Man, for a show that I only initially checked out to see Kitagawa Keiko, PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON has unbelievably turned into a MUST-WATCH show! Every day I have to watch at least two or three episodes, and right now I’m extremely grateful that there are 49 episodes and several specials in supply!
Going in, I was expecting one dimensional plots a la Saturday Morning Cartoons, where the heroes are simply there to be “Good Guys” and foil the “Bad Guys” evil plots. What I got INSTEAD was a very well thought-out series with an actual linear story to it, and characters and sub-plots that you actually care about!
Great detail and care is given to each member of the group (as well as the supporting cast i.e. villains, colleagues and classmates) and I found it particularly interesting that they paced their introductions into the story with such care that they didn’t become the five-member group until episode 18! And by that time, it goes without saying that you REALLY know the characters by heart!
I could go on and on about how great the actors and actresses are, but I feel special mention MUST be made for Miyu Sawaii who is ABSOLUTELY the ‘heart” of the show, and not just ‘cuz she’s the titular character. She’s got this infectious goofy charm about her that makes everyone around her smile, and when watching the interviews and commentaries that accompany the DVD set, you find that she has pretty much the same effect on everyone in real life as well! Every scene she’s in cracks me up!
Sure, there are some flaws to the show, but none that I really feel are worth mentioning, because at the end of the day, it’s all about if the show has entertained me or not, and in this regard, PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON has succeeded completely!
