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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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It is not strange that someone who belongs to an evil organization is homosexual. Even wicked people can love people. It is wrong to claim that just because some of the villains are gay, it is a homophobic portrayal of them. Shouldn't there be gay villains? Shouldn't gays like girls be allowed to exist? Even if Zoisite was making feminine gestures, even if he was devoted to his lover... That was their personality.

Mr. Tsuchiya, one of the people involved in the production of Sailor Moon, had this to say.....

'This animated film does not deny their sexuality and treats it in a serious way. Sailor Moon wasn't fighting because she didn't like their sexual orientation, she was fighting to stop their attempts. It depicts the diversity of characters and does not deny personalities. When people see Sailor Moon like that, they can look at it and say, "There are all kinds of girls and all kinds of sexual forms. And everyone has something to shine on" so we can successfully recognize diversity.'

The article is in Japanese, but you can check it out here.↓

セーラームーン人気なぜ続く？原作終了から22年もコラボ続々 (Why does Sailor Moon's popularity continue? Collaboration continues 22 years after the end of the original work)

https://jisin.jp/entertainment/entertainment-news/1769902/

There was a really interesting article on Tuxedo Unmasked that discussed a potential inspiration for Zoisite and Kunzite's relationship in the anime. It suggested it was inspired by the 1982 anime "Boku Patalliro!". The anime was produced by Toei (same as Sailor Moon) and apparently the voice actor for Kunzite is the same as the "male" character of the BL couple (also apparently the first anime to portray a BL couple). There's no proof (like confirmation from a staff member from the SM 90s anime) but it seems highly plausible considering all the similarities! You can check out the article here: https://www.tuxedounmasked.com/what-was-the-inspiration-behind-zoisite-and-kunzites-relationship/

Guys… It’s one thing to take power and representation from Zoisite & Kunzite in the anime, lord knows I do, but you gotta recognise that they weren’t written that way to be representation, they were written that way to be homophobic stereotypes, and it’s kinda directly related to why neither of them had a redemption arc (contrasted to how all of the shitennou were redeemed in the manga even if they stayed “dead”)

And can y'all stop acting like the manga is bad for “pairing the spares” with SenShi implications when the anime just straight up invented four (five if you include Asai) new guys out of nowhere in order to pair the spares. Just I’m so tired of this. I don’t even like SenShi pairings either but lord, I am so deeply tired

Like what you like but please stop acting like one is more moral/“progressive” than the other when both are flawed products of their time lmao

#sailor moon

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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Sailor Moon guidebook KunZoi goodies, vol. 1

When I was a young lass getting into Sailor Moon, I purchased whatever merchandise I could get my hands on (well, as much as my feeble middle school allowance could get me :P). This included things like the book pictured here:

This is an anime guidebook that includes things like episode summaries, character profiles, and voice actor interviews. When I was young, I marveled over the pictures, but lamented that I couldn’t read what was being said. I especially wanted to know what these books might say about my favorite couple, Kunzite & Zoisite (yes, I was a hopeless shipper from the very beginning). When I first got these books, I couldn’t read a lick of Japanese. Like, I looked at the Dark Kingdom profile page and wondered how in the world “Kunzite” and “Queen Beryl” could start with the same “letter”. So now that I’m older and have a reasonable understanding of the language, I want to translate some of the things my 13-year-old self would have loved to know about these books’ KunZoi content.

For each episode they have both a plain text summary as well as a bunch of screencaps with comments from Usagi. Below is Kunzite’s first appearance:

“Seems like there’s trouble in the evil organization. There’s a guy aiming to take down Nephrite?”

Kind of interesting that they point to Kunzite as being the one who wishes for Nephrite’s downfall. I thought it was more that Zoisite came whining that ”Nephrite is a big STUPID DOO-DOO HEAD,” and Kunzite was like, “yes dear, we’ll take him out if you want,” rather than Kunzite being the one who initiated the idea. But I guess Zoisite was watching over Nephrite under Kunzite’s orders (and trolling him for his own amusement), right?

Each episode page also includes a spotlight of a particular scene, and guess which evil couple got featured in episode 22?

“Pick up! That scene” “A shady relationship in the Four Kings?” “Hmm! What’s up with these two clinging so close to each other? They both appear to be men, so could it be this is the kind of relationship you’d call g**?! “These are the other two members of the Dark Kingdom’s Four Kings. Zoisite and Kunzite, they seem shady, right? On top of that, it seems the two of them are trying to push Nephrite aside; it’s like they’d prefer to be the only two left. They’re kinda pretty, but shady guys like these are scary.”

I’m slightly amused by the censorship of the word “gay”. Like, you can show it, but just don’t say it, right? (even Gravitation was like that…despite the series actually centering around a homosexual relationship, all lines referencing gayness that were made in the manga were cut out of the TV series). Also amusing, Usagi noticing how hawt they are ^_^

This first volume’s episode recaps end at 24, so no more interesting KunZoi stuff. So now, let’s go to their character profiles!

“Uses the dirtiest tactics among the Four Kings. Conceals wicked fangs behind feminine mannerisms, like a beast waiting for the chance to strike. In charge of searching for the Silver Crystal.”

Holy shit, Zoisite has the most badass description ever. A low-down dirty fanged beast! Just the way I like him ^_^

Kunzite, your rebuttal?

“A cold-blooded warrior, said to be the smartest and strongest of the Four Kings. Gives orders to fellow King Zoisite. A fearsome man who will use any means to win.”

Hmm, sorry, just not as cool sounding as your lover boy!

Since these two are on opposite pages facing each other, it’s like they’re making out with each other each time you close the book! (I thought this might be a realization I just made, but it seems familiar, so I probably first thought it up as a teen ^_^;;)

That’s pretty much all of interest to be found in the first book. The second volume covers the latter half of season 1, though, so it has more KunZoi goodies to share! I’ll get to that one at an unspecified date in the future (there’s no point to set a deadline, I won’t follow it anyway :P)

OK, ready for part 2? You know you are! Get to clicking!

#sailor moon #dark kingdom #shitennou #kunzite #zoisite #kunzoi

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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Sailor Moon guidebook KunZoi goodies, vol. 2

Guess what time it is?

Time for vol. 2, bitches! More KunZoi goodies from the Sailor Moon anime guidebooks (findings from the first volume can be found here).

This one has a fold out poster featuring the Dark Kingdom and Sailors facing off against each other. But no one cares to look at those silly girls, so here’s the half featuring our favorite evil bishounen:

…wow, where to start? Why are three of them missing an eye? Is this the only picture in which Kunzite actually has a button (which Zoisite seems poised to tear off)? And why is Jadeite so short?! I mean, look at this height chart:

He’s taller than most of the rest of the cast, but looks totally scrawny next to the other Shitennou (is that why he doesn’t hang out with them?) I guess it could be a perspective thing, since from what little we can see of his feet (is he also missing a foot/lower leg? WTF), he’s standing slightly in front of the others.

Wait, who gives a shit about Jadeite? Let’s move on to more KunZoi content.

The infamous rose scene from episode 29 gets pointed out, of course:

“’Jealousy doesn’t suit your beauty.’ Love and romance are in full bloom all over the place.”

That’s right, Usagi. Just step right onto this ship and no one gets hurt.

Unfortunately, we now move from happy romance to tragic death scene:

“Zoisite told Kunzite he wanted to die beautifully. Amid swirling petals, embraced by Kunzite, Zoisite breathed his last.”

