Student Review Contest #14

[ohtori_akio]

This week's theme is:

SAILOR MOON

I wanted to select a theme where everyone would be judged on the quality of their review and to assess this the best, I thought of giving everyone the same playing field. Within the Sailor Moon franchise, many things can be reviewed - any series, movies, specials or the franchise as a whole.

Rules:

1. One entry per person.
2. Only completed anime can be reviewed.
3. Reviews that are posted after the two week deadline will be disqualified.
4. Entries are final. Once a review is posted no more editing is allowed, regardless of whether it is still before the deadline.
5. The winner chooses the next theme and hosts the next contest.
6. Reviews must include at least a title, review, summary and grade.
7. The review and summary must be written by you.
8. No entering a review that has previously been entered in an Anime Academy Student Review Contest.
9. Fully clarify your theme. Do not be vague or over restrictive.

Guidelines
1. While it is not mandatory, including series details such as title alternatives; genre; company; format; dates; highs and lows; screenshots and a captioned screenshot, are looked upon favourably.
2. The preferred word count is about 300-500 words, as per the Anime Academy main page.
3. Previously written reviews are allowed to be entered as long as they don't break rule #8.

Submission deadline: April 14, 2007

[L-sama]

I must say, I believe this is a first: No one has done a contest restricted to one franchise. VERY interesting and challenging choice. This is going to be fun! :D

Question though: When you say any series, you mean any of the five seasons, right?

[Akito]

Wow. This is by, by several miles, the most limiting of all contests. Nonetheless, since I can, I think I'll try it out.

[Milkymagic]

I'm going to need to borrow some Sailor Moon from my sister if I plan on participating in this contest, but devoting a contest to a particular long running series such as this is very interesting. If anything, I look forward to reading everyone's reviews if I can't make the deadline! :D

[Mana]

Well, if you don't feel like commiting the time to watching one of the seasons (about 40 episodes each), there are 3 movies and an OAV. A bit smaller of a handful ;) It'd be interesting to open this up and let people review the manga, the live-action, the musical, or any of the games, but then again, this is an anime reviewing contest, so, yeah >.>;

[AlterGenesis-X]

Oh shi-

Well then, giddy-up.

(Will not sit through another ep of SM.)

[Angi]

Sounds interesting. I don't have time to review myself, but I'm looking forward to this contest. Promises to be fun.

[Milkymagic]

Well, if you don't feel like commiting the time to watching one of the seasons (about 40 episodes each), there are 3 movies and an OAV. A bit smaller of a handful ;) It'd be interesting to open this up and let people review the manga, the live-action, the musical, or any of the games, but then again, this is an anime reviewing contest, so, yeah >.>;

I didn't realize the TV seasons were 40 episodes in length, that would explain the contest's deadline ending almost a month from now.

Man, if I can't get my hands on one season, I suppose I could hope to bump into one of the movies even.

[Mana]

Well, 200 episodes into 5 seasons = about 40 episodes each season, although I know it's not quite that even.

As far as aquiring episodes goes, it'll be rather tough, no matter what angle you attack it from. The licensing status in the States is at an odd point, and the DVDs are out of print. Yet, on the same token, fansubs of the show are frowned upon because of it's licensed status, with the exception of StarS, and the Ami-chan OAV.

[Akito]

The seasons are rather evenly split, and they're not that hard to, erm, 'acquire', but in consideration to AA rules, I won't elaborate any further on that. The tough part, however, is trying to watch more than one episode a day (I was reminded of just how bad this show really is, not that it'll stop me).

[Milkymagic]

I don't remember Sailor Moon being all that bad, but then I saw an episode a day on television, so maybe watching it all consecutively might prove to be a very different experience. Plus it's been many years since I've seen anything with the words "Sailor Moon" on it.

But if I can't get my hands on a full series or a movie soon enough, I suppose the internet may prove helpful with enough effort. Kind of interesting to learn the license is undergoing some strange drama.

[ohtori_akio]

I must say, I believe this is a first: No one has done a contest restricted to one franchise. VERY interesting and challenging choice. This is going to be fun! :D

Question though: When you say any series, you mean any of the five seasons, right?

Yes, that is definitely what I mean. There are also movies and OVAs. I would open the contest to the games, live action and the rest but as it is an anime reviewing contest, this might prove difficult.

Glad to see the lot of you are enjoying the idea of this contest as I thought it would be frowned upon because of how limiting it can be, though there are still quite a few things to review...

[Akito]

I don't remember Sailor Moon being all that bad, but then I saw an episode a day on television, so maybe watching it all consecutively might prove to be a very different experience.

