#pgsm ep 8

[tirorah]

Oh man, this moment! I've been dying to talk about this.

Makoto finally steps forward, going from mere contributor to driving force. And what does she do? This. This is what she does!

I'm going to talk about this in more detail later in this post, but I need to tell you the core of my opinion right now: Makoto is being a bad friend. I can't believe I live in a universe where she gets the chance to do that. PGSM is incredible!

Don't get me wrong: Makoto's intentions are good. She's feeling empathy for Usagi...but that empathy is drowned out by her number one priority of 'Tuxedo Mask bad, Chiba Mamoru better'.

Here, she steamrolls over Usagi's valid objection and leaves to dig up information. I don't even think Usagi needs to be more adamant here; Makoto is the guilty one. She's the one forcing her point through. She's the one taking away Usagi's agency in this situation.

So, what's going on here? Remember this:

I'm super glad I spotted this line in the previous episode, because it completely recontextualises Makoto's actions during this part of the story. Sure, Tuxedo Mask is a man of questionable character and a criminal besides; in Makoto's eyes, she has reason enough to distrust or even dislike him. But that's not why she's been hovering over Usagi since the Knitting Drama(TM) began.

Like I said before, Makoto is trying to protect Usagi from heartbreak. She doesn't want Usagi to go through the pain she herself suffered. And guess what? She failed. Usagi's heart was broken right in front of her and she couldn't do a goddamn thing!

Now that Usagi has finally admitted her true feelings, Makoto should be helping her. Comforting her, letting her vent and cry. Maybe--once Usagi is past that stage of intense sadness--Makoto could help her take her mind off things for a while. Take her outside for a fun activity, make her comfort food, I don't know. Whatever helps Usagi pick up the pieces.

But Makoto, like all main characters in PGSM, is a flawed human being. Rather than do the right thing and be the steady tree for Usagi to cling to, her protectiveness goes straight into overdrive. She needs to fix this--at all costs. Getting Mamoru and Usagi together is the only way she can repair the damage she couldn't prevent.

And so, she questions the stability of Hina and Mamoru's relationship (without any facts to back it up) and leaves on her self-appointed mission. Neither Usagi nor Ami are in a position to stop her. Usagi's too vulnerable and Ami is too timid.

But hang on, isn't there someone else who could help out here? One Hino Rei? Where is she?

She's just arrived at the church with dog food. Completely oblivious. Oh my goodness.

There's an elegance and beauty in how this entire situation is constructed. Remember, PGSM is written around a group of four friends, not five. This allows it to build four distinct pairs that each have a unique dynamic and group role: Usagi and Ami; Ami and Rei; Usagi and Makoto; Rei and Makoto.

With Rei out of the picture, that equilibrium is gone. There's no one around to rein in Makoto's protectiveness when it goes too far. No one to argue with Makoto on how all of this is a horrible idea and that she should cut out this nonsense right now. Sure, Rei might be really harsh about it, and that might upset everyone, but it would also force Makoto to consider her own actions. You can see an example of this during episode 8:

Maybe Makoto would still leave this time, but the seed would be planted for her to realise she's going overboard.

Would Rei also understand what a blow this is for Ami? Maybe, maybe not. But her presence might give Ami more confidence to speak her mind on what Makoto is doing. As for Usagi: she respects Rei. Again, she might get emotional, but like Makoto, Rei would probably get through to her a little.

None of that can happen now. And why is that?

Minako, the outside influence, has unknowingly messed up the perfect symmetry of the Senshi team's dynamics. One of the links in the chain has been pulled loose, and now the entire group is collapsing in on itself like a house of cards.

I love this scene. I adore it. I want to serenade it and bring it flowers and bake it brownies. No show is perfect, but this setup? This expert usage of interpersonal relationships? 10/10, no notes.

[real-life-senshi]

Happy Birthday Hino Rei!

I rarely work ahead enough to do any celebratory illustration, and I only memorized Rei, Minako and Usagi's birthdays somehow in my time loving PGSM. lol But working on all the PGSM 20th anniversary posts back in October 2023, and resuming fanfic writing really rekindled how much I love the grumpy lesbian that the live-action gave us.

