Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 22, 2017

Sailor Moon, one of the most popular anime franchises in both Japan and the rest of the world, has remained in good graces with established fans (various poor quality Blu-ray releases notwithstanding) and won over countless new ones since its inception in the 1990s. In honor of its 20th anniversary, Toei Animation’s Sailor Moon Crystal reboots the franchise by retelling the story of the famous Usagi in a manner more faithful to the original magna by Naoko Takeuchi, as opposed to simply remaking the original as it was first imagined for the screen. In Sailor Moon Crystal Set 2, both fans of the original anime and those new to the franchise can watch Usagi and her friends -- the "Pretty Guardians" both new and old -- save the universe. Again.

Official synopsis: Naoko Takeuchi’s groundbreaking saga continues when a pink-haired young girl falls from the sky and threatens to take the Legendary Silver Crystal from Usagi! But she’s not the only new arrival with an interest in the Crystal, as the mysterious Spectre Sisters are using more than threats to get what they want. When everyone in Sailor Moon’s life is in danger from an enemy she can’t seem to defeat, who can she turn to for help? That young girl and her small key may hold the answer, but can Usagi triumph where so many others have failed?

In a continuation of the manga’s story arc, Sailor Moon Crystal Set 2 picks up where Set 1 left off and covers the Black Moon arc from volumes 14-23 in 12 episodes (episodes 15-26), again sharing episode titles with the magna volumes except for the two additional episodes that allow the show to better flesh out the villains and expand on the action scenes near the Set's endpoint. Even through the direct continuation, much of Set 2 takes on a different characteristic in terms of character development and exploration. While Set 1 focused more on the human-form relationships between the characters, Set 2 dedicates more time to exploring the relationships between the transformed characters, particularly in the second half. Set 1's storylines evolved over its episode string but were often, particularly early on, neatly concluded in their own contextual frameworks. In Set 2, episodes tend to end more abruptly, on mini cliffhangers, essentially, practically begging that the viewer continue onward, one more episode, to see how it's all going to play out.

Set 2 introduces Chibi-Usa, a character with a mysterious past who may be friend or may be foe to the guardians but who seems to be a key figure as the fate of (Crystal) Tokyo hangs in the balance. But beyond the various battles and characters and superpowers, the show continues to focus on an overreaching them of love conquering all. The show explores love in interesting and dynamic ways. For example, Usagi (Sailor Moon) must come to understand the steadfast nature of Mamoru’s love and learn to trust him before she can fully harness her powers and defeat the evil threat. Rather than focus on how and why they fell in love, Set 2 explores the obstacles their love must overcome to survive. Mamoru and Usagi begin caring for Chibi-Usa without really knowing her, but they quickly develop feelings towards her, especially Mamoru, who exhibits paternal love for the "youngster." By the end, he is willing to do anything to save her. Usagi and Chibi-Usa make the transition from rivals to practically siblings, demonstrating an affection for one another that ranges from tender moments to utter frustration and fighting amongst themselves.

Sailor Moon has always been a "girl power" show. The theme song, in its English translation, says, “we are not helpless girls who need men’s protection.” The theme resonates even more clearly in Set 2. While Tuxedo Mask/Mamoru plays a large supporting role, the other male characters are minor or depicted as either villains or weaker humans that can’t help the Guardians in their fight. But the show is far from one dimensional. The theme isn't pushed to overkill (as the case may be with some of today's more singularly focused or agenda-driven shows or films) but instead offers instead a more subtle pro-girl message that helps convey the notion that girls don’t always have to be the classic "damsel in distress" but can, instead, sometimes be the damsel that saves the prince instead.

