Sailor Moon Crystal has reached its last act.
Here’s what we thought…
The Sailor Senshi, Tuxedo Mask, and King Endymion face down Death Phantom in the void.
Everything seems to be heading back to normal.
Im actually a really huge fan of epilogue episodes.
And it totally worked.
All of those approaches are valid options when done right.
The problem with the finale ofSailor Moon Crystal was that it did none of these things.
Now, at this point in the game, we all knew what we were getting.
Ultimately, this cant be blamed on Toei.
The actual fight with Chaos is fairly underwhelming.
The climactic battle in the episode would be all we got.
Over in one blow?
Thats all we get?
Not even some struggling, some reversals, some table-turning?
Just the same attack shes been using throughout the entire arc and far less effectively against profoundly weaker opponents?
Aww, FUCK YOU,Sailor Moon Crystal.
True, the Inners were pretty much neglected, but at this point thats old news.
The characters who were going to actually get some attention got some really nice closure.
Ive always really loved the dynamic between Usagi and Chibi-Usa.
And when she does return there for good, theyll both lose a sister whom theyll never get back.
Still, that doesnt mean I dont like Tuxedo Masks involvement in the final battle.
Another highlight of this episode was Neo Queen Serenity.
Just everything about her.
I also dig that she wakes her husband from his enchanted sleep with a kiss.
Its a clever and deeply satisfying reversal of standard fairy tale tropes.
This woman is amazing.
Even her looks are a treat!
In certain lighting in this episode, it gives the impression of platinum blonde.
It really helps to differentiate her visually from her younger self, her past self, and her predecessor.
Apparently even the rotting corpses that had littered the ground are fully resurrected and healed with shiny new duds.
It all fits within the rules of this storys world.
Im just not a fan of the effect it has.
It basically renders all the damage moot.
There are no lasting effects, no consequences.
Neo Queen Serenity can just put everything back the way it was and bring everyone back to life.
Except Pluto for some reason.
On the technical side, this episode was, well… okay.
The previous episode needed it more.
Still… its the finale, guys.
Maybe you gotta rethink your budgetary distribution process.
And that was the episode.
How does it hold up as a series?
Well, lets look at it from a distance.
To understandSailor Moon Crystal, one first has to understand the manga.
The pacing is terribly uneven.
I have created entire cultures and histories literally in one sitting.
Its not that hard.
Lastly and most importantly, the characterization is incredibly shallow.
Its like seeing that classmate you dont know very well crying at her locker.
So, there you have it.
This was purist porn, plain and simple, and to a purist this show was gold.
Except for the opening and closing themes.
They were fucking boss.
And there it is.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Hope to see you all there!
Rating:
3 out of 5
