What did you think of the newest Crystal episode? I thought it was great and a major step up from the last two episodes.
I really like the music played during the battle and Sailor Moon's reaction to seeing the Senshi alive.AND HUMAN LUNA!

Chibiusa is also really adorable, and the fire fortune interests me, because that was not Rubeus (i think it  is Demande)

The only nitpicks i have with this episode is the transformation but i saw it coming and an animation goof with the Moon Stick but it's pretty easy to ignore

I thought it was okay. Nice foreshadowing with Human Luna there. Does this mean we will get to the Dream Arc, I wonder?

I really wish they'd at least changed the background of the transformation or something. I can hardly believe they spent more time and money into the new transformations back in the 90s.

I also wished we'd seen the group hug up close, it was one of my absolute favorite panels in the manga. But we only had a far off shot and then a really close up one :\

At least Mamoru got his earth powers! Hopefully this means he'll get a legit attack in the Black Moon Arc as well. I'm very curious to see the villains, but I also dread spending the majority of the arc with the senshi missing except for Venus. We see so little of them as it is

I really liked this episode! 
I loved the Serenity appearances, and then there was Luna... I screamed when she appeared like that lol and her holding her pawns together praying... It was just too cute!

The scene which Moon reunites with the girls has to be one of the best scenes of Sailor Moon EVER. Konno's voice acting was SUPERB in that scene... And it was so beautifully done. Probably one of my favorite scenes ever seen.

I really liked this episode! I especially loved to see human Luna and Chibiusa's first appearance. However, when the castle appeared, my first thought was, "And how exactly is this going to get past NASA?" XD

I don't know why but I found it funny when the girls run and do the group  hug, the end up scaring away all the birds.

Senshi: OMG I MISSED U SOO MUCH!
Birds: WTH? *Flies away*

And I liked Minako giving Artemis a hug. 

DA MUSIC WAS JUST AWESOME! 

Human Luna maybe means we get a dream arc...I'm hoping that's what it means...

I love the romance.

I laughed when Usagi was screaming that her neck might have broken and when she had forgotton to do her homework.

I'm about to hit you guys with some hard opinions.



The fact that they showed human Luna means that they aren't likely going to do the Princess Snow Kaguya side story. In fact, I've really been pretty certain that they weren't going to do any of the side stories, given how they've treated the inner senshi in the current series. I should clarify, I want to see these stories animated, but it's clear Toei is only really interested in the miracle romance and getting to Chibiusa as quickly as possible. If they do the Dream arc, she'll likely appear then, but I can't see them "wasting" their time on a side story that barely has an ounce of miracle romance or Chibiusa.

Keep in mind, human Luna still does not guarantee that Toei will do the Dream arc. It could show Galaxia and that still wouldn't mean anything. Toei can foreshadow all they want but it's up to executive decisions in the end that'll carry Crystal wherever it goes.

Artemis commenting that Luna "looked sacred" while in human form is somewhat strange to me. I mean, this is based on the manga, right? Is being Mau somehow inferior to being human? Super weird line. I hate when Toei just shoves scenes and lines from the manga in but doesn't think about their consequences.

And did anyone else think it was rather creepy that Usagi was so adamant to snuggle up to her boyfriend again without thinking of where her friends are? This might be something from the manga, but it really doesn't hold up well. Then again, Toei seems to hate the inner senshi so it's not really a surprise.

And even further, how in the hell does Sailor Moon NOT have a new transformation? This is a magical girl series... THIS IS SAILOR MOON. How in the world does she have the same exact transformation sequenc- Oh right, making a new one would cost money. I forgot. Toei doesn't have that. *coughcoughmerchandisebranddealsIdon'teven* And why would Sailor Moon do her speech afterward if she has no one to say it to?

As leohamasaki said, the voice acting and soundtrack is still superb. I wish Sailor Moon Crystal was a radio drama in English. It would be fairly good.

Otherwise, it wasn't a terrible episode. There was a lot of really bad animation frames here and there, but that's just parroting what we know already.

I know i say every single episode is pure perfection, but this one...WON BY DEFAULT! <3
and they even added human Luna!!! HOW THIS CANNOT BE PURFECT!?

Even Chibiusa was drawn exactly like in the manga!!! omg i see perfection everywhere ^_^ everything was how i imagined it would be if they animated the manga, EVERYTHING! Trollei, keep it up please, you are finally doing it right! i hope by the next episode we see the new opening ^.^v

I was pleased with this episode. They had a lot to cover and I felt like it was done really well. I loved the scene with Serenity Endymion after he woke her with his kiss, it was just so precious.

And when the girls were re-united that was the cutest thing ever.  I wonder if the opening sequence will change to reflect the black moon arc, or if the opening will stay the same. I know the song is the same but hopefully we will get a new set of animations and such.

