Alternative Title: Sailor Moon is Less Powerful Than a Handbag

First Aired: 13th March 1993

Usagi is a little lonely being the only Sailor Senshi, especially since Mamoru hasn’t had his memories restored either, but she’s adamant that Luna and Artemis shouldn’t revive the other Senshi, seeing as their happy in their ordinary lives. Unfortunately (and against all statistical odds), Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako have all been targeted by aliens Ali & En, and Luna may have no choice.

The episode beings with Usagi hanging on the arm of Mamoru, who is distinctly disturbed. He hadn’t even told her his name by this point. I feel terrible for Usagi in this scene, after all these two went through in the previous series, she’s still denied her heart’s desire.

This is how to get your man, ladies

As Usagi is clinging to Mamoru (it’s a miserable gesture, really liked it), stupid flippin’ Natsumi (aka alien lady En) starts running towards Mamoru across from a busy street. I sort of dislike this set-up: he’s kind of a jerk, yet has two women in love with him. I realise some of his jerkitudinosity is a result of his blocked memories, but we love Usagi, so screw this guy, right?

How could you DO this to her, you BASTARD?

Luna and Artemis are discussing whether or not they should revive the other Senshi in light of their new enemy. Both aren’t keen, but the thought of Usagi being the only thing stopping the people of Tokyo having their energy sucked out by poorly-drawn monsters is worrisome. It’s harsh, but true.

Usagi is definitely against reviving the other girls, confidently proclaiming to the cats that she can single-handed defend the Earth. This inevitably leads to my favourite gag of the episode: Usagi throwing a volleyball at a wall, which bounces back into her face. Yes it’s slapstick, but I lol’d.

Cut to the DOOM TREE (gotta say that in Caps.) En would like some energy from the DOOM TREE, but Ali informs her that it’s almost out of juice. The two aliens concoct a “plan” to suck high-quality energy.

Last episode’s evil plan was literally to just set a freaky thing to run around and suck energy, which worked okay. This plan is soooo laboured. The pair break into a TV production centre, where TV execs (all men. Tut tut) are reviewing potential girls scouted for a part.

“Oh yeah, she’d be perfect for the role of the younger sister. *fap fap*”

The girls are Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako. Oh, and Naru for good measure. WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Also, this is creepy. All these photos were taken without consent.

Thankfully these perverts get what’s coming to them, Ali and En enslave their souls. Their powers are constantly changing on a sliding scale.

Usagi is extremely jealous when Naru reveals that she’s been scouted. Naru is a little more reserved, however, pointing out that she always seems to get into weird situations, which is astute. Sadly, this also contradicts the memory block created by the Ginzuishou, as Naru should have no recollection of being routinely abused by monsters.

Usagi takes the opportunity to invite herself along “as safety” for Naru’s audition, for purely selfish motivations of course.

She has great evil scheming faces

Outside the TV station, Ami, Makoto, Rei and Minako all bump into each. They all introduce themselves (it takes quite a while, the Japanese love their introductions) and all get a weird feeling. I guess love or friendship or junk is stronger than amnesia.

“Hey, do you all get the feeling that we used to dress up in miniskirts and fight monsters while looking simply fabulous?”

Usagi isn’t allowed to go into the audition area, and is forced to watch all her old friends pass her by. The vague glance they give her really is depressing to see (especially Ami and Makoto – they still go to school with Usagi, and could of at least said hi. Total bitch move.) Usagi is happy they’re doing ok. A sad little moment.

As it turns out, the audition doesn’t go well. Ali plays his lame flute, and Minotauron pops out, ready for some energy-sucking action. I’d just like to point out how much effort Ali and En went through to set this audition up, only for the final plan to be “throw a monster at them and see what happens.” Smart move, dumb-dumbs.

They also spent a lot of time just designing this set. Now you see why they have no energy for anything else. It’s rocking, though.

The girls start running and screaming wildly. Ali remarks how wonderful he finds screams (he’s a pervert, apparently), which turns En off enough to leave and find something else to do. Seriously, Ali looks like a complete douche here.

Read the mood, Ali

En, now disguised as Natsumi, bumps into Usagi skulking around the TV centre. They do not get along, but both are untied in their surprise and joy when Mamoru comes running past them. Apparently he works part time at the TV centre. WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

They way he carries things while jogging is lame. I know that’s oddly specific, but he’s surprisingly even less likable when he’s not running around in a top hat and cane.

Back in the action, Naru gets too tired to run anymore, which makes Rei and Makoto decide to go on the offensive. These girls are awesome, they’re not even Senshi and they’re aggressive as hell. Rei smacks Minotaruon with her handbag (classy), freezes it with a charm (she’s still a psychic after all), and Makoto slams it into the set.

Hell yeah!

They’re so cool.

Hell YEAH. Seriously, why do we need Sailor Senshi?

We get a brief scene of Natsumi running low on energy after chasing Mamoru. She pops inside a dressing room for a pick-me-up (surprisingly not cocaine). The name on the door is “Mikan Shirator”, who you may remember from Episode 7 of the first season! Nice call back. And yes, she gets her energy drained. Sexy.

Oh no she hasn’t had her energy drained, she just loaded up some premium heroin into her thigh

The situation in the audition room has deteriorated. Naru gets drained, as is her wont, and only Luna is left between the girls and Minotauron. Thankfully, Usagi FINALLY turns up to give it some of the old Sailor Moon magic.

Weird thing to note, but the colours in the episode are just LOVELY

She has a great introduction this time. It’s Sailor Moon’s chance to do something really impressive for her old friends. Sadly, she realises that she’s completely shit at being a super hero, lacking her Moon Stick weapon from last series.

Seriously, though, where did that thing go?

Sailor Moon’s only recourse is to run.

This is the best dodging I’ve ever seen

It’s pretty funny watching the other girls. They know they should be doing something, but they don’t know what. Rei cracks her knuckles, before realising that she can’t fight off a monster.

Luna is erm-ing and ah-ing about reviving the Senshi, when she finally removes all choice from the matter and “accidentally” speaks rather loudly in front of the perplexed girls. Nice excuse, Luna.

“Quick, GRAB IT. We’re millionaires.”

TIME FOR ASS KICKING! Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus are back, and I couldn’t be happier. Really nice feeling, having them back again. I realise they’ve only been absent for an episode, but still. Last time we saw them all, they were recent corpses.

“Oh crap I accidentally gave you the memories of Peurto Rican construction workers.”

The combined attacks of the four Senshi completely destroy Minotauron. It almost seems like overkill to be honest.

“YOGA FIRE! Haha, seriously though, I’m in a lot of pain right now.”

Usagi is ecstatic to have her friends back, naturally, even if Rei doesn’t seem overly happy. No one seems to be too bothered about being revived, and are taking it all in their stride. It’s good to have the team back!

This shot pretty much sums up why Sailor Moon couldn’t survive without a team

The episode ends with Usagi cheerfully announcing her intentions to get Mamoru back. Yeah, good luck with that.

“Failing the return of his memories, I’l just have to handcuff him to my radiator.”

Not a bad episode by any means. Well paced, really good character moments, a bit clumsy in a couple of places. The monster sort of sucked, but hey you can’t have everything. The series is looking up!

Episode Score: 4/5

Monster Score: 2/5 (Minotauron was booooring.)

Evil Plot Score: 1/5 (Made absolutely zero sense. I see a theme emerging with Ali and En.)

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