Shut up, I’m not crying, you’re crying! *cries*

From one death scene to another:

“Zoisite…guide me to the world where your soul wanders!” “Without saying ‘refresh’, Kunzite shouted Zoisite’s name as he was defeated.”

Dammit… *flood of tears continues*

After all the episode recaps, this book contains an encyclopedic listing of all the people, places, and things that appeared in the first season of Sailor Moon. Here are the entries for our two favorite kings:

“Final member of the Four Kings. Looking for Sailor Moon in order to obtain the Silver Crystal. Used odd events as traps. In a sense, it can be said he understands the Sailor Guardians very well.”

I’m kind of puzzled as to what that last statement is supposed to mean. Is his “understanding” of the girls based on the surface level fact that they often fall for his traps? Or is there some deeper meaning being implied? Blah, deep thinking make head hurt. A much more fun image from his description is to picture him setting up a career as an “odd event planner” ^_^

Okay, Zoi-boy, what do you got for us?

“Third of the Four Kings. Has a (heart) relationship with Kunzite. Attempted to kill Tuxedo Mask/Endymion, and was killed for disobeying orders. ‘I want to die beautifully’ is his saying?”

Awww, a (heart) relationship! So fucking cute. And I’m not sure “saying” is the right word here, but the term used here is defined as “a meaningless or stupid turn of phrase that yet somewhat sounds like a wise saying” so…I don’t know what the fuck that would be in English :P

Lastly, this guidebook has some voice actor interviews.

Keiichi Nanba: Gurio Umino/Zoisite Profile: Born August 26th in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Locke in “Locke the Superman” (movie), Poseidon in “Saint Seiya”, Kazuya Uesugi in “Touch”, and others. Gurio and Zoisite, their showdown was impressive. “With Gurio, when you look at him his eyes are always swirling around, so I was careful to not meet anyone’s eyes while I played this part. There were things about Gurio that were a bit unexpected. Somehow, even though it felt like he was always meddling, his number of appearances was surprisingly low. I wanted him to appear in a lot more stories. I’d like to take off his glasses and show everyone his true face.” “Zoisite is just like me when I was younger. I played him like my beautiful young self from long ago, incomprehensible to everyone else (heart). With Zoisite too, I wish he had appeared in lots more impressive stories. He was shown dying, but he’s actually alive, and will make his glorious debut again!! …I’d like to make that a reality.” “When these two had a showdown, it was the most impressive part for me. Please root for Gurio to have more chances to shine.”

Kazuyuki Sogabe: Kunzite Profile: Born April 16th in Chiba Prefecture. Wataru in “Yattodetaman”, Yaminorius III in “Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger”, and others. I was able to feel incredibly good acting this part. “With there being a fair amount of romantic scenes, and being an evil role on top of that, I had to think a bit about how to play Kunzite. In the end, I took a transparent and cold feeling evil part and tried to bring out his coolness. However, a bit in contrast to the coolness maintained in the original work, the anime seemed to have a lot of hotness. Anyway, since it was a cool villainous role, the lines were also cool. I was able to feel incredibly good acting out all of those lines.” “I liked the role of Kunzite, and his first appearance was the most memorable part for me. Well, I guess his first appearance and his final two were the parts that left the strongest impression.” “In the studio, everyone was so cheerful, and every time all kinds of things went on.” “From now on, I will continue to do my best with varying roles. Even if it’s no longer as Kunzite, please continue to root for me.”

And now, I shall die from the strain of translating giant blocks of text x_x

Well, that’s most of the interesting stuff from these guidebooks. Hope you all enjoyed the “new” (over 20 years old :P) KunZoi content ^_^

#sailor moon #dark kingdom #shitennou #kunzite #zoisite #kunzoi

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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A game with a different story than the anime. This is the scene where Nephrite is being punished by Kunzite... for betraying the Dark Kingdom..... And then he's taken away...

Omg @fadesinthesun sent me this youtube link to a Sailor Moon PC Engine Game and I CAN’T STOP WATCHING

If anyone wants to watch, here is the youtube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWFRGaMXhfY&t=5381s

OH MY GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING

WHY DOES KUNZITE HAVE NEPHRITE IN A CHOKEHOLD

it seems so unnecessary Kunzite’s so powerful omfg

What what what is up with Jadeite just watching. Like Zoisite’s clearly like “HAHAHA YES go Kunzite-sama” behind his mask but Jade’s like “Ok dude we got him”

OMFG Zoisite’s mask is so creepy

DID I FORGET TO MENTION ALL THE ORIGINAL VA’S ARE IN THIS GAME

It’s like watching another episode it is SO COOL

Kunzite looks super sexy when he’s got his arm up like that. I think it’s how they draw the folds of his uniform. Like when he was reaching up for Zoisite in his last ep, they really nailed his physique.

Jadeite always looks sad lol

OMFG Both Kunzite and Zoisite are laughing over how successful they were at finding Nephrite like a bunch of married dorks and Jadeite’s still like “Ok guys seriously can we move on” what a third wheel

GOood grief I don’t know what’s more disconcerting Zoisite’s Joker Mask or the fact that now HE and his waify ass has Nephrite in a chokehold

Hm still not sure which is creepier

But incidentally I love how Kunzite says sarabada ( “farewell / adios / etc”) like Tuxedo Mask - it’s so samurai-y and dashing - and I love how Zoisite quips afterwards with like feminine “farewell/adieu” WHAT DORKY HUSBANDS

I LOVE how the writers literally kept these guys in total character for the game, it’s so fantastic!

MORE TO COME

#sailor moon #jadeite #nephrite #zoisite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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A Few of my Favorite Kunzoi Scenes

Moment #2 : Zoisite runs crying to Kunzite

Zoi has been working Nephrite’s nerves for much of his arc, heckling his plans and harping on his failures. In front of the boss, no less Finally Nephrite has had enough. He announces “Fine, you’re going to crash my arc? I’m going to get the silver crystal and render your arc completely meaningless!”

And Zoisite doesn’t have a snappy comeback to this, since he’s only a supporting villain in this arc, and if Nephrite succeeds that’s all he will ever be.

So Zoisite puffs up with righteous outrage, but he’s not going to cry, because you know he’s not the type to let anyone see him cry.

Next thing you know, he’s sobbing somewhere more private. But what’s this? Who is that stroking his hair?

*The camera pans up* It’s another dude. All narroweyed and cloaked in shadows to make him look evil and stuff.

Except his words, tone, and actions are total at odds with that.

Whoa! My mind is blown.There is no ambiguity here. Zoisite is seeking solace in another guy’s crotch region. A guy with a cape and a throne so you just know he’ll be important later on.

This little guy is breaking all the rules!

Not that I hadn’t seen gay and trans badass characters in Japanese movies before, but never so cute and lovable, in a show aimed at little kids. And it’s not treated in a joking manner.

Not only that, Zoisite’s body language is purely submissive, which runs contrary to everything we know of him up until this point.

I’m intrigued to know who this shadowy figure is.

It’s Kunzite, aka Mr. Smoothtalk himself, promising *they* will deal with Nephrite when the time come. I just loved that. Not *Zoisite* not *Kunzite* but *they*. As a couple. And Zoisite, the sassy little yorkie who doesn’t take crap from anyone, is putty in his hands.

So while Zoisite is clearly a guy who feels he has a lot to prove, it doesn’t look as if Beryl’s the one he is trying to impress.

Splinter faction among the bad guys? Yes, please. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and all that.

#kunzite x zoisite #sailor moon

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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綺麗 (きれい) に...

Since we’re all in this mode (omfg feels), let’s take a moment to read what Zoisite requests in his final moments.