I also loved the restoration of the Crystal Palace.

I am in agreement that I am a bit disapointed the transformation is the same, I can hope it will change, but if it doesnt then on well, i wont be too bothered. I think this ep is a great improvement from the last two eps and hope they continue on this path.

Sailor CJ wrote:

I'm about to hit you guys with some hard opinions.



The fact that they showed human Luna means that they aren't likely going to do the Princess Snow Kaguya side story. In fact, I've really been pretty certain that they weren't going to do any of the side stories, given how they've treated the inner senshi in the current series. I should clarify, I want to see these stories animated, but it's clear Toei is only really interested in the miracle romance and getting to Chibiusa as quickly as possible. If they do the Dream arc, she'll likely appear then, but I can't see them "wasting" their time on a side story that barely has an ounce of miracle romance or Chibiusa.

I also doubt that they'll do the Princess Kaguya side story as they already skipped doing the Casablanca story during the first arc, unless Toei does it all as an OVA series at the end of Crystal, but I don't really see the connection between the foreshadowing of human Luna and Toei not doing the Princess Kaguya side story.  Can you explain your argument more for me? 

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I wonder if the opening sequence will change to reflect the black moon arc, or if the opening will stay the same. I know the song is the same but hopefully we will get a new set of animations and such.

Given that Crystal isn't giving us a new transformation for Usagi, I doubt we'll get new animation footage for the opening.  My thoughts on the episode: I was disappointed we didn't get to see a new transformation scene and I was hoping we'd get to see the Cutie Heart Moon Rod this episode, but overall I thought it was better than the last few episodes.  I loved all of Luna's scenes in the Crystal Palace and that we got to see Human Luna.   I loved the scene with the Silver Crystal at the beginning and it looked great.   The scenes with Usagi reuniting with the Inners was touching but not as emotionally moving as the original anime's season one finale.  I loved the cute scene of Usagi waking up early and Shingo commenting about how it's going to snow.   Enjoyed the scene of Rei's vision of Demande and I can't wait to see his appearance.  I also loved the introduction of Chibi-usa and how she's getting right down to business with Usagi.  I still don't quite understand how Chibi-usa has the same hairstyle as Usagi.  I mean, other than it being pigtails, Chibi-usa's hairstyle looks nothing like Usagi's when you think about it.

Neon Genesis wrote:

I also doubt that they'll do the Princess Kaguya side story as they already skipped doing the Casablanca story during the first arc, unless Toei does it all as an OVA series at the end of Crystal, but I don't really see the connection between the foreshadowing of human Luna and Toei not doing the Princess Kaguya side story.  Can you explain your argument more for me? 

The arguably biggest draw for the Kaguya story is human Luna. Showing human Luna early implies that Toei knows they no longer have that draw. If they get rid of the Kaguya story, there's less human Luna so they're going to insert her in other places now.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

At least Mamoru got his earth powers! Hopefully this means he'll get a legit attack in the Black Moon Arc as well. I'm very curious to see the villains, but I also dread spending the majority of the arc with the senshi missing except for Venus. We see so little of them as it is

But at least we get more scenes of V-chan!  I can't wait to see Venus Love Me Chain!

I know it's an original anime thing, but I would have loved to see her dawn on her princess dress during the final fight. It's kind like the Super Syian mode for Sailor Moon.


Overall, it's a decent episode. Much better than the last two episodes that's for sure. It was cool to see human Luna and honestly it's just fanservice. Nice fanservice that's for sure. It's too early tell if the next three arcs will happen. It all comes down to the ratings. The original anime had a risk being pulled off the air due to low ratings, but the Moon Stick saved it. But don't take my word for it. Someone I follow on Tumblr stated that and you can't trust no one on that site. But I kind of believe it because Sailor Moon's popularity really did take off after the first arc. 



I will admit it was touching to see the girls reunite and the Minako and Artemis scene was too cute. It really makes me mad that Artemis has been pretty much forgotten in Crystal. So I'm glad they had a little scene together. Another touching scene was Endymion and Serenity one. I'm glad had a scene like this because the one from the manga is my favorite scene from the whole series.

Of course the Shittennou were forgotten. They could have least shown their spirits looking over Mamoru and the girls. Or something. I needed some kind of closure. But I guess it's for the best seeing how Toei screw them over. Thank God for PGSM otherwise I would have been really be mad.

So will I continue with this series? I have stated many times that I am done with Crystal after this arc. However I'm still on the fence. It's not because I think it will get better or anything. I am still convince we will still be watching a slide show and it will still have average writing. The reason I might stick around is so I can stay in the loop and take part of discussions. I think at this point that's why most people who dislike this version is still watching it. I mean it's been forever since we got something new. Crystal and the new musicals. Both of these series allow moonies to talk about something new.

