A lot of the early season of Crystal can be pretty cringe-y in animation. It is very stale. I still resent it for how it animated Usagi and Luna's first meeting, because the manga had me laughing so much at that and I could imagine it in 90s animation. But with Crystal...it just can't handle humor very well. For the first episode, it's kinda hard not to compare Crystal with manga and 90s, since the story lines are closely identical. And as for second episode, for once, I did notice animation errors in the initial viewing, when usually I gloss over them for the story.
I have thought about rewatching Crystal for some time, I believe this is a great thread to discuss rewatching.
Likes:
MsImagination
Act 3 Rei - Sailor Mars
New week, new episode. I was not really enthusiastic about this one, because I never liked the demon bus plot in the manga, here and the 90s. It is probably a bit of cultural thing as I know Japanese are quite superstition. This time we started with a quick scene from the Rei's point of view. While I enjoued what they did for Ami,this time the execution was weak. Stit didn't draw attention to Rei the way the Ami scene did and the story board was really weird. They really skipped a lot this time as well. There was a great funny scene with Luna and miss Haruna that was sadly omitted, as if they were too lazy to draw Haruna again. I like, however, how much more open Ami seems now. She even gossip a bit about this gorgeous girl on the bus. And Usagi's reaction to Rei was adorable. I am really glad they redraw the poor Rei frames here which drastically contradicted Usagi's prase of her beauty. Still some awkward angles here. Thank god the horrible skull Usagi which became a meme as big as the blue Will Smith, is also redrawn to something more acceptable. Then the scene in the Hikawa shrine was really mixed back for me. I loved the initial atmosphere of dread with the red backround and Rei in shadows talking on some malevolent spirit. This could have be played so comical of the next scene was done so bad. I watched with my niece again and she was confused about what really happened so I had to explain Rei put her charm on Usagi's face. It was really confusing storyboarding again. I really hate the omission of both grandpa Hino as well as her memento necklace. This killed my hope for Casablanca memories adaptation. Otherwise I liked Rei here - cool, colected, cold and creepy with her crows and spirited away reference. And then this bus scene happened.Usagibmet Mamoru again and it was adorable and cute, but totally pointless scene as they omitted the very clear manga panel of how both Usagi and Mamoru are both suspicious of themselves. And yet they expected us to know he is aware of her identity without any huild up to it. Usagi looked really pretty as fly attendant. But the whole Ami managed to teleport, using transformation link was such a plot hole. They never managed to teleport this way again, although they needed it a few times. While it had the purpose of showing Ami being strategic it was so random and devoted from logic... The confrontation with Jadeite was very short and devoted from any dynamic, but there were some cool Ami shots. Rei's transformation I actually really liked and I loved they used her background theme, wich is my favourite. Sadly she is the only one that has it. A ton of the ost went unused and they didn't use the theme tracks for the rest of the inners, despite they were there and sound really cool. But here they did, while the CGI Rei looks as awkward as the rest, the flame effect was cool. Rei's speech was so awkward and really exagerated, but we have discussed a lot about it. Evil spirit, begone was nice looking and looked really powerful, but I wish it crisped Jadeite to death, leaving the "four brothers for the four sisters" plot behind, but oh well. While I loved the final scene, showing the girls bounding and Rei finding purpose for the powers that brought her nothing but weird looks till now, I don't like how willing she looks. Yes, manga Rei is not hot-headed and impulsive, but she was, at this point much more reserved, cold and rational. Here while cute, she looked like a stray puppy being adopted. Some weird omissions and framing aside, the episode was ok for a mediocre introduction story. A lot was redrawn, but not all the problems were fixed and some of the redraws were still done by subpar animators. So it has an ok from me.
