10 Harsh Truths About Sailor Moon Crystal 11 Years Later

As a die-hard fan, I’ve found myself on an emotional rollercoaster with the revival of the “Sailor Moon” anime. This reimagining was born out of love for the series’ 20th anniversary, but the first season fell short of expectations, largely due to a crunchy production timeline. However, “Sailor Moon Crystal” has now come full circle with the release of the film, “Sailor Moon Cosmos,” wrapping up the last tale from the original manga, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.

Enthusiasts widely commended the last two movies, ensuring the reboot concluded on a triumphant high. Those returning to watch Sailor Moon Crystal from its start will recognize the series’ progression by the time it ended. Fans of Sailor Moon who have only recently revisited the ’90s cartoon version might be taken aback by the more complex storylines introduced in the newer screen adaptation.

Filler Episodes Were Moments for the Sailor Guardians to Bond as Friends

Occasionally, it may earn a less than favorable image, and the initial Sailor Moon anime contains an excess of filler arcs and episodes. These supplementary episodes don’t always contribute to the main storylines and can be skipped over, but they effectively reinforce the broader themes of Sailor Moon. The original manga also includes filler arcs, which take the form of adorable side-stories and brief tales.

In the remake called Sailor Moon Crystal, the story progresses swiftly, covering all five primary storylines of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon in just three seasons and two films. Due to the reduced number of episodes and screen time, viewers get to witness fewer moments where friendships among characters, particularly the Sailor Guardians, blossom. There’s also significantly less humor in Sailor Moon Crystal. Although the essence of the characters’ personalities remains intact in this reboot, the infrequent portrayal of their unique interactions makes their bonds feel less authentic compared to the original anime and manga series.

The Backgrounds & Characters Look Flat in Sailor Moon Crystal

In Sailor Moon, though not every backdrop was a hand-painted masterpiece, there was a lot of thought and creativity behind most scenes. One distinctive feature of Sailor Moon is the nighttime cityscapes of Tokyo, beautifully depicted in pastel colors. Moreover, the backgrounds frequently showcased intricate details such as cavernous and crystalline textures or watercolor-like brushstrokes during the Sailor Guardians’ transformations. These details seem to be a fitting tribute to Naoko Takeuchi’s original full-color designs.

Instead, during the initial phases of Sailor Moon Crystal, there’s less depth and dimension noticeable, particularly in character design and background artwork. Shading is kept simple most of the time, except for occasional exceptions. However, as the series progresses, this improves significantly, especially in the movies, which exhibit a more ethereal and cosmic art style during certain fight and transformation sequences.

The Sailor Guardians’ Iconic Looks Don’t Stand Out as Much in Sailor Moon Crystal

In the 1990s, Sailor Moon was created with its storyline, and the series showcases this era through its unique fashion style. Both the Sailor Guardians and villains exhibit striking fashion trends, even in their everyday attire, sporting streetwear that mirrors ’90s silhouettes. The creator, Naoko Takeuchi, has a keen eye for fashion, as evidenced by her detailed drawings of clothing, whether they be casual or formal outfits.

In Sailor Moon Crystal, while the Sailor Guardians maintain the fashion trends from the ’90s, their outfits lack the intricate detail found in the original anime. Characters like Rei Hino, for instance, are still recognized by her iconic bright pink overalls from the ’90s series. However, the clothing designs in Sailor Moon Crystal fall short when it comes to capturing the vibrant color saturation that made Takeuchi’s original designs truly shine.

Sailor Moon Crystal Season 1 Speeds Through Introducing the Inner Sailor Guardians

In the first season of Sailor Moon Crystal, the storyline closely mirrors the manga’s approach by gradually introducing each character, following the Dark Kingdom arc. Essentially, each chapter from the manga corresponds to an episode in this anime reboot. Although dividing the narrative equally across episodes might seem logical and a positive shift compared to the original anime, it can be challenging to fit such extensive storytelling into a typical anime episode’s runtime.

Presenting characters sequentially in Season 1 is overly concise to a fault, providing minimal time for viewers to familiarize themselves with and appreciate each character. While it does swiftly advance the plot during the Dark Kingdom arc, it lacks the immersive storytelling experience one might expect. Instead, it seems more like a recap or reminder for fans of the series rather than an introduction for newcomers.

Sailor Moon Crystal Explores More of the Shitennou’s Backstory

The Four Guardians (Shitennou) possess an intriguing past that is only partially revealed within the manga. Originally, creator Naoko Takeuchi intended to delve deeper into their backstory from previous lives; however, she failed to develop this plot thread further. In their previous existences, the Shitennou were Prince Endymion of Earth’s noble lineage during the nighttime hours.

In the animated series, Sailor Moon Crystal delves into the intricate emotions of its characters, faithfully representing the depth shown in the Dark Kingdom storyline. Particularly, Kunzite’s character, as portrayed in the manga’s Dark Kingdom arc, is rich with complex feelings and memories of his past life that he rediscovers alongside Usagi and Mamoru. The show adapts this part of Kunzite’s character and also incorporates the other Four Guardian Generals into this emotional journey.

