Sailor Moon Crystal: Episodes 15-16 (Review)

Well, a new arc started at the end of episode 14, and things are about to get intense for the Sailor Guardians.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

At the end of Episode 14, we are introduced to a new character: a pink-haired girl who fell from the sky who claims her name is Usagi. Just as things get weird, the girl pulls a gun on Usagi, and demands her to give her the "Legendary Silver Crystal." Soon, she pulls the trigger, and a plunger dart hits Usagi's forehead as Mamoru pulls the girl away. Finally, the girl runs off right before Usagi and Mamoru look for her. They eventually find her at a playground where they give her the name, Chibi-Usa. Afterwards, as they arrive at Usagi's house, Chibi-Usa pulls out her iconic Luna P ball, and hypnotizes Usagi's parents and brother. Of course, this leads to Luna wondering about Chibi-Usa, while Usagi assumes that she's an enemy.

Meanwhile, Rei discovers that there is a new threat: The Black Moon Clan. Afterwards, it is revealed that the Black Moon Clan is after what they call "The Rabbit." Soon, they begin to kidnap any Sailor Guardian that gets in the way. First up is Rei. She was captured at her school fair after Koan (one of the Black Moon Clan's Specter Sisters) used her never-ending blue flame on her as the other Sailor Guardians watch in horror while Rubeus (the leader) takes her away. They soon find out that Chibi-Usa was watching in the shadows all along, and she eventually heads to Mamoru's house with Luna following her. Mamoru realizes that she is full of fear for some particular reason, and he helps cheer her up. As this goes on, Chibi-Usa reveals that her actual name is Small-Lady after her Luna P ball repeats it a couple of time. The following morning, Mamoru brings Chibi-Usa back to Usagi's house, and he assures her along with Luna that she is not an enemy.

Soon, it is revealed that the Black Moon Clan's next kidnapping target is Ami. They send another Specter Sister, Berthier, to challenge Ami to a chess game, but gives her a choice to give up "The Rabbit" (which the Sailor Guardians think is a reference to Usagi). However, Ami wins the game before she is captured in a water sphere, and taken away by Rubeus right after Berthier's defeat.

What will happen next? Guess we'll have to see next month for episodes 17 and 18.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Review)

Well, with the Oscars coming up, I decided to review one of the nominees for Best Animated Feature, and it's none other than Isao Takahata's The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

In 2013, Studio Ghibli released two animated films: The Wind Rises and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and both films had their share of success. With The Wind Rises being quoted as Hayao Miyazaki's swansong, Kaguya was Takahata's first film since his 1999 film, My Neighbors The Yamadas. It wasn't until last year when GKIDS gave the film a limited theatrical release in the United States, and it received much praise from the critics which included getting a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

I have to give credit where credit is due: the director himself, Isao Takahata, and his choice of animation style. Ever since the release of his 1968 directorial debut, Horus, Prince of the Sun (also known as The Little Norse Prince in some territories), he has directed visually-unique films that are either very entertaining or very dramatic, and this is especially true in the cases of Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday, and My Neighbors The Yamadas. In his major comeback since Yamadas, He chooses a visual style that is based off of older Japanese illustrations, and in a way, it is both impressive and beautiful to look at on screen.

Of course, there is also the story of which Kaguya is based off from, and it is none other than the ancient Japanese folktale, "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." The folktale itself is about a bamboo cutter and his wife finding a small princess in a bamboo shoot, and they raise her as she continues to grow like bamboo. Soon, the bamboo cutter and his wife ends up buying a mansion for the princess, and they later find out a major secret from her. Takahata remains faithful in his adaptation of the story, but he did make a few changes and cuts to the story to make it more appropriate for the big screen.

In my opinion, the film itself has to be one of the most visually entertaining and dramatic animated films I've ever seen in my life. However, the film does become very emotional in the third act, so if you get emotional during sad or depressing scenes, make sure to have some tissues handy before watching the film.

Written by Nolan Schmidt