Sailor Moon Crystal: Episodes 19-26 (Review)

Keeping my promise from three months ago, I am reviewing the final 8 episodes of Sailor Moon Crystal, but since I'm covering eight episodes, I will be making a brief summary of what happened in the episodes.

WARNING! THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!

From where the story left off in episode 18, episode 19 starts off the part of the second arc that I personally call "The Battle in the Future," which exactly happens when the Sailor Guardians, Tuxedo Mask, and Chibi-Usa go to the future with the help of Sailor Pluto. In this future, the citizens of Crystal Tokyo are in a deep sleep (including Neo-Queen Serenity). When they reach the castle, they meet up with a spiritual projection of King Endymion, and he reveals that Chibi-Usa is Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask's future daughter. Of course, at several moments of the story, the Black Moon Clan would attempt to attack the kingdom (even going so far as capturing Sailor Moon herself). Soon, the worst happens when Wiseman captures Chibi-Usa, and turns her into Black Lady. Afterwards, Black Lady captures Tuxedo Mask, and hypnotizes him to attack Sailor Moon. However, this all changes when Prince Demande (of the Black Moon Clan) gets his hands on the Legendary Silver Crystal of the Past and the Future, and tries to put them together before Sailor Pluto sacrifices her life to stop him. Her death causes Black Lady to change back into Chibi-Usa. However, it's revealed that her power has finally awaken, and she becomes a Sailor Guardian (Sailor Chibi Moon). Then, Wiseman reveals his his final form, Death Phantom, and takes both Sailor Moon and Tuxedo mask to Nemesis. At that moment, both Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion awaken to tell Chibi-Usa to help both Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask defeat Death Phantom once and for all. When she finally finds them, the three of them obliterate Death Phantom and Crystal Tokyo returns back to its original glory. Soon, the Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask return back to the past, and Chibi-Usa returns to Crystal Tokyo...until Neo-Queen Serenity sends her back to be trained in the ways of a Sailor Guardian by Sailor Moon.

From what I watched, the story remained pretty faithful to the manga just like the other episodes did. Of course, I have to admit that I really enjoyed this anime, even though it's unknown right now if there will be a continuation anime based on the later arcs. I hope this does happen one day, but we may have to wait and see until then.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

Soul Eater (Review)

For the first time for this blog, I am going to do a review for a series that was requested to me by one of my friends, Joshua Maldonado. The series that he requested was actually one that I was very interested to watch, and that series is none other than Soul Eater.

Soul Eater is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Atsushi Ōkubo, and it was originally aired on television from April 2008 to March 2009. The anime was directed by Takuya Igarashi (who also directed several of the Ojamajo Doremi anime series), and the animation studio behind the adaptation was none other than Bones (who were the minds behind the anime adaptations of Wolf's Rain, Eureka Seven, and both anime adaptations of Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist.

The plot of Soul Eater is based around the students of the Death Weapon Meister Academy (or the DWMA for short), which is run by Shinigami (or Lord Death in the English dub). In the school, the students are split into two different categories: Weapons and Meisters. The weapon students have the ability to transform into weapons used against evil creatures (such as witches), and the meister students are the chosen wielders of the weapons that the Weapon students turn into. The main goal that is given to each meister and weapon team is that they must fight and collect the souls of 99 evil humans and one witch for the weapon student to become a Death Scythe, which makes them become a weapon for Shinigami to use. The main students who are the main focus of the series is Maka and her partner, Soul (who can turn into a scythe). Maka is the daughter of Shinigami's current death scythe, Spirit, and is very dedicated to her work as a meister. Soul is a very laid-back character who has a talent at playing the piano, but when he's working together with Maka, he becomes very useful (even though both Maka and Soul bicker at each other throughout the majority of the series). Other meister and weapon teams includes Black Star (an arrogant yet determined assassin) and Tsubaki (who can turn into weapons used by assassins), and Death the Kid (Shinigami's son) and his partners who can turn into pistols, Liz and Patty.

The plot goes more along the lines of following the student's missions until the introduction of the villains at certain points of the series, which includes Medusa, Arachne (who is the leader of the group, Arachnophobia), and finally, the major and most feared antagonist of the series, Asura. Other characters in the series include the meister and weapon duo, Chrona and Ragnarok, teachers of the DWMA (like Dr. Stein), and even the legendary weapon Excalibur is a character within the world of the series (even though many of the characters are annoyed by his characteristics and rules for him to become a meister's personal weapon.

Like several other anime based on manga, the series itself has a great amount of humorous moment within the plot to make the story very enjoyable, but it does have its share of dramatic moments involving such things as character and story development, intense scenes involving several of the characters in peril, and other plot related material. In a way, it balances out the entertainment values of the series.