Going on the themes of PGSM appreciation for the 20th anniversary, I thought I'd compile a list of my fave/memorable character analyses I've done on Rei in my liveblog sessions so far. (I don't want to just reblog them coz then I'm just spamming followers. lol)

Just Rei being Rei

Act 3: Rei intro

Act 4: Rei and Ami

Act 5: Rei with Usagi and how that impacts Ami

Act 6: Usagi says Rei's the person to go to when in trouble

Act 7: Rei and the weird turtle guy

Act 8: Rei vs Makoto (and this, and this, and this, AND THIS... Act 8 was a gold mine on Rei and Makoto both.)

Act 11: Rei being done with Usagi and Makoto (Part 2)

Act 18: Mars and Venus's argument

Act 18: Rei and Minako's one-up attempts

Act 18: Mars being badass and Venus's minder

Act 18: Mars and Venus fighting together

Act 19: Rei brooding, while being smart and astute

Act 19: Rei & Luna discussion

Protective and empathetic Rei:

Act 5: Rei and Usagi's talk re Ami

Act 10: Rei and Usagi

Act 15: Rei and Ami, and then again at the end of the ep

Act 16: Mars and Mercury (part 2 here)

Act 17: Rei and Minako

Act 17: Mars and Venus

Act 18: Mars saving Venus

Act 18: Mars confronts Venus, claiming she's Venus's protector

Act 19: Rei worried about Minako

My liveblogging of PGSM rewatch is paused on Act 19. So hopefully I can add to this list in the future. (If I remember.)

[keyofjetwolf]

@airyairyaucontraire YOU’RE RIGHT REI WITH HER LITTLE PAWS UP ON THE TABLE IS THE BEST PART

I wasn’t expecting the two of them to have this exchange at all, so my delight was as surprising as it was absolute. It didn’t really strike me that Mako “should” feel this way, exactly, but for as many times as I see it come up, I probably should have. How many fucking times does something like this happy in media, where children -- as kids AND adults -- are expected to accept all manner of bullshit and make an effort to ~understand~ and ~forgive~. Children, of all ages, generally aren’t allowed to be pissed and want nothing to do with their parents, and Rei’s right! The person who lost said parent(s) is often the mouthpiece for that, with stuff like “What I wouldn’t give for one more day with my mother/father!”, with all the attendant implications that the angry one is wasting opportunities and don’t know how good they have it.

And that can be true! But also, it can be false. As with so many things in life, there isn’t one easily applicable solution to every single problem, and one person’s experiences may have nothing at all to do with the next person’s and the next, and so on.

So yeah, Rei’s expectation of what Mako would say DOES make sense. But I never would’ve expected Mako’s response. Her parents died forever ago, what does SHE know about how hard it can be?

WHAT A FUCKING ANSWER. And from MAKO! Beautiful, black-and-white Mako, who sees any given person or situation and instantly knows how to feel about it. But now she has Rei in her life, and nothing ABOUT Rei is simple, and in realizing that, Mako’s also realized there are sometimes she doesn’t have that instant understand. Sometimes where she doesn’t HAVE to.

This entire episode is some STELLAR fucking character work for both Rei and Mako. I knew PGSM was good, but fuck, I had NO IDEA HOW GOOD.

[dailysailormoonscreenshots]

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Episode 8 “Rei and Her Father”

[tokufandubseries]

Tokusatsu Fan Dub Series Characters I Voice (Changes Overtime)

Super Sentai:

