REVIEW: Sailor Moon Crystal 28
Daimons and witches and veiled threats, oh my! This episode is presented as Act 27 Part 2, which explains the purpose for one of this season’s two extra episodes. This week, Crystal delves a little deeper into the dark story line to come but there’s still plenty of fun. I must admit, I am feeling serious mood whiplash after recently re-watching the first two seasons. Previously the tone ranged from serious to ambivalent (read: bland) but the current tone is lighter hearted and closer to the 90’s anime than what I’ve grown to know as Crystal. I don’t totally mind this, but it also doesn’t feel like it should be considered Crystal anymore.
I see the changes especially evident in Mamoru and Usagi’s interactions: they’ve gone from seriously enamored with each other to almost an old married couple, with Mamoru often more inconvenienced by Usagi’s presence. But if Crystal does keep its earlier theme of “friendship love conquers all,” their interactions will likely grow tender again soon.
The episode opens with Usagi jealous of Chibiusa, who has made plans to go to an amusement park with Mamoru. It is less of a date and more of a babysitting gig, but sassy Chibiusa (who I find much more likable this season) is milking the situation for all the sweet future mother tears she can get. Usagi insists that she is going with them, but Mamoru reminds her that she is supposed to spend the day scouting the mysterious Mugen Academy. Fortunately for Usagi and unfortunately for Mamoru, the school happens to be close to the amusement park, both located in Sankakusu Delta.
While the girls are preparing for their scouting trip, villain Kaolinite scolds the Witches 5 for their last failure in battle. However, she is pleased that they have found the Sailor Senshi and she commands the witches to destroy them. After last episode, I question their competence. They turn out to be just as inept in this episode, which means that I can only hope that they die soon to make way for the better villains.
The next day, the Senshi make their way to Mugen Academy and immediately Rei, Ami and Mako can sense that something is wrong. The whole area surrounding the school has an unusual aura, the wind has an unnatural course, and space itself is distorted. Minako senses someone watching them, perhaps the same person who was watching their last battle.
At the same time, Mamoru is having a boring time at the amusement park until the child he should be babysitting goes missing: after losing her hat while riding a roller coaster, Chibiusa runs off to find it. Her search takes her straight to – you guessed it – Mugen Academy.
Mugen Academy is heavily guarded, so Usagi uses her transformation powers to turn into an academy student. Those red glasses are adorable, much like the reactions of the other girls as Usagi leaves them alone to explore by herself. Usagi is not a very convincing academy student, but lucky for her she does not have to search far to encounter a clue.
She and all of the characters soon hear and grow enchanted by the sound of violin music. When Usagi finds the source, the music stops and mystery begins. Michiru more or less threatens Usagi, while Haruka appears before the other girls and more or less threatens them. Their drastic personality changes shocks the Senshi, as does the question of how exactly they are getting in the couple’s way.
Chibiusa’s search for her hat ends with her own special encounter, and the first extended appearance of Hotaru, who is visibly shaking and suffering. The cast is quickly reunited, just in time for the Witches 5 to make their disappointing appearance…the host they choose for their Daimon is a cat. That is definitely going to get them promoted! And I am definitely being sarcastic! The Witches 5 honestly believe that the cat will be the perfect vessel, under the excellent logic that it is "totally different" from the schoolgirl they targeted last time.
Usagi and the girls transform and fight, while Sailor Neptune and Uranus look on from the shadows. I am sad to say that this episode also includes all of the full-length transformations, an unfortunate waste of four minutes. After taking forever to transform, the gang protects Hotaru and defeats the Daimon in a fight that I enjoyed because all of the Senshi were useful. I also enjoyed Usagi’s cute and destructive Moon Spiral Heart Attack.
Following the battle, precious little Hotaru turns to Chibiusa and asks, “Who the hell are you?” - Suddenly reminding me of why I like the Outer Senshi. Usagi tries to explain the situation away, but Chibiusa openly admits their secret identities. After being cold for most of her appearance, Hotaru shows her soft side and heals Chibiusa’s battle wounds in a scene with particularly beautiful animation and emotion.
The episode ends with the Sailors Neptune and Uranus revealing themselves to the gang before flying off Tuxedo Mask-style. If Crystal follows the manga as closely as it has been lately, the duo won’t be revealing much else for at least a couple episodes. However, next week should give us a better glimpse at Hotaru and her family situation, two of the best aspects of the Infinity Arc.
