Sailor Moon Shrine

What can I say but perfection. You get a fantastic introduction to Usagi and the other major characters. You get some information but it's never an infodump and you can tell there's more to the story that does get unfolded as it goes. And yeah it's silly but it's fun and you get just a hint of a darker story that does unfold later

Usagi in general is a great character, she's very child like and silly but she's also very gentle and kind and there's a hint of an inner strength that becomes something really fantastic as she goes through the story. Luna and Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask are interesting mysteries that (even though I know the whole story) I still just love to see unfold throughout the first arc. The villain... is there. He does round out some later but for now he's fun but not very deep.

This chapter does two things, flesh out some of the characters and relationships we got in the last chapter and introduce a new character. And both are done really well. Ami is so cute and her new friendship with Usagi is fun. I must admit I'm a bit... irked that half the reason Usagi wants to befriend Ami is so she can get help with her homework but otherwise it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

And don't worry Ami is perfectly capable of holding her own against anyone. She may seem sweet and submissive but girl has a spine of pure steel. Very strong willed... without being bitchy about it. I also like how she's already smart but also works hard. She's just both a great foil to Usagi and a great character in her own right.

I do feel the fight was a bit hard to follow (I tend to have that problem with manga though) and I would have liked a bit more with Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask but minor quibble really. Overall a fantastic second chapter.

This chapter does everything the last chapter does but better. Rei is another fantastic character, very different from both Ami and Usagi. This girl is a queen!! If I hadn't already known who the moon princess is I would have agreed with Luna about Rei being the Moon Princess. She's a smidge flatter than Ami but don't worry she gets fleshed out quickly.

I enjoy the Usagi/Mamoru in this chapter. It was cute and sets up the next chapter well without overshadowing Rei. Finally there's the fight scene. By far the best in the manga so far and it also has the first villain death. And he gets burned to death by Mars... yeah it's not too graphic but it is on screen. A nice hint that this manga is not staying as silly and light-hearted as it started.

We've gotten new characters every chapter up till now and while both fun and understandable this chapter is all about taking pause and giving us some time with everyone. But please don't think this is filler. Rei and Ami both get some more characterization and the Usagi/Mamoru train really gets going here. It's a very shippy chapter, and it's cute. Like the dancing and the her saving him and the kiss..! This is one of those chapters I read when I need a dose of my favorite OTP its that cute.

This is also the chapter were we get a decent chunk of information on the Princess and her Crystal. Not everything mind but a lot more than what we had and we finally have Luna telling everything she knows. Another interesting thing is that this introduces the idea that Luna doesn't know everything. We already knew she didn't know who the princess is but it seems her ignorance runs much deeper, such as she doesn't know who the enemies are.

Finally we get a bit of information on Mamoru and why he's running around in a tux robbing jewelry stores. He's after the same Silver Crystal the girls are. OK so now the question is he an enemy or ally?

I don't know that I have a favorite senshi but if I did it'd either be Usagi or Makoto so you know this chapter is a favorite. Makoto is adorable, so much so I'm annoyed at people who find her scary. I love the backstory they give her and how even without her powers she was beginning to awaken as a senshi. I also adore the bit of Usagi/Mamoru we get (seriously that part where Tuxedo Mask shows up at Usagi's window to get her help is everything!).

Sadly this is the chapter were we meet Rei's grandfather...and he falls into the old pervert... I hate that trope. But a minor quibble since he doesn't play a huge roll in the manga overall. Oh and this chap ends on quite the cliffy... not a bad thing per-say but get used to it cause most chapters after this one have a cliffhanger to a greater or lesser extent.

NGL this chapter is a bit info dumpy at first, all interesting information and it answers some much needed questions. But still if you don't like really info dump parts to a story this one might annoy you a bit. This is also our first big Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask chapter. And while I kinda want to smack him I'm also quite fond of him by the end.

We also get to see Usagi being quite the BAMF... girl sells herself short by not realizing her power. We also find out she's the leader this chap (ok technically it was the cliffhanger for the last chap) and I kinda get why but at the same time you'd think this would be something introduced earlier (although it's possible Luna didn't know before?). I've always been a bit annoyed that Usagi was surprised that Tuxedo Mask knew she is Sailor Moon after what happened last chapter. Although tbf it's not like he stuck around last chapter and explained things to her. And we end with another cliffhanger... This time it's Mamoru telling Usagi he's Tuxedo Mask.