Momoranger/Peggy Matsuyama (Himitsu Sentai Goranger) Kyutaro (Ep. 7-51) (Battle Fever J) Denzi Dog IC (Denshi Sentai Denziman) Yellow4 I/Mika Koizumi (Ep. 1-10) (Choudenshi Bioman) Mag (Choushinsei Flashman) Leh Näfel/Näfelura/The Nefuluss (Choushinsei Flashman) Wolk and Kilt/The Kiltos (Choushinsei Flashman) Blue Dolphin/Megumi Misaki (Choujuu Sentai Liveman) Colon (Choujuu Sentai Liveman) Arthur G6 (Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman) Tran (Ep. 1-36) (Choujin Sentai Jetman) Pteraranger/Lithia Tribe Princess Mei (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger) Kibaranger/Kou of the Howling New Star (Ep. 17-22-28-31-33-37-38-42-50) (Gosei Sentai Dairanger) Akomaru (This also includes Kasumi O_O) (Ep. 17-22-31-37-42-44) (Gosei Sentai Dairanger) NinjaWhite/Tsuruhime (Ninja Sentai Kakuranger) Prince Buldont (Ep. 1-39) (Chouriki Sentai Ohranger) Picoto (Megaranger vs. Carranger) Fairy Bokku (Seijuu Sentai Gingaman) Krantz (Ep. 19, 25) (Seijuu Sentai Gingaman) Infant Demon Drop (Ep. 2-22) (Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive) TimePink/Yuri (Mirai Sentai Timeranger) First Spear, Furabiijo (Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger) Disciple of Dawn Lije/Kasumi/Messenger of Dawn Lijewel/DezumoLijewel (Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger) DekaPink/Umeko (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) DekaSwan/Swan-chan (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) Nai & Mea (Mahou Sentai Magiranger) Mele (Juken Sentai Gekiranger) Engine BearRV (Engine Sentai Go-Onger) Gokai Yellow/Luka Millfy (Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger) Tiaraloid (Ep. 37) (Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) Joyful Knight Candelilla (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger) Funfilled Spy Luckyuro (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger) Ticket (Ressha Sentai ToQger) Madame Noir (Ressha Sentai ToQger) Miss Gritta (Ressha Sentai ToQger) Kyuemon Izayoi (Shuriken Sentai Ninninger) Zyuoh Tiger/Amu (Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger) Chameleon Green/Hammy (Uchu Sentai Kyuranger) Raptor 283/Washi Pink (Uchu Sentai Kyuranger) Umiki Hayami/LupinYellow (Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger) Tsukasa Myoujin/PatrenSango (Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger) Kureon (Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger) Kirama Pink/Sayo Oharu (Mashin Sentai Kiramager) Secchan (Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger)

Kamen Rider:

Junko Tama (V3) Ryoko Mizuki (Ep. 1-8) (X) Kiriko Mizuki (Ep. 1-8) (X) Masahiko Okamura (Amazon) Doctor Kate (Ep. 27-29-30) (Stronger) Harumi Kusanami (Super-1) Staff Officer Witch/Majoringa (Ep. 24-48) (Super-1) Princess Yokai/Satan Doll (Ep. 24-46) (Super-1) Smart Lady (Faiz) Hana/Kohana (Den-O) Megumi Aso (Kiva) Natsumi Hikari/Kamen Rider Kiva-la (Decade) Kiva-la (Decade) ClayDoll Dopant/Wakana Sonozaki (W) Mezool Greeed (Human Form) (OOO) Yuki Jojima (Fourze) Tomoko Nozama (Fourze) Aquarius Zodiarts/Erin Suda (Fourze) Kamen Rider Nadeshiko/Nadeshiko Misaki (Kamen Rider Kamen Rider Fourze & OOO: Movie War Mega Max/Kamen Rider Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum) Skydain/Shizuka Shiroyama (Kamen Rider Fourze the Movie: Everyone, Space is Here!/Kamen Rider Super Sentai Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z) Koyomi Fueki (Wizard) Kamen Rider Marika/Yoko Minato (Gaim) Mai Takatsukasa (Gaim) Kiriko Shijima (Drive) Yurusen (Ghost) Katchu Gamma (Ep. 21-22) (Ghost) Izu (Zero-One) Kamen Rider Sabela/Reika Shindai (Saber) Lovekov (Revice)

Metal Heroes:

B-Fighter Tento/Ran Ayukawa (B-Fighter Kabuto) Kabutack (B-Robo Kabutack) Robotack (Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack) Kakeru Yukiyanagi (Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack)

Toku Related:

Kure Kure Takora (Kure Kure Takora) Monro (Kure Kure Takora) Darunia (Akumaizer 3) Etsuko Shirakawa (Space Ironmen Kyodain) Bankid Dragon/Ryuuichi Uzaki (Enban Sensou Bankid) Bijinder/Mari (Kikaider 01) Robocon (Robocon Series) Robin-chan (Ganbare Robocon) Robiina (Morero Robocon) Princess Zerian/Midori Aoyama (Tomei Dori-chan) Robot 8chan (Robot 8chan) Mairodi (Robot 8chan) Nemurin (Dokincho! Nemurin) Kamitaman (Katteni! Kamitaman) Shinsuke Nemoto/The Nemotoman (Katteni! Kamitaman) Mari Nemoto (Katteni! Kamitaman)

Unrelated Media:

Luna/Sailor Luna (PGSM)

[docholligay]

8 Days of Content--Winners

Hello my angel food cakes! We now have together what our items will be for Eight days of GLORIOUS content. Are you anxious to see the winners? Too bad, you’re doing it anyway! 

