WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON!
'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 6' is the start of the Death Busters arc of the 'Sailor Moon' manga.
It immediately throws you into the deep end, with its new plot and characters, and with hardly any room to resurface and breathe. But as I read on, and towards the end especially, it got easier to follow. It flows more smoothly and freely, with a steady and easygoing pace, and a lighter tone.
So much new stuff! Not just villains, but (anti)heroes - Sailor Guardians! - and themes.
In the name of the Moon, let's talk about them:
The Death Busters are basically a cult of mad scientists, led by Pharoah 90, and his underling Magus Kaolinite. The Witches 5 are their minions. Like the Dark Kingdom, they aim to drain innocent humans of their energy, or "Hostes", and use their bodies as "Vessels" for experimental monsters called Daimons. They are also a major company that owns an industrial complex, housing reclamation grounds and all sorts of privatised buildings, mainly schools, called Mugen ('infinity' in Japanese); it forms in the shape of a triangle in the middle of Tokyo, with Mugenzu at the center. (Wow, Naoko Takeuchi was really ahead of her time in accurately predicting the evil, devastating effects of capitalism, mass gentrification, and giant conglomerates being soul-sucking monsters who want to take over the world, and even that will still not be enough to satisfy their greed and hubris). Death Busters' "Legendary Silver Crystal" equivalent is the Taioron Crystal (never in quotation marks for some reason). There's something about "the Tau Star System", as well. The Death Busters either want to find the "three talismans" that will cause the destruction of the world, guided by a light that should "awaken", or not, it's not really clear yet. It seems they merely want to rule over Earth as a Mugen empire.
Jeez, when did 'Sailor Moon' baddies become unnecessarily complicated?
The Death Busters arc also marks the introduction of Haruka/Sailor Uranus, Michiru/Sailor Neptune, and Hotaru/Sailor Saturn (though the latter's destruction and doom guardian identity isn't yet revealed). Together with Sailor Pluto, they are the Outer Sailor Guardians, with our main five heroines being the Inner Sailor Guardians ('Sailor Senshi' in Japanese).
Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru are connected to Mugen in different ways, and are rich as heck, but lead such varying lives. In the case of Haruka and Michiru, however, they are not separate, and are popular, prosperous, ambitious, and highly talented, and massively successful and famous for high schoolers.
Haruka, race car driver and Sailor Uranus, the Guardian of the Heavens, and Michiru, violinist and Sailor Neptune, the Guardian of the Deep Sea, are Mugen Academy students, and mysterious Sailor Guardians unheard of before by the main characters, similar to Sailor Pluto. Luna and Artemis had thought they were mythical, far-away guardians of the ancient past. It is unknown how they awakened as Sailor Guardians in the first place, and how they know their duty and mission (they own two of the three talismans that the Death Busters are after, I don't mind spoiling that). They do not wish to work alongside the Inner Sailor Guardians as allies, and are formidable and threatening, not above physically attacking anyone who stands in their way. This in spite of their otherwise cool and calm demeanours in their civilian forms.
One notable example of Haruka/Uranus's and Michiru/Neptune's ambivalence and mysterious motives, is when they give Chibi-Usa a ride home, from Hotaru's place, in a helicopter - oh yes, they are so rich and multitalented that they both pilot helicopters, because of course.
Who are the Sailors Uranus and Neptune? What are they up to? Are they friend or foe? Why do they not want any other guardian to be involved in their secret mission, which is to find and gather the three talismans, same as the Death Busters, but for a dissimilar purpose...? And to cause or prevent an "awakening"... of destruction? Can the duo be trusted?
One thing is certain about them, however: Haruka and Michiru are lesbian lovers. It is explicit, unambiguous and undeniable. For a magical girl manga from the mid '90s, this is amazing. Incredible.
Even if it is made "acceptable" and "palatable" somewhat by Haruka pretending to be a guy for the majority of volume 6. In fact, she switches between gender identities on a regular basis, depending on the situation. She even cosplays as a Tuxedo Mask clone at one point. She declares twice that gender, and "man" and "woman", do not matter to her; and they should not matter in general. Could this be an early media representation of genderfluidity? And for a magical girl manga? Although this was likely unintentional, as Takeuchi-sensei has stated many times that Haruka is, always has been, and always will be, a girl (she isn't intersex, either), and Sailor Guardians can only be girls.