What’s interesting is that Naoko Takeuchi, the creator of Sailor Moon, had initially planned to incorporate the plotline about the past lives of the Inner Sailor Guardians in the main Sailor Moon storyline but didn’t pursue it. This backstory aspect involving romance has left some fans divided, expressing mixed opinions on whether it was appropriate for inclusion in Sailor Moon Crystal.

The Shitennou Romance Seems Like It Should Be Canon in All Versions of Sailor Moon

In the ’90s Sailor Moon anime, two villains from the Dark Kingdom share a romantic relationship. The stern leader of the Four Guardian Generals, Kunzite, displays a more affectionate side towards his lover, Zoisite, whom he is deeply devoted to. Despite neither Kunzite and Zoisite receiving a redemption arc or reconciliation with Mamoru in the ’90s anime, their love story captivated viewers’ hearts effortlessly.

In the world of Sailor Moon, the dynamic between Kunzite and Zoisite, though not officially recognized in the manga, has sparked intense discussions among fans, making it one of the most beloved non-canonical romances. It’s important to note that Sailor Moon Crystal, a reboot aiming to stay true to the original manga, has fixed many deviations from the source material seen in the ’90s anime. Unfortunately, this faithful adaptation means there is no romance depicted between the Shitennou in the revamped series.

Seiya & Usagi Have Some Chemistry, but Nothing More in Sailor Moon Cosmos

In the ’90s anime series “Sailor Moon,” the romantic connection between Usagi and her characters, particularly Seiya, has been a favorite among many fans who ship them as a couple. This chemistry is intentionally crafted, given that Seiya appears to be the ideal match for Usagi in the manga. She embodies the elegant Sailor Guardian version of Tuxedo Mask, with her dark hair, suave demeanor, and affectionate gestures like presenting roses to Usagi.

In every adaptation of Sailor Moon, including the Stars arc in Sailor Moon Crystal and Sailor Moon Cosmos, Seiya and Usagi share a kiss. However, their romantic storyline is more prominent in the ’90s anime, where they have what could be considered a courtship arc, albeit unofficial. They even go on a memorable date together, making it one of the most adorable romantic episodes in the entire series. In Sailor Moon Cosmos, their kiss may still be present, but many of the humorous and heartfelt moments that characterized their relationship are absent due to the lack of filler episodes in this version.

Galaxia’s Grisly Deeds Are Gut-Wrenching in Sailor Moon Crystal’s Final Film

In another way of saying it: The intense truths about Sailor Moon Crystal, such as the portrayal of Galaxia in Sailor Moon Cosmos, aren’t necessarily flaws within the series itself. Some might even suggest that by softening her actions in the ’90s anime, they introduced a flaw into the original animation.

Despite Galaxia’s crimes being brutally severe, it becomes apparent in the Stars storyline. Initially, Galaxia cruelly slays Mamoru in Usagi’s presence by seizing his Golden Crystal. As the movie progresses, Galaxia not only eliminates Mamoru and all Sailor Guardians but also manipulates them to assault Sailor Moon. This forces Sailor Moon into a difficult position where she must eliminate her former allies, ultimately halting Galaxia’s destructive actions.

Cramped Turnaround Times for Production Took Away From Sailor Moon Crystal’s Animation Quality

In the world of Sailor Moon, the art style was never intended to appear lifelike but was always designed to be beautiful, graceful, and consistent. However, in the early seasons of Sailor Moon Crystal, there are numerous instances where character limbs seem distorted or out of proportion. At times, facial expressions and profiles can look strange or even comical, which is certainly not the intended effect.

It strikes me as peculiar that a show renowned for its massive fanbase and emphasis on visual elegance would be marred by numerous stylistic blunders and awkward animations. A plausible theory could be that the production team was under tight deadlines to animate the initial seasons, leading to such inconsistencies. Regrettably, this is a predicament often faced by animation studios when they prioritize speed and profits over quality, which seldom yields satisfactory results.

CGI-Laden Transformation Scenes Are a Far Cry From Sailor Moon’s Previously Hand-Drawn Animation

In essence, CGI isn’t inherently bad in anime; it’s all about how it’s utilized effectively. However, some fans find the CGI scenes in the Sailor Moon Crystal series to be less satisfying, a point that is quite understandable given the criticism from both old and new viewers.

Around a decade back, Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) seemed more suitable for early PlayStation cutscenes than it did for a modern take on the beloved Sailor Moon series. Transformation sequences are vital in magical girl anime, and they were captivatingly hand-drawn in the original Sailor Moon series with an elegant fluidity. However, the character movements during transformations in Sailor Moon Crystal appear to emerge from the unsettling ‘uncanny valley’.

2025-04-21 02:13