Deleted and Altered Scenes from the 90s Anime?

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Memento

Stella Nova
Mar 8, 2012
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#1
So, I know from interviews that the '90s anime cast was allowed to ad lib. Scripts for the 90s episodes are available, but I don't know if they're the original scripts the voice actors were given, or if they're just transcripts of the finished shows. If the former, it would be interesting to see how they compare to the end result (i.e. what lines were ad libbed, and what were the lines *supposed* to have been).

I'd also be interested to find out if there were any scenes - however minor - that were originally scripted (or story boarded or maybe even voiced) that ended up getting cut for time. I know the live action series had a ton of deleted scenes, but did the 90s anime, too? (Are deleted/scrapped scenes common in anime?)

And while we're on the subject, I could swear there was at least one episode (I think it was from R?) that had a scene that was edited from the way it originally appeared in the "next time on" preview. (I want to say an up-skirt shot was recolored or something?) Anyone know what I'm thinking of, or know of any other instances of scenes being altered? (Talking about the Japanese broadcast, not any dubs.)
 
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Crystal Tokyo
#3
(I want to say an up-skirt shot was recolored or something?
It was the episode of classic, when Rei first appeared (10th?). In the preview Usagi's underwear is visible for a short moment

Scripts for the 90s episodes are available, but I don't know if they're the original scripts the voice actors were given, or if they're just transcripts of the finished shows
I don't know either, but I don't think releasing transcripts of a finished show would make much sense, so I guess these are the original scripts. According to some sources online, companies licensing Sailor Moon around the world in 90s and early 00s complained that scripts Toei gave them were incomplete; maybe they got the original scripts not including adlibs?
 

sapphire91

Stella Nova
Jul 6, 2018
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#4
I don't think these cut and scrabbed scenes are common in anime. Storyboards sure, but finished scenes to he cut completely... Animation is expensive and anime doesn't have the time and budget for experimentation like this. Especially in the hand drawn animation era. I guess everything is storyboarded and approved before actual animation starts.
 
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Masquerade

Solaris Luna
Nov 22, 2016
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#5
It was the episode of classic, when Rei first appeared (10th?). In the preview Usagi's underwear is visible for a short moment


I don't know either, but I don't think releasing transcripts of a finished show would make much sense, so I guess these are the original scripts. According to some sources online, companies licensing Sailor Moon around the world in 90s and early 00s complained that scripts Toei gave them were incomplete; maybe they got the original scripts not including adlibs?
Pretty much every Sailor Moon dub with dialogues based off Toei's Engrish scripts are a trainwreck, translation-wise. Some attacks were clearly given completely different names because translators had no clue of what Engrish gibberish the characters were shouting, even with those scripts. And based on how many dubs (and even a recent official subbed release I saw on YT) completely forgot the "Star" portion in "Mercury Star Power" during R, I assume the word was omitted in most Toei scripts. Even though a translator is supposed to check both text and audio, and this is not a really good excuse for this mistake. Lots of dubs messed with the "Star Power" attacks after the Inners were upgraded to Super by Pegasus as well.
 

NJ_

Gurges Ater
Oct 31, 2009
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#7
Did the 2002 remastered version have any altered animation like with other remasters (Utena, Evangelion, etc)?
Not really unless you count the cover art designs.
 
Likes: Starlight

sapphire91

Stella Nova
Jul 6, 2018
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#9
They didn’t even fix animation mistakes and wrong coloring, let alone altering scenes And I don’t think there was any purpose for doing so - after all, most episodes of 90s Sailor Moon are filler
Well, it is not that easy to fix animation errors in completely hand-drawn animation and attepting doing it digitally would make it worse.
 
Feb 4, 2020
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Crystal Tokyo
#10
Well, it is not that easy to fix animation errors in completely hand-drawn animation and attepting doing it digitally would make it worse.
I know. Besides, the DVD rerelease wouldn’t have even had the original animators/art directors to redraw anything. But toei could at least have fixed coloring mistakes digitally for the recent bluray release
 

sapphire91

Stella Nova
Jul 6, 2018
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#11
I know. Besides, the DVD rerelease wouldn’t have even had the original animators/art directors to redraw anything. But toei could at least have fixed coloring mistakes digitally for the recent bluray release
They didn't even try color correction. I have done some at home and it does make a difference. But they did a simple upscale so probably decided it won't worth it. We don't know whether it sells at all.
 
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Memento

Stella Nova
Mar 8, 2012
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#12
I was able to find some information about the original scenarios / storyboards for some episodes of classic:

Episode 16: Ami and Rei's entrance in the "Happy Couple" gondola wasn't in the storyboard; it was something they came up with during the actual animation stage.

Episode 21: Hiromi looked more traditionally feminine in the storyboard but was redesigned to better contrast with Kazuko's design.

