<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/2015-03-08SMC cover jupiter.png">
<b>Review of Sailor Moon Crystal - Episodes 16 - 17 Streaming by darkstorm</b>
The Black Moon Clan have just arrived and already made their presence harshly known with the capture of Sailor Mars. Powerless to break her prison, Sailor Moon can only watch Rubeus take her away. As the Senshi regroup and try to figure out how to stop their latest enemy, strange things start happening across the country and Chibi-Usa’s presence seems to be growing more mysterious by the minute.<br>
Episodes 16 and 17 focus on the inner Senshi character development before they’re swiftly captured by the enemy, like Mars in Episode 15. The time invested in these girls will be too little too late for some, understandably, but thankfully what we do get is far stronger and better paced than when Rei was the focus.<br>
Ami/Mercury is first up with a wonderful expansion on her powers, leading to a lovingly animated scene in which Naru and Usagi surprise her in the pool. The cuteness of the scene is small but welcomed. The biggest impact of the episode however is the chess match between Ami and Bertheir; the tension between the two as they face off builds beautifully and really adds a new level of threat to the clan when, despite Ami’s best efforts and far stronger powers in this incarnation, she still fails. The scene also adds more layers of friendship between all the Senshi with Usagi cheering for her friend, ignoring protests to be quiet.<br>
Makoto/Jupiter's developmemt in Episode 17 is different; Motoki confronts her when he accidently sees Luna talking and revealing sensitive information about the Sailor Senshi. Makoto continues to prove to be the heart of the team, first talking about her deceased parents (with the first full view of them in nearly all incarnations) followed by her heartfelt speech of the depth of her loyalty to her fellow Senshi, grateful for their friendship. It’s a sweetly paced scene and the quick still of her kissing Motoki’s head is very cute, his bashful reaction just adding to the warmth of the whole scene.<br>
Those who are only familiar with the 90s anime version of Chibi-Usa may be shocked at her transformation here. Her introduction in Episodes 14 and 15 gave gentle hints but now it’s clear that she is not the bratty character that Western fans have grown accustomed to. She’s a traumatized little girl, desperate to save her parents, but she doesn’t seem to have any idea how to do it. She’s asking for Sailor Moon’s aid but with her friends disappearing left and right, she’s not in the right frame of mind to do so. The poor girl continues to have flashbacks into the tragedy that led her here, and yet tries to keep her spirits up with encouragement from Pluto and in the comfort of Mamoru’s arms. Her flashbacks are the backbone of the plot so far, giving her forthcoming downturn a darker foreshadowing. <br>
Animation manages to maintain its sub-par quality for these episodes, although Episode 17 feels drastically different. The comical moments from the manga shine through so much more clearly in this episode as to almost be spiritually linked to the 90s anime. The characters are far more lively and expressive, and there's a dramatic cut-down on static imagery too. The episode is not without its goofs however; one flashback of Chibi-Usa’s gives far too much away about her parents, which will affect the dramatic reveal later on, and Sailor Moon’s attack call-out is correct but the animation is of a completely different one altogether. Oh well, they were almost there!<br>
<em>Sailor Moon Crystal’s </em>take on the second arc continues to provide the best elements of the series so far. There’s one Senshi left to go before we jump into the plot-heavy acts thereafter, and so far it’s good. <br>
<em>Watch the latest episode with English subtitles on the Nico Video site now;</em> <em>http://ch.nicovideo.jp/sailormoon_English</em><br>
<b>Final score: 7 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-2 better.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 17-4.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-4.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 17-5.jpg">
<b>Review of Sailor Moon Crystal - Episodes 16 - 17 Streaming by darkstorm</b>
The Black Moon Clan have just arrived and already made their presence harshly known with the capture of Sailor Mars. Powerless to break her prison, Sailor Moon can only watch Rubeus take her away. As the Senshi regroup and try to figure out how to stop their latest enemy, strange things start happening across the country and Chibi-Usa’s presence seems to be growing more mysterious by the minute.<br>
Episodes 16 and 17 focus on the inner Senshi character development before they’re swiftly captured by the enemy, like Mars in Episode 15. The time invested in these girls will be too little too late for some, understandably, but thankfully what we do get is far stronger and better paced than when Rei was the focus.<br>
Ami/Mercury is first up with a wonderful expansion on her powers, leading to a lovingly animated scene in which Naru and Usagi surprise her in the pool. The cuteness of the scene is small but welcomed. The biggest impact of the episode however is the chess match between Ami and Bertheir; the tension between the two as they face off builds beautifully and really adds a new level of threat to the clan when, despite Ami’s best efforts and far stronger powers in this incarnation, she still fails. The scene also adds more layers of friendship between all the Senshi with Usagi cheering for her friend, ignoring protests to be quiet.<br>
Makoto/Jupiter's developmemt in Episode 17 is different; Motoki confronts her when he accidently sees Luna talking and revealing sensitive information about the Sailor Senshi. Makoto continues to prove to be the heart of the team, first talking about her deceased parents (with the first full view of them in nearly all incarnations) followed by her heartfelt speech of the depth of her loyalty to her fellow Senshi, grateful for their friendship. It’s a sweetly paced scene and the quick still of her kissing Motoki’s head is very cute, his bashful reaction just adding to the warmth of the whole scene.<br>
Those who are only familiar with the 90s anime version of Chibi-Usa may be shocked at her transformation here. Her introduction in Episodes 14 and 15 gave gentle hints but now it’s clear that she is not the bratty character that Western fans have grown accustomed to. She’s a traumatized little girl, desperate to save her parents, but she doesn’t seem to have any idea how to do it. She’s asking for Sailor Moon’s aid but with her friends disappearing left and right, she’s not in the right frame of mind to do so. The poor girl continues to have flashbacks into the tragedy that led her here, and yet tries to keep her spirits up with encouragement from Pluto and in the comfort of Mamoru’s arms. Her flashbacks are the backbone of the plot so far, giving her forthcoming downturn a darker foreshadowing. <br>
Animation manages to maintain its sub-par quality for these episodes, although Episode 17 feels drastically different. The comical moments from the manga shine through so much more clearly in this episode as to almost be spiritually linked to the 90s anime. The characters are far more lively and expressive, and there's a dramatic cut-down on static imagery too. The episode is not without its goofs however; one flashback of Chibi-Usa’s gives far too much away about her parents, which will affect the dramatic reveal later on, and Sailor Moon’s attack call-out is correct but the animation is of a completely different one altogether. Oh well, they were almost there!<br>
<em>Sailor Moon Crystal’s </em>take on the second arc continues to provide the best elements of the series so far. There’s one Senshi left to go before we jump into the plot-heavy acts thereafter, and so far it’s good. <br>
<em>Watch the latest episode with English subtitles on the Nico Video site now;</em> <em>http://ch.nicovideo.jp/sailormoon_English</em><br>
<b>Final score: 7 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-2 better.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 17-4.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 16-4.jpg">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-03-08SMC ep 17-5.jpg">