Another chapter that starts off very info dumpy...otoh we finally get Mamoru's full backstory, which is nice. I wouldn't say about time cause I wasn't getting borded of the mystery but it's still good timing. My favorite thing about this chapter though is just how melancholy and almost star-crossed the relationship between Usagi and Mamoru feels here. It's both beautiful in its own right and it also sets up a massive plot point that runs for the rest of this arc. And does it fantastically, imho!

We also get a good part with Beryl... She might be my fave Sailor Moon villain and this chap is a good example of that. She's kinda working for the big bad but you can tell she's got her own thing going on to. Finally the battle this chap is very well done. I'd say in the manga Zoicite is probably the strongest villain so far. As such we get to see the girls on the defensive with seeming no way out (although this isn't the last time). At least until someone (no not Mamoru) shows up. Say hello to Sailor V.

I really start to feel a shift in the plot with this chapter. The final guardian is found, she's claiming to also be the princess they've been looking for the entire time... To be honest I like this plot point and I also like Minako. She's a very business like character (although anyone who's read Sailor V will know she's got a silly side) and fierce. It's also clear she knows everything (they never outright say it but she's fully awakened as a Sailor Guardian) and honestly I wouldn't have minded this plot having a couple chapters before the real princess is revealed.

Finally for all those Usagi/Mamoru fans out there never fear. We get a few cute scenes with them. Including Usagi kissing Mamoru, swoons. On the other hand this may be the worst cliffhanger so far.

Side note: I read the manga after seeing the anime so I've always wondered how well the Minako is the Princess plot worked for those who were reading the manga as it was coming out.

Well, after that gut punch of a cliffhanger; this was a gut punch of a chapter. So this chapter neatly finishes off the last arc (find the princess, all the Sailor Guardians, and the crystal) and starts us on the next (save Mamoru, defeat the Dark Kingdom) and it does this fantastically.

This story also gives us some information on Serenity and Endymion's star crossed relationship (who doesn't love a good forbidden love trope?) and the last days of the Silver Millennium. I adore the Silver Millennium and one of my favorite things about the manga is just how much info we get about it compared to say the anime (still not enough but hey I'm greedy).

We also get to see how the relationship between Serenity and her Guardians worked. It's not spelled out the same way as it was for Serenity and Endymion but the gentle and respectful way Minako approaches her when she's crying or the way she knows how to do Usagi's hair while the other girls try to comfort her speak to a loving and respectful relationship.

As for Usagi herself I need a way to hug a fictional character now, poor girl. I also find the idea that now that Usagi knows she's the princess she's having a bit of an identify crisis fascinating. I wonder why the other girls don't seem to be having the same problem?

More Silver Millennium backstory, I love it. This chapter is primarily info dump the chapter but I'm not complaining. this chapter is fascinating for those of us who are into the Silver Millennium part of Sailor Moon.

I'm also quite fond of the Queen. She clearly loves her daughter dearly and just wants her happiness. I'm also fascinated by how the loss of her daughter was what caused her to fail at using the Silver Crystal to its fullest extent.

We also get the full background of the Shitennou and honestly I love their backstory. In the manga they are some of my favorite villains/tragic characters for this reason. Especially as, far as we know, they stay in their stone form forever.

I love parts of this chapter, I love how I get to see the girls show both their Super Serious Guardian Side and Silly Middle School Girl side. The manga doesn't always keep this balance so this is lovely. There is more exposition but honestly I like how the manga handles it. We also get probably the most fascinating bit of info for me. The Guardians do die after the princess, probably when the Queen used the Silver Crystal.