I don't know if it's specifically because of the Moon Stick but the merchandise sales probably did help keep Sailor Moon on the air as anime in general in Japan makes the most of its money from merchandise sales.

Yeah, the toys overall probably helped Sailor Moon and Toei realized they could capitalize on the series. It's probably the reason why Precure is still going. They know little girls will beg their parents to buy the toys.

OMG. Human. Luna.

So I cried a lot during this episode, and I am a person that RARELY cries at anything. There have been a few tears over Crystal here and there for Acts 1-13, but I was openly weeping over Human Luna and the reunion of the Senshi with Sailor Moon on the bridge. 

I haven't cried this hard over an episode of anything since I watched "Tales of Ba Sing Se" in Book 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Yuki Yunna is a Hero was the last thing that made me cry like a baby. I highly recommended that magical girl series. It's a tragic MG show, but it's soo good.

BTW did anyone notice how the girls doing their group hug kinded reminded of pgsm's reunion. 

And I have to say this again.

DAT MUSIC! DAT FINAL BATTLE MUSIC! 

Sailor Lily wrote:

BTW did anyone notice how the girls doing their group hug kinded reminded of pgsm's reunion. 

And I have to say this again.

DAT MUSIC! DAT FINAL BATTLE MUSIC! 

that song is the Assaults of Battle from the soundtrack- i love that song so much

I actually thought the kiss looked way too much like the R movie. It brought back feels. This was one of the more emotional episodes for me. I love how Kotono Mitsuishi still puts her heart into Usagi.

That kiss was originally from the manga:

One thing I am concerned about is the scene where

Spoiler:

I loved this part of the manga and I really hope they keep it.

Yunie wrote:

That kiss was originally from the manga:

Confirmation that Crystal Mamoru is the hottest version

SO I finally got to watch it!

As an overall thing, having the final battle end at the beginning of hte episode felt a bit anticlimatic and didn't quite have the "WOW" factor other SM finales have had. HOWEVER, I felt this was a bit better of an episode.

(Am I the only one who finds the music generic and kinda boring save for a few pieces?)

HUMAN LUNA. I actually liked how they showed her with the ghost like figure of Serenity next to her. It was really pretty.

Still wish there was more characterization of the girls...Cause that scene of Usagi running to them on the bridge (PGSM FEELS THERE) was sooo sweet, it would've been even more sweeter if the show had made me feel an actual connection between them all. I feel like Crystal is going the route the musicals usually take where its assumed you understand the story and characters of Sailor Moon so there is not a huge focus of character development. While this works in a musical format, because there is only so much you can do tell the story in 2 or so hours with about 11 main hero characters, it doesn't work at all in Crystal. Saddly, I feel the characters are better represented in the musicals despite not everyone always getting a lot of attention. And as much as I don't really like the 2 new musicals, they even do a good job making the characters feel real.

As far as the transformation goes, its a bummer they didn't just try to at least mimic the 90s Anime Crystal transformation sequence. It made that whole transformation seem very...anticlimatic as seems to be the case with much of Crystal.

ALSO CHIBIUSA Y UR FACE LOOK WEIRD IN THAT LAST SCENE. JUST ADJUST THE EYES SO THEY ARE PROPERLY ON THE HEAD AND IT WILL BE OK. D:


Other than my gripes, this was definitely better than the last two eps. ^_^

I don't necessarily agree that showing Human Luna here would mean she won't show up elsewhere. They've already said they would take advantage of knowing ahead of time what would happen and being able to foreshadow things and insert similar stuff like that. No, it is NOT a guarantee that they will continue on, but it's not saying that they'll never get there either. It's just foreshadowing. It doesn't tell us anything about the future of the episodes at all.

Besides, in the manga, Human Luna appeared both in the Dream Arc and the side story. She's not a side story exclusive the way she was in the old anime. So even if Toei's not doing the side story, there's still the Dream Arc if they get to it.

Neon Genesis wrote:

Given that Crystal isn't giving us a new transformation for Usagi, I doubt we'll get new animation footage for the opening. 

It would be silly if they don't renew the opening animation. I mean it has Dark Kingdom characters who don't exist anymore... That will literally make them look stupid o_o

Neon Genesis wrote:

One thing I am concerned about is the scene where

Spoiler:

I loved this part of the manga and I really hope they keep it.

Motoki didn't know of the senshi's identity in Crystal, though. They didn't include that scene. When he was there with Evil Mamoru, he was brainwashed, unlike in the manga when he legit found out as himself after Mako and Ami saved him (another scene they cut out from Crystal).

