REVIEW: Sailor Moon Crystal 32
Full of memorable scenes and some of the best animation in the season, episode 32 of Crystal gives us some great plot advancement and eye candy. Surprisingly enough, the best part of this episode was the most capable member of the Witches 5, Tellu. I say this after mocking them and openly hoping for the Witches' quick demises, but Tellu actually delivered as a villain. Of course she was defeated after her silly monster plant plot goes awry, but she actually puts up a damn good, engaging fight first.
Tellu is in good company as one of the many highlights of this episode. We are shown an even darker side of Hotaru, who is bullied at school and finds herself afraid of her own lust for Chibiusa’s Legendary Silver Crystal. As one of the youngest Senshi, Hotaru has a disturbing past and her behavior in this episode foreshadows much worse for her future. Kaolinite’s discovery of the Silver Crystal and its powerful effects on Hotaru promises future trouble for the Senshi, especially Chibiusa. Usagi, who has been refreshingly skeptical and thoughtful this season, knows that something is wrong with Professor Tomoe and his creepy laboratory. Chibiusa, meanwhile, is simply trying to learn how to be a good friend to the reclusive future Sailor Saturn.
After a quick cameo in the last episode, the oldest Senshi, Sailor Pluto, awakens and ultimately saves the day by defeating Tellu with her Dead Scream attack. That she so easily destroys Tellu after even Sailor Moon’s finishing move fails is quite telling of her power. Speaking of which, after Sailor Moon fails, Sailor Chibi Moon finally acquires her moon rod and her Pink Sugar Heart Attack. This is a beautifully presented moment that immediately falls apart when Chibi Moon’s attack is easily deflected by Tellu. That was disappointing to say the least, but this was still a momentous occasion for Chibiusa, who is becoming a better character with every episode.
As a lover of both plants and plant-loving Sailor Jupiter, I was biased coming into the episode. However, the slight focus on Makoto was far from my favorite part of the episode. Compared to Sailor Mercury’s badass fight scene last week, Jupiter doesn’t do much beyond pretty quickly figuring out Tellu’s scheme and murdering an evil plant. However, I did like the focus on her struggles with romance (she still hasn't forgotten about Sempai!) Pluto steals the fight scene, which is set in a greenhouse filled with hundreds of shining pink flowers. It is by far the most aesthetically-pleasing fight scene at this point in the arc.
While Tellu was impressive for a Witches 5 villain, I am relieved that there is only one Witch left. With the arrival of Pluto and the increasingly worrisome physical and mental states of Hotaru, this arc is finally going to get darker and deeper into the actual plot, with more focus on Pharaoh 90 and on the Outer Senshi. I am excited, and this excitement is why I am so anxious to move on. At this point I honestly believe that this will end up being a great season...I just have to slog through a couple more episodes before it happens.