Well, regardless of what is or isn't intentional in terms of gender issues, Haruka and Michiru are queer, and together - partners in every way. Even this early on, in their very first appearance, their love and devotion to one another is apparent, and beautiful.
Haruka does flirt with Usagi a lot, as both a "man" and a "woman". She calls her "dumpling". Haruka/Sailor Uranus is a little problematic, as she kisses Usagi without her consent more than once, and comes across as intimidating. Haruka makes up for this blemish to her cool, golden character by insisting that gender matters not in anything - love or fighting.
Usagi is confused over her feelings for Haruka, whether she's a "man" or not. She doesn't seem to mind whenever the older girl kisses her. She starts referring to Haruka by female pronouns once she finds out she is a Sailor Guardian and a girl (this isn't consistent with how others in the cast refer to Haruka, who may or may not know her true gender). Then, Usagi worries she may be cheating on Mamoru. While this leads nowhere - in fact, it's implied Usagi's feelings towards Haruka could be of a spiritual guardian bond, more than anything - it is interesting to read into; if Usagi might indeed be bisexual.
Then again, looking back on the series as a whole, it can be easily interpreted that everyone in 'Sailor Moon' is bi. Headcanon: every Sailor Guardian is bi, except for Uranus and Neptune, who are gay.
Chibi-Usa's newfound friendship with the tragic, sickly and lonely Hotaru is very sweet and touching. I adore the relationship between the two youngest Sailor Guardians.
Between Hotaru, with her mysterious illness and her father, Professor Tomoe, performing monstrous experiments at Mugen Academy, and Haruka and Michiru on their helicopter ride, the newbies are asking Chibi-Usa to keep their secrets. She's a child... a 900-year-old child, yes, but for all intents and purposes, a child. It is kind of creepy, and a lot of pressure put on the little kid.
Chibi-Usa, amid her "training" to be a full-fledged Sailor Guardian, as Sailor Chibi Moon, continues to go to school as a second grader during her time in the present (wow what a confusing turn of phrase). She is inexplicably her homeroom class's president and class rep (by dishonest means, I'm sure), and has many friends, including Momo.
I admit, the scene near the end, where Usagi and Mamoru help Chibi-Usa make a "Legendary Holy Grail" out of clay for school, is an all-around adorable, precious family moment, and it made me smile. Chibi-Usa forms sweets bonds with people, and will subtly, intentionally help them in their relationships via a three-way bonding, such as when she uses the clay making activity to fix the awkwardness between Usagi and Mamoru, over jealously issues*. Chibi-Usa isn't so annoying after all.
Double the significance is the first mention of the "Legendary Holy Grail". It is one of Neo Queen Serenity's possessions. When Chibi-Usa (and Diana) describes to Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako the things in her mother's room - where she wasn't allowed into, but regularly disobeyed anyway - such as the books, gemstones, and the big white fluffy bed, I think: It is my dream to have a room like that. That room is me. I want that room! It's a moment of homesickness for Chibi-Usa, to boot.
Usagi's moon disguise pen is back! Sailor Guardian disguises return, baby! Minako uses a disguise, too, with the power of a compact from, as she says, her 'Codename Sailor V' days - she disguises herself as a male Mugen Academy student.
Volume 6 of 'Sailor Moon' isn't an anomaly; girls crossdressing as boys is hardly a new thing in the manga, as we've seen in the first volume, where Usagi disguised herself as a groom for two pages. The gender bending isn't limited to Haruka.
We get the first glimpse of Minako's ambition to be a pop idol, with her wanting to go to an idol concert (of course this turns out to be an enemy trap).
Diana is around in the present time period, as Chibi-Usa's cat companion. BTW, are they the same age? We don't know much of anything about Diana, other than she is Luna and Artemis's future child.
Volume 6 is also the beginning of exam season for the Sailor girls, as third year middle schoolers. Everybody but Ami is feeling the pressure and anxiety. They fight evil and save the universe, but that doesn't negate their schooling!