New week, new episode. I was not really enthusiastic about this one, because I never liked the demon bus plot in the manga, here and the 90s. It is probably a bit of cultural thing as I know Japanese are quite superstition. This time we started with a quick scene from the Rei's point of view. While I enjoued what they did for Ami,this time the execution was weak. Stit didn't draw attention to Rei the way the Ami scene did and the story board was really weird. They really skipped a lot this time as well. There was a great funny scene with Luna and miss Haruna that was sadly omitted, as if they were too lazy to draw Haruna again. I like, however, how much more open Ami seems now. She even gossip a bit about this gorgeous girl on the bus. And Usagi's reaction to Rei was adorable. I am really glad they redraw the poor Rei frames here which drastically contradicted Usagi's prase of her beauty. Still some awkward angles here. Thank god the horrible skull Usagi which became a meme as big as the blue Will Smith, is also redrawn to something more acceptable. Then the scene in the Hikawa shrine was really mixed back for me. I loved the initial atmosphere of dread with the red backround and Rei in shadows talking on some malevolent spirit. This could have be played so comical of the next scene was done so bad. I watched with my niece again and she was confused about what really happened so I had to explain Rei put her charm on Usagi's face. It was really confusing storyboarding again. I really hate the omission of both grandpa Hino as well as her memento necklace. This killed my hope for Casablanca memories adaptation. Otherwise I liked Rei here - cool, colected, cold and creepy with her crows and spirited away reference. And then this bus scene happened.Usagibmet Mamoru again and it was adorable and cute, but totally pointless scene as they omitted the very clear manga panel of how both Usagi and Mamoru are both suspicious of themselves. And yet they expected us to know he is aware of her identity without any huild up to it. Usagi looked really pretty as fly attendant. But the whole Ami managed to teleport, using transformation link was such a plot hole. They never managed to teleport this way again, although they needed it a few times. While it had the purpose of showing Ami being strategic it was so random and devoted from logic... The confrontation with Jadeite was very short and devoted from any dynamic, but there were some cool Ami shots. Rei's transformation I actually really liked and I loved they used her background theme, wich is my favourite. Sadly she is the only one that has it. A ton of the ost went unused and they didn't use the theme tracks for the rest of the inners, despite they were there and sound really cool. But here they did, while the CGI Rei looks as awkward as the rest, the flame effect was cool. Rei's speech was so awkward and really exagerated, but we have discussed a lot about it. Evil spirit, begone was nice looking and looked really powerful, but I wish it crisped Jadeite to death, leaving the "four brothers for the four sisters" plot behind, but oh well. While I loved the final scene, showing the girls bounding and Rei finding purpose for the powers that brought her nothing but weird looks till now, I don't like how willing she looks. Yes, manga Rei is not hot-headed and impulsive, but she was, at this point much more reserved, cold and rational. Here while cute, she looked like a stray puppy being adopted. Some weird omissions and framing aside, the episode was ok for a mediocre introduction story. A lot was redrawn, but not all the problems were fixed and some of the redraws were still done by subpar animators. So it has an ok from me.
Last edited:
Likes:
FloraKiraraHime
This episode was such a disappointment to me as a Sailor Mars fan.
Pros:
- Some frames at the shrine are beautifully drawn. The animation still looks very akward (especially in the fight with Jadeite) but at least Rei doesn't look like a literal martian anymore.
- I like the added scene of Rei standing up to Jadeite. She's the only senshi who used her powers offensively while in a civilian form!
- Mars theme is pretty badass.
Cons:
- I hate how Rei had to be defended by Usagi from those jerk moms. This was the first sign of her character being watered down as well being the first time something is taken away from a character in order to prop up Usagi (which will become a tradition in the future episodes).
- The bus scene between Usagi and Mamoru is nowhere near as funny as in the manga.
- No Phobos and Deimos in the battle!
- First sign of SxS. Ugh, hate it with passion!
Pros:
- Some frames at the shrine are beautifully drawn. The animation still looks very akward (especially in the fight with Jadeite) but at least Rei doesn't look like a literal martian anymore.
- I like the added scene of Rei standing up to Jadeite. She's the only senshi who used her powers offensively while in a civilian form!
- Mars theme is pretty badass.
Cons:
- I hate how Rei had to be defended by Usagi from those jerk moms. This was the first sign of her character being watered down as well being the first time something is taken away from a character in order to prop up Usagi (which will become a tradition in the future episodes).
- The bus scene between Usagi and Mamoru is nowhere near as funny as in the manga.
- No Phobos and Deimos in the battle!
- First sign of SxS. Ugh, hate it with passion!
This was where Crystal took a nosedive in terms of art/animation (then again, last episode is just as disappointing as a fan of Sailor Mercury), with all sorts of ugly shots, choppy movements with a low frame rate, especially with Rei's face, ugly CG transformation, and Rei's character wasn't as well done, she felt even blander, more quiet and distant and not as strong or fierce/fiery as her other counterparts, it's a wonder to me how people find her counterpart in Crystal better. Out of all the Sailors in Crystal, Mars gets the worst treatment and short end of the stick, and unlike in the manga and original anime, Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon Crystal does NOT develop nor grow (same thing with others).
