[Anime Review] Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: The Reboot

Prelude

I remembered I was watching Sailor Moon on ABC 5 (recently known as TV5) when I was 5 years old. That was the first anime I’ve watched. I was a Sailor Moon fan because I had a Sailor Guardian doll. But I’m not sure who because my toys were kept in a box.

Last year, I visited Comic Alley shop at SM City Fairview. I was surprised that they had Sailor Moon merchandise. I took a look then suddenly a staff noticed me and asked. He informed me that the Sailor Moon had a new version. So I got interested and soon I will watch the series. It took me a while because of my busy schedule due to my work. Then last month I had a chance watching its new version called Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal. I was not used in seeing the new version, most especially with the new Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask. But as the story continues, I started liking it.

Official Poster of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal

Manga

In every anime released, there was a manga. Some animes were stick to the manga’s story; but some were not due to the manga was still ongoing. And as a result, the ending of the anime version was different from the manga.

Sailor Moon manga was written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. This manga had 18 volumes and divided into 5 arcs: Dark Kingdom (Queen Metaria), Black Moon (Death Phantom), Death Busters (Professor Soichi Tomoe), Dead Moon Circus (Queen Nehelenia), and Shadow Galactica (Chaos).

I didn’t read the manga because I was more interested in its anime adaptation.

Manga Cover of Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon

The Moon Battle: 90’s Original vs. 2014 Version

"Tsuki ni kawatte oshioki yo!" (In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!) - Sailor Moon
(90s version on the left, 2014 version on the right)

The entire TV series had 200 episodes and was one of the most successful anime during the 90’s. It had 4 titles: Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, and Sailor Moon SS. The destined sailor soldiers namely Usagi Tsukino as Sailor Moon, Ami Mizuno as Sailor Mercury, Rei Hino as Sailor Mars, Makoto Kino as Sailor Jupiter, Minako Aino as Sailor Venus, Chibi-usa as Sailor Chibi Moon, Haruka Tenoh as Sailor Uranus, Michiru Kaioh as Sailor Neptune, Setsuna Meioh as Sailor Pluto and Hotaru Tomoe as Sailor Saturn defeated the strongest villains such as Queen Metaria and Death Phantom. On the other hand, the 2014 version named Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal had 26 episodes.

There was a big difference between the original and the reboot versions of Sailor Moon in terms of market and animation effects. The original targeted girls age 5-17 while the reboot targeted the young girls of new generation and women who grew up during 90s who were fans of the said anime. Crystal had less humor compared with the original, but it’s more faithful anime adaptation from the manga. If I were to choose, I prefer the 2014 version.

Sailor Guardians
from left to right: Haruka Tenoh (Sailor Uranus), Michiru Kaioh (Sailor Neptune), Minako Aino (Sailor Venus). Rei Hino (Sailor Mars), Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Ami Mizuno (Sailor Mercury), Makoto Kino (Sailor Jupiter), Setsuna Meioh (Sailor Pluto), and Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn)

Episode List

Act 1 – Usagi (Sailor Moon)

Act 2 – Ami (Sailor Mercury)

Act 3 – Rei (Sailor Mars)

Act 4 – Masquerade Dance Party

Act 5 – Makoto (Sailor Jupiter)

Act 6 – Tuxedo Mask

Act 7 – Mamoru Chiba (Tuxedo Mask)

Act 8 – Minako (Sailor V)

Act 9 – Serenity (Princess)

Act 10 – Moon

Act 11 – Reunion (Endymion)

Act 12 – Enemy (Queen Metaria)

Act 13 – Final Battle (Reincarnation)

Act 14 – Conclusion and Commencement (Petite Étrangére)

Act 15 – Infiltration (Sailor Mars)

Act 16 – Abduction (Sailor Mercury)

Act 17 – Secret (Sailor Jupiter)

Act 18 – Invasion (Sailor Venus)

Act 19 – Time Warp (Sailor Pluto)

Act 20 – Crystal Tokyo (King Endymion)

Act 21 – Complication (Nemesis)

Act 22 – Hidden Agenda (Nemesis)

Act 23 – Covert Maneuvers (Wiseman)

Act 24 – Attack (Black Lady)

Act 25 – Showdown (Death Phantom)

Act 26 – Replay (Never Ending)

Original Soundtrack

Official Cover of Sailor Moon Crystal OST

Goose bumps and two thumbs-up! Those were my comments after I heard the soundtrack. Momoiro Clover Z sang the opening theme song Moon Pride and ending theme song Gekkou. The rest of the instrumental and background theme songs were composed by the genius arranger and keyboardist Yasuharu Takanashi.

