The flaws of S season

[Clow]

I live in Brazil, and unfortunately SM isn't popular here as it is in the rest of South America. But a few years ago, some magical girl facebook page posted two videos of the inners' deaths dubbed, and they caught the attention of people REAL hard, including people who happened to like anime but never watched the show. Some people were unaware of what the inners' duty was, and didn't understand why Venus and Mars had put their life in the line for Sailor Moon, instead of all fighting together. They were like "wow, they r so dumb lol"

I spent part of my childhood in Brazil and I recall “Sailor Moon” being very popular there.

Many kids in my school watched it. I remember that many fans got upset because TOEI aired the classic season and failed at bringing the other seasons—allegedly because Bandai couldn’t sell any of its overpriced toys (from what I recall, the country was in bad shape, financially, and not many people could afford buying expensive toys).

Upon watching the classic season, I was desperate to watch more “Sailor Moon” and I asked a store to import the “R” movie for me. I couldn’t understand anything because the movie was in Japanese and there were no subtitles—and I remember feeling surprised with the original voice of the characters.

Usagi has a sweet and romantic voice in the Spanish & Portuguese dubs, whereas in the Japanese dub her voice, to me, in the beginning, sounded obnoxious and aggressive—as if she were always shouting.


Of course, I got used to her original Japanese voice as time progressed.

And I think fans from Central and South America were lucky because the first season wasn’t edited. We got to see the 46 episodes exactly like they aired in Japan (original score, episode 45 completely uncensored). The only change was that Zoisite was a woman.

 

[Slowpokeking]

I spent part of my childhood in Brazil and I recall “Sailor Moon” being very popular there.

Many kids in my school watched it. I remember that many fans got upset because TOEI aired the classic season and failed at bringing the other seasons—allegedly because Bandai couldn’t sell any of its overpriced toys (from what I recall, the country was in bad shape, financially, and not many people could afford buying expensive toys).

Upon watching the classic season, I was desperate to watch more “Sailor Moon” and I asked a store to import the “R” movie for me. I couldn’t understand anything because the movie was in Japanese and there were no subtitles—and I remember feeling surprised with the original voice of the characters.

Usagi has a sweet and romantic voice in the Spanish & Portuguese dubs, whereas in the Japanese dub her voice, to me, in the beginning, sounded obnoxious and aggressive—as if she were always shouting.


Of course, I got used to her original Japanese voice as time progressed.

And I think fans from Central and South America were lucky because the first season wasn’t edited. We got to see the 46 episodes exactly like they aired in Japan (original score, episode 45 completely uncensored). The only change was that Zoisite was a woman.

Usagi's original voice was a bit too "funny" which sometimes could get annoying. I also like Chinese VA Wang Xiaoyan's performance a bit better.

But the real problem is Mamoru's voice being too weak and unattractive. The Chinese VA Han Li beats him all the way. Nearly EVERY Chinese fan I've met have similar opinion. Also Beryl's original voice was a bit too young and beautiful.

China also got the full 46 just some dialogs edited, they didn't even change the gay relationship. However R got modified for the romance relationship. S was not imported probably because of the heavy lesbian stuff.

 

[Neo Moonlight]

But the real problem is Mamoru's voice being too weak and unattractive.

Agreed. I feel bad for saying so but I think that's a huge part of the reason I didn't really like him until the Viz dub I love Robbie Daymond ♡ Knowing he was cast was one of the big reasons I was so excited to watch the Viz dub. (Johnny Young Bosch and Michelle Ruff being a couple more that clinched buying the DVDs for me. Happily I was pleased as punch with the entire cast, loved them all)

 

[Slowpokeking]

Agreed. I feel bad for saying so but I think that's a huge part of the reason I didn't really like him until the Viz dub I love Robbie Daymond ♡ Knowing he was cast was one of the big reasons I was so excited to watch the Viz dub. (Johnny Young Bosch and Michelle Ruff being a couple more that clinched buying the DVDs for me. Happily I was pleased as punch with the entire cast, loved them all)

I will try to find the Chinese dub's video to let you guys take a look.

 

[usachan25]

Do Kenji and Shingo even show up in S?

Shingo actually does briefly, but Ikuko does not. We see her fairly often in SuperS though and a couple times in Stars. Kenji is never seen again after the curry episode in Sailor Moon R.

