Sailor Moon Crystal

Episode 22

It's rewarding when your nostalgia for a story is confirmed, whether its that a book you loved as a child is still good when you read it years later or that a spot is as magical at twenty-five as it was when you discovered it at ten. This episode of Sailor Moon Crystal is one of those experiences, bringing Usagi back to her more powerful self and correcting some of the issues that the previous episodes had, including a little joke at the author/show's expense when Sailor Venus gripes about not getting to do anything. It does try to cram a little too much in as it leads up to the finale of the Black Moon arc, which ends up mostly wasting Tuxedo Mask, but it is a large step in the direction of ending the season on a strong note in a few weeks.

When we last saw Usagi, she was trapped (in a gorgeous dress) in the Black Moon Castle, a prisoner of Prince Demande and unable to use her powers. After her much-debated moment of weakness, she this episode picks herself up and starts to look for a way out. This results in her conveniently wandering into important conversations between members of the Black Moon group, but that can be justified by considering that Demande appears to have taken her to his room in the living area of the castle and that no one would necessarily expect her to have slipped her leash and be rambling about. Her new freedom seems to give her an inner strength that she couldn't previously access, and this time when Demande tries to touch her, she is able to force him away. Later, when she finds Saphir monologuing, she is able to awaken not only her own power, suppressed by the Malefic Black Crystal, but also her future self's strength, slumbering in a shroud of crystal. Whether it is Neo Queen Serenity who reaches out to Usagi or the other way around doesn't seem important – what matters is that Usagi is open to believing that she can save the day, which allows her access to the power of good and hope, both of which ultimately provide her with her abilities. And after all, she is Neo Queen Serenity and Usagi Tsukino at once, so no matter who initiated the exchange, they draw on the same inner strength. This is what makes this story still resonate after twenty-odd years, and this episode is able to bring it to the fore.

The introduction of Black Lady provides a counterpoint to Usagi's strength in the way that Chibi-usa has been something of a foil to Usagi throughout the current storyline. Where Chibi-usa was giving it her all (as best a little girl could), Usagi was struggling with her own immaturity and jealousy. Now we see the tables turned as Usagi puts that behind her and Chibi-usa allows herself to give in to her unhappiness. The poor kid's been through a lot, and now she's being offered a chance to just forget all of her troubles and take the easy (albeit evil) way out. While we don't see much of her, or Black Lady, we do understand that something bad has happened, and Sailor Pluto's worry – and physical collapse at the moment Chibi-usa takes Wiseman's hand – only make that more obvious.

Unfortunately by trying to handle Usagi's (re)awakening and the initial appearance of Black Lady in one episode, other subplots suffer. Rubeus' escape attempt is forgettable as it's just sort of thrown in as other things are happening, and Tuxedo Mask's pursuit of his daughter in time/space feels like a throw-away, as if there couldn't just be two characters standing around worrying, so he was sent off before the plot was really ready for him. Likewise King Endymion just hangs around; Venus is at least engaged in research. (That library...) It also feels like there's a gap in Pluto's storyline, as one moment we see her artfully collapsed on the ground and the next she's able to use her staff to help Sailor Moon and the others. Was there a recovery time? Did she just physically get knocked down by the storm, or did it affect her mentally? We may never know.

Despite these issues, this is one of the strongest episodes of Sailor Moon Crystal we've had. The plot is moving, Usagi has it together, and there's villainous plotting going on that's sure to throw a wrench in the works. It's one of those episodes that helps you to remember why you were excited for this show in the first place.

Rating: B+

Sailor Moon Crystal is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Rebecca Silverman is ANN's senior manga critic.