==================== The Sailor Scribe #3 ==================== May 11, 1997 ================= Table of Contents ================= Part A Introduction From Head Office A Few Squeaks From The Stress Toy (Beruche) NA Sailor Moon Brad Lascelle General News Update Beyond Syndication: the Cable Deal? Production Woes? Mixxzine Takes Flight Buena Vista Video Banter Dub and Dubber Sailor News Briefs **** Part B **** NA Sailor Moon (cont'd) Devin de Gruyl TK'S IMPONDERABLES: MixxZine #1 Audra Bell Trading Post Fanfics Devin de Gruyl Best of the Best: Fanfic Reviews Part C Fanfics (cont'd) Janelle Jimenez Sailor Moon Z: Chapters One and Two ======================================================================= TK'S IMPONDERABLES: MixxZine #1 - By David de Gruyl ======================================================================= FINALLY! It only took about three extra weeks, thanks to a credit-card snafu and other delays... 8^P But first, a brief word on the other titles. "Parasyte" was pretty darned good, I felt, although a bit too gory for my taste. However, it was not at all what I was expecting, striking a fairly good balance between dark storytelling and humor. "Ice Blade," I'm sorry to say, I never really got into. I don't like cop dramas in general, and I think that's my primary reason for it not "clicking" with me. As for "Rayearth," I'd like to make this prediction. I think a lot of people who primarily subscribed for the SM manga are going to be RENEWING their subscriptions because of Rayearth. It is, indeed, everything it's cracked up to be. But now, for the one title out of the four that brought us all to this point in the first place... TK'S IMPONDERABLES FOR MIXXZINE SAILOR MOON MANGA, ACT 1 (Anime equivalent: SM ep. 1, or "A Moon Star is Born"/1) -------------------------------------------------------- * The very first thing I noticed was in the newspaper ("Crossroads Times") that covered Sailor V's escapades. One of the sidebar headlines was "The Mixx Revolution Begins!" 8^) Now, I'm all for shameless self-promotion in small doses like that...just as long as it's not allowed to go too far. (I also caught a similar self-reference in "Parasyte" - a bathroom wall is painted with graffiti reading "FOR A GOOD TIME CALL 1-888-MIXX-NOW"... their subscription hotline!) * I adjusted surprisingly well to "Bunny," all things considered. (Though I will continue to call her "Serena" in these reviews, at least until I become more comfortable with "Bunny.") The only thing I don't agree with is Luna calling her that right off the bat... * Very interesting to note that they kept "OSA-P" as the name of Molly's mom's store. Of course, DIC did keep that storefront intact as well. (BTW, the OSA-P sign is far less ornate than in the anime.) * And yeah, I know, the "cow-tails" thing. Hey, what can I say, they dropped the ball on that one. But, it IS just the first issue, remember. There's nothing saying they can't or won't return to the established "meatball-head" in future installments, is there? * Interesting revelation: In a sidebar interview with Naoko Takeuchi, she reveals that, not only was Serena/Usagi intended to be a self-portrait of a kind, but that she also created Sailor Neptune to be the total *opposite* of herself. Facinating, to coin a phrase... * Slight error: As Luna is outlining Sailor Moon's mission to Serena, she says that they need to find "our Queen". Um, last I checked, Luna, your Queen had been DEAD for about 1000 years, give or take a week... * For the record, the manga does indeed use "Moon Prism Power, MAKE UP!" for Serena's transformation. Hmm... I don't like the baggy boots. * I was wondering how they were going to translate the reference to "Arsene Lupin: Gentleman Hunter" (or whatever) that was in the original. But... "...like a Count or something"? I dunno about that one... * I don't know if anyone caught this, or if it's just the result of the reversal of the manga pages in order for it to be read "American-style" (left to right instead of right to left), but the flap on Jadeite's uniform is on the wrong side. * Molly says she was saved by "Sailor V's partner". Try as I might, I couldn't find anywhere where Sailor Moon claimed to be connected in any way to Sailor V. (Molly, of course, is right on the money... but we don't find that out for a long time to come.) * Finally, one very minor point. I would love to be able to fill out and send in the MixxZine reader survey on the back page, but doing so would cost me the last page of SM. Ah well, that's why they make Xerox machines, ne? 8^) DIFFERENCES FROM ANIME: Surprisingly few, given how vastly disparate the manga and anime usually are. There are only a handful of differences to be found here (it just looks like more than it is): * In the anime, Serena first encountered Luna when she saved her from being tortured by some SD-looking little brats. Here, she trips over Luna (and we even get to see a footprint on Luna's back to prove it! 8^)). * The first encounter between Serena and Darien (who goes unnamed here) is pretty much the same as in the anime, with one addition. Darien regards OSA-P as the possible location for the Silver Crystal. The anime would not introduce that plot element until MUCH later. * There is an additional scene in the arcade that