This is the most popular translation of his dying words (綺麗 (きれい) に死にたい). It’s also the translation that is usually used to show Zoisite’s vanity, or his obsession with beauty, or dying dramatically/romantically/young. Which is a logical takeaway; the translation is most likely the most correct one.

But let’s break it down and consider the other ways it can be interpreted, because some of them open up some even deeper, and more tragic undertones to this scene.

The phrase “kirei ni” (きれいに) is the section I want to focus on the most, as it leaves the most room for interpretation. Kirei (きれい) , by itself, means pretty, beautiful. When tacked onto an adjective, the word ni (に) transforms adjective into an ad verb. It is used to imply a way, a manner, a method. In this way, the translation that makes most sense is that Zoisite wanted to die “prettily”.

However, the word ni (に) is also a marker, usually used to imply existence “in” a space, a location. If we consider this translation, Zoisite is actually requesting that he wishes to die “in a pretty space”, which is most likely the interpretation Viz was using.

If we consider for a moment that the second interpretation is what Zoisite was requesting, this opens up a whole realm of new questions and possibilities, the most significant being that the garden of roses and petals is what Zoisite considers most beautiful.

Contrast this to his partner’s idea of beautiful:

What Zoisite considers beautiful and what Kunzite considers beautiful are literally polar opposites. Which means that this entire time, Zoisite had been sacrificing his idealism and his preference of a world he loved, felt more comfortable in, enjoyed and appreciated, for a world that literally was exact opposite. He sacrificed and compromised his idea of a perfect world for Kunzite’s idea of a perfect place.

(Oh my god. (This makes those goddamn corpse flowers and the jungle so much more heartbreaking in this context!))

The second revelation though, now that we know this, is this: Kunzite knew it.

Without hesitance or clarification, he granted Zoisite his wish. He structured this environment perfectly. He knew exactly what Zoisite’s vision of a perfect place was and he gave it to him.

All this time, Kunzite knew Zoisite was compromising his own ideals for his.

(It’s a bit hard to see in this picture, but look at Kunzite’s face. If that’s not the look of distant remorse, I don’t know what is.)

Now knowing that this is the only time Zoisite ever got to experience his idea of a beautiful place, it only makes the dynamics between these two all the more heartbreaking. Can you imagine the original discussion they must’ve had in the Golden Kingdom, about what they believed utopia was? Because unlike Zoisite, Kunzite truly believed in his vision that Metallia and her subsequent darkness was the best environment for the world. For Kunzite, he would give up his own life and honour before sacrificing such a dark, black utopia. Instead, Zoisite gave up his perfect world, one of brightness and flowers and love, for Kunzite.

When Kunzite asked for forgiveness, I don’t believe for a second that it was just his inability to protect Zoisite from death. It was for so much more.

#kunzite x zoisit #Sailor Moon

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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DiC Dub vs. Sub Episode 20/24 - “A Friend in Wolf’s Clothing”/ “Naru’s Cry! Nephrite Dies for Love!”

Oh man. Before we begin today’s (shorter) analysis, I have to forewarn you that this is by far one of the hardest episodes for me to watch. As a principle I usually skip over this episode completely, because I remember it so vividly and traumatically from my childhood and it’s somehow more chilling in the sub than in the dub so…yeah. I’m not sure if the analysis is going to be great, but hopefully I’ll be able to communicate the gist of it.

Though it would do the episode far more justice if I actually compared all of Neflyte/Nephrite’s scenes, the honest reason is that I really can’t - it just hurts too much. I’m not exaggerating when I say I generally skip over this episode when re-watching SM; it’s just too hard for me. Nephrite was actually my original favourite one of the Shitennou when I first watched it (what???) so this episode still hits a little too close to home for me. Anyways! Without further ado-

I think we can all recall this scene. Nef/phrite is sitting and considering why the Black Crystal is reacting to Molly/Naru, and while he toys with the idea that it’s reacting to her love, ultimately he comes to decision that regardless, Sailor Moon knows her and thus he may have a way in. Zoy/Zoi eavesdrops during this revelation.

I…just want to also preface that for the entirety of the episode, Zoisite is probably at his most softly-spoken ever. One of the other reasons why this episode is also hard for me to watch is because to me, Zoisite in here is pretty much at his scariest. I’m not necessarily upset that Zoisite kills Nephrite - but, I think it’s more that we finally see Zoisite truly show his hand, and it’s a side of him that we rarely see: totally composed, cold as stone, unshakable. It’s hard for me to line up that this is the same boy who later freaks at slipping in the sewers and or who earlier cries in Kunzite’s lap. For this episode, we see the true “fanged beast” of Zoisite beneath all that polite and gentle veneer - a killer who is capable of murder to a level of sophistication that I honestly would only expect from Kunzite. But, I digress…

So in this scene. Zoycite, as usual, is pretty overt about the contempt she feels at Neflyte’s softness. This isn’t entirely surprising, considering that she herself doesn’t seem to have the same kind of tenderness or sentiment for Malachite as Zoisite has for Kunzite. And honestly, everything she does in this episode is not entirely a surprise, because DiC really laid the groundwork for us to expect it of her: hard, ambitious, with a low disregard for gushy feelings of any kind. We totally expect her to throw Neflyte under the bus.

But with Zoisite, it becomes a little trickier to untangle his motivations for what happens to Nephrite. This episode is actually quite packed with a lot of characterizations for both of them - many that showcase Nephrite’s growth, but also many that lay the foundation for Zoisite’s character arc. For example…

In this scene, I’d like to point out that Zoisite does seem vaguely incredulous at first when he finds Nephrite at Naru’s home. His question is genuine, not sarcastic, though perhaps with a slight disbelief. Also (and here is the big difference between the two) - while Zoycite is calling Neflyte foolish for having developed feelings for someone, I don’t think Zoisite shares the same perspective (how can he?? He wears his heart on his sleeve every time around Kunzite!). Therefore…

I think his take on Nephrite’s foolishness is actually due to how careless he thinks Nephrite’s been with his feelings - after all, if Nephrite had been more careful, Zoisite wouldn’t have happened across this information. Secondly, if we recall the exchange in the previous episode, Zoisite had enough composure to ignore Nephrite when he had tried to take a stab at his relationship with Kunzite. So Zoisite doesn’t think Nephrite’s stupid for loving, but he sure is stupid for letting it get in the way professionally…which, ironically, is what kind of happens to Zoisite in his arc.

While we’re here, if anyone is actually watching these episodes and has the audio on - I’d like to also point out that Zoycite pretty much sounds at her happiest in these scenes. She’s practically brimming with confidence, and has such a pep in her voice when she speaks to the trio. Whereas Zoisite is still quiet, still soft spoken…

Gahhhh I can’t stop iterating how fucking gentle Zoisite is when speaking to his youma. Contrary to Zoycite, he never seems to lord over them or boss them around - he treats them so sweetly, so considerately. Maa, machinasai. “Now, be patient…”. It’s the most gentlest of chiding, a very different approach to youma than we’ve seen Nephrite and Jadeite use. He respects them.

Again, doesn’t seem like much a difference between the two lines, but - one shows a desire to hurt, while the other shows a very careful and precise consideration for all involved. I do also wonder if this is also how Zoisite approaches battles for himself, considering he is the slightest and youngest of all the Shitennou.

Now I’ve seen a lot of interpretations of this scene, and to be honest, I don’t think I necessarily have a solid one. I’ve seen speculation that this is Zoisite showing his sadistic side, his psychotic side, his vindictive side (because let’s face it, his soft-voice and misty eyes over talking about something so horrible can be pretty dismantling). But…I’m not sure if that’s…it. I do have a theory, but I have no clue how close it is or if I’m reading it right, so please feel free to add your thoughts in the reblogs below. Here we go:

I think Zoisite’s projecting.