I don't mean bad as in "downright horrible", but I'm definitely saying that it's very tedious to watch. Imagine a Power Rangers marathon!

However, if you're okay with Sailor Moon, then I'm happy for you. It just means you'll have a better time than me (if you're even gonna watch, that is).

[L-sama]

Title: Sailor Moon Super S: Ami-chan's First Love, a.k.a. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Super S: Ami-chan no Hatsukoi
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Company: Toei Douga
Format: 1 movie
Dates: December 23, 1995

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Licky-Ben/Sailor%20Mercury/d667e45d.jpg
All work and no play makes Ami a dull Sailor Senshi

Summary: Accustomed to being tops in every academic setting, Ami’s world is thrown out of line with a startling discovery: Someone is as smart as her! A mysterious scholar under the pseudonym “Mercurius” is consistently tying Ami in every exam she undertakes. Not to be outdone, she increases her studying output ten-fold in the hopes of beating this newly discovered “enemy”. Is Mercurius the real foe, or could there be someone else out there?

Grade: 78%

Highs: Comedy works easily; Enjoyable story; Ami gets the spotlight
Lows: Merely a side-story

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Licky-Ben/Sailor%20Mercury/78aaf422.jpg

Released along side the Super S movie, Ami-Chan’s First Love is a fun little romp through the Sailor Moon story. Clocking in at about fifteen minutes, including the new ending theme, which is rather catchy and fun to listen to, it is pretty much a little deviation from the main story. This turns out to help and harm this anime at the same time.

Whereas the TV series focuses mainly around Usagi, it is Ami that is at the center of attention this time around. She even starts off the movie by telling about what she likes and dislikes, as well as her hobbies and home life. As everything progresses, more of Ami’s personality is shown; everything from her serious scholarly attitude to her comical and light-hearted side is shown in this short amount of time. It’s nice to see that at least one of the other senshi has a deeper personality than what is shown otherwise. That’s not to say that the others are left in the complete background. Everyone does their part to make this anime a nice little treat. The way the others try to help Ami is just as any friend would try to do, and it never fails to put a smile on my face and make me chuckle when I watch them. Though the plot may seem to be a little bit on the simpler side of the spectrum, it doesn’t need to be complex at all. There’s something in this anime for just about anyone: A nice story about friends, a little love thrown in, and plenty of light-hearted comedy.

At the same time, however, there just isn’t enough time to make much anything else happen with the given amount of time. In essence, this is a mini episode of Sailor Moon, complete with transformation and attack, though none of this comes from Usagi at all. With that in mind, fans of the show and/or Sailor Mercury will get the most enjoyment out of this one, though just about anyone should be able to get some kind of enjoyment out of this anime. On the technical side, Ami-Chan is no slouch at all. The art animation receives a nice boost, as colors are much brighter here than in the TV series, and though the music is the same from the TV series, it does its job just fine.

If you’re a fan of the series or just in need of a fifteen minute deviation from life, give Ami-Chan’s First Love a go. Who knows, maybe you’ll remember how you reacted to your first love too.

[ohtori_akio]

Greeat review L-Sama, glad to actually see someone attempt a Sailor Moon outing ;)

There's a thread on AnimeOnDvd about Sailor Moon if anyone needs some help to research the first season. It's under the Anime Discussion section.

Also try wikimoon.org for info on our favourite magical girl ;)

[7Raven7]

Doesn't first season = 200 eps?

For those who weren't already fans of the season I don't see someone cramming down that many eps for a review. Otherwise the movie idea isn't bad but this particular saga tends to have limited appeal, especially to male viewers. I.E. I would rather have my liver eaten out by a vulture, have it grow back again, and have it eaten again for the rest of eternity (no offense.)

[Akito]

200 eps is the what the whole show amounts to. The individual seasons clock in at around 40 episodes each. And despite its largely female fanbase, Sailor Moon does hold some appeal to males, with its cast being mostly composed of long-legged females in mini skirts. Panty shots definitely help too.

Nice Prometheus reference, by the way.

[Shadowmage]

Okay, I'll be blunt. Throw the competition L-sama. Due to how narrow this competition is, I doubt anyone except him will compete. Unless there is some surprise entry, L-sama should take the competition at April 14.

[7Raven7]

L-Sama ftw! Grats and looking forward to a new competition (please, please).

[L-sama]

Thank you very much, Raven. I just kinda feel bad that no one else was able to get a review in. At any rate, look for Contest #15 to come around rather soon.