Finally...after two years of waiting, it begins. The new Sailor Moon: Crystal is finally airing and I couldn't be more excited! Sailor Moon has always had a special Nostalgic spot in my heart. So now that the first episode is out...how do I feel? Just as excited as I did watching episode 1 of the series way back when I was a kid.
Now the first episode of Crystal is much like the episode from the classic. Usagi wakes up, runs out habitually late for school...and in the process comes across Luna. Unlike the classic series where she finds a group of bully boys abusing her, Usagi accidentally steps on her. I rather like this change, just because I cant stand animal abuse and using it as a point to move the plot along is rather offensive. Accidentally stepping on Luna because Usagi wasn't paying attention to what she was doing to me was a much better choice.
Of course Usagi makes to school...late as usual and ends up having to stand in the hall where she decides to eat. Ms. Haruna catches her, and of course yells at her, holding up a test that Usagi had taken and failed with a thirty percent. which is the kiss of death in Japanese culture. Before she returns home her and Naru and a few other friends visits the Jewelry store Naru's mother owns.
She meets the Mamaru character there, who is his cocky self...and wearing a tuxedo? The exact tuxedo that he wears as Tuxedo Mask... I found this choice to be a little bit of a plot problem. Why? Its because it makes him too easy to recognize by the characters. The audience is going to be well aware of who he is of course...but there's no mystery there. Sure it may take a bit for Usagi to catch on cause she's kind of dense, but the other scouts were always very perceptive. If he shows up like that when they come into play, wont they catch on when he shows up as Tuxedo Mask in battle. I mean all he has is a mask and a top hat to add, otherwise the cloths are exactly the same
On leaving the Jewelry store, Usagi realizes that she doesn't have enough for anything and with her failing grade, she wont be able to ask her mother for anything. She returns home where her mother finds out about this failing grade. Her mother kicks her out for a short time.
Later on, Naru's mother is shown not to be her mother but instead an agent of the Dark Kingdom sent by Queen Baryl to collect energy thats later to be given to the sleeping ruler of the Dark Kingdom
Interestingly...Queen Baryl is not yet reveled! I thought this was interesting since she's clearly in the credits and would have made more sense, but at the same time I kind of see what they are doing. building up for the reveal of the Dark Queen. its only the first episode so I'm really looking forward to seeing how this version plays out.
Returning home came with the returning of Luna, reviealing to Usagi that she is a Sailor Soldier, and that she is to fight the growing crime in the city and is to find the princess that would bring peace. Thinking its a dream Usagi rolls over and pretends to be asleep. Luna then gives her that fateful broach. And tells her to say "Moon Prism Power Make Up!" which Transforms her into Sailor Moon.
I have to say it: The transformation sequence in this is stunning. Less reveling than the original but at the same time so much more involved. the animation is stunning! Just exactly what it should be, while at the same time giving a very nice call back to the original transformation animation. Its just beautiful!
Sailor Moon shows up in time to to rescue Naru and her mother and destroy the evil monster. Usagi still thinks its a dream until she shows up wide eyed and bushy tailed at school, and overhears the other girls talking about exactly what she did the night before. Realizing it was not a dream she looks worried about whats going to happen next as she looks out the window at a blue haired girl realizing that its about to rain, and then running off...which is obviously foreshadowing the next Sailor Scout to show up.
All in all, I loved it! It was good to see new Sailor Moon up on the screen again! And I cant wait for the next episode which will air on the first and third Saturday of every month on Hulu. Thank God DIC or Saban didn't get their grubby hands on this or the premiere would have been awful. We'll see how this series goes, but so far I'm really liking it.
No comments:
Post a Comment