Sailor Moon it is to have transformations condensed? It makes me feel all the feels. After she releases the Sailor Senshi Wiseman shows up and actively kills Rubeus for trying to leave, and tries to mind control Demande to kill Usagi and the others. What’s really awesome about this is that for once there didn’t need to be an epic Tuxedo Mask arrival for this to work out, Usagi broke through it on her own by reaching for her tiara. Everytime these girls get a power up I weep with everlasting joy.

Eventually Wiseman’s new accomplice and himself try to kill the Senshi in the core of the Malefic Black Crystal, but Neo Queen Serenity calls on Pluto to help them escape. However as lucky as they are to escape Wiseman knows they will return, because there are two very important things missing now. . .Tuxedo Mask has gone missing to find Chibi-Usa, who has become tainted by Wiseman’s power. They’ll have to come right back to Wiseman if they want to save either of them. . .

Times like these are when it’s horrible this show takes so very long to air. Can’t it be two weeks from now, or maybe four weeks from now instead? The very best part is this we’ll be getting a season 2. However, I remain on the side of people who are absolutely satisfied by Crystal. There are plenty of problems like the CG transformation scenes, but the music and voice acting is wonderful and I stand behind Crystal as a wonderful addition to the Sailor Moon fandom. This episode in particular was better than the original ever did for me, if my failing memory and lack of love for this season gives any indication.

See you in two weeks for some amazing stuff!

Oki