 

[Clow]

The only problem I have with “Sailor Moon” are the monsters—they look ridiculous throughout the series, but even more so in the “S” season.

Other than this minor issue, I think “S” is the holy grail of the “Sailor Moon” franchise, losing only to the Dark Kingdom season.

 

[JunoDX]

The only problem I have with “Sailor Moon” are the monsters—they look ridiculous throughout the series, but even more so in the “S” season.

Other than this minor issue, I think “S” is the holy grail of the “Sailor Moon” franchise, losing only to the Dark Kingdom season.

I agree, DK, followed by S.

When I watched S for the first time I was about 13 and thought the season had many awkward moments (sexy silly monsters, christian references). Today I’m 35 and I appreciate those elements, the season is so campy and funny, yet dark and mature.

 

[Slowpokeking]

I agree, DK, followed by S.

When I watched S for the first time I was about 13 and thought the season had many awkward moments (sexy silly monsters, christian references). Today I’m 35 and I appreciate those elements, the season is so campy and funny, yet dark and mature.

DK arc doesn't have the most intensive main plotline, but the characters are well done, and even many side characters got chances. They mixed the main plot and the daily life very nicely, plus the ending.

S got the most mature main plotline.

But I also like R a lot because of the best handling of the villain's characterization.

 

[MsImagination]

Thats debatable: Saturn and Pluto got shafted hard

I never understand why people want him to come back ?He show favortisn too the outer couple.I personally don't think he would not been a good fit for crystal.

 

[Sailor_Boy34]

I like how they handled Saturn in S, and I think the last episodes are amazing. Sure the fight could've been better but lets be real, fights were never that great in Sailor Moon, animating was expensive in the 90s and especially for long-running TV shows

I don't think SM is the kind of show in which you would expect lots of action. I think the show has a more in-depth touch to it than that, whereas action is more on the surface. Sailor Moon is the "pretty soldier of love & justice" and both themes are complex in the ways she handles her enemies as well as saving them from themselves and on top of that the good of the world at stake. Action and fights alone just wouldn't share in that love and justice theme that has so many deeper complications than what would appear on the surface. I think for those who want plenty of action and fight scenes should turn to another anime. No, SM was never known for that, and rough and tough fight sequences, and demonstrating mere brawn was the show's intention. It was about Usagi, a girl who over the course of the show, grows and matures in the crucible of difficult situations where she must make decisions that are good for the world as well as individuals.

 

[Sailor_Boy34]

I agree, DK, followed by S.

When I watched S for the first time I was about 13 and thought the season had many awkward moments (sexy silly monsters, christian references). Today I’m 35 and I appreciate those elements, the season is so campy and funny, yet dark and mature.

I think the S season did a good job balancing the campy and the funny against the dark and mature. I believe if the season was ONLY dark and mature, I know for me, I would yearn for some comic relief. I think at times the audience needs a breath of air from the dark suffocating tones. A show can be fully dark and mature but Sailor Moon has already established itself in the previous 2 seasons as one with comedic moments so to have this 3rd season 100% dark would be pretty jarring

 

[Slowpokeking]

I think the S season did a good job balancing the campy and the funny against the dark and mature. I believe if the season was ONLY dark and mature, I know for me, I would yearn for some comic relief. I think at times the audience needs a breath of air from the dark suffocating tones. A show can be fully dark and mature but Sailor Moon has already established itself in the previous 2 seasons as one with comedic tones so to have this 3rd season 100% dark would be pretty jarring

I'm ok with some campy moments like the Witches Five and Usagi&Inner Four, I just think the monsters since Eudial arc were a bit too campy.

 

[Slowpokeking]

I don't think SM is the kind of show in which you would expect lots of action. I think the show has a more in-depth touch to it than that, whereas action is more on the surface. Sailor Moon is the "pretty soldier of love & justice" and both themes are complex in the ways she handles her enemies as well as saving them from themselves and on top of that the good of the world at stake. Action and fights alone just wouldn't share in that love and justice theme that has so many deeper complications than what would appear on the surface. I think for those who want plenty of action and fight scenes should turn to another anime. No, SM was never known for that, and rough and tough fight sequences, and demonstrating mere brawn was the show's intention. It was about Usagi, a girl who over the course of the show, grows and matures in the crucible of difficult situations where she must make decisions that are good for the world as well as individuals.