I think what’s happened before is that people have picked up on Zoycite’s triumphant desire to eliminate Neflyte, and assume that’s what Zoisite’s also wanting. But I don’t think that’s why he’s so dreamy-eyed right now.

I think he’s surprised that Nephrite even capable of love, and perhaps found a bit of a connection in that. I think he’s sensing this idea that Nephrite’s fallen for a girl (even though Nephrite at this point hasn’t even figured that out for himself, see the shot below)…

…and planning Nephrite’s takedown by assuming he would act like Zoisite if the roles were reversed. We see later that Zoisite would pretty much give up his life for Kunzite’s safety, so when crafting this plan, he assumes that Nephrite would do the same. He’s experimenting with a romantic soap opera ending…

…which ironically becomes the theme of Zoisite’s character arc.

Not sure about the theory? I don’t blame you. But check out his final words at the end of the episode:

You should be happy to die with the girl you love.

If we compare these two side by side, both their words actually end up carrying a huge amount of weight and foreshadowing of their future arcs. Zoisite’s, clearly, refers his own dream of dying in Kunzite’s arms. He isn’t being sarcastic at all, as cutting and heartless as the comment can appear to be. It’s certainly followed by a cold, sadistic instruction (possibly to really hone in that Nephrite should have never dismissed him so carelessly), but the core of his message is genuine: at least you get to die with the person you love.

As for Zoycite - well, once we start getting into her arc, we’ll see that her storyline takes a huge divergence from Zoisite’s. Her story isn’t really about love at all, but about ambition. It’s indicated as such in her final words to Neflyte as well: love makes you pathetic. It makes you fuck up, it makes you lose your crystals and your significant other. When your values dis-align from the Negaverse, you’ve screwed up. Although Zoycite attributes these failures to love right now, in reality these are all things that also happen to her in her arc - not because love was a weakness, but because her ambition eclipsed it. I will explain further as we progress.

Anyways, unfortunately that’s all I can analyze with this episode tonight. Perhaps in the future I will be able to come back and do it with more justice, but it is quite a hard episode for me watch through. I just hope I still brought something new to the table and that everyone looks forward the future instalments - this is when the comparisons start to get really fun!

#sailor moon #zoisite #Nephrite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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DiC Dub vs Sub Episode 19/23 - “Molly’s Folly” / “Wish Upon a Shooting Star! Naru’s Pure Love”

Oh boy I’m really enjoying rewatching both sets of episodes again. Honestly at this point I’m doing these almost for archival sake - if I don’t, I fear one day I might forget and there’s just so much of a difference between the two that I feel like I must document it! And now, without further ado:

I mostly do this for KZ so let’s just skip straight to as close to them as we can get. Beryl(s) are mad, perfect.

Both Zoycite/Zoisite show up laughing and giggling. As usual, Zoycite’s malevolence has been amped up a notch, while Zoisite is still very soft-spoken and coy.

I actually really like how poetic Zoisite is in this frame? How lovely <3.

Y’know, while it’s obvious Zoycite is being clearly sarcastic here, because it’s so clear she’s a meanie, Zoisite says this with the same kind of gentle quietness that he uses in the episode with Nephrite’s death. It’s a nice consistent contrast in his character- that his mannerisms are soft and polite and quite unassuming, but then he’ll say such dark things so casually and gracefully. As Yumeni Yumeno says, “beautiful but frightening”.

But cutting ahead to the next bit with Zoy/i:

I’m not going to lie, if there is only one thing I quite like about the Dub, it’s how the voice actors really just embraced their characters and 110% all in. Neflyte and Zoycite especially have a great range in the emotion and relish in their voices (although then it does edge into hammy territory), but unfortunately I can’t express it in the captions accurately. But like, seriously, omg, Zoycite is such a bitch right now! “Oh, just to offer you a bit of good advice.”

Conversely, this scene in the Sub goes down surprisingly quietly. Zoisite speaks pretty much with the same note he used in the episode with the twins, almost conversationally mild in comparison to Zoycite. Also, he does say “My” in English, which I find quite cute. It’s almost like a bored-gossip voice.

!!! What IS HAPPENING? All this sudden reference to their relationship that DiC squished in there! “My good friend” WHAT.

Again, while Zoycite is basically both heckling and threatening Neflyte, Zoisite is actually just being informative. Like in previous episodes, it’s implied that Zoycite sort of acts like a bit of a teacher’s pet, ready to out Neflyte to Beryl at a moment’s notice. However, the dynamic with Zoisite and Nephrite is slightly different - despite knowing where Nephrite is, Zoisite never outs him, or even threatens to out him explicitly to Beryl, nor does Nephrite even worry that’s a possibility. In fact, Nephrite thinks of a completely different suspicion:

WHOA SO MUCH GOLD in these two panels!!

FIRST - Neflyte, referring to Zoycite quite bitterly as not being a good friend - he seems quite fucking pissed about this reference. And in this episode, it’s the second (out of three) that imply some kind of history between the two of them, that they’ve known each other longer and have had a relationship of sorts before we see them on screen. This, most definitely, is to set up Zoycite as a foil for Neflyte’s redemption…just as the previous episodes have been consistently building. DiC is using these moments to underline the possibility that if Neflyte can be good, then Zoycite must’ve once possibly been good, and turned quite bad. Can’t have all your villains have redeeming qualities, apparently, because kids might not get the message then!

SECOND - WHOA NEPHRITE WHAT’S WITH THE DRIVE-BY?! ALSO, HOW well-known is Kunzite and Zoisite’s relationship that this can just CROP UP SO CASUALLY in conversation?? Or was that meant to be a hit of some sort, like hmph, you’re Kunzite’s lapdog again? OR…does Nephrite know that the real concern isn’t Beryl coming down with his own undoing, that it might be Kunzite orchestrating it? OR OR - weirdly - is Kunzite checking up on him as an echo of how the Shitennou once worked? ‘Cause I mean, not going to lie, Kunzite asking someone to check up on Nephrite to make sure he doesn’t fuck himself up seems like a job he was probably doing back in the Golden Kingdom.

Continuing, the DiC dub is really playing with this suggestion that they once had a friendship that turned sour. Could be DiC’s explaination as to why Neflyte puts up so much with Zoycite, or seems to have more patience with her than Nephrite does with Zoisite.

Also, GOOD FOR YOU ZOISITE, way to completely keep your composure and totally bypass Nephrite’s zinger! Look at that sweet poker face, I’m so proud!

!!! Once again, DiC really building this idea that Zoycite is pretty much Beryl’s - well, basically what Nephrite had been jabbing at Zoisite. If Zoisite is doing all the legwork for Kunzite and earning Nephrite’s contempt, then Zoycite is definitely doing it (or priding herself upon doing it) for Beryl. An emissary, good grief!

Interestingly, Zoisite again sounds pretty informative. He’s not necessarily threatening to go back to Beryl at all. It’s almost as if he checked into make sure Nephrite was drowning, and then gave him a dignified, quiet way out so he’d possibly make less trouble for Plan KZ if he wasn’t.

Ok, while Zoycite sounds hella pissed, Zoisite sounds genuinely upset. Like he’s utterly flabbergasted that Nephrite would do something like this (why???!), which continues to solidify my theory that Zoisite hadn’t always necessarily intended him total destruction - just enough failure so that he and Kunzite could do their thing. But Nephrite playing the game back and playing it more meanly - whoa, the rules have broken and Zoisite’s mad! He’s like the little brother who poked and bothered and heckled as part the play, except Nephrite punched him back instead.

