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07/21/2003 Entry: "Sailor
Moon Season 1 Uncut Review"
I just finished watching a few of the missing episodes
from my box
set of Sailor Moon. There's definitely been some major changes
compared with the American version.
First off - the box set is dubbed in Japanese only
with English subtitles. For those who can't read English or don't
understand Japanese, this may not be the best idea for you. Another
warning would be to those who are underage. The box does warn that
it "contains mild animated violence and mature situations.
Parental guidance is suggested." So don't watch this if you
are under 15 years of age. If you are under 15, you should have
parental guidance.
I go into details of the rumors and spoilers of
this box set. So click on read more if you are ready.
Extended Entry Below
Rumor 1: After watching the box set, it is TRUE that
the final battle with Queen Beryl "episodes 45 & 46" were completely
re-edited and cut into just ONE episode in the United States called
"Day of Desitny"
Rumor 2: The sailor scouts are human girls, they
are not born from the moon. They were once moon people, but they
have "transmigrated" to human forms. Their real parents on
Earth are their real parents in this lifetime. (this is clearly
explained in episode 35 by Sailor Mercury in the Japanese version.
Episode 35 is called "Memories Return! Usagi and Mamoru's Past"
in Japanese, it is called "A Reluctant Princess" in the United States)
Rumor 3: It is true that all the sailor scouts were
killed by what the Americans named "The Doom and Bloom girls". Each
of the sailor scouts took out one of the doom and bloom girls as
they died. There were a total of 5 doom and bloom girls. But Sailor
Mars took out two of them. Leaving Sailor Moon to fight Queen Beryl
alone.
Rumor 4: It is true that Prince Darien died by the
black ice crystal thrown by Queen Beryl AFTER Sailor Moon purified
and restored Prince Darien's memories with their moon locket.
Rumor 5: Princess Serena name in Japanese is called
"Princess Serenity".
Rumor 6: Princess Serenity was meant to die like
her mother Queen Serenity when she use the full power of the silver
crystal. Hence in the Sailor R Movie "Promise of the Rose" and other
episodes of BSSM, the Moon Princess always died right after she
used the full power of her silver crystal. However, miracles always
happen in BSSM and Sailor Moon always lives. Therefore in this box
set, don't be surprised if you see Princess Serenity die after her
battle with Queen Beryl.
Rumor 7: While Princess Serenity was dying after
she used the power of the silver crystal, she made a final wish.
A wish to become a normal teenager again. The wish was granted by
the power of the silver crystal and thus the beginning of Sailor
Moon season 2. (Queen Serenity's dying wish was for her daughter
and her royal court to live happily in another time on earth without
evil).
Rumor 8: Episode 42 "Sailor Venus's Past, Minako's
Tragic Love" - was cut out of the American version. There really
is no particular reason why, but the subject was for a more mature
audience and not quite suited for DIC's original target audience
of 12 years old girls.
Rumor 9: Zoicite is a man, get used to it.
Rumor 10: Minako's boyfriend in France is NOT Darien.
Although the guy Minako likes looks a lot like Darien, but his name
is Allan and he lives in France. Thus when you see Minako holding
a picture of her and this guy, it is NOT Darien. It is Allan.
Rumor 11: Zoicite is really a man, get used to it.
~_^
Rumor 12: Usagi (Serena) does use her "disguise"
pen a second time to transform herself into a sailor so that she
can pilot a boat to save Minako (Mina).
Rumor 13: Prince Darien name in the Japanese verison
is really Prince Endymion.
Rumor 14: The Great Negaforce with the guy's voice
is really a girl. The Great Negaforce is called Queen Metalia in
the original Japanese version. It was Queen Beryl's job to darken
the sun with sunspots so that Queen Metalia can be revived. Queen
Metalia also has the same energy frequency as Prince Endymion (Darien),
thus it was a perfect match for Queen Metalia to transfer her evil
dark energy into Prince Endymion - making him become evil. (hint:
This is just one of the many hints that tells us how powerful Prince
Endymion really is. A guy worthy to be the love interest of the
Moon Princess)
Gemelle/Star's overall review:
After watching the original Japanese version of Sailor Moon I actually
have grown to appreciate the efforts the American version have placed
into fixing it up. The American version has better transitioning
between scenes and the sound effects are way cooler than the original
Japanese version. The American version can definitely rival the
original Japanese version. If DIC only left the plotline alone,
and targetted the older teens, I would have totally loved the American
version over the Japanese one. After all, Tenchi Muyo, Ah My Goddess,
Inuyasha, etc. are all terrific American dubbed anime. If only Sailor
Moon was allowed to remain intact .... *wipes away a tear* ...
An example of a terrific moment in the American
version - The song "My Only Love" was played at a most crucial time
and brings out the intense loss Sailor Moon suffered when Tuxedo
Mask nearly died. I actually felt more heartache for Sailor Moon
in the American version than for Sailor Moon in the Japanese verison
during that episode. Terri Hawkes (the voicestar of Sailor Moon)
did an excellent job bringing out the emotions for Sailor Moon in
English. Although the Japanese language has the upper hand when
it comes to perfecting the whiny cry-baby persona. But Terri Hawkes
did an wonderful job in the transition. Of course, I still prefer
the original voice of Usagi (Kotono Mitsuishi) over that of Serena
(Terri Hawkes) any day.
I also prefer the American voice of Luna
(Jill Frappier) over the original Japanese voice (ok, don't kill
me or send me hatemails). I just personally think that Luna's (Jill
Frappier) mature royal voice fits her character much better than
a younger more innocent Japanese voice (Keiko Han). But the Japanese
Luna's voice (Keiko Han) does fit Luna better in the Sailor S Movie
"Heart of Ice". For some reason, Jill Frappier's voice just does
not sound right on a beautiful teenage Moon Goddess.
As for Darien's voice, I actually think the American
voicestar (Rino Romano) voice of Darien is better over Mamoru's
voice (Tohru Furuya). But that's just me. No hatemail please. Thanks!
Overall, I prefer the original American version
of "Crystal Clear Destiny" over Episode 34 in Japanese. But the
final battle with Queen Beryl makes so much more sense in the Japanese
version than the American version. It's so interesting how different
these two version are. I can debate hour after hour about the differences
between the two and the merits of each. But I'll just leave it at
that, and you can judge for yourself when you
watch both version! :)
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