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 compares favorably -- practically identically, really -- to the Set 1 Blu-ray release. It maintains all of the positives and negatives alike. Banding remains the primary eyesore on display, appearing at about the same frequency and intensity. Lines can go mildly jagged, at times, but almost never to any sort of bothersome level. Colors are well saturated if not a bit pastel and monochromatic. There's not a serious amount of color depth or transitional detail, but broader-stroke shades on clothes, character eyes, and props are nicely defined. The Blu-ray seems to capture detail with about as much definition as the original animation has on offer. There are some nice textural nuances, in places, though like the color the image is more basic than it is complex, and the Blu-ray's benefit comes more in terms of sharpness and clarity, not finding otherwise hidden details. On the whole, it looks quite nice, though its deficiencies are very obvious, too.

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack (available in both English and Japanese), much like its video counterpart, fares almost identically to Set 1. Despite the two-channel limitation, the track squeezes all it can from what it has on offer. Music plays with impressive width along the front, enjoying extreme vitality and excellent clarity. The opening theme offers the harmonious marriage between well defined lyrics and high energy musical punch, both exceptionally clear and rich without sacrificing any raw energy. As with Set 1, it's so active and alive that it practically sounds multichannel, its extension seeming to move well beyond its limitations. Much the same can be said of any intense moment in the series, including, notably, the transformation sequences. More mild atmospherics are positive and filling, too, lacking that sense of stage immersion that the music delivers but almost always featuring enough clarity and presence to at least set the scene, even if it can't quite immerse the listener in any real environmental goodness. Various action effects, much like the music, come complexly layered and well detailed, not to mention aggressive across the front. Dialogue is clear and precise in both languages, pushing to the center and imaging naturally in that position. The English track might be a touch more forceful when comparing the most intensive sonic moments, like the title sequence; it's not significant, however.

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As with Set 1, Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2's boxed set contains a few brief supplements on both discs, but the included physical content is much more interesting and appealing. This special edition set includes a hard slipcase, artwork cards, and a booklet totaling 96 pages, 65 of which are numbered. The cards depict Chibi-Usa; a group shot of Usagi, Ami, Minkato, Rei, and Makoto in their school girl forms; Sailor Pluto; Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion; Black Lady; and a group shot of Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus and Sailor Chibi Moon in their transformed poses. The booklet, largely similar in layout and size to that featured in the Set 1 collection, is gorgeously illustrated with colorful scenes on every page. Throughout, it includes episode summaries, interviews with select voice cast, character and environmental artwork and images of important objects from the show, storyboards for the opening and closing sequences (new to the Set 2 art book), and multi-language lyrics to the opening and closing songs. See screenshots 36-40 for a few quick snaps of the packaging. A DVD copy is also included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Art Gallery (1080p): A collection of 14 still images, including Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Pluto, Princess Serenity, and Prince Endymion. Images only progress with button presses.

Disc Two:

• An Interview with Momoiro Clover Z (1080p, 9:59): Momoiro Clover Z discusses the Sailor Moon franchise and the honor of recording "Moon Pride" and "Gekko," the show's opening and closing themes. The piece includes footage of the band at various anime conventions and an interview with the five members. In Japanese with English subtitles.
• Art Gallery (1080p): 21 still images of Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, Sailor Chibi Moon, Princess Serenity, Luna, Artemis, Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, and a group shot of the Guardians. Images only progress with button presses.
• Clean Opening (1080p, 1:31): This is a carryover from the supplement on Set 1, even though the opening is slightly different for Set 2. With English and Romaji subtitles.
• Clean Ending (1080p, 1:31): This is a carryover from the supplement on Set 1, and the ending is identical in Set 2. With English and Romaji subtitles.
• More from Viz Media (1080p): Previews for additional Viz properties.

Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While Set 3 has yet to be announced for a Western release, Set 2 solidifies this reboot as one of the best around, building on a terrific Set 1 and introducing more characters and further exploring the world which is, perhaps, a bit routine on the surface but far from typical beyond. Excellent voice work, great animation, and high quality storytelling make this another winner in the beloved Sailor Moon universe. Sailor Moon Crystal: Set 2's Blu-ray release features strong video and audio. Supplements are disappointing in quantity and don't offer much variety, but the included physical content is, again, terrific. Highly recommended.