My favorite instrumental composed by Yasuharu-sensei was Tuxedo Mask [6^th track from Sailor Moon Crystal OST Disc 1 or 1^st track of Chapter II: Tuxedo Romance]. It was seductive yet mysterious, just like Tuxedo Mask.

The reason why the album cover of the soundtrack was a stained glass of Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity was some of his instrumentals sounded ethereal, thus gave me goose bumps such as Legend of the Moon, Hitotoki no Heian (Moments of Peace), and Tsuki no Inori wo (A Prayer To The Moon).

Sailor Guardians: Celestial Transformation

Sailor Guardians' Transformation from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal

Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom was reincarnated as Usagi Tsukino in the present time and became Sailor Moon by using a brooch and saying “Moon Prism Power Make-up!” out loud.

The past princesses of each planet protected the Moon Princess were reincarnated in the present time as ordinary school girls and destined to be sailor guardians. They used transformation items in order to help Sailor Moon defeating the evil.

While I was watching the first half of the series (Acts 1-13), I was impressed with the special effects used during the transformation of Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako into Sailor Guardians. That’s why I suddenly liked the reboot version of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal.

Tuxedo Mask: The Past and the Present

Tuxedo Mask
[90s version on left, 2014 version on right]

Tuxedo Mask was Mamoru Chiba’s alter-ego. Mamo-chan, as Usagi named him, was the present reincarnation of Endymion. He was a high school student from Moto-Azabu Private High School.

He wore black tuxedo and white mask with black hat as he searched for the Legendary Silver Crystal to regain his memories while assisting Sailor Moon and other Sailor Guardians during battles. He was usually brainwashed by the antagonists. Unlike the 90s anime, he didn’t use red roses as his only offensive attack to interrupt the evil from striking towards the Sailor Guardians. 

The 2014 version of Mamoru Chiba was physically different from his 90s version. I was not used in seeing the new Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask. But as the story continues, I realized that he’s more handsome, more charming, and more manly than the 90’s Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask.

Usagi and Mamoru: The Destined Romance

Usagi Tsukino noticed Mamoru Chiba as Tuxedo Mask [from Act 6]

The past romance of the strong and charming Prince of Earth named Endymion, and the enchanting princess of Moon Kingdom named Serenity existed in present thru dreams of Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba. Their first encounter was when Usagi threw her exam at her back and Mamoru read the result that she threw at him. Then they met a lot of times as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

Mamoru’s alter-ego, Tuxedo Mask knew that Usagi was Sailor Moon while searching the Legendary Silver Crystal to regain his lost memories. After Usagi knew Mamoru was Tuxedo Mask, she called him ‘Mamo-chan’ as Mamoru named her ‘Usako’. They remembered the past that they were Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion when they fought Queen Metalia thru the Legendary Silver Crystal that was formed because of Usagi’s pure tear.  

I’m a person who doesn’t believe in fate when it comes to love. But because of anime romance, just like Usagi and Mamoru’s, it changed my belief that soon my ‘Tuxedo Kamen’ will arrive in my life.

Sequitur

Princess Serenity and her Legendary Silver Crystal

The story of Sailor Moon proved that deep friendship and destined love exist. It’s a reminder that we should believe in ourselves that we’ll surpass the life challenges. But most importantly, we should take care and love our Mother Earth.

Wrapping up my blog review, I give Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal a rating of 4 out of 5 stars because of its more faithfulness to the manga and impressive animation effects. I didn’t give a perfect score because I’m still hoping for its second season wherein Sailors Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, and Saturn will be introduced. I will be forever a fan of Sailor Moon and I will definitely introduce it to my niece and my future daughter soon.  

Information sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailor_Moon
• http://sailormoon.wikia.com/wiki/Pretty_Guardian_Sailor_Moon_Crystal

Photo sources:

• http://animesecrets.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sailor-moon-crystal-poster.jpg
• http://mangastyle.net/covers/manga01.jpg
• http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc403/GWOtakuTZ/Sailor%20Moon%202014%20Remaster/SailorMoon1_Pose_zpsd91da6b2.jpg
• http://files.umwblogs.org/blogs.dir/7524/files/2014/09/usagi2.png
• http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/219/6/e/sailor_moon_crystal_wallpaper_ii_by_xuweisen-d7u3e42.jpg
• http://www.sailormooncollectibles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sailormoon-crystal-soundtrack-cd2014.jpg
• https://tysontrepidations.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/tuxedo-mask.jpg; 
• http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/sailormoon/images/4/43/Tuxedo_Mask_crystal.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140705144558
• http://36.media.tumblr.com/ca93124b8d2b1fdf2d4e04b38cb0560f/tumblr_nmaihcY79V1qjkedbo6_1280.png
• http://static.tumblr.com/82c27a893c8115746bc1ba1c6b8959ea/ulfhwxf/lmbnjd9ut/tumblr_static_43v0d5vtx82s0gccs4s84w04w.jpg

Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqlfjf-Kmac

My All-Time Breakup Playlist

Love inspires us, at the same time it also breaks. Well I got inspired to make my own breakup playlist because of the new movie produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films starring Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo called The Breakup Playlist. I haven’t seen it yet but it’s a must-watch film for everyone. So here’s my all-time breakup playlist:

Hear My Heart. It’s my favorite song from Nikki Gil. Definitely I included in my playlist because of the chorus of this song: “Hear my heart, crying in silence. It hurts so much. Trying to run from your smile, your touch. Waiting, pretending, this game’s a waste. Knowing you just can’t be mine.”

The Heart Wants What It Wants. It’s one of my favorite songs from Selena Gomez. The last part of the chorus hooked me a lot: “There are reasons why I should give you up. Coz the heart wants what it wants.”

Bakit Pa Ba. This was Sarah Geronimo’s version of Jay-R’s original. When you read the lyrics, these two artists took it differently: Jay-R  for male side and Sarah on female side. I was struck by this song because of my recent experience. “Bakit pa ba nagagawa mo pang saktan ang isang tulad ko na labis na nagmamahal? Di mapansin na walang katulad ang pag-ibig para sayo na alay ko. Bakit ako’y ngayon iiwan mo?”

Disaster. This was sung by Jojo. When I saw the title, indeed this song must include in my breakup playlist. “You shot the bullet that killed me, not feeling my heartbeat and now I was dying. I am through it, I am through all the agony. And now my eyes are drying, trying, no more crying. Lying’s just a game. So disaster strikes and I’m alright coz my love’s on his way.”

You Made Me Stronger. This song was recorded by Regine Velasquez in her album R2K when I first heard it and Nikki Gil had her version of this song from her album Love Revisited. Like Nikki’s Hear My Heart, the chorus of the song made it in my playlist: “You made me stronger by breaking my heart. You ended my life and made a better one start. You’ve taught me everything from falling in love and letting go of a lie. You made me stronger by saying goodbye.”

Bad Blood. This was one of my favorite songs from Taylor Swift. Her music video with Kendrick Lamar and other female celebrities like Selena Gomez as Arsyn, Ellie Goulding as Destructa X, and Cindy Crawford as the Headmistress was different from what included in her album 1989. “Coz baby now we got bad blood, you know we used to be mad love. So take look what you’ve done coz baby now we got bad blood. Now we got problems and I don’t think we can’t solve them. You made a really deep cut and baby now we got bad blood.”

I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend. This song was written by Diane Warren and popularized by Nina for her album Nina Sings the Hits of Dianne Warren. “I don’t want to see your face. I don’t want to hear your name. I don’t want to think, just stay away baby. Don’t want to know if you’re alright or what you’re doing with your life. Don’t want to hear you say that you’ll stay in touch maybe.”

Broken Vow. This song that was sung by Lara Fabian was from the official soundtrack of the phenomenal hit Asian drama Meteor Garden starring Barbie Xu, Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Ken Zhu, and Van Ness Wu. Sarah Geronimo and Mark Bautista had this version. “I let you go. I let you fly. Why do I keep on asking why? I let you go now that I found a way to keep somehow more than a broken vow.”

Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye. Toni Gonzaga recorded her version of this song for her album Love Is. “Someone’s always saying goodbye. I believe it hurts when we cry. Don’t we know partings never so easy? And with all the achings inside I believe some hearts won’t survive. Trying hard to pretend that we’re gonna be fine.”

My Happy Ending. This was Avril Lavigne’s first carrier single from her album with the same name. Indeed it’s another song to be included in my playlist based on my recent experience. “You were everything, everything that I wanted. We were meant to be, supposed to be but we lost it. And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away.All this time you were pretending so much for my happy ending.”

Sabi nga ni Vice, “Pag walang boyfriend, walang forever.” I agree since I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m reading Alex Gonzaga’s book called “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami. Paano?! Love, Catherine”. I’m learning so much from this book. At least I will be ready to fall in love, prepared to be hurt, and stood up to fight for the guy I love.     

I’m not closing the doors of my heart. I’m patiently waiting for my Mr. Right, my love of my life. Ika nga ni Snow White, “Someday my prince will come.”