First of all, this whole event is brought to you by my patrons and ko-fi tippers. Thank you so much for all that you’ve done to let me be independent and happy. It means so much to me! 

Utena

Winner: Episode 9: The Castle Said To Contain Eternity

Animated Tv Show

Winner, first day: Princess Tutu

Winner, Second day: Rose of Versailles, which NARROWLY beat out “Doc screams about how much she loves Lena Oxton for 6 Hours”

Non-Animated TV Show

Winner, first day: Twilight Zone--stay tuned for ep nomination and voting

Winner, second day: PGSM with THE NARROWEST margin of victory over The Good Place, 3.21 to 3.20--same as above.

Sailor Moon

TIE, which usually means “I decide” but I’ll get back to you in a day or two about what I’m going to do here. 

141: Storm of Love: Minako’s Grand Two Timing Plan

106: The Distant Days of Uranus

Miscellaneous Day

Day one: Doc Bakes a GBBO challenge. I am not 1000% sure how I’m going to structure this or what I’m going to do or what people are really looking for, but I am HAPPY TO FIGURE IT OUT. 

Day two: Drunk Doc History Hi I’m going to get shitcanned and tell you the story of the OK Corral

Movie Livestream

Livestream one: The Prince of Egypt LET ME DROP SOME TORAH ON YOUR HEAD

Livestream two: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Fun fact: I always refer to my family as “Fievel goes West Jews “whenever folks at temple (who are 90% out of staters) as where I’m from originally. I am intensely Jewish and intensely Montanan. 

I hope all of this sounds to your liking???? Yes??? 

[keyofjetwolf]

I am not remotely sorry when I say, for the 6387th time, I LOVE REI SO MUCH.

“I’m glad my life sucked because I’m strong as fucking iron, but all the games can go right to hell.”

[keyofjetwolf]

SPORTSTASTE HAVEANICEDAY CASUALWEAR FORMEMBER

I love that Japan and America have such a boner for each others’ written language aesthetics, but absolutely no interest in figuring out how to use them correctly.

[keyofjetwolf]

Things to love:

1. Rei, not even looking over, but knowing it’s Mako anyway, I assume from the impressive amount of thug-tossing she heard from the hallway.

2. Rei saying that Mako is her friend, which of course is in stark immediate contradiction to the last thing she said to Mako which boiled down to “We’re not friends and never will be.”

3. The way both of these things can be unfailingly true in their moment for Rei, which only serves to further how deep the differences between her and Mako.

4. This fear this lady is (CORRECTLY) radiating from every pore re: Mako.

5. The unbroken eye contact stare down from Mako as hears Rei and busts into the room.

6. Even more, and difficult to capture in still images, the pause as Mako comes in, just fucking DARING the woman to do something, say something, TRY AND FUCKING STOP HER JUST GIVE MAKO A REASON PLEASE

7. EVERYTHING LOVE EVERYTHING IT’S INCREDIBLE I’M SCREAMING

[keyofjetwolf]

If ever I doubt that there is goodness in the world, that there are those who are truly pure and noble of spirit, I need only remember that PGSM exists, and loves me.

THIS is what I wanted from that manga sidestory. ALL THIS. For the one brief moment the manga allows Rei to actually be ABOUT HER, not some weak-ass fuck terrible regurgitated bullshit about Joe Q Randomdude we’d never heard from before and won’t hear from again. GOD that story makes me lose my fucking mind HGARGLBLARGH

PGSM took the tiny germ of a backstory idea, followed the paths to their logical conclusions, and now NOW FINALLY I can know satisfaction and peace. Just break my fucking heart why don’t you, Rei. “Is this ideal?” Not actually talking to her, not trying to learn who she is, not making an actual connection. Just a paper doll he can dress up and set out  then shove back in a drawer.

