School life for Usagi gets a lot more interesting when
the popular Idol Trio, the Three Lights, transfer into her class. All three are showered in as much mystery as
they are popularity. As Rei, Ami, Mako
and Minako work their way to be closer to their celebrity crushes, a new evil
has emerged and its power to turn Humans into Monsters leaves the Sailor Senshi
at a disadvantage. But the Sailor
Starlights have no qualms about doing whatever it takes to destroy these
creatures. Can they find a way to work
past their differences? And who is the
lovely and powerful Galaxia, who aims to conquer not just the Earth but the
entire galaxy itself?
It’s weird.
There
are elements of Sailor Moon Sailor Stars that have appeared in past seasons
that I’ve openly criticized.
Usagi’s
acting a little more dimwitted and obtuse than usual.
The Sailor Starlights aren’t as cold as
Uranus and Neptune in Season Three but there’s still that unnecessary air of
distrust they have for the Inner Senshi.
The Inner Senshi all show up for a battle but do nothing.
Despite this though, I feel that Sailor Stars
is doing a good job either justifying or laying not so subtle clues that the
state of minds of both Usagi and the Starlights are this way for a reason (the
Senshi all showing up just to do nothing but be there, yeah that’s still a
problem).
Further evidence to all of
this is presented in a pretty solid set of episodes chalk full of humor while
dedicated plenty of time to getting to know our new trio of Guardians from
across the stars.
I’m glad Seiya, Taiki and Yaten all got episodes to
themselves, both as the Three Lights and in their Sailor Starlight forms.
Individually, their differences shine from
Seiya’s strength to Taiki sticking to the facts and Yaten not caring to be
bothered with trivial matters like love notes.
Their attitudes can come off as stuck up or stand offish due to their
status as idols but they all have their soft spots too.
Seiya, Taiki and Yaten all have a super
strong desire to see a mysterious girl that all three are trying to reach out
to through their music and performances, something several people took notice
of, including Michiru.
They want this
person to see and hear them and will do everything 200% to ensure this happens.
Who is it theyre looking for exactly is still
unknown but I’m pretty sure that for once it’s not Usagi.
Despite the agreement between all three that
this mystery girl is all that should ever matter to them, that isn’t stopping
Seiya from continuing to pursue Usagi.
Sad to say, Usagi isn’t ever giving up on Mamoru.
Which sucks because everytime she and Seiya
are on screen together, it’s the magic that’s been lacking in Usagi’s rather
icky romance with Mamoru.
Their back and
forth just has that special energy and Seiya teasing of Usagi never comes off
as mean spirited like early Mamrou.
Dammit, I want these two to be a thing and I can see why this “ship” is
so beloved by many in the Sailor Moon Fandom.
Speaking of Usagi, let’s talk about her seemingly
stepping backwards character arc.
Usagi
has grown a lot since the start of the series, evolving from bumbling crybaby
to fearless protector.
In SuperS, she
was regressed to a jealous brat who couldn’t stand when her friends were
sitting right next to Mamoru.
You’d
think this was continuing with Sailor Stars but there’s something different
about it.
I don’t think Usagi is
regressing.
She’s always been clumsy and
scatterbrained, it’s part of her charm and has provided much of the shows
humor.
No, Usagi is hiding something
from everyone and her thoughts have made it clear what that is: a lack of
responses to her notes to Mamoru.
Usagi
knows something is wrong and doesn’t know how to process it and probably
doesn’t know how to talk to anyone about how she’s feeling.
So yeah, she’s being more silly than normal
and I’m alright with it.
It’s not
bringing down the plot or taking the character backwards.
At some point though, Usagi will have to
address these concerns.
Heck, even
Haruka and Michiru know something is up with their Princess.
I was surprised to see the return of Haruka and Michiru
so soon but I’m actually happy to see them again.
Sailor Stars made it clear in the Premiere
these aren’t the same bull headed, single minded mission based Senshi from
Sailor Moon S and their latest appearance solidified this change.
These two are fully onboard with working with
Usagi and the others and I like that Haruka is plenty concerned for Usagi, be
it her being unable to talk about Mamoru or Usagi being around Seiya.
Ohhhh man, I was definitely looking forward
to Haruka meeting Seiya.
They’re two of
the biggest Alphas in the series and the sparks were loud and clear the second
Haruka saw Seiya in Michiru’s dressing room and said without saying it “Stay away
from my girl.”
Michiru continues to
throw on the flirt with just about everyone.
She leads on Seiya playfully but makes it clear she only wants Haruka to
unzip her dress, yowza. All that said, the pair did jump the gun and ruin
Sailor Moon making a proper alliance with the Sailor Starlights because they
are forces from outside the Solar System (Say what?).
I get they’re being protective of Usagi for a
change but come on guys.
Some odds and ends before I close out this review.
Luna got to look super cute in a dress and
also show how much of a bad ass she is by attacking Sailor Iron Mouse when
Yaten considered letting a stuck up idol get her Star Seed taken.
It definitely paints Yaten in a Season Three
Uranus/Neptune light because it has nothing to do with their missing Princess
but leave it to Luna to call them out on it her own way.
Also Luna continues to be not immune to the
good looks of the Three Lights, this time crushing super hard on Yaten (and
driving Minako to dangerous nosebleed levels thinking about what Luna might be
doing with them).
Despite Uranus and
Neptune kind of screwing things up at the end of the set, the Starlights are
taking notice of Sailor Moon’s power to cleanse Phages and save their Human
counterparts.
It also helps that Seiya
and Taiki both looked hesitant and regretful when faced with the possibility of
having to kill someone to destroy a Phage.
The Starlights feel like very old soldiers who have seen their fair
share of battles and loss and it weighs on them despite their tough exterior
and I’m glad this is being explored little by little.
We also got another tease of a Three Lights
musical performance featuring Michiru on violin.
I cant be the only one at this point who
wants a full on uninterrupted musical number (heck i’d take an extended
sequence of the joint piece with Michiru).
Please tell me we’re gonna hear the idols sing before the end of the
season.
Lastly, Iron Mouse’s time is
almost up as Galaxia is openly zapping her for failures and her two
replacements are waiting in the wings.
I
don’t think her Bill and Ted phone booth is gonna be her easy escape for much
longer.
Chipping away at the tough guy exteriors of the Sailor
Starlights and the return of some old friends, coupled with humor with a
purpose made this a very solid set of Sailor Moon episodes without a lot
negatives to talk about.
I’m loving the
continued interactions between the Usagi and the girls and the Starlights, both
as Senshi and Students, as its bringing a sense of character advancement and
fun that as missing from all of Season Four.
So yeah, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars is continuing to live up to the hype
but is it the best season of the series?
Got a ways to go before rendering that verdict and we’ll continue that
with more Sailor Moon Sailor Stars on Friday right here at the Gundam Anime
Corner.
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