Episode 24: Originally the episode was to open with a scene of Grape and Nephrite having a violent fight, with Housenka looking at Nephrite with intense hatred for falling in love with a human girl. We were later to see the Plant Sisters kidnap Naru with Housenka's using a small, firecracker-like bomb and Suzuran a bell that produced ultrasonic waves.

Episode 25: "Moon Healing Escalation" was originally called "Moon Power Healing," which was what the Tanoshii Youchien comic and TV Picture Book adaptations used.

Episode 33: In the storyboard, Sailor Venus did not appear wearing her V mask.

Episode 45: The DD Girls' hallucinatory attack was originally to entice each of the girls into fantasy worlds, with a memory of Usagi being inserted right as they were on the verge of entering them. Later, Sailor Moon would be confronted by the last DD Girl while holding Rei's corpse, and defeat her with "Moon Tiara Action."

Episode 46: After regaining his memory, the fatally wounded Endymion was to say, "I'm no longer Endymion. I'm Mamoru Chiba, who lives in this era! I'm an ordinary college student whose heart was moved by a girl named Usagi Tsukino."
 

Nadia

Aurorae Lunares
Jun 30, 2010
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#13
Thank you for unearthing this knowledge.

About Episode 24, I'm ambivalent about the change. On one hand, the episode opening up that way would be intense, but at the same time the episode and arc work because how Nephrite feels is purposely not clear. Pushing that "he's in love and doesn't know it" angle too much would flatten his character. That and the episode ended pretty violently as well. The ending works in part because it is completely unlike anything Sailor Moon showed to that date.

Likewise, seeing those three kidnap Naru would be a plus as it would be an important development to show on screen, but again, it seems like it would take away the focus. Is Nephrite redeeming himself? Is he being maneuvered into breaking away from the Dark Kingdom or is he having genuine affection for this girl? Or is it both? Again, I like how it played out.

Episode 25, Moon Power Healing...it's so-so, but I'm not a fan of Moon Healing Escalation, either (I do like DiC's "Moon Healing Activation," but that's because it sounds as if the healing is being turned on.).

Episode 33, it makes sense that Sailor Venus doesn't have the mask on, since she doesn't wear one as Sailor Venus. I guess they wanted to make the idea that "Sailor V = Sailor Venus" a little more clear aside from Artemis' exposition (is that in the original storyboard?).

Concerning Episode 45, wow! That would make more sense than the illusions they kept putting up of different figures from the girls' lives being bound. This sounds like an idea that was recycled for later installments (sorta like in the SuperS series and movie). Had that been in the penultimate episode, that would have been awesome. It also importantly gives Sailor Moon a moment of triumph instead of being bleak for the sake of bleak.

Episode 46 is contains a real game changer. One of the big unanswered points of Sailor Moon is "How does Mamoru feel about being Tuxedo Mask and Prince Endymion?" This is especially important in Classic when Mamoru is first shown to be changing into Tuxedo Mask against his will, then chasing the Rainbow Crystals to regain his memories, only to be kidnapped and having his memories erased twice. That line brings closure to his development and his identity (and also ties into the aliens arc and why there needed to be a separation between Mamoru and Moonlight Knight, that Mamoru had to fall in love with Usagi on his own). The way it plays out, it is an unknown to the point where some have defended his reasoning for the breakup in R (even if it was a cover), which otherwise just seems out of character because Mamoru never seemed to have issues being Tuxedo Mask or Endymion the same way Usagi struggles with being Sailor Moon. However, that line puts that to bed.

Plus, for Mamoru to pretty much declare his love is another development in of itself. It also parallels to the beginning of the first episode where Usagi introduces herself.. That this line was taken out was almost criminal. This is not a point where ambiguity works, as with Nephrite. This is the season finale and involving the male romantic lead. Hinting is not good enough.
 
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#14
Episode 46: After regaining his memory, the fatally wounded Endymion was to say, "I'm no longer Endymion. I'm Mamoru Chiba, who lives in this era! I'm an ordinary college student whose heart was moved by a girl named Usagi Tsukino."
I like this one!
 

Memento

Stella Nova
Mar 8, 2012
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#16
Moving right along to R...

Fun fact: Ail and An's aliases (Seijuro and Natsumi) are in reference to Ontasu and Seijuro.

Episode 47: Ail and An were supposed to ride to school on super-luxury mountain bikes.

Episode 48: The fight was supposed to take place in a vast void of space reminiscent of a wasteland planet, but the director changed it to a set that looked like the ruins of Silver Millennium.

Episode 49: Mako's friend is indeed named Kenji. Her description of him as someone who's more precious to her than a lover was introduced during the storyboard stage; in the original scenario, she described him as "someone who looks like an older brother even though we're the same age."

Episode 50: In the storyboard, the Moonlight Knight was shown wearing sunglasses and his turban had peacock feathers.

Episode 51: Kuri and Yumi were supposed to attend the cherry blossom viewing with the others, but they wound up being cut from the episode. The Cutie Moon Rod was originally called the "Queen Stick," and Sailor Moon's new attack was to be "Moon Swan Flapping Takeoff," which shot out a swan-shaped burst of light that purified the enemy.
 
