Sailor Moon Drops

Sailor Moon Drops (Android)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Like many other puzzle games, each puzzle has a series of challenges to pass by connecting 3+ of the same gems in order. Each playable character can be leveled up a total of 5 times to earn different poses and special abilities. This isn't like leveling up Sailor Moon from her first form up to her Sailor Stars transformation however. Rather, each story arc (and therefore transformation ability) has it's own character to earn and level up. This does not also take into account the side characters you can earn during special events (which are very challenging and not always able to be completed depending on your time and luck with the gems - if you get the character but don't finish the event, the max level will be 3 instead of 5). Sometimes it seems like there are way too many special events, making it difficult to progress through the main story arc if you want to try for all the extras as well.

Sailor Moon Crystal

Sailor Moon Crystal (2014)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


The new animation style is a lot more true to the original manga, but there are a few things that might drive you nuts. For one thing, arms and legs are ridiculously long, leading to a bit of a rubber limb effect during the transformation sequence. The other that really stands out is the excessive amount of hair and random floating hair tendrils that Usagi/Sailor Moon sports. It also does feel oddly strange to have Endymion dressed in a tuxedo even as a "normal human" instead of only as Tuxedo Mask (which also makes it all the more baffling how he isn't recognized sooner). There is also an odd shift in the animation style when the transformation hits so it looks more like video game graphics instead of anime. This inconsistency is strange to say the least, but the overall story does appear to be following the manga very closely. This is a refreshing change for the constant detours and random characters thrown into the original series. Hopefully it keeps staying true to form as it continues.

Princess Tutu

Princess Tutu (2002)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Based on fantasy and dance, this is a fairy tale come to life as each "character" fights their fate and tries to make their world the way they think it should be through ballet. Much lighter than many series with just a teasing hint of a love story intertwined  The ending is both well done and leaves something to be desired as you can't help but hope Ahiru gets her happily ever after, too.

Magic Knight Rayearth 2

Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Sometimes these series seem to drag on. This time, not only do they face another enemy, but it appears Hikaru may be in a bit of additional trouble as she both discovers love and faces off against her own evil twin, a splintered part of her own personality from her first time in Cephiro. Of course, as with all the romances in this series, nothing can actually come from it as the girls and their beaus are always split from each other when they return to their own world. Despite the turbulent times, the return gives the girls some hope as discovering the new Pillar gives them a chance to fix the errors they made in having to kill the previous one.

Magic Knight Rayearth

Magic Knight Rayearth (1994)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It took me awhile to really get into this series. There are parts that seem slow, especially as they run into each of their enemies and systematically seem to turn them from bad to good. Ultimately, they must learn to discover their own powers and they fight to save Cephiro, another world that they were pulled to from their very own Tokyo. These three would likely never have met otherwise, being from different schools, but end up being the closest of friends.

Cardcaptor Sakura

Cardcaptor Sakura (1998)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a cute show mostly geared towards children. The main character, Sakura, must learn to control her families power, find all the Clow Cards she accidentally released before they cause too much mayhem all over the city, and decide who it is that she really loves (Yukito, Eriol, and Sayoran all take turns as torn interests). With Kero and Tomoyo always with her, she's constantly in a plethora of cute costumes as they film each new adventure. Had vague memories of a few episodes back when I was in junior high and high school, flipping through TV channels while eating a snack. Never really got around to watching the full series until college after seeing the two movies.

Saint Tail

Saint Tail (1995)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A cute series, this would fall somewhere between Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura as far as age and theme. Meimi loves magic - she uses it to transform into Saint Tail, the mysterious thief who somehow always ends up having stolen something for good (returning it to it's rightful owner or fixing a problem). She's chased by love interest and detective Asuska Jr. As with most series involving magical girls and transformations, it's somewhat baffling that a simple change of clothes and pulling hair into a ponytail (or often not changing at all in other series) without any masks or other things to change identity can hide who these characters are from their pursuers. One would think it was obvious if you knew the original.

Sailor Moon Stars

Sailor Moon Stars (1996)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Sadly, this season never made it to the U.S. in English format, so the only way you can find it is Japanese import with subtitles. Despite a rather confusing story line with the Star Lights, common misconceptions about Chibi Chibi's origins, and missing the usually present Tuxedo Mask, this is a very enjoyable and somewhat different addition to the Sailor Moon saga. Yes, the world is at risk yet again. Yes, someone is after different individuals that must be saved by the Scouts... again. However the Star Lights add a new and often funny dimension to the series that was previously lacking. Despite missing Tuxedo Mask, Usagi's confusion over Seiya and their friendship is an amusing alternative, as is the protective streak the Outer Senshi have developed for the Princess despite their previous stand-offish behavior. Overall this is probably one of the better season despite the repeated foundation of world danger and power upgrades that runs through every arc in the story.

Sailor Moon The Movie SuperS: Black Dream Hole

Sailor Moon The Movie SuperS: Black Dream Hole (1995)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's a little awkward trying to figure out where in the series this movie would fit. According to the title it's part of the SuperS series. However, it uses crisis power (like in S) instead of dream power (in SuperS) to achieve Super Sailor Moon power levels. Yet the rest of the scouts also have their Super Sailor powers, which they only received and learned in SuperS. Also, the Outer Senshi are in this movie, who are unheard of in the SuperS TV season. Similar to the TV series however, Mini Moon is front and center both in danger, in power (she now matches Sailor Moon's SuperS attack rather than having the Crystal Bell), and in the new love boy crush category. They also both have something to do with dreams, which is an interesting tie-in given the different setting and enemies.

