17 Thoughts While Watching “Sailor Moon Crystal”

I never got into Crystal as it was released. As a kid, I loved the original Sailor Moon anime (especially "R" and "Promise of the Rose!"), but as an adult, I found Serena and Darien's relationship problematic and thought Rini both creepy (Darien is her FATHER!) and super annoying. Now that I'm strapped for shoujo …

Feature a Character You Absolutely Hate (30 Day Character Challenge, Day 28)

When I was a kid, I used to think that Darien Shields (AKA Tuxedo Mask) from Sailor Moon was the perfect boyfriend, and I think this was merely due to the influence of his position as Serena's right-hand man. But now, as an adult looking back and with proper knowledge of their ages, I can't …

“Guide me to the world where your soul drifts”—-Supervillain Ships in “Sailor Moon”

We're on our way back from our anniversary trip to Chicago. As part of that trip, we visited the Field Museum, and at the Field Museum we saw (amongst many other things) a gemological exhibit. I noticed this: My brain 🧠 immediately whiplashed into Sailor Moon Mode (TM), and things only got worse from there: …

“The New Threat!/For the Love of a Child” — DBZ Re-Written as Shoujo (Ep 1, Part 1)

The idea of this project is so ridiculous and difficult that I almost didn't know where to begin. I mean, come on, who else do you know is silly enough to attempt a re-write of the ultimate shounen fighter, Dragon Ball Z, as a shoujo of all things. It's pretty crazy, all right, but it …

Feature the Dumbest Character (30 Day Character Challenge, Day 16)

Some of these challenge prompts get so frankly insulting, don't they? I mean, sure, I can probably think of a few characters who are none too bright, but does that really mean we need to call them out on it? Doesn't that seem the tiniest, tad bit unfair? And, on top of that, what makes …

Feature the Smartest Character (30 Day Character Challenge, Day 15)

I'm trying quite hard, my dear anime compatriots, not to overthink these prompts. It may prove impossible for me to determine, for example, who the *smartest* anime character is, but I can sure mention one or more who I know for a fact to be intelligent. Without belaboring the point, I'm terrible about favorites and …

My Favorite Armor, Gear, or Weapon Used in Any Anime (30 Day Anime Challenge, Day 22)

Generally, I'm not overly absorbed by weapons, gear, or armor. These are not usual shoujo staples. I could easily pick the iconic Shinsengumi uniform (and Yamaki's ninja apparel, as well, because that's pretty sweet if basic, something I'm totally okay with), but that would seem redundant given how much I clearly love Hakuouki and how terribly …

The Very First Anime I Watched (30 Day Anime Challenge, Day 1)

Answering this question turns out to be trickier than one might anticipate, but I expected nothing less from the 30 Day Anime Challenge, and so I offer my own inquiry in response. Do I go with the literal answer, or the one that launched my journey into anime? The first anime title that I ever …