introduces Andrew/Motoki (also nameless in this first outing). In the anime, his debut occured in episode #2, which was skipped by DIC. * Serena falls asleep on her bed after being let back into the house, just like in the anime. However, here, she has a "dream sequence" in which she sees herself as Sailor V, rescuing Andrew/Motoki and Luna from a monster. * Serena's brooch is VERY different. Instead of being a disc with the crescent-moon etching and the four colored gemstones inlaid into an outer rim, the manga brooch is a more ornate affair, with a crescent moon, a star, and the four gemstones on the OUTSIDE of the disc, forming a sort of cross-shape. * Sailor Moon not only sports a Sailor V-style mask when she first transforms (an accessory that is quick to disappear, BTW), but she also has the "feathers" in her hair that only appeared in her anime incarnation effective with the advent of Super Sailor Moon. (The Princess, however, always had these, naturally.) There's also a copy of the brooch evident on her choker. * As Jackie Chiang pointed out, Tuxedo Mask never throws a single rose in the manga. In fact, Tux does virtually NOTHING here except basically STAND THERE and WATCH Sailor Moon get beat up by the MotD! Lucky for SM that at least Luna cared about her well-being enough to remind her about the Moon Tiar -- er, pardon me, "Moon Frisbee"! (That's another difference, one that I'm a bit surprised to see, even though "Moon Frisbee" IS what it was called in the original manga.) * Queen Beryl is nowhere to be found in this first outing, and even Jadeite is restricted to a single panel. * Jadeite's uniform sports the same "fried egg" eupalets that Nephrite and Malachite/Kunzite had. (The angle doesn't show it, but he also wore a cape just like M/K.) That's because, in the manga, each general wore the same uniform, without any individual differences. * The episode ends, not with Serena falling asleep at her desk saying she had a "rough night," but with Serena, standing in the hall, wondering if it was all just a dream. At which point Luna appears, dashing her hopes in that direction. NOTABLE QUOTABLES: *sigh* I'm disappointed. There weren't too terribly many quotes I could pull out of this, and even the few I COULD find that I liked seem awfully lame when copied to this section. Serena: "I'm busted again." Serena-as-narrator: "This is my homeroom teacher, Miss Patricia Haruna. (Same first name as Patricia Olsen.)" (Blatant show of ignorance: WHO is Patricia Olsen?) Melvin: "With all the bizarre and hideous crimes nowadays, the news is more action-packed than a Schwarzenegger movie." [On seeing the sardine can that is OSA-P:] Molly: "My mom's really packing 'em in... she's like a used-car salesman!" [When Luna reappears at the arcade:] Serena: "It's you! The cute cat from this morning. (Wanna play a video game?)" [My emphasis:] Serena: "Ha ha ha... look! *HE'S* got a crescent moon bald spot!" (I hope and pray that was just a typo... that'd be ALL we need, a feline version of the Star Lights! 8^P) THE BOTTOM LINE: There are some problems here, most notably the "cow-tails" thing, but they're nothing that couldn't concievably be addressed and corrected in future Acts. It certainly appears that they are targeting a more mature audience than DIC was with their dub, and this works in their favor. The use of DIC's naming conventions is sure to annoy some purists, but then again, I'm no purist. All in all, though, my complaints come off to me as no more than nitpicking. A very nice first attempt, and I'm already breathlessly awaiting issue #2. My advice: If you haven't already subscribed, do so. It's well worth the price of admission. RATING: 8^) - The glad-THAT'S-finally-over Kid 8^) (But now comes the wait for MixxZine #2... I just can't win, can I? ^_-) ======================================================================= TRADING POST: Maintained by Audra Bell (Abell@Niagara.com) ======================================================================= I am looking for a Tuxedo Mask doll, I have all the other 6 inch dolls and the two playsets. I am also looking for anyone to trade Sailor Moon cards with. I have the majority of the first ones printed in 19994 and the ones printed in 19996. I know their old and most people already have them, but if you're looking, e-mail me. Tahnee Lacey, stick6@earthlink.net ________________________________________________________________________ I need a Tuxedo Mask doll and I can get you mostlikely any o the fott tall ones in xchange or cash if you prefer. Mike D out. mdevore@ucla.edu ________________________________________________________________________ Got some SM movies to sell, all 3 and more to come (subtitled). Some T.V episodes like SMR 1-4, SMSS-the first 7 episodes (Pegasus series) sub.Also, got CD's if you want copies. If anyone wamts the straight japanese series, have all 5 seasons Sailormoon,R,S,SS,Stars (1-200) including the specials they had out during the SMS series, and the movies in straight japanese. Please contact me at sunga@ibm.net. My name is Christine Sunga. ________________________________________________________________________ Hi! I have several crescent moon jewlery boxes, Sailor Moon, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter Adventure Dolls, and