M&M DreamWorks: Sailor Moon Crystal Spotlight: Act 08 Recap!

Sailor V is here! Act 8 of Sailor Moon Crystal concludes the introduction phase with a decent but not overly spectacular performance.

After all the introduction/character episodes, it was finally time for the last of the Senshi (at least from the Inners). Of course, this act was not just another introduction episode but also a bridge towards the main part of the story. After several ups and downs in the last episodes, Sailor Moon Crystal manages to get a little better again, but for various reasons this act is somewhat hard to judge.

Technical Performance

Firstly, the same pictures were used in the beginning of the episode just as they were at the end of the last. Including the mistake with the different costume for Sailor V within a few frames. What was quite sloppy last time, now borders on impertinence and feels like a slap in the face of everyone paying a little attention to these things.

To rate the transformation sequence now is problematic since it seems this one was a bit of a mix between V and Venus. However, the sequence is animated rather fluently. Both the ribbons and exploding stars are a nice touch, yet it remains to be seen whether that will change or not later.

On the other hand, this act presents us with an absolute rarity in magical girl anime. A retransformation! An event so rare to be considered a museum's piece. And yes, I am aware it was like that in the manga, however, it's still a rarity.

Characters

Minako's character, especially considering the situation, has been well captured. The seriousness and habit to act alone which she has developed as Sailor V are strongly reflected in this episode. The changed plot of the second half of this episode actually fits Minako rather well at this point of the story, even if it came at the cost of the only interaction between the girls outside their Senshi identities.

I am aware that Minako appears rather cold and distant. However, as a long-time fan of her character – and especially her manga character – I think it fits wonderfully. After what she experienced as Sailor V and her already awakened memories, keeping a distance from the others makes a lot of sense. One should remember, this is the first meeting and Minako has been dependent on only herself for a long time. This will obviously change in time.

There is nothing to be criticized about Shizuka Itou's performance as seiyuu. In fact Minako's character as it is now has been portrayed rather fittingly. It remains to be seen how later situations (after this arc) will be handled.

Practical Performance

The trend to change the battle scenes continues, however, this time definitely for the better after the often horrendous scripting of the last episodes. As was already mentioned, the change to have Minako being challenged alone and having her act somewhat distanced from the others works well. Unfortunately therein also lies a problem.

Because the scene with the five girls talking is now missing, this serves to sacrifice one of the most characterizing lines in the manga. To be specific, Rei's comment about Usagi losing her intelligence when she is not transformed. I always found this line rather characteristic for Sailor Moon. Not such because of the insult but because of the implied reversed implication that Usagi is actually the opposite in battle. The strong, serious warrior as such stands as the trademark of the manga and in opposition to her version in the old anime. It's a shame that this page had to be sacrificed.

Other than that there are no noteworthy changes. The different starting scenario (with Tuxedo Mask on the ground and not outside of the battle ground) was handled well enough and the rest stays close to the manga. Even the battle in itself was only changed in minor ways and the important points all stay albeit with a slightly different execution. As such it might be better to say the lead up towards the battle scene changed this time and not the actual battle (not as much at least).

Conclusion

It is really hard to judge this episode. On one hand the changed buildup towards the showdown was good for Minako's character development/presentation but on the other hand this caused the sacrifice of the only interaction before the big revelation and the content of the missing dialogue is also sorely missed. Then there is also the technical no-no at the beginning. Aside from that though there isn't much to complain. It could have been better but all in all I'm satisfied. No more, no less. How about you?

Score: 4/5