Small Lady wrote:

Still wish there was more characterization of the girls...Cause that scene of Usagi running to them on the bridge (PGSM FEELS THERE) was sooo sweet, it would've been even more sweeter if the show had made me feel an actual connection between them all. I feel like Crystal is going the route the musicals usually take where its assumed you understand the story and characters of Sailor Moon so there is not a huge focus of character development. While this works in a musical format, because there is only so much you can do tell the story in 2 or so hours with about 11 main hero characters, it doesn't work at all in Crystal. Saddly, I feel the characters are better represented in the musicals despite not everyone always getting a lot of attention. And as much as I don't really like the 2 new musicals, they even do a good job making the characters feel real.

The musicals are really good with character development. In La Reconquista, the girls are already friends in the first scene, but within a few minutes, they showed how much they all love each other simply by showing them interacting while they're playing a game. It was short but really effective to show much they all support and admire each other as they each show off their skills (and their introduction was done simultaneously - showing Ami was smart by having hear beat a puzzle game quickly, showing Mako's strength by having her do a fighting game, etc) The musical does assume you already know the story to some extent but they also managed to insert those characterization moments in each scene, showing that you don't need a bajillion amount of airtime to show something deep and meaningful when you have good writing.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

I don't necessarily agree that showing Human Luna here would mean she won't show up elsewhere. They've already said they would take advantage of knowing ahead of time what would happen and being able to foreshadow things and insert similar stuff like that. No, it is NOT a guarantee that they will continue on, but it's not saying that they'll never get there either. It's just foreshadowing. It doesn't tell us anything about the future of the episodes at all.

Besides, in the manga, Human Luna appeared both in the Dream Arc and the side story. She's not a side story exclusive the way she was in the old anime. So even if Toei's not doing the side story, there's still the Dream Arc if they get to it.

My argument is that they're setting Human Luna up here so that when she appeared in the Dream Arc later, there's some basis for it. It doesn't make sense for me to have Toei show her here when the whole appeal of the Kaguya arc is to see Human Luna at the end. This to me suggests that they know they're not going to do it. As you said though, this is just speculation.

I'm with everyone on the musical hype train. At least what I've seen with the two recent musicals, they're fantastic adaptations of the manga. They cut content to adjust for the length and added those elements to other parts of the story. Can't introduce the senshi properly? Have a cute song where they talk about each other to the Four Generals while setting up the conflict between them! Can't have your kid actress fall from the top of the stage? Have a cute song where Usagi ponders about how she saw Chibiusa fall earlier that day while setting up the conflict between the two characters. Speaking of great adaptations, I seriously need to watch PGSM. Maybe I'll do that today.

You do CJ! PGSM is a wonderful show. It really fleshes everyone out nicely!

As I stated earlier human Luna was just fanservice. Crystal has lost 70% of audience! I'm trying not sound like a downer, but there's a low chance that rest of the series will get picked up. Even though the first arc is the weakest it's still the first arc. It's job to set up the story and hook the viewer in. Toei failed at doing that and I don't see Crystal views increasing. If anything views will go up for the finales. Because series finales draw in more viewers for some reason. People who didn't even watch the show will watch it. 

I feel bad for saying this, but it's my honest opinion. Who knows maybe I'm wrong? Maybe the merch sales will keep the series going.

Small Lady wrote:

(Am I the only one who finds the music generic and kinda boring save for a few pieces?)

I think what we're missing most is insert songs.  I always loved the insert songs in the original anime like Moonlight Denestsu in the season finale or playing La Soldier during R.  Even if they had just played Moon Pride in the final battle, I think it would have made the music in that scene more climatic. 

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And as much as I don't really like the 2 new musicals, they even do a good job making the characters feel real.

While I didn't like La Reconquista that much, I loved that they actually gave Ami a greater focus and expanded on her relationship with Zoisite instead of just making their relationship a gimmick. 

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I don't necessarily agree that showing Human Luna here would mean she won't show up elsewhere. They've already said they would take advantage of knowing ahead of time what would happen and being able to foreshadow things and insert similar stuff like that. No, it is NOT a guarantee that they will continue on, but it's not saying that they'll never get there either. It's just foreshadowing. It doesn't tell us anything about the future of the episodes at all.

Yeah, they've done foreshadowing before in Crystal of Neo Queen Serenity in the Princess D episode and in the ending credits, they foreshadowed the Cutie Heart Moon Rod before we even knew they were going to adapt the Black Moon arc too.

Neon wrote:

Yeah, they've done foreshadowing before in Crystal of Neo Queen Serenity in the Princess D episode and in the ending credits, they foreshadowed the Cutie Heart Moon Rod before we even knew they were going to adapt the Black Moon arc too.

Yeah, but Toei knew they were going to do the Black Moon Arc all along. The show was green lit for 26 episodes.

That is true, but my point is that they've been adding in anime only foreshadowing of future material from the beginning so this isn't anything new for Crystal and I think it's a lot of speculation to declare one way or another if they're going to do the Kaguyahime special based solely on this established foreshadowing technique.  We just don't know at this point how much further they're going to take it and it's all a guess at what they're going to do.