And I'm also ambivalent about parts of this chapter. I must admit I've never been a huge fan of evil!Endymion (especially in the manga... this is one area I think the anime was more interesting). I don't hate it, mind, but it's never going to be a favorite plot point of mine. I also think it's silly that clearing enough levels in the Sailor V game (in a popular arcade) lets you into the secret base the girls use. Overall I tend to consider this one of the weaker chapters of the entire series,

I want to start off by saying I have a lot to say about the Usagi killing herself after killing Mamoru scene but 1 that is way too long for the short reviews I do here and 2 it contains major spoilers for the last arc (I'm trying to avoid any major spoilers for future plot points for those who want to read these as they go through the manga for the first time). So I may do that later but for now I will simply say my feelings are mixed to say the least.

Otherwise, I quite like this chapter, I love how Ami is able to create a shield (honestly it feels like she moved everyone into a pocket dimension) to keep the arcade and the people within safe. I have questions as to how she did it but hey. I like how we find out Venus was the one who killed Beryl (unfortunately after Serenity and Endymion died). And is the one who kills her here. Hell I even like getting the bits of Beryl's backstory. Overall a solid setup as we get to the final battle.

If you've seen my Usagi/Mamoru mini shrine you can probably guess how I feel about the opening to this chapter. And you'd be right, I love it. It's so rare that a story gives you the perfect quote to describe your OTP. *swoons*

I do like how (despite being understandably upset) the girls refuse to give up to despair. Yes they are prepared to lay down their lives but they also do so believing Usagi will be resurrected and destroy Metalia. What can I say I always enjoy a good Hail Mary.

I just realized I've completely forgotten to talk about the sword. Oops Honestly I like this plot point. A good vague prophesy is always fun, IMHO. Although this one isn't too vague, just as well because we really don't have time for that.

I've always been both a bit confused by and enjoyed how the watch saved Usagi and the Shitennou's stones saved Mamoru. Like we see the blades go through them so? But hey it's good symbology, and in the Shitennou's case a way to atone for their past choices, and I will never complain about good symbology messing with logic, especially in a story as soft fantasy as Sailor Moon.

*chinhands* I know my favorite Usagi/Mamoru quote is in the last chapter but Usagi waking up in Mamoru's arms is probably my favorite scene. They are so cute and the fairy tale aspect of True Loves Kiss is everything.

I also love how the Moon Queen give Usagi her blessing to live a happy life with Mamoru and her friends on earth. And a new broach to hold the silver crystal and fight any future enemies. A princess and a guardian but still a teen girl. Here we see Usagi accept all her selves, at last. *claps*

All in all, I love a good ending and this is a fantastic ending. The Prophesy is fulfilled (with Luna as the one who prayed to the moon) the Evil is defeated, the girls are alive, and the Moon Kingdom has been reborn.

And we've also got set up for the next arc... I'm not going to touch that here though.

I think this is a solid first chapter for the second arc. I like how everyone quickly gets their new power ups with no real fuss, I find the new characters very intriguing (especially Chibi-Usa), and I like how this arc hits the ground running. Honestly while there are times in the first arc I thought a bit of a slow down would be nice, I do love how this arc does not take a pause. I makes everything feel overwhelming for the audience as well as the Sailor Guardians.

I will say I'm of two minds on Mars getting kidnapped. It does show just how powerful and aggressive these new enemies are but it does mean we're gonna miss out on time for character growth and interactions with the other characters. To be fair this chapter does focus on Rei and her personal growth since awakening as a guardian but still. *shrugs*

Speaking of I find it fascinating that Rei no longer seems to have the creepy reputation she had in the first arc. I've always had a headcanon that awakening to their true selves changes how other people see the girls (and Mamoru) and, in the manga at least, that does seem to be the case.

This chapter feels very similar to the first chapter, and like the first chapter I do like it. And even then we get a bit more information on the villains and on Mamoru's powers. I love Mamoru's character development in the manga. It's both well done in it's own right and works amazingly well with Usagi's character development. I also love that, unlike the anime (where Rei is really the only one with psychic abilities), all of the girls seem to have some psychic abilities. With that said Rei is the most powerful, well and possibly Mamoru.

But in all seriousness this chapter does a good job of giving us Ami's backstory and shows off her powers before she is also kidnapped.

Ok the Mako part of this chapter hits the same beats the past two chapters, and does as good a job, so we're gonna focused on some other parts. Well no one quick note: I love how a sick Makoto has trouble with her powers. I wouldn't have mind seeing that explored more, either with her or the other girls.