Sailor Moon SuperS

Sailor Moon SuperS (1995)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Maybe it's the involvement of Pegasus, but this was the first season to really catch my attention and keep it in this series. Yet another power upgrade and new enemy appears resulting in not only Sailor Moon keeping Super Sailor Soldier status, but the rest of the Scouts also gaining it as well. No mention of the Outer Senshi in this season, despite the dominate roles they played in Sailor Moon S. Mini Moon plays a larger part in this series as it's her dreams and connection to Pegasus that drive the season and ultimately save the day.

Sailor Moon S The Movie: Hearts In Ice

Sailor Moon S The Movie: Hearts In Ice (1994)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Luna has her first adventure as a human, playing as Moon Princess Kaguya to make her new human friend's dream come true. Meanwhile the scouts must fight off a different Kaguya who wishes to keep the earth covered in snow. There aren't any glaring differences in story references from this film compared to Sailor Moon R: Promise of the Rose. Can't help but feel a little bad for Luna at the end of the story, but at the same time it's very sweet.

Sailor Moon S

Sailor Moon S (1994)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Small Lady returns as Sailor Mini Moon to help defeat the heart snatchers. We also meet the Outer Senshi - Sailor Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Saturn. The majority of the season is getting to know Uranus and Neptune while Sailor Moon goes through 3 transformation changes. While the constant upgrades and repetitive battles are somewhat annoying, overall the series has improved.

Sailor Moon R The Movie: Promise of the Rose

Sailor Moon R The Movie: Promise of the Rose (1993)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This doesn't exactly follow the history placed by either the TV series or the manga as here we meet Fury, a creature appearing to be the same race as Allen and An from season two. We learn the Fury met Darien and became friends with him while he was in the hospital after his parents accident, supposedly the same time he also met Serena for the first time. As we know from the other media, Serena and Darien met the first time when she threw her balled up junior high test over her shoulder, this obviously doesn't jive. Regardless of the snag in the story line, it's still a cute short story resulting in yet another odd friend as the team fights to bring Darien home and save their planet once again.

Sailor Moon R

Sailor Moon R (1993)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Season 2 of this series has two arcs - The Doom Tree & Black Moon. The Doom Tree introduces Allen and An, two beings from another planet who drain the energy of other living creatures for their own survival. The appearance of these two and their energy stealing Doom Tree force the re-awakening of the Sailor Senshi. Last to remember and emerge as his past self, Momaru/Damien ends up trapped in the middle as An and Usagi/Serena compete for his affection. Meanwhile Allen is interested in Usagi as well, much to An's annoyance. Of course in line with the series' themes, love conquers all in the end.

Black Moon introduces Small Lady, Sailor Pluto, and the challenges facing the thirtieth century - Crystal Tokyo. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask are in for a large rough patch in their relationship as visions of this dismal future plague them and they try to determine just why Small Lady is trying to steal the Silver Crystal. Meanwhile Black Moon is trying to kill the little girl and destroy the Senshi's past. Not a great combination for peace and tranquility.

Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon (1992)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Boy-crazy, ditsy, clumsy, cry-baby, and hopeless when it comes to academics, it doesn't seem possible that this can be the main heroine/princess of the story and find her prince charming. Somehow that's precisely what the story boils down to however. Usagi/Serena is helpless without her friends and would-be boyfriend to help her save the day. She grates on the nerves with her never ending wailing, and yet somehow you can't help but be happy for her when things work out. Sometimes it baffles how such a story can be a huge hit over several age groups, yet other times it's simply enjoyable and brings up good memories of simpler times with friends having a good laugh.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This is an older Ghibli films considered to be one of his classics. Kiki is a young witch who, as per their customs, must set out on her own to develop her own skill. With her black cat, Jiji, along for the ride, she establishes a delivery service and utilizes her ability to fly in order to support herself. She'll make some mistakes and meet several people along her path to discovering the depth of her own power and just what it means to her to be a witch.

Prétear

Prétear (2001)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Original subtitled "The New Legend of Snow White," this is a very cute and short series about a young girl who learns she has the power to save the world with the help of her new friends, the Leafe Knights. The White Pretear is the ultimate of her super-heroine forms and considered a legend or myth to those who know about leafe. The myth becomes the reality as Himeno gives her life to save her friends... until Snow White's prince arrives.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card (2000)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Taking place after the Clow Cards have been transformed into Sakura Cards, Li's return to Japan marks the reveal of Sakura's feelings and their final confrontation with an unknown card to keep the Cards safe. It takes nearly losing everything before Sakura can identify the new Hope card and convince it to rejoin with the rest of the Cards. The risk of losing Li and his memories for good spurs her to finally admit her own feelings. Still very much the innocent and naïve girl she started out as in the series, Sakura is rather cute and clumsy in the grand scheme of things.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (1999)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Not the best series ever, but it is cute, light, and overall fairly fun. A nice change of pace after some high speed action and gore. This one takes place while the Clow Cards still belong to Clow Reed and the hunt for them continues. Meet Li's family in Hong Kong and Clow's rather obsessed admirer attempting to break her seal and force Clow's hand to rejoin her. Still not fully understanding her own powers, Sakura fumbles with some help to make this phantom see reason and save her friends.