(So Zoisite actually says “kuyashii”, which can also mean awful, terrible, mortifying, etc. He’s legit shocked and utter galled that Nephrite would stoop this low.)

As for Zoycite - DiC I think was really pushing this idea that she knew she could get away with pushing Neflyte so far, and when he finally pushed back (notice, again, that Neflyte pushing back is still roughly within the rules of fair play in the DiC version, while in the Sub Nephrite basically fucks up his own assignment and decides to take over Zoisite’s), she hates the taste of her own medicine. And she’s going to make him pay for that.

God I’ve always loved this line in the DiC dub. Who was Zoycite before??? What kind of relationship did these two have?? Clearly Neflyte didn’t think she was that terrible to begin with, so what was Nice!(?)Zoycite even like? Were they in the Negaforce military academy together? GUH, so many questions, I wish there were more randon in-universe personal references like this with all the characters, sub or dub!

And look! Nephrite’s not even upset at Zoisite, he’s annoyed with himself that he even wasted his energy getting mad at someone as inconsequential as Zoisite. He completely underestimates Zoisite, and that’s where his whole egotism-is-his-demise comes in. Didn’t Naoko’s notes say that his arrogance would be what would do him in? I think the anime took that very literally.

Skipping over to the garden scene now:

Again, subtle difference, but Zoycite’s complaints are always explictly about how much she hates Neflyte personally. Zoisite’s just upset - again, ambiguously, it could be about anything. Nephrite himself, Nephrite not playing the game fairly, Nephrite taking his job and putting his life at risk, how the plan has gone awry, some of his anxiety seeping in from the fact that the plan has gone awry, etc. I guess my point is, I’m usually hesitant to characterize Zoisite as explicitly hating Nephrite, because I do genuinely think that’s more of a DiC hangover.

A little tangent, but I do love how both Malachite and Kunzite have a little chuckle at first before they comfort their significant others. <3.

Y’know, I do wonder with Kunzite’s response if it is actually Zoisite worrying that Nephrite is deviating off their plan, rather than Nephrite personally. “Kunzite-sama, we didn’t think he was going to try to take my job!! What are we going to do!?” “Hush now, yes, it’s a bit of a surprise, but we’ll make it work.” That’s basically the conversation that’s happened twice now.

Again, subtle difference, but in the DiC dub, this whole conversation Malachite has with Zoycite basically shows he comforts her by having total confidence in her. He’s so very clearly on her side and supportive of her 110%. It definitely makes their dynamic much different than that of Kunzite and Zoisite, which we will see in later episodes. Even though Malachite is her mentor (her teacher, explicitly, by his own words), his commitment and love for her (combined with her much more assertive personality) basically evens their power dynamic out. Not quite the case in Kunzite’s and Zoisite’s relationship, though Zoisite definitely isn’t shy about his affections.

Y’know, overall Zoycite is such a harder character than Zoisite is, so I generally find it a bit odd when she does adulate Malachite. Like, she doesn’t need his approval or respect by far, and certainly Malachite doesn’t strike me as needing his ego stroked when he spends most of his screentime advising her. His suggestion also wasn’t particularly eye-opening (I mean, Kunzite’s might if you consider the context that maybe things are going Out of Plan and that worried Zoisite, so having Kunzite reassure him that they can capitalize on any deviances from said plan becomes basically brilliant). So generally I chalk it up to Zoycite just relishing in the confidence that he’s always got her back.

Hm, I’m reading too much into this but I am curious why following Nephrite has now been delegated to a youma (especially when it was implied he ordered Zoisite to personally check up on Nephrite to begin with). I think Kunzite’s readying them for some couple snuggle time.

GoDs I love how this ending implies so much for both the Sub and the Dub. Okay first, Yasha is Zoisite’s youma and basically follows him everywhere?? Even in private moments in the garden?? Again, do he and Kunzite share those youmas? Do they know them so personally that Zoisite is just like “yep you heard the man” and all of his subordinates are aware Kunzite has as much jurisdiction over them as Zoisite does because they’re together? And again Zoisite is so much more softly-spoken than Zoycite, and his youma’s answer reflects that respect.

Whereas in the DiC version, you can tell they’re really squeezing in every moment to make Zoycite as hard to like and power-hungry as possible. “Obey Lord Malachite!” Zoycite’s basically gunning for queenship of her own and is already practicing - and even her youma kind of resents her a little for it!

Anyways that’s my summization of today’s episode. TLDR; Zoycite and Zoisite have very different management styles and work strategies - one hard power, and the other soft. One’s clearly and quite well on her way to becoming a shark in the DK corporate atmosphere, and while the other takes it carefully and precisely and is going to surprise us with just how deadly he can be. We’re not even in Zoy/i’s character arc completely and already we can see the two diverging into two very different stories with very different character growth milestones ahead. More to come soon!

#sailor moon #kunzite #zoisite #Nephrite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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DiC Dub vs Sub Ep 17/21 “An Animated Mess”/”Protect Children’s Dreams! Friendship Linked by Anime”

Aaand I’m back! Heads up, this is a super long post because there’s also a Zoisite-Syntax essay in here too!

So to recap (because I’m not necessarily doing these in order, some are just more meatier and funner to get to than others): In the last episode, the Zoy/Zois have tried to get Nef/Neph in some serious trouble, and it backfired. +1 for Nef/ph.

So in this episode, it seems like their rivalry has stepped back in intensity a bit. Zoy/Zoi appear to be more chilled and less heckly, and Nef/ph seems to be either riding on the confidence of showing Zoy/i up in the face from the last episode, or otherwise doesn’t care. It sets up a really nice scene, actually, because it’s refreshing to see these two villains in a civil-ish behind-the-scenes interaction once in a while.

Zoy/i enter. I know there’s no audio, but I love Zoisite’s “Ara!” when he says “My!” Like, I can’t get over how like, very high-society-gossip his voice is. “My!”

Interesting how once again, they changed the script so Neflyte appears more sympathetic. By saying “Yes actually,” it makes Zoycite appear more like the heckler. In the original Sub, Nephrite responds with “kisamaka” - a disdainful, dismissive “hmph, you again?” sort of meaning. Like, I can’t iterate how much I get the impression Nephrite finds Zoisite more annoying than Neflyte finds Zoycite, even though Zoisite is honestly not even as intrusive as Zoycite is.

Okay, what’s interesting in the Sub here, there actually is no sarcasm or sniping back-and-forth (unlike the Dub). This legitimately seems like a civil conversation. Like there’s no background music, no evil theme song. It can almost be seen as two colleagues checking in on each other. Almost. My take is that Zoisite’s temporarily laying down arms a bit to recalibrate how he’s going to approach the rest of their dynamic in the future. And Nephrite’s letting him because he’s still riding on the confidence from one-upping Zoisite from the last episode…and also because he really doesn’t think Zoisite’s much of a threat.

Ahh, infamous dub words.

That aside, I feel like the subtitles don’t really capture the softness and coyness in which Zoisite’s saying these words. Like, when we read them in English, they seem really straightforward and almost…ballsy? Whereas the impression I got when I was listening was more like “Oh? Well, don’t you seem extremely confident.”

Which would make more sense when you consider his next line:

Ok, this is one screenshot in which I definitely would have translated differently.