Starting with Usagi... yeah girl isn't doing well. She's been in quite the tailspin since Mars got kidnapped that's only gotten worse. And Mamoru isn't helping... Don't get me wrong, I completely understand why he thinks that way, but dude your communication skills suck. Oh well, *shrugs* still it's better than what happens in the anime*. You can tell this is a man who, until recently, has not had a close relationship with anyone though.

As for Chibi-usa's crush... I've always been of two minds about her little crush on Mamoru. I'm gonna touch on that more in either the fourth arc or in a separate essay though because to fully explore that plot point now is difficult without those spoilers. Otherwise, I adore her which, considering when I first read the manga my only experience with Chibi-usa was the old English dub where she was a pain in the ass, this quite surprised me. Especially since I tend to find kid characters annoying. Naoko does a really good job making her characters feel their ages even when they are forced to go through things no one their age should have to go through and Chibi-usa is a fantastic example of that.

As for the villains they're interesting enough that they don't annoy me, mostly, and I do like how they feel very different from the Dark Kingdom. One example being them wanting to destroy the Silver Crystal rather than use it. I kinda wish we got more time with the sisters but there's always the anime for that.

*Yeah I agree the anime break up is in character for Mamoru... still a bone headed decision that should have ended in a massive grovel scene before Usagi took him back though. Also what to you mean I have to watch a break up arc right after my OTP got together finally!!!

And Venus's turn... Although, thankfully, she does not get kidnapped. Partly because it breaks the pattern in a very satisfying way. But also because, of all the girls, Venus has gotten the least amount of time, unless you count Sailor V of course, so this will allow for more focus on her. Finally Venus is the longest working senshi in this life and the leader in the past life so she should be more of a BAMF than the other girls.

We also get a LOT of fleshing out of Chibi-usa and her backstory in this chapter. While I honestly think most of this would have been guessed even by new readers, it's still nice to have information confirmed. I also like that it's pretty heavily implied that her parents knew this was going to happen and prepared her for it. Which is interesting for so many reasons.

As for Mamoru, the channeling so he can communicate with his knights is a bit out of nowhere. Remember, the last time we saw those stones they were fragments and it was implied that their spirits were moving on. Or at least that's how I read it the first time I read the manga. There aren't many plot holes in the manga that trip me up but this one does. Ah well moving on, I do like how he finally does get an offensive power though. Like I said I love how the manga handles Mamoru's character arc, it's so satisfying and plays off of Usagi very well.

Speaking of character growth, I also love how Usagi is able to push Chibi-usa away from Rubius. Mamoru is needed to save her but Idk it's a great moment that shows how by this point Usagi is more competent as a Guardian than when she started.

Finally I love the Naru knows something is up with Usagi... And yeah I think she knows Usagi's Sailor Moon. I mostly avoid spoiler but I will give you this one... Nothing ever comes of this scene and it's never brought up again. If there's ever a reboot of Sailor Moon I really hope one of the things they focus on is how everyone's family and friends handle the situation, whether they know or not. The manga teases us a couple times with such scenes and I'd love to see them explored properly.

I love Pluto and the manga really does a fantastic job with her in this arc. I should probably say here that I'm not the biggest fan of time travel. With that said I tend to believe that the Sailor Moon verse is not a multiverse where with every choice the timeline branches and there's a new universe which works better for me. Also the vagueness of everything keeps me from having to pick everything apart. Also making time travel a taboo is an interesting choice, especially since we know Chibi-Usa was prepared for time travel. For those wondering, it's implied that the Black Moon is using a different way to time travel than the one Pluto protects... which is interesting. I also adore how the manga focuses on Chibi-Usa's friendship with Pluto here. It's very sweet and does a lot for the characterization of both characters.

