black moon is my least favorite arc in anime, but when i read the manga, it changes. the story is better than i thought. chibiusa is not as annoying as in anime (which is nice for me, her selfishness really bother me), and yes she really has power too, i think i'm starting to like her. the plot is kind of sloopy at first, but it goes better when reached the climax. i can't believe pluto has important roles here, i even cried when pluto died. ah, i really love the renewal edition, the art are so detailed. i adore neo queen serenity's dress and often stop to looking at it before go to the next page. now i'm gonna read the next volume! I have been rereading the Sailor Moon manga recently, and I have to say that I am keeping my previous opinion that Usagi herself isn't nearly as interesting or competent as any of the other characters (except Chibiusa, who is also quite annoying). One of the frustrating things about this manga is that the other characters keep acting like Usagi has gotten so mature and awesome, when really she is the same idiot she has always been, except she gets handed more power each story arc. Case in point, the fact that the supposedly wise and benevolent Neo-Queen Serenity (how someone who never leaves her palace can be a decent ruler is another story) is basically the only reason that Death Phantom was able to merge himself with Nemesis and wreak havoc in the first place. If she hadn't exiled him there, rather than just executing him, which would be both the sensible and humane alternative to sending him to an evil planet of negative energy to die anyways, this all could have been avoided. But we are told that she is the wisest, most beautiful ruler, so this is sort of just glossed over. Chibiusa is also hard to like and kind of useless-- not in the sense of not having powers, but in acting like a child when she is actually 900 years old. I mean, couldn't she have learned some impulse control in all that time? The sad thing is, much like Tuxedo Mask, she is much more competent and interesting when she is evil. It isn't much of an endorsement of goodness, really.So, why do I give it four stars? For the same reason that I originally loved the manga and anime-- the other senshi. Not are they better developed and more interesting, but they also are generally more competent. (Please note that being more powerful is not the same thing as being competent) Sailor Venus especially is an excellent leader and strategist, which makes it a pity that she is usually overshadowed by Sailor Moon's pulling a new power out of nowhere. I also adore Sailor Pluto and wish she had had more screen time. Seriously. Oh, and also, the artwork is gorgeous, as always. That counts for a lot.
What do You think about Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 5 (2012)?
Then end of the Black Moon Family and the awakening of a new Senshi! What's not to love!!!
—moni
-1 STAR BECAUSE BLACK LADY CHIBIUSA NASTY AS HELL
—esdressy