That probably IS the ideal for so many parents, and that absolutely sucks, but jesus wept do I love how Rei’s taken all of that loneliness and disinterest and refused to use it to tear herself down. Rei is one of the more self-assured characters in Sailor Moon, and getting to CONCRETELY SEE the things that helped forge her makes me SING.

[keyofjetwolf]

REI YOU LOOK SO SURPRISED DID YOU EXPECT IT WAS GOING TO BE A PLEASANT CALL ON YOUR “WE’VE GOT BIG TROUBLE” PHONE THAT YOU CARRY EVERYWHERE SPECIFICALLY TO ALERT YOU THAT YOU’VE GOT BIG TROUBLE

[keyofjetwolf]

Okay but this table is incredible? With the glass top and little nook you can decorate and shit? HOW DO I GET THIS TABLE I WANT THIS

Usagi’s personal decor choices are similarly amazing, with equal time given to bunnies (makes sense), rubber duckies (okay?), and what I think is maybe a mousetrap? (USAGI I HAVE QUESTIONS)

Also, note how everything in the Decor Nook is three dimensional, which I hadn’t considered before but is PERFECT for Usagi. She’s so tactile, it’s so perfect that what she’d look at, she’d also want to be able to get a sense of feeling it, too. I’D LAY GOOD AMERICAN DOLLARS THAT THE STICKERS ON THE GLASS CORNER ARE PUFFY

This one little prop in this one little scene, and there’s character and consideration just pouring off of it, and thank you, PGSM, for existing.

[keyofjetwolf]

The two of them are so wonderful and happy in this moment, and I cannot get past the joy radiating from Rei, as she pushes beyond her concerns of looking silly, of any lingering guilt, of any misplaced duty and obligation. Rei, in the moment she throws her arms out and tells Mako to run, is letting go of all of that.

But more, she’s easing her iron grip on herself and her life. Rei flinging her arms out is certainly a picture of freedom, but it’s also a picture of relinquishing control. Mako is in the driver’s seat, and Rei isn’t only allowing it, she’s enjoying it.

HAS REI EVER TRUSTED ANYONE AS MUCH AS SHE TRUSTS MAKO RIGHT NOW IN THIS MOMENT

It’s a less significant moment for Mako, as far as character touchstones go. Hers came the second she decided to intervene and shove Senator Hino’s assistant out the door. Still, though, it’s a wonderful look at how far we’ve come for Mako from just a day or two earlier.

Now that Mako can wrap her head around Rei, it’s as if this angry judgement toward her never happened. Rei is Mako’s now, same as Usagi, and Mako will in fact shove her people on a cart and run them out of hell with her own two legs if that’s what it takes.

For as much as this moment is about Rei ceding control, though, we shouldn’t neglect how Mako is there to take it. Rei needs this, even if Rei would never realize it, let alone admit it, and like the snap of a finger, Mako’s gone from looking at Rei like she’s an alien with five heads (ALL BITCHY) to instinctively knowing what she needs, and making it happen.

All that, wrapped in this incredibly silly and cheesy room service cart moment. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE AND CHOOSE TO BE PGSM

[keyofjetwolf]

HAVE I EVER BEEN BETTER SERVED THAN I AM TODAY IN THIS MOMENT

Love the callback to their fight at the top of the episode. Love how they’ve changed sides (physically, they’ve flipped around), love how the shot’s been arranged so now it’s mutual conspiring, not antagonistic confrontation. Rei opens the same, with criticism, but Mako totally doesn’t take that easy bait, instead turning it back on Rei.

SO MUCH MORE UNDERSTANDING, SO MUCH PLAYFUL NEEDLING, SO MUCH SEEMING CONTRADICTION FROM REI YET HERE SHE IS PAINTING A FUCKING ANIME HORSE EYE ON HER FACE

IT’S NOT EVEN MY BIRTHDAY

[keyofjetwolf]

"Aren’t you proud of me?”

AND THEN SHE DIED

[keyofjetwolf]

clutches heart, falls over, dies happy