As usual, Zoycite comes off as more domineering and over-lordy. She’s practically trying to assert herself as Neflyte’s supervisor on behalf of Queen Beryl. When you read Zoisite’s subtitles, you might assume the same thing, because his statement seems super pretentious in English. “I shall see how well you do”? Who the fuck is he to assume such power? If we were take the English subtitle as is, we’d probably assume he is acting on behalf of some other power (Beryl or Kunzite, your pick).

Except, I don’t agree with how this line was translated. It’s very likely I’m misunderstanding some social context with this line (since I’m translating nearly word-by-word) or how it’s used, but, the way I interpret it is very different.

So in this scene, what Zoisite actually says is:

お手並み拝見させていただくわ

otenami haiken sasete itadakuwa.

So otenami haiken means “Let’s see what you got” or “Let’s see your skill in this match” kind of thing. You’d say it to your opponent in a game, or in a drinking match. It’s kind of sarcastic, like how you would expect in English. By using this term, Zoisite is actually referring a match - a literal match, their rivalry. He isn’t checking in on behalf of Beryl, or supervising Nephrite. He is literally saying We’re both playing this game and now it’s your turn: why don’t we let’s see what you’ve got.

The second thing I’m picking up on (that the subtitles can’t) is how Zoisite conjugates the rest of his sentence. Most importantly, his use of the words sasete itadaku, which is an example of keigo speech: super polite speech that you would use for business, colleagues, clients or anyone on higher on the hierarchal ladder than you. It’s also like, super …humble? Like it basically would read like this:

(Please allow me to) see what you’ve got.

Except Zoisite’s not…actually meaning it? He’s not really asking for Nephrite’s permission. The type of language he’s using is more like he’s ostensibly asking permission Nephrite to let him watch. It’s like, Zoisite being super polite and passive-aggressive all at once.

The irony, is, though, that Zoisite isn’t entirely outright being sarcastic. At least, I don’t think he is. Why? I mean, he’s in private, he’s not in front of Beryl, and we all know he doesn’t like Nephrite - so really, he doesn’t have to be polite to Nephrite. And of all the Shitennou, does anyone think Nephrite would give a fuck about the proper way one should be speaking to someone on the hierarchal ladder? Fuck no! This is the guy who can hardly keep it together professionally even with Beryl seething at him from the opposite side of the crystal ball. So why does Zoisite do this?

I think, the poor boy can’t help it.

I think Zoistie’s mannerisms - his feminine speech, his polite airs, his professionalism and his by-the-book manners - I think all of this is just him. It’s intrinsic in him, and his best strength: It’s his only way of playing the game: appearing to keep by the rules, keeping his nose clean, looking like a team player and just overall an impeccable fellow, while hiding his true capabilities and ruthlessness inside. This is how he’s even described in official merchandise books: “deceptively gentle, like a fanged beast ready to strike.”

And yet, ironically, this is probably what drives Nephrite bonkers. Since Nephrite is the kind of guy who speaks exactly what he thinks and puts no air or fake graces, Zoisite’s behaviour is exactly the kind he would detest. He can see how fake Zoisite is behind his “civilized” manners (see how Zoisite, in later episodes, likes to differentiate himself from other “barbarian” youmas), and probably finds him weak and spineless by doing so (not to mention pairing with Kunzite). Essentially, this is where I often get my Neph/Zoi Older-Brother-Younger-Brother headcanon from: Zoisite is that pesky younger brother trying to compete with the rest of them, and Nephrite is up to here with babysitting. He’d probably have more respect for Zoisite if he just grew up. But, Nephrite’s ego also thinks Zoisite is nothing more than that: just a silly little brother, trying to pretend he’s big enough to play with the big boys…and thus, he lets him in to watch how it’s done, without really considering the consequences.

OMG that was super long. Let’s continue on with the rest of the episode. I swear I’ll be fast.

(Please excuse my error in screencapping) But look! Zoisite is practically “learning”.

Note how Zoycite is still approaching this as if she expects Neflyte to fail, and is waiting for it. She might as well be eating popcorn. Zoisite, on the other hand, remains coyishly neutral. I think he’s using this time to really get a sense of what Nephrite is made of.

I think I’m beginning to understand what Naoko meant when she said that Nephrite had the biggest “elder brother” type of ego. He seems very sure of himself like all the damn time, even when his track record isn’t the best.

And when it blows up in his face…

Zoycite, classy as always. (<–That’s me being sarcastic)

Zoisite, definitely classier, but HOHO. Like, the subtitles are totally correct, but I feel like in English, a combination of his polite+sarcasm would sound more like “Thanks for the show :)”.

So tldr, while Zoycite is nailing human sarcasm, can we talk about the aristocratic-level of sarcasm we’re getting from Zoisite here? God I want to see this boy sass over a cup of tea.

#sailor moon #zoisite #Nephrite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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DiCdub vs Sub Ep 15/18 “Dangerous Dollies”/”Shingo’s Love, the Grieving Doll”

Omg okay so because I’ve just been reading whatever novelizations I could find of the 90s DiC Dub, it cranked my nostalgia on full power so I decided to rewatch some of my favourite episodes. Which means to say…the Zoisite-related episodes ;).

I know there is a lot of ick factor when it comes to the DiC dub, so I understand if anyone wishes to skip or scroll through. I however, find the side-by-side comparisons fascinating - because more often than not, I catch little oddities in my assumptions and understanding of the characters, which may have been subconsciously influenced from my exposure to the Dub as a child. It is yet another area of exploration in my never-ending research of KunZoi.

That and the ridiculousness of the DiC is freaking entertaining

So without further ado, my running commentary on DiCDub vs Sub, Episode 15/18 - “Dangerous Dollies” / “Shingo’s Love, the Grieving Doll”!

Opening up with Queen Beryl railing on Neflyte / Nephrite. Sounds okay so far.

I do want to point out that Neflyte overall seems like a more nicer guy than Nephrite. My impression is that DiC knew how he was going to end up and tried their best to make him less of an ass to give his ultimate redemption a little more heft. I’m a bit ambivalent about its success, but, that’s another post.

Enter Zoycite and Zoisite, both giggling like villainous masterminds we’re meant to see them as, trying to be cute. Zoycite’s having a harder time making it believable.

Zoycite’s much less subtle. Zoisite tries to be a gentleman and team player.

OMFG. DiC, trying to hammer in the cenorship in case we missed it. (Where is my FU emoticon?) Meanwhile, Zoisite stays professionally on-point.

LOL YOU WORK THAT SISTERHOOD ANGLE ZOYCITE. Kissups, the both of you.

Ok I know there’s no audio, so I want to stress this: While DiC Beryl seems to wholeheartedly buy Zoycite’s sorority angle, Sub Beryl actually does an inhale-sigh. This is not a woman falling for Zoisite’s cuteness, but is the mother-figure who is reluctantly agreeing the younger of her two petulant children is right.

HAHAHAHA I love watching Nephrites refuse direct orders with the grace of semitruck. Zoycite is syrupy-sweet, Zoisite practically does that not-so-innocent-innocent oOo face with the hand to his mouth.

Class act Nephrite! Another little change to tone down Nephrite’s immense ego - Neflyte reminds Zoycite of the facts and thus shifts the implication back to her interfering. Nephrite, instead, shoots himself in the foot - he actually isn’t annoyed with Zosite’s interfering - he’s actually annoyed with Beryl’s helicopter parenting and Zoisite’s just fanning that fire.

I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like Neph’s already hung himself with that line.

Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to help. But I don’t think that was Nephrite’s intention…while Neflyte sounds like he’s trying to at least exit somewhat courteously, Nephrite’s practically throwing up as an ironic FU. “I’ve had enough of this, LATERZ.”