Rei spends her fifteenth birthday purifying herself in the mountains, as a miko with premonitions, but Makoto and the other girls want to give her a birthday party with cake, and so they join her up in the mountains, which coincides with them investigating Mugen Academy.
In the last act/chapter, Ami, Haruka and Michiru jump out a window at the Mugen Academy/prep school in getting away from the enemy. They fight and be badasses. It's great.
Naru, Umino, Asanuma and Furuhata are around. Barely. And at the end of the volume, Furuhata's sort-of girlfriend Reika shows up again, after appearing in the Dark Kingdom arc, and she might play, well, if not an important role, then a present role later on...
... A role connecting to the reborn Sailor Pluto, aka Setsuna!
"Legendary Silver Crystal" may have been said more times in the Black Moon arc than in the Dark Kingdom arc, and it remains to be seen if it will be said ad nauseam in this arc.
Sailor Moon's Heart Moon Rod is still in use, and still effective.
Finally, at the start of the volume, Usagi reflects: 'Every time... I think we'll be happy, right away... a wave of anxiety washes over me. [...] ... This happiness won't last long. I just feel that way! What can I do? It's fate... after all. [...] But no matter what happens, I can overcome it. If it's a trial I must pass... it's my duty to bear this burden...'
I'll leave it there for now.
See you next time, when I reread and rereview volume 7.
Happy September Moon!
Final Score: 4.5/5
*Usagi with Haruka, and Mamoru with Michiru - the two new guardian girls are troublemaking minxes on top of everything else we know about them thus far.
Original Review:
'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 6' is the start of my favourite 'Sailor Moon' arc. There is the new enemy, the Death Busters, their Legendary Silver Crystal equivalent, the Taioron Crystal, and mysterious master, Pharaoh 90. It also marks the first appearance of three of the Outer Senshi Sailor Guardians - Uranus, Neptune and Saturn, who are on my list of favourite characters in the whole series.
Volume 6 is all about build-up and mystery - at the root of it all are three talismans said to bring about destruction. A new, sinister private school; defying gender roles (what Haruka Tenou/Sailor Uranus's character stands for); everyone having bad premonitions; Chibiusa's settling in the 20th century and making friends in both ordinary and strange places. And are the new Sailor Guardians, Uranus and Neptune, friends or foes? Either way, they appear to work alone, and obstinately want the Inner Senshi not to get involved in whatever mission they're on. Or else...
In preparation for writing these reviews, I find it enjoyable to re-immerse myself in the manga, as each volume reads like I'm looking through fresh eyes again, and I can pick up on things I didn't before.
Highlights include Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaiou/Sailor Neptune, and their relationship. It's absolutely fantastic for a shoujo series to contain a same-sex romance, especially one which feels natural; for these two knew and trusted one another long before the start of this story arc. They're just a good couple, period, and aren't tokens to be dismissed to the sidelines when convenient. And this came out in the 90's. Haruka and Michiru have an aura of mystery about them in their first appearance, making them not merely more interesting, but captivating, despite their hidden agendas not putting them in such a good light right now.
More highlights are the adorable-but-tragic Hotaru Tomoe, a lonely and sickly young girl with healing powers (I'll talk more about why I think she's awesome in later reviews). Little that she appears in this volume, she is treated to a blossoming friendship with Chibiusa. Small Lady, with the help of Usagi and Mamoru, also makes Neo-Queen Serenity's Holy Grail out of clay - foreshadowing Sailor Moon's new magical power and weapon later on.
Usagi and Mamoru's relationship is tested anew with jealous feelings concerning Haruka (passing off as male) and Michiru and their bizarre encounters. But with the aid of Chibiusa, their future child, they make up at the very end. How ironic, and indicative of how much the kid contributes to the series beyond expectations.
Rei's spiritual meditation and Ami's academic genius usefully serve the plot, Usagi comes to terms with her destiny as Sailor Moon to overcome trials and bear burdens - and speaking of evil schools, high school entrance exams are coming up!
Also, this has to be mentioned: The shape of the breasts of Viluy, a member of the Witches 5 from the Death Busters, defies physics at an astronomical level. What the hell, seriously?
Dark, gloomy, foreboding, a little disturbing (the pink childlike cover of this volume could not be more inappropriate). But it has its scattered share of humour and incredibly touching moments, and the monster-of-the-week/soul-energy gathering formula is back.