The thing is that the manga showed a huge battle which would be very cool to show up on screen. Also it's not just about the action. The writers focused too way much on Usagi and the Outer's conflict, so they just stopped at Mistress9 and cut off the other senshi from the boss' lair.

I'm ok with this theme, but in the end, it's time to resolve and end it to give us a 10 senshi battle. It's what we want to see.

 

[tux67]

The last three episodes of S are terrible, anticlimactic, and horribly unsatisfying.

The imbalanced way the episodes are divided up among Kaolinite and the Witches 5 will irk me to my grave.

The goofy, hyper-sexualized monsters of the day are tonally jarring and not exactly appropriate for the target audience (though I do like some of them)

The Heart Crystals are an uninspired device, and this season is the beginning of all the supporting characters completely disappearing. (Umino and Naru only show up once?! Yuuchirou only shows up once too, I believe. Probably the same goes for Rei's grandpa. Do Kenji and Shingo even show up in S? Motoki only appears a couple times max. No Ms. Haruna. No reformed Ayakashi Sisters. No returning VOTD from Classic or R. The Heart Crystal formula would have been fine if it were used to bring back all those characters, but nope!)

No new transformations or attacks for the Inners.

I like S overall, but it's a vastly overrated season, don't @ me.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I love S, but it is not the flawless season people make it out to be. Sailor Moon Classic and R are better and should get the respect S does.

 

[Sailor_Boy34]

I'm ok with some campy moments like the Witches Five and Usagi&Inner Four, I just think the monsters since Eudial arc were a bit too campy.

Yeah it is kinda odd that once the episodes started getting more serious and conflicts arise in the plot, the monsters do get more sillier.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I love S, but it is not the flawless season people make it out to be. Sailor Moon Classic and R are better and should get the respect S does.

I agree with you, S is by no means a flawless season, as I feel that the last remaining members of the Witches 5 were rushed and disposed of and we don't see much of Sailor Saturn. The episodes leading to the moment where Sailor Moon confronts Sailor Saturn was actually more exciting and built up a great momentum, I thought. I think S is so talked about due to Sailor Uranus & Neptune whose relationship is often mentioned by fans galore.

 

[JunoDX]

I also like how S treated the senshi, strong focus on the Inners and Uranus/Neptune, Pluto remained mysterious and so did Saturn. I understand that fans want equal treatment for their beloved senshi, but with so many characters it‘s difficult. The Hobbit movies tried it with the 13 dwarfs and failed. I like it the way S handled it.

 

[inthezone]

You can't really blame them about the supporting characters disappearing. Each season introduced new characters, those side characters dont even have a big role in the manga, they were only given a role for filler purpose.

 

[magic713]

I do think Usagi does sometimes come off a little too naive. I mean, it is one thing to not want to kill an enemy possessing a friend, but it is another matter when handing over a powerful object to them that could help destroy the world.

I think, initially, the first Daimon was scary, since it could survive Usagi's final attack from the previous season. But once she upgrades, they become more of a joke. The writers could have tried to make the Daimons strong enough to force the Inners to upgrade, rather than maintain their old attacks and only have the Outers have effective attacks.

And yes, it might have been more poetic if the Outers and Inners joined in a combine attack in the fight against the Death Busters in the end, instead of acting separately. The Outers didn't even fight along side Sailor Moon, the only other Senshi not holding up a barrier.

 

[inthezone]

at the end of the day, they were just MOTW to fill time, just like every other season. I think it would have been much more boring to have a generic Daimon from the manga each episode.

 

[Star Angel Haruki]

S season definitely deserves the praise it gets. The season carries an energy the previous seasons don't have. Even the opening theme is revitalizing and full of energy. The S season is like a level up imo.


However, if I could point out some of the flaws, one of the annoying ones for me is the screentime for the witches. It's so unbalanced. They should have given each witch decent screen time. Other flaws, no planet power upgrades for the Inners & no new attacks, despite having the perfect episodes to feature them in. I always hated that. The final battle vs Pharaoh 90 could have been a lot better. What we got was nice thanks to the music and emotion but I'd still like to see SM and Saturn kick his a** too from within.

I hated the last episode of S though. Something about that episode and them getting tossed about by that one daimon I find annoying.