(Also, check out the Zoisite’s TOTALLY INNOCENT HEAD-TILT):

(”Oh gee golly whiz, I can’t believe he just did that!” Coy-Zoi at his best.)

You bet he is, DiC-Beryl. Though the anger Sub-Beryl’s going through seems much more venemous…

Now this is interesting (and this is why I love doing comparison-posts like this). THIS is different. It’s a small, hardly noticeable difference, but today when I was watching it, I totally had an A-HA moment.

Notice how in the DiC dub, Zoycite explicitly says this is her plan. This is where the notion of Zoy/i’s rivalry with Nef/ph comes from. We are meant to believe Zoycite put this plan through, with no outside help (I think we can all assume whose outside help that would be). It’s Zoycite who hates Neflyte.

BUT. This is NOT what is said in the Sub. Zoisite actually says, word for word, “Everything went to plan”. But not necessarily his plan. Just A Plan. The Plan. And you know what? Isn’t there anything else about this set up - the Setting Nephrite Up to Fail By His Own Self and With Minimal Effort From You Plan, that just reeks of someone else’s strategy style?

If you’re thinking I’m referring to Kunzite, I am TOTALLY referring to Kunzite.

After watching this scene, this makes FAR more sense why in the episode where Zoisite’s crying on his knees, Kunzite explicitly says that Nephrite can be ousted as they please. While DiC makes it sound like it was all Zoycite’s doing to fuck Neflyte up (they really do, Malachite’s constantly advising her as an outsider in later episodes), the Sub actually uses this episode as a seriously subtle setup for Kunzite. It was never just Zoisite’s beef with Nephrite - it was their beef, and they were in cahoots together way before we saw Kunzite appear. Thus why Nephrite never forcefully ejects Zoisite from his creeper house or confronts him - it’s not a rivalry between him and Zoi, it’s a rivalry between him and Kunzite, and Zoisite’s just the annoying middle-man for which Nephrite’s egotism takes dismissively. I will touch back on this again when we get to the penultimate episodes leading up to Nephrite’s death.

Anyways, that being said, I leave with one final shot-by-shot comparison:

Ok, this may not seem like a big deal, but I find a HUGE deal. In this last fade-to-black, Zoisite ends his internal monologue (where he still speaks in the feminine way, ending his sentence with わ) with just a little smile. I’m probably reading too much into this, but I’m taking this to imply that Zoisite’s the feminine partner of a duo, and satisfied that he’s done his job, he’ll be heading back to report to the boss man. Cue the little smile.

Zoycite, on the other hand, gets an evil laugh added into her script. It isn’t just enough to show that she may be satisfied in the success of her plan like in the original sub, but they have to show that she relishes in it. She’s having fun. She delights in it. It’s little things like this that set up Zoycite the way we’ve seen in subsequent fanfictions and headcanons - catty, sadistic, bitchy. Loving being evil. I think the DiC dub added these things to her character to set her up to foil Neflyte’s death (his redemption of goodness and her, well, evilness) - but I do think there’s also more to that. Scriptwriters usually don’t change, add or greenlight things unless it’s for a reason, especially if it adds to runtime.

And there we go! This week’s DiC Dub vs. Sub Commentary Watch. If anyone needs me, I’ll be back in my dark KZ hole watching another ep.

#sailor moon #zoisite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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Boyfriends 💕

#sailor moon #kunzite #zoisite #kunzite x zoisite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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DiC Dub vs Sub Ep 18/22 “Worth a Princess’ Ransom” / “Romance Under the Moon! Usagi’s First Kiss”

AAAND I’m back!

Oh boy this episode was a fun doozy to do! Without further ado, let’s begin!

(To catch up on the previous episode analysis, click here)

So we open up with Beryl explaining about the Imperium/Legendary Silver Crystal. Cool cool, so far so good.

So, Zoisite’s already confirmed he’ll take on the job. And considering he’s the only one there, it’s safe to assume this is indeed his specially assigned mission.

WHOOPS GUESS WHO. JOB-COCK-BLOCK by Nephrite.

WHAT IS HAPPENING. There are literally 2 different conversations happening right now!!

So in the Dub, we get hit on the head ( twice ) that Neflyte was indeed supposed to show up for this summons. Apparently it was a free-for-all? Like some kind of Negaforce candidate pitch, and Zoycite’s trying to throw Neflyte under the bus? Whereas in the Sub, it’s explicitly Zoisite’s mission, and it was Nephrite who rudely interrupted where was not invited!

Rude, Nephrite, rude!

Beryl continues to explain…

??? Look at how antagonistic they’ve made Zoycite! Whereas Zoisite has an actual legitimate concern, and a right to feel ruffled! (I mean, disregarding the fact that he also used to barge in on Nephrite’s private meetings to throw some subtle shade)

HOLY FUCK NEPHRITE.

I mean, I generally watch these for the Zoy/i and Mal/Kun difference but holy fuck Nephrite! DiC had to do some serious backtracking and retconning to set him up as sympathetically as they did, because in this scenario especially, I find it very hard to think Zoisite’s the bad guy. No wonder they had to amp up Zoycite’s antagonism so hard - there was just so much attitude to cut away from Nephrite that I’m not sure he still would’ve been sympathetic if they had left Zoycite with all of Zoisite’s original lines!

(On a side note, if Zoycite thinks Neflyte is a pain in her ass, I would hate to imagine how much she would hate Nephrite!)

I’d like to take this time to point out that although Zoisite is rightfully pissed off, he is in fact, still speaking with his business-polite keigo speech. Which means, while Nephrite’s not only barged in, interrupted, demanded a favor, then up and left without even an explanation (much less a realistic pitch), Zoisite is still adhering to proper business practices.

Meanwhile I get the impression Zoycite’s still trying to bond with Beryl over their mutual womanhood? Aren’t men just wholly unreliable, my Queen?! Why do we even trust them!?

Now this is also interesting. One thing I found that the DiC really diverged on was this concept that if Zoycite was going to be a girl, then they would make Beryl a loose mentor figure for her. This dynamic continues in later episodes, I kid you not. This is where you can actually start to see that in changing genders, DiC decided they were going to give Zoycite a very different character arc than Zoisite’s. I’ll explain further in later episodes.

But seriously compare these two responses. One of them is a direct advice - Dub!Beryl has made a deliberate choice in front of Zoycite to give the job to Nephrite, basically to teach her a lesson. The other is almost familial- Sub!Beryl, takes away Zoisite’s job to give to Nephrite instead, to teach Nephrite a lesson. Her explanation is almost dismissive as well - that Zoisite doesn’t see the bigger picture, and that his sacrifice is going to be what’s needed for the overall better of the Dark Kingdom family, if it means Nephrite actually gets to succeed.

No wonder Zoisite gets so frustrated with Nephrite - the FirstBrother/youngerbrother dynamic is clearly there. One of them shirks and boasts and gets away with bloody murder, while the other one, while underhanded, generally tries to play by the rules, and gets zip. Well, so he thinks, for now.

BUT - … can we now talk about this infamous scene?

I’d like to take this moment to point out that as the camera pans, in the DiC version, we hear Zoycite crying. She’s making clear, audible sobs, and she’s bitter and upset as fuck. Whereas in the Sub, we get an ominous silence. I’m not sure if it’s a cultural cue (did Zoisite just get scolded and we’re supposed to feel the foreboding he’s felt?), but it certainly sets a powerful tone: to indicate who’s really in charge here, and that’s Kunzite.