I'll be looking forward to the seventh volume.
Final Score: 5/5
So much new stuff! Not just villains, but (anti)heroes - Sailor Guardians! - and themes.
In the name of the Moon, let's talk about them:
The Death Busters are basically a cult of mad scientists, led by Pharoah 90, and his underling Magus Kaolinite. The Witches 5 are their minions. Like the Dark Kingdom, they aim to drain innocent humans of their energy, or "Hostes", and use their bodies as "Vessels" for experimental monsters called Daimons. They are also a major company that owns an industrial complex, housing reclamation grounds and all sorts of privatised buildings, mainly schools, called Mugen ('infinity' in Japanese); it forms in the shape of a triangle in the middle of Tokyo, with Mugenzu at the center. (Wow, Naoko Takeuchi was really ahead of her time in accurately predicting the evil, devastating effects of capitalism, mass gentrification, and giant conglomerates being soul-sucking monsters who want to take over the world, and even that will still not be enough to satisfy their greed and hubris). Death Busters' "Legendary Silver Crystal" equivalent is the Taioron Crystal (never in quotation marks for some reason). There's something about "the Tau Star System", as well. The Death Busters either want to find the "three talismans" that will cause the destruction of the world, guided by a light that should "awaken", or not, it's not really clear yet. It seems they merely want to rule over Earth as a Mugen empire.
Jeez, when did 'Sailor Moon' baddies become unnecessarily complicated?
The Death Busters arc also marks the introduction of Haruka/Sailor Uranus, Michiru/Sailor Neptune, and Hotaru/Sailor Saturn (though the latter's destruction and doom guardian identity isn't yet revealed). Together with Sailor Pluto, they are the Outer Sailor Guardians, with our main five heroines being the Inner Sailor Guardians ('Sailor Senshi' in Japanese).
Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru are connected to Mugen in different ways, and are rich as heck, but lead such varying lives. In the case of Haruka and Michiru, however, they are not separate, and are popular, prosperous, ambitious, and highly talented, and massively successful and famous for high schoolers.
Haruka, race car driver and Sailor Uranus, the Guardian of the Heavens, and Michiru, violinist and Sailor Neptune, the Guardian of the Deep Sea, are Mugen Academy students, and mysterious Sailor Guardians unheard of before by the main characters, similar to Sailor Pluto. Luna and Artemis had thought they were mythical, far-away guardians of the ancient past. It is unknown how they awakened as Sailor Guardians in the first place, and how they know their duty and mission (they own two of the three talismans that the Death Busters are after, I don't mind spoiling that). They do not wish to work alongside the Inner Sailor Guardians as allies, and are formidable and threatening, not above physically attacking anyone who stands in their way. This in spite of their otherwise cool and calm demeanours in their civilian forms.
One notable example of Haruka/Uranus's and Michiru/Neptune's ambivalence and mysterious motives, is when they give Chibi-Usa a ride home, from Hotaru's place, in a helicopter - oh yes, they are so rich and multitalented that they both pilot helicopters, because of course.
Who are the Sailors Uranus and Neptune? What are they up to? Are they friend or foe? Why do they not want any other guardian to be involved in their secret mission, which is to find and gather the three talismans, same as the Death Busters, but for a dissimilar purpose...? And to cause or prevent an "awakening"... of destruction? Can the duo be trusted?
One thing is certain about them, however: Haruka and Michiru are lesbian lovers. It is explicit, unambiguous and undeniable. For a magical girl manga from the mid '90s, this is amazing. Incredible.
Even if it is made "acceptable" and "palatable" somewhat by Haruka pretending to be a guy for the majority of volume 6. In fact, she switches between gender identities on a regular basis, depending on the situation. She even cosplays as a Tuxedo Mask clone at one point. She declares twice that gender, and "man" and "woman", do not matter to her; and they should not matter in general. Could this be an early media representation of genderfluidity? And for a magical girl manga? Although this was likely unintentional, as Takeuchi-sensei has stated many times that Haruka is, always has been, and always will be, a girl (she isn't intersex, either), and Sailor Guardians can only be girls.