Lets move back a bit and on Usagi and Mamoru's scene though. For me, Usagi's feelings are 100% understandable here. Girl is going through it and now here's this new person who, at this point Usagi barely knows, kind of occupying her boyfriend, who she just went through hell for, when she needs the support. And then Usagi is aware that Chibi-usa has a crush on Mamoru and isn't happy about that either. And yeah Chibi-usa is a kid but Mamoru just brushing of Usagi as being childish is just... Look if a person I'd been dating had done that I would dump them. I've talked about it more in my Usagi/Mamoru mini shrine (add link) but here's our first "I'll protect you" from Usagi to Mamoru and daww. I love this part. They are way to cute for words. I do think they need to have more of a conversation than they do at this point though.

Then there's Luna's flashback. I love this scene both for setting up for meeting Pluto and for giving us a bit more information on Luna. She was clearly very curious and loved to explore, a lot like Princess Serenity was. I do wish we'd have gotten similar scenes with Artemis here though (this is a bit spoilery but he's probably the weakest major character in the manga and the Sailor V manga isn't much better).

Finally I find it weird that Usagi can't use the Crystal at all in the future and Mamoru needed help to use his power but Venus doesn't seem to have any problems. I will say it's kind of explained later but not very well. Honestly, this might be the weakest arc for explanations ime, and we'll see more of that later.

It's been a hot minute since we've had a very info dump chapter but here we are. Most of the information you probably already guessed at this point but for anything you didn't figure out those answers are here. I will say though there are as many questions raised as answered and the new questions don't tend to get concrete answers. Examples include questions like why are Chibi-usa and Diana the only two to not be harmed, how did the Silver Crystal protect the queen when she was attacked, and why is Usagi the only one who can not use her powers in the future? I've got my head-canons for two of those but that's neither here nor there.

We are also introduced to another great character, Diana. She's to Chibi-usa as Luna is to Usagi. Her companion. If you've only watched the anime I will say that she plays a bigger role in the manga and she is adorable and quite awesome at times.

Finally note how last chapter I said Usagi and Mamoru need to have more of a conversation about Chibi-Usa and Usagi's mental state? Yeah right now, Usagi still has all those negative feelings and it's causing her a lot of grief at a time when she's got other stuff on her mind. I think Mamoru should have either let Chibi-usa stay with Usagi or had Usagi stay with him and Chibi-Usa. I'm also kind of surprised Minako and especially Luna didn't stay with Usagi. It's a plot point that Luna isn't supposed to leave her Mistress's side yet... *shrugs*

At the end of the last chapter, Usagi's been kidnapped by Demande and can't transform at all so our girl is understandably freaked. And I love this scene... it's not the first time we see Usagi in a scary situation alone and have to get herself out without help but it is a much longer and more complicated situation than last time. Also she doesn't have her powers so the stakes are higher. So far she's doing pretty good to, recognizing her weaknesses but refusing to let them rule her. Just a fantastic bit of character development for Usagi.

Speaking of, the her girls we do get a brief scene and I love how the girls are reacting in contrast to Usagi. They're also freaked out, especially when they realize they can't transform, but are more calm than Usagi is. Remember the girls have way more training than Usagi as soldiers from their past life so this makes sense. I also think this is the perfect time to see the girls. I know the first time I read the manga I was starting to get a bit annoyed that we'd not seen them up to this point and had no idea if they were ok.

Finally there's some very interesting info on Chibi-usa. She currently has no powers and is 900 years old most of that spent at the same age. She's dealt with a lot of shit for it, she considers Pluto her only friend, and while she loves her parents their relationship is complicated. TLDR poor girl had gone through it even before the Black Moon had attacked. I'm of two minds about how her relationship with her parents is written. Like all of the information we're presented makes sense for the story and characters but idk, it still irks me. Not sure why. We also learn why Chibi-usa has the Silver Crystal. She stole it... I have to admit I've got questions there... How did the Silver Crystal save her Mother if it wasn't with her? My theory is that the Queen is so in tune with her crystal that she didn't need to have it on her to use it but I'm open to other ideas.

Overall a lot happens in this chapter but it's fairly well balanced chapter even if it's all set up for future chapters. I will say though that ending cliffhanger is evil, especially if you had to wait for the next volume.

Side note for those going "but what about Diana?" Diana is very young (I'm guessing around 6 or so) and as far as we know she doesn't have the stalled age of Chibi-usa so she's not been in her life for long.