Notice too, that Zoisite is not mentioned crying explicitly about what’s upset him. We don’t actually know what he’s crying about. Is he crying that he might be out of a job now? Is he crying that Beryl is being unfair? Or, is he crying that maybe he fucked up in some other way - that he’s screwed up something Kunzite’s originally advised (because it’s already been implied in a previous episode that they had A Plan?)

Notice how the silence still continues in the Sub, and how Malachite’s already well on his way to coaxing and advising Zoycite. The shift in focus is huge here - in the Dub, we’re meant to be focused on Zoycite, on how her plan has gone awry. In the Sub, the silence grips us - we’re meant to sympathize with Zoisite’s upset, perhaps even fear the silence. We’re meant to fear Kunzite, just a bit.

I honesty have no idea what discussion Kunzite and Zoisite had prior to this, because that seems to be a very out-of-context response, considering Zoisite wasn’t necessarily looking to “win” out there. Unlike the Dub, Zoisite wasn’t looking for a “chance”, so his impatience doesn’t have anything to do with winning or securing his job. All I can make out is, maybe Zoisite was impatient for other reasons - maybe he was anxious to get the Crystal already, or to put Nephrite behind them. Maybe he was anxious to move forward with stage 2 of whatever he and Kunzite had planned, and Nephrite interrupting and screwed it up.

Subtle difference, but once again - the Dub makes it very clear that Zoycite is explicitly upset at Neflyte. However, Zoisite simply protests…we don’t actually know what he’s protesting about. Maybe he just really wanted to move onto stage 2? Maybe he wasn’t done apologizing for whatever happened out there? (Because I mean, seriously, what was that boy doing on his knees to begin with?? Does he usually throw himself face-first into Kunzite’s lap and silently cry without explanation?? The gesture can be read both as a need for comfort or for forgiveness, whichever your pick, and Kunzite’s drawn-out silence certainly doesn’t help the ambiguity.)

Can we just take a moment to see how vastly differently the DiC has changed these two’s dynamic? This is basically the first introduction either Malachite or Kunzite get in the series, and already we’ve established:

-in the Sub, Kunzite’s an ominous figurehead who has some serious mysterious strings he’s pulling in the long game, and he and Zoisite are doing it together (or Zoisite is doing his legwork).

-in the Dub, Malachite’s very clearly Zoycite’s confidante and mentor figure, who advises and looks out for her and the success of her plan.

Based on these two comparisons, I would say that DiC was pushing Zoycite to be a bigger bad-guy than Malachite! And there is a reason for that, as we progress further into future episodes. I’m not sure why the Sub was setting up so much for Kunzite only to have him fall to the wayside when Endymion comes along (although I have my theories if you consider the story of the sequel PC Engine game), but it’s clear they did a lot of groundwork to create a foundation for Kunzite as the ultimate bad-guy.

Don’t believe me? One more final shot:

At this split second, DiC already decided Malachite’s had enough, and the scene’s about to cut away. Meanwhile in the Sub, Kunzite has one final say - and it’s show us how he truly is the mastermind behind The Plan. Zoisite may have been upset at his setback from the original plan, but Kunzite’s taking it as an opportunity. I would almost argue he’s less comforting Zoisite for his personal failure and more that he’s reassuring Zoisite that there’s still another way to achieve what they were going to do - they’re just taking a little detour, and it’s going to work in their benefit. Kunzite’s last word is a foreshadowing of Nephrite’s end, while Malachite’s last word actually serves to foreshadow Zoycite’s.

That’s enough for today’s episode analysis, but I do hope you enjoyed! If tldr:

DiC’s big bad was Zoycite, but the Sub’s big bad was Kunzite, and their badness both tie in to Zoycite/Zoisite’s character arc.

#sailor moon #kunzite #zoisite #kunzite x zoisite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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#sailor moon #kunzite #zoisite #kunzite x zoisite

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twodimensional-love · 5 years ago

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Materials Collection Translation

Before I begin, I just want to preface that my Japanese is very rusty, but at my peak I had achieved fluency of JLPT-5 (which is enough understanding and vocabulary for middle-school Japanese) and was well on my way to JLPT-4. So there may be some nuances I might be missing, but I am 99% confident of my kanji/hiragana/katakana reading capabilities and understanding of basic grammar structure.

I’ll also be using screenshots from jisho.org, so if there are other fluent speakers who would like to let me know where I’ve gone wrong, please let me know so I can look it up.

First one on the docket:

Though the writing is a bit scrawly and the quality of the image isn’t great (unfortunately this was the best I could find rn), the text above Kunzite’s head clearly says:

ゾイサイトをかわいがってる.

The first word is definitely Zoisite.

The second word is 可愛がる, and ってる indicates an action that is ongoing.

And the definition of 可愛がる is:

So the translation above Kunzite’s head should read:

“Kunzite loves/cherishes/dotes on/shows favouritism/…etc to Zoisite”.

This is what I could figure out based on my current skill-level, so I don’t necessarily have the cultural context in which this word is actually used (other native speakers have told me it’s like saying someone’s “fond” or has a “soft spot” for someone).

(Personally I tend to read it as “Kunzite as a soft spot for Zoisite” because the first two characters are also the same words for “cute”, so - Kunzite is affectionate with Zoisite in the way that he thinks he’s adorable and probably thus is gentler with him, kinder with him, doting with him. Take that as you may.)

Second on the docket:

Gahh this one is more of a doozy because Naoko’s writing is atrocious, but here goes:

クンツァイトの弟分存在.

The first word is Kunzite, no question. In fact, it says “Kunzite’s”.

The second word is a bit of a doozy. It’s 弟分 (おとうとぶん), which means:

There’s no other way to interpret these two characters, as they are very specific. The first kanji is definitely “little brother” (both in Japanese and in Chinese). The only other way to read these two characters would be like, “number marker, part”, which would make no sense.

And finally, the last part of the sentence / third word is 存在 (そんざい), which means “to exist”, or “presence”.

So if we string everything together, the closest literal interpretation would be:

“Exists as Kunzite’s friend who is treated like a younger brother.”

Or, other ways to interpret it: Kunzite’s friend who’s like a younger brother, or Treated like Kunzite’s younger brother, etc.

Although this may seem pretty definitive that Naoko intended a more sibling relationship between the two, the analysis still leaves a bit of room for interpretation. For one, it’s never explicitly says that it’s Kunzite who actually sees Zoisite as a younger brother, only that Zoisite is seen (in general) as such. Perhaps the other members of the Shitennou see him that way, perhaps he sees himself that way, perhaps everyone else sees it that way.

Or, (in the way I read PGSM), it can possibly even be interpreted as a one-way unrequited love from Kunzite to Zoisite.

For me, it’s very likely that the anime took Kunzite’s fondness and Zoisite’s “younger brother” existence to mean a more senpai-crush dynamic. I can’t remember when the Materials Collection came out (before or after the 90s anime?) in which case, I get the impression that Naoko was leaving herself some wiggle room to let herself explore Sen/shi, just in case.

Ultimately, the interpretation is up to you, but these are what I could make of the barebones of translating. As such, these translations are not meant to be ammunition, only to clarify. Regardless of what Naoko intended/did not intend/etc, everyone is free to enjoy what resonates with them, and these experiences should not be invalidated by any party. I, personally, shall happily remain in the latter (and 90s anime’s) interpretation, simply because I find it much more interesting (but that is an opinion for a later date) - and Naoko’s intention / canon / or what-have-you won’t ever invalidate or cease my enjoyment of KunZoi in any capacity.

#sailor moon #kunzite #zoisite

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