Well, regardless of what is or isn't intentional in terms of gender issues, Haruka and Michiru are queer, and together - partners in every way. Even this early on, in their very first appearance, their love and devotion to one another is apparent, and beautiful.
Haruka does flirt with Usagi a lot, as both a "man" and a "woman". She calls her "dumpling". Haruka/Sailor Uranus is a little problematic, as she kisses Usagi without her consent more than once, and comes across as intimidating. Haruka makes up for this blemish to her cool, golden character by insisting that gender matters not in anything - love or fighting.
Usagi is confused over her feelings for Haruka, whether she's a "man" or not. She doesn't seem to mind whenever the older girl kisses her. She starts referring to Haruka by female pronouns once she finds out she is a Sailor Guardian and a girl (this isn't consistent with how others in the cast refer to Haruka, who may or may not know her true gender). Then, Usagi worries she may be cheating on Mamoru. While this leads nowhere - in fact, it's implied Usagi's feelings towards Haruka could be of a spiritual guardian bond, more than anything - it is interesting to read into; if Usagi might indeed be bisexual.
Then again, looking back on the series as a whole, it can be easily interpreted that everyone in 'Sailor Moon' is bi. Headcanon: every Sailor Guardian is bi, except for Uranus and Neptune, who are gay.
Chibi-Usa's newfound friendship with the tragic, sickly and lonely Hotaru is very sweet and touching. I adore the relationship between the two youngest Sailor Guardians.
Between Hotaru, with her mysterious illness and her father, Professor Tomoe, performing monstrous experiments at Mugen Academy, and Haruka and Michiru on their helicopter ride, the newbies are asking Chibi-Usa to keep their secrets. She's a child... a 900-year-old child, yes, but for all intents and purposes, a child. It is kind of creepy, and a lot of pressure put on the little kid.
Chibi-Usa, amid her "training" to be a full-fledged Sailor Guardian, as Sailor Chibi Moon, continues to go to school as a second grader during her time in the present (wow what a confusing turn of phrase). She is inexplicably her homeroom class's president and class rep (by dishonest means, I'm sure), and has many friends, including Momo.
I admit, the scene near the end, where Usagi and Mamoru help Chibi-Usa make a "Legendary Holy Grail" out of clay for school, is an all-around adorable, precious family moment, and it made me smile. Chibi-Usa forms sweets bonds with people, and will subtly, intentionally help them in their relationships via a three-way bonding, such as when she uses the clay making activity to fix the awkwardness between Usagi and Mamoru, over jealously issues*. Chibi-Usa isn't so annoying after all.
Double the significance is the first mention of the "Legendary Holy Grail". It is one of Neo Queen Serenity's possessions. When Chibi-Usa (and Diana) describes to Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako the things in her mother's room - where she wasn't allowed into, but regularly disobeyed anyway - such as the books, gemstones, and the big white fluffy bed, I think: It is my dream to have a room like that. That room is me. I want that room! It's a moment of homesickness for Chibi-Usa, to boot.
Usagi's moon disguise pen is back! Sailor Guardian disguises return, baby! Minako uses a disguise, too, with the power of a compact from, as she says, her 'Codename Sailor V' days - she disguises herself as a male Mugen Academy student.
Volume 6 of 'Sailor Moon' isn't an anomaly; girls crossdressing as boys is hardly a new thing in the manga, as we've seen in the first volume, where Usagi disguised herself as a groom for two pages. The gender bending isn't limited to Haruka.
We get the first glimpse of Minako's ambition to be a pop idol, with her wanting to go to an idol concert (of course this turns out to be an enemy trap).
Diana is around in the present time period, as Chibi-Usa's cat companion. BTW, are they the same age? We don't know much of anything about Diana, other than she is Luna and Artemis's future child.
Volume 6 is also the beginning of exam season for the Sailor girls, as third year middle schoolers. Everybody but Ami is feeling the pressure and anxiety. They fight evil and save the universe, but that doesn't negate their schooling!
Rei spends her fifteenth birthday purifying herself in the mountains, as a miko with premonitions, but Makoto and the other girls want to give her a birthday party with cake, and so they join her up in the mountains, which coincides with them investigating Mugen Academy.