In the terms of Soul Eater, it is very well done on its story and characters. I found the series very entertaining, and I have to give some additional credit to FUNimation (who owns the North American license to the series) for their dub. Like the series, the dub is very entertaining, and the voices are very well cast. As said, I highly recommend this series.

Soul Eater is available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD from FUNimation Entertainment, and the series is also available to watch from FUNimation's streaming services and Netflix.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

Further Sailor Moon Crystal Reviews Postponed

Hey everyone.

From reading the title, I have a strong feeling of what you are about to say: "Nolan, you have reviewed 19 episodes so far! Why are you postponing your Sailor Moon Crystal reviews again?"

Well, my answer is that since there are 6 episodes left and that the last episode left off on Chibi-Usa telling Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Tuxedo Mask that she's going to take them to the 30th Century, I thought it would be better if I reviewed the remainder of the arc in total. So that means, I'll be able to do a proper review of 8 episodes in three months time than continuing a one two-episode review per month. So, until July, there will be no reviews of Sailor Moon Crystal episodes until then.

However, I will go back to reviewing other anime series, movies, and OVAs in the meantime.

- Nolan

Sailor Moon Crystal: Episodes 17-18 (Review)

Well, it's been another month, and that means that two more episodes of Sailor Moon Crystal has been released.

WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

So far, two of the Sailor Guardians have been captured by the Black Moon clan, and the remaining three Guardians have found out that Chibi-Usa is their target. As they discuss their plans, Makoto (Sailor Jupiter) is suffering from a terrible cold, and she meets up with one of her classmates. However, one of the two remaining Specter sisters do an all-out attack on her, and both Usagi and Minako (Sailor Venus) come to the rescue to only defeat the Specter sister in her tracks. However, Makoto is captured by Rubeus. After he leaves with Makoto, the Sailor Guardians find one of the Specter sister's earrings, and after Chibi-Usa sees it, she freaks out in fear. Then, the final Specter sister goes ahead with her plan to get her revenge for the deaths of her sisters. Soon, Usagi finds out that her broach (that contains the Legendary Silver Crystal) has been stolen by Chibi-Usa, but finds her before Rubeus appears. As Rubeus tries to attack them, Tuxedo Mask appears just in time to save them. Rubeus then retreats as Usagi helps Minako fight the final Specter sister, and kills her off for good. Afterwards, Chibi-Usa reveals that she couldn't use the Legendary Silver Crystal of the Past or the Future in opposite timelines in front of Usagi, Minako, and Tuxedo Mask, and she begs for Usagi to save her mother in the 30th century.

The more we get into, the more intense the story gets.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

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

Sailor Moon Crystal: Episode 13-14 (Review)

Well, the final battle between the Sailor Moon and the evil Queen Metalia happened this month, and all I have to say was "It was intense."

WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

It all starts with a recap of Usagi making the choice of taking her life along with a possessed Mamoru, and the Legendary Silver Crystal grows and covers both of their bodies. After Queen Metalia takes the crystal for herself, the remaining Sailor Guardians start their battle against her on Earth, and both Luna and Artemis go to the Chamber of Prayer after arriving on the moon. However, the Sailor Guardians are defeated, and Luna starts to pray for Usagi. Meanwhile, Usagi wakes up inside Metalia (realizing that both her and Mamoru are not dead) and the Crystal reveals its powers to Usagi. She then escapes from inside Metalia with a now awaken Mamoru, and even Mamoru gets one final visit with the spirits of the Four Kings. Finally, Usagi uses the Crystal's powers to defeat Metalia once and for all, with a little help from Luna's prayers. With Metalia finally defeated, Usagi wakes up to find Mamoru checking on her, and they kiss. Soon, Luna calls for Usagi to return to the moon, but she finds out that her brooch was damaged when she defeated Metalia. However, she uses the power of the Legendary Silver Crystal to return to the moon to receive a new brooch from the spirit of Queen Serenity, and she heals the Earth from the darkness that remained from Metalia. The Sailor Guardians are reunited with Serenity, and everything is back to normal....right?

Oh, wait. I forgot that we're only halfway through the series. So, at the end of episode 14, we are introduced to a new character, a pink-haired little girl who fell from the sky who calls herself "Usagi." And, she is looking for the Legendary Silver Crystal. This is going to be interesting.

From what I saw, these two episodes were pretty faithful to the events of the manga, especially the introduction of a new character. Well, all I have to say is that the story isn't over yet, my fair readers. Looks like we are going into another story arc.

Written by Nolan Schmidt