Sailor Moon Crystal ep 18 [ Prelude to a much better episode ]

This episode continues one of two trends, the horrifying miscommunication between Usagi and Chibiusa. That’s all fine and well for awhile, but it becomes a little overbearing after a point. We get it, the two have trouble getting along because of their personalities. Please stop it show! I know this is a common theme even later in the show but I just want to see things change. Can we please? Ah well, I guess I’ll just have to deal with it as the fourth and final of the Sailor Scout kidnappers shows up trying to brainwash everyone in town.

The plot is a little stale right now and the only really good thing this episode was the unexpected focus on Mamoru. Mamoru wants to protect Usagi but he doesn’t think he can. I had no idea that in the manga Mamoru was actually capable of things, because in the original anime all he ever did was heal people and that was kind of unsatisfying. Venus also used her cute attack Rolling Heart Vibration and that was awesome, so the main cast had room to breathe this episode.

We finally get somewhere this episode in the main plot. It’s made clear from chibiusa that she is from the future and the crystal she possesses is the Legendary Silver Crystal from the future, so that is awesome. Unfortunately outside of that the episode has a routine feel. Neither Venus or Tuxedo Mask got much of the direct limelight since they were basically sharing, and the most interesting thing was the return of the generals in the form of apparitions. Woo?

All in all, what can I say? I felt afraid and upset last arc because it felt like people were genuinely hurt and in danger. While I feel the danger the mystery isn’t as engaging. Stealing the senshi means stealing a lot of ways for me to feel empathy and forces me instead to watch a petty bickering match every episode with Usagi and Chibiusa, the latter of whom could fix her problems if she just owned up and told them even the tiniest of details.

Ah well, what can you do? Next week we’re finally in territory I’m genuinely interested in again. We get to see the dangers and woes of the future and understand Chibiusa’s plight, that being said I’ll be off to Anime Boston for another press roundup for all of you, so expect my post but don’t be surprised if it’s inundated between other things. I’ll see you then and I can’t wait to finally be passed this lull in the arc. . .

Oki