The Bad

1 But I Waited Two Years!- One of the things I was most looking forward to was seeing ORIGINAL interpretations for the Uranus and Neptune transformations and I don’t feel that’s what we got. We got complete mimics of the 90’s transformations that somehow managed to be less impactful? I remember the symbols on their lip rods flashing light before taking us to the sequence and this had soft music with flower pedals…

As short as Uranus’ sequence was back then and (unfortunately) now, there was still a ferocity to her movements in the 90’s. This one is like, “ok I’m tired today let’s just be done.” It didn’t get me hyped.

I will say, I loved their backgrounds for the sequences but damn. I would have liked to see theirs as long as the other senshi and to have a bit more power to them.

I don’t doubt we’ll be getting the Dream Arc and Toei has been really good about listening to fan complaints so if others feel as disappointed by these as I do, I’m sure there could be updates to them.

2. Uranus World Shaking!- I put this on the bad list only because I was certain this was where they were going to put it but we did not get an attack sequence for World Shaking. Honestly though, I like the way they handled it. Rather than giving us that attack sequence we got to see it focus on Usagi’s disbelief of what is happening. They’re also senshi yet Haruka is launching an attack on them. Creatively it was brilliant and gave more gravitas to the moment but as a giddy fan I would have loved to see World Shaking!

3. Michiru…- This is probably not a fair criticism because this is following the manga to the beat so if anything its more a criticism of the source rather than the anime. For those who were introduced to the series through the 90’s anime we grew up with Michiru and Haruka as a UNIT. They were a pair of lovers that put their mission before anything else despite how they existed for one another. They were tragic lovers in that sense. I’m sure we all remember the episode when Michiru fell from the waterfall and Haruka was committed to the mission even though Usagi was trying to make her go after Neptune. I loved that. It showed not only their agonizing and beautiful love to each other but their courage and sense of duty.

Michiru so far has been a background doo-wop pop singer. Haruka has been having these deep personal confrontations with Usagi, taking out witches like a boss, and just being a real central character. I don’t mind it! Haruka forever! But I would love to see Michiru get a moment. I’ve read the manga though and I know my hopes will likely not be obliged.

The Good

1. Mamo and Usagi- Personally, first time in the series that I cared about their relationship. I loved the jealousy and the argument and their daughter coming in to try and patch up their differences. It worked. I thought it was sweet and it wasn’t over dramatic as some of their interactions have been in the past.

2. Animation- So pleased that the animation is staying strong. I loved the raining weather giving us the first dark tone to an episode this season and, for me, felt like the first convincing dark tone in the series.

3. Sword Blaster- Though we didn’t get World Shaking, I’m glad we at least got one of the promised attacks from this act. Uranus once again taking out one of the witches 5 in epic fashion.

4. Pacing- I was worried for this act because I knew there was tons to do. I’m not all that pissed that the action is very limited in these early episodes because I know this season gets to a point where we’re going to be like, ok, it was nice we had that character dedication early on. Keep it up Crystal!

So yes, overall good episode but I am disappointed in Neptune and Uranus transformations. They just didn’t take me there. They were able to give unique touches for the other senshi, I don’t see why they couldn’t do it for these two.