one more Sailor Moon Locket. I'm selling them at reasonable prices (cheaper than the stores). E-Mail me if you are intrested =). Bye! Melissa Rocket_Girl@usa.net ________________________________________________________________________ Can anyone tell me where to find Sailor Moon Stars Episodes? Like the on where Mamuru gave Usagi the ring? Or any others? Send to XKRH58A@prodigy.com Or you could send it to msharuna@geocities.com. But I'd prefer it if you tried the first one? ________________________________________________________________________ I'm looking for a Sailor Moon Star Locket. If anyone knows where I can get one then please E-mail me at peter.hilchie@ns.sympatico.com Thanx! Sailor Saturn ________________________________________________________________________ I would like some French manga. Does anyone have any advice on getting it? And does it cost a lot? I heard it does. #18 kmw888@ix.netcom.com ________________________________________________________________________ wondering if anyone knows where I can get subtitled sailor moon eps and sailor moon R or S cards if you have any info e-mail me at usagi2moon@pop.prodigy.net --- ======================================================================= FANFIC REVIEWS - The Best of the Best - by Devin de Gruyl ======================================================================= It occured to me as I was typing up that latest batch of reviews just how long I've been doing this - just about a year, factoring out my self-imposed-due-to-college "retirement" of three months or so at the beginning of the year. In that time, I've read many a SM fanfic. But (I thinks to meself) which ones are my VERY favorites? Which ones stand out above all the others, and which ones would I reccommend the most highly to my friends? With that in mind, from the home office in Grove City, Ohio... the Top Ten Sailor Moon Fanfics, as reviewed by The any-excuse-for-a-cheap-Letterman-riff Kid: (Authors please note: don't take a low rating on this scale as a pan. There are so many SM fanfics out there, that to be considered among the ten best by someone who's read MORE than his fair share of them, should be a very high honor.) #10. "Sailor Moon M(agic)," by Andrea Principe This lighthearted, very appealing story introduces us to Wren, one of the most endearing characters created for the SM fanfic world. Wren, it is discovered, is the reincarnation of the Magist, the magician-scientist from the Moon Kingdom that created all of the Sailors' magical implements - the Moon Tiara, the Moon Scepter, Mercury's visor and computer, and so on. As a means of learning more about her heritage, Wren takes on the identity of a Sailor - Sailor Magus, to be precise - which turns out to be just the boost Team Sailor needed, as they're having more than just a bit of trouble with a new batch of Dark Kingdom generals. Creating new Sailors for fanfics, of course, is nothing new at all, but rarely does the newcomer integrate as well into our little family as does Wren. A cool and easygoing girl, with more than just a little of the devil in her, she would have made a perfect addition to the canonical team. The story itself is very well told, with tightly-written action combined with some absolutely hilarious scenes (my favorite is when Lita, fresh off of having her wisdom teeth pulled, tries to mix aspirin with the dose of codeine(?) the dentist gave her - and then trying to fight through a battle as Sailor Jupiter whem the poor girl's higher than a 747!). #9. "Reality Check," by Richard E. Rae To everyone who participates in the endless battle between dub fans and anime purists, this fanfic is hereby reccommended... indeed, I INSIST you read it before going any further into the trenches. In it, the Sailor Scouts come face to face with... the Sailor SENSHI??? There's been some mix-and-match going on between the "Master Reality" (what we would call the original Japanese SM) and its "Backup" (the NA version thereof), causing not only corruption of the Backup (read: DIC's editing and tampering), and the two realites to merge together, but to cause a cataclysmic devastation that could destroy BOTH realities. The Japanese and English Sailors must combine their efforts to combat the threat of Armageddon (o/~ Armageddon married in the mornin'... o/~ Sorry, sorry, couldn't resist... please put down those bazookas... ^_^). The point of this allegorical, if thinly-veiled (the term coined for the situation is a "dimensional incompatibility crisis"... need I mention the acronym by which it's referred to?) commentary on the state of SM fandom is to show that the two version need NOT necessarily be at odds with each other - indeed, there are ways they can both support and complement each other. It is this philosophy - "The dub is different, yes, and certainly inferior to the original... but it's still good in its own right" - I've chosen to accept for my own. #8. (tie) "Sailor Moon Celebration," by Chris Davies, and "Serena and Luna: The New Adventures of Sailor Moon," by the same "Celebration" represents the tightest integration yet of the Japanese and DIC series, and also perhaps the single greatest affirmation of the Serena-Rei friendship (only "One Moment Longer" would beat this, IMO, and that was by Chris as well!). Nobody does Rei stories better than Chris, as this story demonstrates aptly... and I don't just praise it because it used a dub-name suggestion I made for Hotaru. 