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Sep 6, 2014
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#17
Honestly Sailor Mars grabbing the last DD girl by the tentacle and being all “I’m not finished yet..” was so badass and iconic I’m glad they went with that instead of Moon finishing off the last DD Girl.

Sailor Venus jumping down from the building and taking off her mask is also iconic and it made sense since everyone is face blind when the characters transform the mask is a visual cue for Sailor Moon that this is Sailor V
 

Memento

Stella Nova
Mar 8, 2012
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#18
Episode 52: Originally, Usagi had lost the disguise pen and Luna had to reproduce it for her.

Episode 53: "Shabon Spray Freezing" was originally storyboarded for episode 24; Mercury was to use it against one of Housenka's bomb attacks. In the scenario for this episode, "Moon Princess Halation" was called "Queen Stick Love You Shower."

Episode 54: This episode was directed by Harume Kosaka, who was one of the storyboarders for "Burning Mandala" later on. Apparently her original concept for that attack was for the eight symbols of the mandala to come together and form a Yamata no Orochi (a legendary eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon/snake) out of fire.

Episode 55: This episode was originally supposed to be #54, but because Mako had already been the focus of episode #49, they decided to move up Rei's episode (which was originally supposed to be #55). Something to consider the next time you rewatch the series.

Episode 56: When the Sailors make their introduction speeches in front of kabuki-inspired backdrops, they were originally supposed to be holding paper umbrellas.

Episode 57: Mars and Jupiter were also supposed to use their new powered-up attacks, but for some reason only Mercury's and Venus's were used.

Episode 58: The article Mamoru is reading at the beginning of the episode is about the strange relationship between the Earth and the Moon suggested by some unearthed ancient ruins. This scene was intended to hint that Mamoru was regaining his memories.

Episode 59: Yamandakka was supposed to be in this episode too, but was cut completely from the story. (The original scenario and storyboard for the previous episode had ended with Yamandakka simply fainting.) In the final version of the episode, An gets struck down by the Doom Tree while protecting Ail; originally, Ail was supposed to be struck down while protecting An from Mars's and Jupiter's attacks.
 
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NJ
www.twitch.tv
#19
Honestly Sailor Mars grabbing the last DD girl by the tentacle and being all “I’m not finished yet..” was so badass and iconic I’m glad they went with that instead of Moon finishing off the last DD Girl.
Same, her killing the last DD girl is like, one of the most powerful moments in the series to me lol. ^ ^ I'm glad we ultimately got the episode we did even if the original idea is interesting, I really wonder if it partially inspired the mirrors scene in SuperS (combined with the manga's take of course)

Also these are all super interesting to read thank you for posting these omg ^ ^
 

Memento

Stella Nova
Mar 8, 2012
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#20
Fun fact: Originally, the Droids were also to yell "Cleansing!" upon being defeated, just like the Cardians.

Episode 72: The fight scene was originally to take place in just a generic construction site, but during production, construction on the Rainbow Bridge was wrapping up, so they moved the climax there.

Episode 73: Esmeraud's trademark fan did not appear in the storyboard.

Episode 74: This episode was directed by Hiroki Shibata, who also directed the SuperS film. The climax of this episode (the burning UFO) apparently inspired the climax of the movie (Badiane as a ball of fire).

Episode 75: Originally, it was Sailor Moon who fell into the crevice, not Chibiusa.

Episode 77: Esmeraud's lair was originally described as a beautiful balcony with white chairs and tables gracefully arranged.

Episode 78: Venus's catchphrase was originally, "Awaken to love and start mending your ways!"

Episode 81: Chiral and Achiral were supposed to have an ability called "element exchange" (the ability to freely transmute substances). Also, this episode takes place on Prince Demand's birthday, explaining Esmeraud's remark that her plan's success will be "a gift" for him.

Episode 82: When everyone is in the corridor of space-time, Chibiusa was originally supposed to think, "If I let go of her hand, Usagi will disappear and Mamo will stay with me forever," which was meant to foreshadow her transformation into Black Lady.

Episode 83: Wiseman was described as "The Shadow of Death Phantom" in the scenario.

Episode 84: Originally Esmeraud was to be shown holding a rose before turning to dust and then ascending to heaven. Also, the episode was to end with Black Lady appearing on screen; instead, we only hear her laughter.

Episode 86: Saphir's corpse was originally supposed to turn to dust.

Episode 87: The Sailor Moon / Prince Demand scene at the end was modeled after episode 34.

Episode 88: When Chibiusa returns to the future, Sailor Pluto was supposed to be included in the scene. The director cut her from the episode, saying Pluto was supposed to be protecting the Door of Space-Time.

R Movie: Xenian's character design was based off of Kyurene's human disguise in episode 6. In addition to Glycina, Dahlian, and Campanula, the scenario also called for a Salvia and a Piashinzu (ピアシンズ).