[TV Review] “Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Season 1, Episode 19 of Sailor Moon Crystal

 Through the Door of Time. ("Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–" - Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Through the Door of Time. (“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Should you watch this, Wiki this, or wait for the next episode’s recap? Watch this.
Chibiusa finally reveals the secret of her origins – she’s from the 30th Century! She takes Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, and Sailor Venus on a perilous journey through time, but ends up being separated from them during the sojourn. Can our remaining heroines battle the ravages of time given form in Sailor Pluto, and will they be able to escape the machinations of Esmeraude and her henchmen, the demonic twins Chiral & Achiral?
Gathering of the Black Moon Family. ("Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–" - Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Gathering of the Black Moon Family. (“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)

“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” is the nineteenth episode of the first season of Sailor Moon Crystal. It’s Japanese anime and I watched it with English subtitles (I don’t speak Japanese, though I would like to at some point). This episode continues the second story arc and sees the Sailors make their first journey through time and space to the 30th Century.

There’s not as much Sailor Pluto in “Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” as you’d like too, just as with the previous episode, but then again since Sailor Pluto isn’t really part of the main cast and doesn’t have a civilian identity, there’s not much you can do with her background. Interestingly, her SH Figurarts toy isn’t out yet – why guys? She’s in an actual anime that’s airing now, she should get her own figure! Anyway, here’s to hoping she comes out soon so that we have a full roster of Sailors to pose with before the end of the year.

And maybe a Tuxedo Mask and a Helios too? And a Sailor Galaxia while we are at it? Am I asking too much?

Dead Scream! ("Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–" - Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Dead Scream! (“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)

Highlights

Sailor Pluto is formidable

She takes down Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Tuxedo Mask with a single attack! Granted, they weren’t defending themselves, but it’s not likely that any of the other Inner Senshi could do that (well, maybe Sailor Jupiter). Again, this foreshadows the power that the Outer Senshi will bring to play when and if they appear, but it makes sense that Sailor Pluto is the most powerful Sailor they’ve seen so far. She guards the Door of Time – she has to be powerful.

Travelling back in time

This feels like it’s treated with much more mystique and grandeur than in the previous series, or maybe it’s my failing and ailing memory. In any case, time travel episodes are always fun, especially when they’re not a one-off but an integral part of the story, and you know they’re going to be hanging out in the 30th Century for some time.

King Endymion & Neo Queen Serenity

We get to see the elusive rulers of Crystal Tokyo at last! And also, Chibiusa is reunited with her parents, even if only one is sentient enough to speak to her. Diana is a huge bonus here, and it’s going to be exciting when her true identity is revealed to Luna and Artemis!

Esmeraude and Chiral & Achiral

We finally get to see the underused Esmeraude in play here, although she leaves most of the fighting to her twin henchmen. I hope we get to see her turn into a giant green dragon again for this series, because that would be a well animated and spectacular fight to watch.

Lair of the Black Moon. ("Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–" - Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Lair of the Black Moon. (“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)

Letdowns

Usagi’s jealousy of Chibiusa

It’s strange, almost oddly incestuous even, to see Usagi so jealous of Chibiusa. It really degrades her character and makes you lose respect for her – which fully grown teenage girl would be jealous of a preschooler? In any case, it feels as annoying here as it was in the previous anime and manga, and I for one hope that this beat is dropped like a hot potato soon.

Tuxedo Mask gets some airtime. ("Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–" - Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)
Tuxedo Mask gets some airtime. (“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” – Sailor Moon Crystal S01E19)

“Time Warp –Sailor Pluto–” features the Sailors going to the future – what more could you ask for in a Sailor Moon episode? We also get to see Tuxedo Mask use his special attack again. Of course it’s a good episode. Time to check it out!

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