Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 Begins!

It's that time again! The Sailor Senshi have returned to battle a new evil, make new friends, and save the world!

The Opening

Lets start off with the opening. The opening song to season one and two was called Moon Pride. I was a huge fan of Moon Pride, its on all of my MP3 players! Moon Pride was very up beat, it gave the show the image of the exciting cute magical girl anime. This season, the song started off like a music box tune, this kind of worried me because I found the upbeat song before to be a draw in, it sped up though. This opening is called Black Moon Arc. It is a little calmer than Moon Pride, but I feel strongly that it will match this season, its a cute little "pop" song. The art to the beginning is beautiful, its not an action packed beginning, but the beauty alone draws you in. For anyone who has watched the original Sailor Moon, the beginning shows the aspects of the new season, so you will understand everything you see.

Opening Rating: 9/10

The Story

The story in the first episode seems to get straight down to a point in the beginning scenes before the theme song pops on. We get a brief explanation from the new enemy, and a small introduction. The first introduction is this "voice" who mentions three guardian lights, then we are introduced to that voice as Master Pharaoh 90. In the 1992 series, Pharaoh 90 isn't introduced till way later! Then they show us the 3 guardians, and a girl sleeping in a bed. After the opening theme, the story starts off as usual. Usagi wakes up late for school, complaining why no one got her up earlier. I noticed a few differences in this episode based on the entire original series, its not a big deal though considering its dramatically cut down in episodes. Everyone's transformation sequences have changed, and they're even better than before! They meet the first monster of the season, and its nothing compared to the 1992 anime, so I'm interested where they take this season! So far the I like the story and where its going.

Story Rating: 10/10

Characters (Order of appearance)

Master Pharaoh 90: Who is he really? Right now he's just a voice. This voice narrated the beginning of the show before the beginning theme song. Master Pharaoh 90 is the leader of the new enemy. Right now he doesn't have a face, or figure, just some glowing eyes. He may be just a voice, but he is a voice that plans to take over earth. Master Pharaoh 90 doesn't seem to be the same as in the original series.

Kaolinite: They showed Kaolinite for a brief moment. They didn't introduce her by name, but I know that face anywhere. She is clearly the main person helping Pharaoh 90.

Mysterious Sleeping Girl: This girl was the third character. Clearly having something to do with the Sailor Senshi, she is only shown sleeping and having dreams about their possible fate. Her name will be introduced later. Everyone who has seen the original, will know who she is. For those who haven't. Its coming soon!

Mamoru Chiba: Usagi's one and only love, and Chibi Usa's father he is also known as Tuxedo Mask. Hes a university student, well older than Usagi. Hes a bit more sophisticated than the girls, but that's the age difference. In this season Mamoru begins having troubling dreams and visions, causing him question a lot of things.

Rei Hino: Also known as Sailor Mars or the Shrine Maiden due to her incredible spiritual power. Rei is one of Usagi's best friends, and allies. When they first show Rei in this episode she is sitting in the shrine by a fire, where she senses something but doesn't know for sure what is could have been. Rei is usually rude, or makes fun of Usagi, but Usagi still looks up to her.

Usagi Tsukino: Our favorite clumsy, constantly hungry high school student is back! Far form a regular teenage girl, she is Sailor Moon. Shes back for a new adventure, and to save Earth once again. She gets her usual start by waking up late, forgetting her lunch, and being irritated with Chiba Usa. Later on in the episode, Usagi has a gut feeling that she is going to lose her happiness. We will see what this girls future has in store for her!

Chibi Usa and Diana: Chibi Usa is Usagi and Mamoru's daughter from the future. Neo Queen Serenity sent Chibi Usa to train as a Sailor Scout and learn how to make friends. Diana is Chibi Usa's cat that joined her on her journey to watch over her.

Luna: Usagi's loyal pet cat. Luna has more answers for the Sailor Scouts than they could ever imagine finding themselves. She is a key role in their missions and survival.

Michiru Kaioh: Michiru is introduced as a swimmer, shes not a competitive swimmer, but she could be one. Shes known to everyone as a famous violinist, and the lucky girl who is dating Haruka.

Haruka Tenou: The guy every girl falls in love with, an envies Michiru for dating him. Haruka is a huge car buff, and loves to race. He's strong, and doesn't let anyone get in his way. Haruka would rather break the rules to enjoy himself to ever play it safe.

Amy Mizuno: Also know as Sailor Mercury. Usagi describes her as the kind hearted genius girl with an IQ of 300. Much like Michiru, Amy is also a swimmer, and shes competitive when it comes to swimming. Shes equally as food as Michiru.

Minako Aino: Minako was the face of the Sailor V video game before her powers as Sailor Venus released.

Makoto Kino: An incredibly strong girl. When we first met her, she was insecure and everyone was afraid of her, except for Usagi. Makoto has a strong talent for cooking.

Character Range 8/10 (they introduced us to a lot of characters, which could be a little overwhelming!)

The Sound

The music throughout the episodes fit all the situations well, you can feel the emotions they're feeling with their choice of music, but that's standard T.V. stuff! I honestly enjoy all the little tunes throughout the anime. The voice acting is crisp, and all their voices match their faces perfect in my opinion. Usagi's matches the best based off her up beat cheering personality. Everyone's voices seem to be pretty dead on based off their personalities.

Sound Rating 10/10

The Setting

The setting remains the same as all the other series, and seasons. It takes place in Tokyo, Japan, hopping between Usagi's home, school, the popular arcade everyone hangs out at and the city itself. I'm sure as the series goes on there will be new places they find and go to.

Setting Rating: 8/10

The Animation

The animation is beautiful. You can tell they put a lot of work into this series. With a new season they decided to add new transformation sequences for the Sailor Scouts. The new transformation's are even more beautiful than the first ones! Giving more detail, and beautiful graphic touches based off the planet, or element the Sailor Scout is. They continued the 360-degree view of the transformation which, I still, till this day, absolutely love! Still spot on with the manga style, and continuing the beautiful feminine looks.

Animation Rating: 10/10

Enjoyment

Just like the other seasons, I'm loving this season already and it was only one episode! They are pretty quick down to the point, and the small details in the first episode show you that. There are people, and items that aren't introduced for like 10-15 episodes, if not more in the original series, that were already introduced. I'm interested to see where they take this season and how quickly they do so! If you love Sailor Moon there is a large chance you will absolutely love this series. It's a quick easy way to get a taste of over 200 episodes in 27 episodes (so far only 27). Continue to join Usagi, and watch continuously save her planet and loved ones!

Enjoyment Rating: 10/10

Over all, I continue to be impressed by Sailor Moon Crystal. They have stayed true to the manga, and style. I love that they progress quickly without losing anyone, or even details of the story. I'm excited for the next episodes to release! I can never get enough Sailor Moon! Jump on this bandwagon you honestly won't regret it!