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Sailor Moon Crystal: Episode 2 Review
by Mikari

Ami is introduced as a genius and we're reminded of the Negaverse' mission, is it even called Negaverse in this version? Beryl mentions a ruler, whom I imagine is Metalia. Jedite, who is looking as cute as ever, calls himself one of the four kings, rather than general, so I guess the kings and queens under Metalia are more like knights of sorts, odd choice of title much?

I'm not sure where Luna's computer is. There must be some connection with the arcade, since the disguise and mercury pens came from the Sailor V game, but it looks different, more like another dimension. I wonder if it's only a computer or if there is a Central Control, who's actually Artemis.

Usagi's solo episodes were skipped, though I thought they were pretty entertaining. Ami goes to the arcade and is great at videogames, she gets the mercury pen and Usagi the disguise pen. Oddly, when Usagi later runs into Mamoru on the street, he's wearing a tuxedo. Doesn't he have anything else to wear? Is it supposed to be a uniform? How does Usagi not recognize him just because of the mask?

Ami does get brainwashed in this version and Usagi finds out by trying one of the disks being given to students. She transforms into a nurse to get past the cram school guards claiming a medical emergency. The teacher is revealed as a monster, Usagi turns into Sailor Moon and cries, Ami snaps out of the brainwashing and transforms. Her powers create a fog similar to the original series despite being less bubbly. Tuxedo Kamen saves Sailor Moon, she uses her tiara and the fight's over.

Some things that caught my attention about this episode aside from Mamoru's lack of wardrobe, was the return of Sailor Moon's sonic cries and the fact that Ami actually removes the cap from her pen and uses it to write. I thought it was just a wand, I wonder what would happen if she lost half.

Predictably coming from me, the highlight of the episode was Usagi's cute pink bunny laptop. There were computers in the original anime, but even the disks looked outdated. The tech got an update and even Usagi is savvy enough to at least have a laptop and know the basics of using it. Though her response to getting stuck with regular questions rather than a magical study guide is still pressing random keys, she is not frustrated and flailing, she knows she's just pressing random keys and doesn't bang on them. The manga was made long ago, so I'm guessing the laptop didn't make an appearance there, but it is a nice modern touch.

Looks like we won't get any episodes with just Moon and Mercury. I am looking forward to Mars, but if the three are to beat Jedite before Jupiter shows up, I think that it'll probably feel too soon, but that's to be expected from a series that will fit the whole first season into 26 episodes if what I've heard is right.