Should you watch this, Wiki this, or wait for the recap? Watch this.
The final battle between Sailor Moon and Queen Metalia begins, even as the other fallen Sailors lie around her! But Sailor Moon’s power alone might not be enough to stop Queen Metalia – so it’s up to Luna and Artemis on the Moon to help find a way to defeat Queen Metalia! The war isn’t over yet though – just as Usagi and the others think that the world is safe, a mysterious stranger literally drops in on Usagi and Mamoru – and she’s after the Silver Moon Crystal!
“Infiltration –Sailor Mars–” is the fifteenth 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 focuses on Sailors Mars.
This episode is more of the real beginning to the Black Moon story arc, since you actually get a view of all the villains of this season. Also, it introduces the Droids, which previously were the monsters of the day, and here function as the Sailor Moon-equivalent of Putty Patrollers. In any case, they don’t bicker or fight or have as much drama as the previous Black Moon Family had, which is a bit of a let down. But then, it’s only the first episode of the new arc, so I might be expecting too much.
Highlights
Introduction of the Black Moon Family
We get to see the Black Moon Family, including Wiseman! I sometimes wonder why the villains don’t question a mysterious hooded dude with no face, but they’re too busy being angry with Neo-Queen Serenity I suppose. Of particular interest is Esmeraude, who is the most visually interesting, but quietest (thus far) of the villains.
New powers for the Inner Senshi
The Inner Senshi get new powers! It’s more in the way they call their attacks actually, not that their powers are noticeably doing more damage or becoming more spectacular. You might not even notice it if you haven’t been keeping track of what they shout when they attack, but as for Sailor Mars, her new Burning Mandala animation is quite a treat (and a callback to the old anime). But if the newer, more powerful attacks can’t stop the villains, then that means things are getting serious!
Manages to weave in a plot of the day
Yes there’s even a plot of the day regarding some fortune teller, despite the fact that they are introducing and establishing Chibiusa’s random presence, as well as the Black Moon Family. Kudos for that investigative element.
Letdowns
New introduction is only 10 seconds long
OK, well, I was expecting a whole new introduction sequence, but what they really did is just remove the Dark Kingdom portions and add the new characters of this season in. Which is good and interesting, no fault there. Just that I had hoped for new animation of the Sailors. Remember how they changed the opening sequence every season last time? Just like that.
No change of leitmotif for bad guys
I had kind of associated the bad guy music with the Dark Kingdom, and felt weird that it was used for the Black Moon Family, who are a different type of villainous group altogether. A new track would have been more effective, but it would have been costlier I suppose (and might come at the expense of some battles).
Earring conti error
Early on, there’s a close up of Prince Diamond/Demando’s earring – without the black crystal portion. It inexplicably appears in the next shot. The problem is that this is a close up, and his earring very noticeably shines – did anyone think that the black crystal would not be noticed since it’s, well, black?
“Infiltration –Sailor Mars–” is still a great episode to watch since it has all the freshness of a premiere episode, with the familiarity and quality of a mid season episode. There are some snags here and there, but then you’ve got the Black Moon Family to tide you over those stranger portions. Coan is oddly powerful though.
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