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.

Clannad: After Story

Clannad: After Story (2008)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There are parts that are still very confusing, but overall this series follows the emotional roller coaster it started with Tomoya and Nagisa's budding relationship. Nagisa is so naive and innocent at times that it's laughable. An interesting contrast to Tomoya's bad boy trying to be better persona. There's a little more side story here as the delve into various situations with their friends and their families throughout.

Clannad

Clannad (2007)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a very cute and emotional series. Between family accidents, illness and fights, a small core group of students pull together for some unexpected events. They learn first hand just how important those relationships are and how desperately they want to remember everything, even when it some of it is obviously out of their control. Adorable artwork rounds of the series and makes each episode a new treat.

Marmalade Boy

Marmalade Boy (1994)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Not as good as the manga it's based off of, but it's still fun to see the characters come to life and actually act out what is seen in the original story and more. Some of the characters don't exist in the original story, but that doesn't mean this adaptation isn't filled with just as much mixed signals and intrigue as the original. Lower rating due to the slow pace as they really drag it out as much as possible. Can make it get a little old, though overall still cute.

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.