In the last act/chapter, Ami, Haruka and Michiru jump out a window at the Mugen Academy/prep school in getting away from the enemy. They fight and be badasses. It's great.
Naru, Umino, Asanuma and Furuhata are around. Barely. And at the end of the volume, Furuhata's sort-of girlfriend Reika shows up again, after appearing in the Dark Kingdom arc, and she might play, well, if not an important role, then a present role later on...
... A role connecting to the reborn Sailor Pluto, aka Setsuna!
"Legendary Silver Crystal" may have been said more times in the Black Moon arc than in the Dark Kingdom arc, and it remains to be seen if it will be said ad nauseam in this arc.
Sailor Moon's Heart Moon Rod is still in use, and still effective.
Finally, at the start of the volume, Usagi reflects: 'Every time... I think we'll be happy, right away... a wave of anxiety washes over me. [...] ... This happiness won't last long. I just feel that way! What can I do? It's fate... after all. [...] But no matter what happens, I can overcome it. If it's a trial I must pass... it's my duty to bear this burden...'
I'll leave it there for now.
See you next time, when I reread and rereview volume 7.
Happy September Moon!
Final Score: 4.5/5
*Usagi with Haruka, and Mamoru with Michiru - the two new guardian girls are troublemaking minxes on top of everything else we know about them thus far.
Original Review:
'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 6' is the start of my favourite 'Sailor Moon' arc. There is the new enemy, the Death Busters, their Legendary Silver Crystal equivalent, the Taioron Crystal, and mysterious master, Pharaoh 90. It also marks the first appearance of three of the Outer Senshi Sailor Guardians - Uranus, Neptune and Saturn, who are on my list of favourite characters in the whole series.
Volume 6 is all about build-up and mystery - at the root of it all are three talismans said to bring about destruction. A new, sinister private school; defying gender roles (what Haruka Tenou/Sailor Uranus's character stands for); everyone having bad premonitions; Chibiusa's settling in the 20th century and making friends in both ordinary and strange places. And are the new Sailor Guardians, Uranus and Neptune, friends or foes? Either way, they appear to work alone, and obstinately want the Inner Senshi not to get involved in whatever mission they're on. Or else...
In preparation for writing these reviews, I find it enjoyable to re-immerse myself in the manga, as each volume reads like I'm looking through fresh eyes again, and I can pick up on things I didn't before.
Highlights include Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaiou/Sailor Neptune, and their relationship. It's absolutely fantastic for a shoujo series to contain a same-sex romance, especially one which feels natural; for these two knew and trusted one another long before the start of this story arc. They're just a good couple, period, and aren't tokens to be dismissed to the sidelines when convenient. And this came out in the 90's. Haruka and Michiru have an aura of mystery about them in their first appearance, making them not merely more interesting, but captivating, despite their hidden agendas not putting them in such a good light right now.
More highlights are the adorable-but-tragic Hotaru Tomoe, a lonely and sickly young girl with healing powers (I'll talk more about why I think she's awesome in later reviews). Little that she appears in this volume, she is treated to a blossoming friendship with Chibiusa. Small Lady, with the help of Usagi and Mamoru, also makes Neo-Queen Serenity's Holy Grail out of clay - foreshadowing Sailor Moon's new magical power and weapon later on.
Usagi and Mamoru's relationship is tested anew with jealous feelings concerning Haruka (passing off as male) and Michiru and their bizarre encounters. But with the aid of Chibiusa, their future child, they make up at the very end. How ironic, and indicative of how much the kid contributes to the series beyond expectations.
Rei's spiritual meditation and Ami's academic genius usefully serve the plot, Usagi comes to terms with her destiny as Sailor Moon to overcome trials and bear burdens - and speaking of evil schools, high school entrance exams are coming up!
Also, this has to be mentioned: The shape of the breasts of Viluy, a member of the Witches 5 from the Death Busters, defies physics at an astronomical level. What the hell, seriously?
Dark, gloomy, foreboding, a little disturbing (the pink childlike cover of this volume could not be more inappropriate). But it has its scattered share of humour and incredibly touching moments, and the monster-of-the-week/soul-energy gathering formula is back.
I'll be looking forward to the seventh volume.
Final Score: 5/5
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