Also, for one frame, Mars' arm was broken. Also, what the hell was with the way Luna (who totally looked ugly in this episode) threw Mars' pen to her? Her front legs seemed to move like humanoid arms, so what, is she part furry or something (I've also been unfortunate to come across pictures of Luna as like, an anthro in a bikini, which I'm posting in the "Random Sailor Moon Fandom WTFs"
). No funny expressions unlike the manga. And call me the odd one out, but I find the Blu-Ray footage worse, this website showed (it may only be in still frames but I imagine it's worse), they kept on forgetting to draw Mars' choker and back bow in the sequences: Ai-no-Senshi.net
Either way, nothing visually came close to what I was imagining it would be (a cross between both Naoko's manga artwork and the original anime's backgrounds/cities and such, a mix of both).
Then there were stupid deviations from the manga that didn't improve the story (I didn't mind the demon bus thing here), like Moon stupidly revealing her identity as Usagi Tsukino (the fact none of the villains mentioned that to Beryl makes them look stupid) right in front of Mars, which never happened in the manga at all. They tried to make it funny with Luna's facepalming, but it, of course, did not work. That is another problem Crystal had, whenever it tries to make changes from the manga/improves it, it worsens it. And 80-90% of the dialogue is not in the manga, so many lines that weren't in it were added, and it gets worse later on!!
But the stupidest part, bar none, in terms of deviations was this. In the manga, right before Rei transforms, Luna tells Moon to use her tiara, which she does and traps Jadeite. Mars attacks after she transforms, unknowingly destroying the tiara. In Crystal however, after Mars transforms, Luna tells Moon to attack, Moon does so, her tiara traps Jadeite, then Luna tells Mars to attack, which causes Moon to lose her tiara, and since they kept that plot point for the next episode (not trying to jump ahead but just saying), it makes Luna look like a total freaking idiot who acts without thinking, making me believe this version of her, like Crystal, is not to be taken seriously.
The only thing I liked about this episode was Rina Sato's version of Mars, it kinda sounds like and reminds me of Keiko Kitagawa's Mars.
I actually dropped Crystal after this, partially also due to the terrible fanbase and also, Crystal's a case of "if it's just animating the manga shot by shot, what's the point?" but kept up with screenshots/comments from Tumblr blogs, reviews and forums of Anime News Network, and saw videos of certain scenes. I don't even know if I'll check out the rest, maybe I might, but I'm not expecting it to be good. I've got the first two copies of the "Eternal Edition", just got #2 yesterday, and it's so much better.
For the record: Rei's transformation theme is actually a remix of this song, rather, the first few notes of it:
And yeah, it sucks there's no Grandpa Hino, he was funny.
Also, for one frame, Mars' arm was broken. Also, what the hell was with the way Luna (who totally looked ugly in this episode) threw Mars' pen to her? Her front legs seemed to move like humanoid arms, so what, is she part furry or something (I've also been unfortunate to come across pictures of Luna as like, an anthro in a bikini, which I'm posting in the "Random Sailor Moon Fandom WTFs"
). No funny expressions unlike the manga. And call me the odd one out, but I find the Blu-Ray footage worse, this website showed (it may only be in still frames but I imagine it's worse), they kept on forgetting to draw Mars' choker and back bow in the sequences: Ai-no-Senshi.netEither way, nothing visually came close to what I was imagining it would be (a cross between both Naoko's manga artwork and the original anime's backgrounds/cities and such, a mix of both).
Then there were stupid deviations from the manga that didn't improve the story (I didn't mind the demon bus thing here), like Moon stupidly revealing her identity as Usagi Tsukino (the fact none of the villains mentioned that to Beryl makes them look stupid) right in front of Mars, which never happened in the manga at all. They tried to make it funny with Luna's facepalming, but it, of course, did not work. That is another problem Crystal had, whenever it tries to make changes from the manga/improves it, it worsens it. And 80-90% of the dialogue is not in the manga, so many lines that weren't in it were added, and it gets worse later on!!
But the stupidest part, bar none, in terms of deviations was this. In the manga, right before Rei transforms, Luna tells Moon to use her tiara, which she does and traps Jadeite. Mars attacks after she transforms, unknowingly destroying the tiara. In Crystal however, after Mars transforms, Luna tells Moon to attack, Moon does so, her tiara traps Jadeite, then Luna tells Mars to attack, which causes Moon to lose her tiara, and since they kept that plot point for the next episode (not trying to jump ahead but just saying), it makes Luna look like a total freaking idiot who acts without thinking, making me believe this version of her, like Crystal, is not to be taken seriously.