8^) "Serena and Luna" is, despite Chris's misgivings, the single best "alternate universe" fanfic going (and it's STILL not even finished yet!). Picking up seven years after the defeat of Queen Beryl, in a world where there was no need to restore the memories of the former Sailors (all now 21 and living their adult lives), we get to see how the girls might have turned out "normally" - and it's not a pretty sight. #7. "No Time for Generals," by David H. Olivier I think I managed to spell it right this time. 8^) This wins honors as being the most widely varied and interesting SM fanfic I think I've ever read - with each chapter, you literally never know what's coming next. It also affords us the most complete look into the power structure of the Negaverse/Dark Kingdom yet, and introduces a pair of generals - Seflite and Ozomnyte (sp? on both) - that are truly worthy of being included in the mythos. Characterization and plotting are David's strong suits, if this fanfic is any indication - both are superb. #6. "Four Horsemen," by Ken Wolfe There's an old proverb that states, "Never judge a man till you have walked a mile in his shoes." In this story, the Sailors get the opportunity to walk that mile... in the remains of the Dark Kingdom. The ruined civilization they find there gives them an opportunity to see themselves through the eyes of the "other side." The results, to say the least, are sobering to Our Heroines, and it calls their beliefs into question. It's because this story so shakes their (and our) complacency, their (and our) belief that they are so "good" and the Dark Kingdom totally evil, that makes this story a classic. #5. "Things Hoped For," by Laura Hudson Still very much a work-in-progress, but it's one of the best even as it is. It draws numerous parallels between life on the Moon and the present, some of which are very moving. (My two favorites are the scenes in part 5B and 6 with Queen Serenity, and the scene where Serena and Molly tearfully acknowledge the end of their "best friends" status. Both had me literally crying in my Pepsi.) The main premise, the primary connecting thread between the Moon Kingdom ond Present-Day Tokyo plots, is the relationship between Serena/Serenity and Darien/Endymion, and the effect it has on Serena/Serenity's parents. Classic stuff, and you'll probably want a box of Kleenex handy as you read it. #4. "A Tokyo Senshi in Queen Rei's Court," by John C. Biles At first glance, the idea of merging Sailor Moon with the Arthuriad, so that various SM characters would be cast as players in the classic legends of Camelot, might seem ridiculous - at BEST. However, not only does it work, but it works BRILLIANTLY. John takes an idea that even *I* considered at first to be almost laughable, and makes 'em all eat crow - and it tastes wonderful, I might add. Everything fits together so well, the integration of the two vastly disparate worlds so seamless... John makes it all look so easy, and as a bonus, throws in some beautifully-done character growth for Ami (OUR Ami, who finds herself rather uncerimoniously dumped in this world). A fanfic of epic proportions... much the same as the *real* Arthurian legends themselves. #3. "Liberating the Water," by Laura Hudson Speaking of Ami, here's what I consider to be the best Ami fanfic ever written. As I mentioned in an earlier review, this one was clearly a labor of love for Laura - she really poured her heart and soul into Ami's attempts to better herself as a person, and it shows in nearly every sentence. Ami comes out of this story forever changed... and so will your opinions of the girl you only THOUGHT you knew. To Mercury fans, and even some of her detractors, I cannot reccommend this one enough. #2. "One Moment Longer," by Chris Davies This strikingly beautiful, if exceedingly dark, story handles the Serena-Rei chemistry every bit as well as the #1 pick does, and in some cases far surpasses it. There is a LOT happening in this story, all of it revolving around death and/or the celebration of life. And it's when those two themes combine, especially in the final (and, in this case, I really DO mean "final") scene, that the story is at its very, very best. And. the very best SM fanfic of them all, in my opinion... #1. "Five Minutes," by Chris Davies What can I say? The quintessential SM fanfic, the one that restored my respect for Rei, and the one that put the name of Chris Davies on the map. It may be short, but oh, the *emotion* that's crammed into such a small space... the first time I read it, I simply could not stop thinking about it. Chilling and gut-wrenching, told in first-person stream of consciousness that lends an air of urgency, and with a very moving, affirming ending that reinforces Rei's love for Serena. There isn't enough praise in the English language for this story, as far as I'm concerned. Well, there you have it. My personal upper-echelon of SM fanfics. As always, feel free to agree, disagree, call me a genius, a moron, or whatever. 8^) Till next time, which I HOPE will be the MixxZine review, I remain... - The yes-as-a-matter-of-fact-I-*do*-suffer-from-insomnia Kid 8^)