The only thing I liked about this episode was Rina Sato's version of Mars, it kinda sounds like and reminds me of Keiko Kitagawa's Mars.
I actually dropped Crystal after this, partially also due to the terrible fanbase and also, Crystal's a case of "if it's just animating the manga shot by shot, what's the point?" but kept up with screenshots/comments from Tumblr blogs, reviews and forums of Anime News Network, and saw videos of certain scenes. I don't even know if I'll check out the rest, maybe I might, but I'm not expecting it to be good. I've got the first two copies of the "Eternal Edition", just got #2 yesterday, and it's so much better.
For the record: Rei's transformation theme is actually a remix of this song, rather, the first few notes of it:
And yeah, it sucks there's no Grandpa Hino, he was funny.
Last edited:
I hope you decide to watch the rest. After episode 12 I dropped Crystal for a while, but one I continued I found out it improves bit by bit. Plus there are other cool episodes - like episode 5 and 8. Don't just read blog posts and watch the show properly. It is your decision of course. But it is really not as bad as internet makes it (just episode 6 and 12). It is a community watch thread so please consider being part of it 
I hope you decide to watch the rest. After episode 12 I dropped Crystal for a while, but one I continued I found out it improves bit by bit. Plus there are other cool episodes - like episode 5 and 8. Don't just read blog posts and watch the show properly. It is your decision of course. But it is really not as bad as internet makes it (just episode 6 and 12). It is a community watch thread so please consider being part of it
As for that small Jadiete scene it was in the manga.The only up it up by saying he was attracted to her.(So remembering her?)SxS was not something they thought up on their own.
Last edited:
I am not against Rei and Jadeite as well as Venus and Kunzite as it is hinted in the manga at least. But all of them to be paired is too convinient and a bit unimaginative, which is probably why it was dropped in the manga. What i am against is not the idea, but the poor execution of it. With the limited episodes they worked with one pair would have been enough, instead all of them to be trwated in the exact same way and react the exact same way. I am not against the girls getting matches, just not so convoluted. Mako and Asanuma was cute. Sadly forgotten pretty soon. If they worked with 26 episodes for the Dark Kingdom only, had time to develop the shittenou as individual characters with civillian coujterparts and actual interactions with the sensi, people would have been much happier. They kbew they are doing one episode per chapter, so they should have known better theor limitations.
Likes:
FloraKiraraHime
I don't think time limit is the reason.
In Season III, there are many stories with many characters in the same episode (Inner - Outer - Chibi+Hotaru in one episode) but they still could managed it.
In Season III, there are many stories with many characters in the same episode (Inner - Outer - Chibi+Hotaru in one episode) but they still could managed it.
Likes:
FloraKiraraHime
Knowing Takanashi's track record, he probably doesn't know what this is and recycled from Naruto (or another show with similar instruments).
Likes:
Starlight and Seira Hazuki
I dont think s x s was necesrrily drop . We do know Naoko did wanted to make stories one day.I agree with you.I wish this was better executed.To me idf toei gave them four extra episodes. It would be better . Or maybe after episode 11 and Beryls death. They could had a mini arc with the shitenoue,and Mamrmorue being the dark kingdom . With going into the past .
Credit when credit is due. Season 3 director did better with pacing. Of course the first chapter was to be split, it was double in lenght. Munehisa Sakai could have done the same and most directors would have, to use the time better. Overall season 3 was better adaptation-wise. I just don't like the designs there.
I’m also in the midst of rewatching Crystal and struck me how slower the pacing for the the first five episodes were. It feels like it becomes a completely different show after Act 6. It’s not just the animation that was rushed, but my sense is that even the scripts and storyboards were hastily thrown together.
I think it’s also clear that the staff never read past the two arcs OR didn’t care about how it would affect future arcs. Cutting Grandpa was one of those indications to me considering he plays a role in Rei’s chapter in the Dream arc.
I think it’s also clear that the staff never read past the two arcs OR didn’t care about how it would affect future arcs. Cutting Grandpa was one of those indications to me considering he plays a role in Rei’s chapter in the Dream arc.
Likes:
Starlight and sapphire91
Well, only Zoisite got a civilian form, if I remember correctly. They could have done a lot of stuff with it, if they had more episodes to work it. That is why I agree with Seira Hazuki about planning issues. It is like at some point nobody knew how many episodes they have to work with, and once they did the first few episodes were done and they had to find a plan B. Nobody will ever know. Anyway, let's try to stay on topic.
Likes:
FloraKiraraHime