EPISODE 007

Usagi hansei! Star no michiha kibishii

(Usagi Reconsiders! The Way of Stardom is Tough)

Original Air Date: 04-25-1992
Director: Takao Yoshizawa
Animation Director: Katsuji Matsumoto
Writer: Shigeru Yanagawa

Screencaps



What's In This Episode?
Jadeite, Derella, Mikan Shiratori, Naru Osaka, Gurio Umino, Yumiko, Kuri, TV Ashita, Mikan Shiratori's Apartment Shan Shan Plaza, Genkirin, Kekkou Medicines



Usagi runs to school as fast as she can, thinking that if she's already this tired before school even starts, when she gets there, she'll be too tired to study! She stops for a moment to rest in front of a drug store. She then sees a poster in the window promoting a product called Genkirin by a company called Kekkou Medicines. The poster features the young idol Mikan Shiratori practicing rhythmic gymnastics, and says, "Mikan's recommendation for anyone tired!" Usagi thinks that she might buy it, since Mikan is recommending it. Just then, Naru runs by, also late for school, and hits Usagi on the head with her book satchel!

Later, at Juuban Junior High School, Usagi rubs her head, complaining. Naru says, "You made it on time because I smacked you! Be thankful!" Umino appears in front of the girls, holding the poster of Mikan Shiratori that Usagi had seen earlier at the drug store. Usagi asks him if he stole the poster from the window, but he vaguely says that he got it from a "certain internet source." He says he has several extra posters, and would be willing to sell them at a low price. Naru and Usagi decline the offer.

Umino pulls out a laptop computer and begins typing. He pulls up some data about Mikan on his computer, and tells Naru and Usagi that the idol is from Juuban Junior High, that she is 17 years old, that she has already been in eight commercials, and that her monthly income is 2,000,000 yen. Usagi is impressed; she wonders how many shortcakes she could make with that kind of money.

Another student mentions that Mikan was scouted while she was walking in town, and everyone agrees she was lucky. The student says she can't believe they were never scouted. "They just don't know a good thing when they see it!" Umino is quick to remind them that the scouts do know what they're looking for, which is why the girls haven't been scouted. He then excitedly says that the next star to follow in Mikan's footsteps is Usagi Tsukino. He drammatically points at her, and she stands up and says, "I'm a star!"

At the TV Ashita studio, Mikan signs autographs and asks everyone to watch her new show. A sign on the building announces that the show is called "Jan, Ken, Pon," and will start on Channel 9 in the spring. Jadeite looks on, and thinks that he may be able to use the fans' energy.

At Usagi's house, Naru suggests that she and Usagi sing together. She says that they'd storm the entertainment world. Usagi quickly grabs a tennis racket and takes a battle stance, saying that she's ready. Naru laughs and says, "No, I mean we'd sell our songs, and we'll become even bigger stars than Mikan!" Usagi gets excited and says she's in. Luna thinks that Usagi should know that they don't have time for that. Naru says to Usagi, "Together, we have nothing to be afraid of!" Usagi says, "We'll become Cinderellas overnight!"

Naru says, "Let's go for it!" and turns on the tape player. The Sailor Moon opening theme song begins, and the two girls begin to sing and dance (although not very well). Shingo suddenly opens the door and yells, "Hey stop killing the cat!" Naru responds, "How rude! We're going to be future stars!" Shingo leaves, and the girls continue singing. Naru accidentally hits Usagi on the back of the head, and soon after, Usagi accidentally steps on Naru's foot. They both accuse each other of being clumsy, and Naru says, "All right, then let's both go our separate ways to become Cinderella!" Usagi says, "No problem! But in that case, we'll be rivals from now on!" Luna sighs.

Later, Usagi sits in her living room while her family watches television. She thinks, "I said all that, but I don't know what to do." The family watches a trained monkey do tricks on television, and Ikuko (Usagi's mother) is quite amused. Kenji jokes that Luna should learn some tricks, too. Suddenly, Usagi jumps up saying, "Thanks for the great idea, dad! Pretty soon we'll have entertainment reporters knocking on our door!" She grabs Luna and quickly leaves the room, leaving her family stunned and confused. Kenji asks, "Does she have a fever or something?" but Ikuko says, "She always acts like that." Shingo mutters, "That's nothing compared to how she usually acts." In her room, Usagi attempts to teach Luna tricks. Luna is tired and doesn't want to, but Usagi pushes her harder.

At Naru's house, Umino rings the doorbell. He loudly proclaims, "Pardon me, Gurio Umino has come to see Naru after receiving an invitation by phone!" Naru answers the door and tells him to be quiet and get inside quickly.

Inside, Naru holds a tube of lipstick and says, "Well, in your case, I couldn't expect more out of you, Umino!" Umino is wearing a peach-colored dress and wearing lipstick!! He asks Naru why he has to dress that way, and she says that he needs to learn about real life, because Usagi once told her that he'd be even more attractive if he knew a little more about real life. He is quite excited that Usagi said that, and says that he'll do anything. Naru cringes and thinks to herself, "The beauty and the beast combo. This might attract a lot of attention!" Umino says that he feels like his life has changed, and Naru laughs uncomfortably.

Meanwhile, the window of Mikan Shiratori's apartment is open, and her curtains flutter in the wind. She is taking a shower, but someone is in her apartment...

When Mikan pulls back the shower curtain, she sees the youma Derella, who attacks her! Derella breathes an icy breath on the young star, who is then wrapped in a blue liquid and trapped in the bath tub. Derella touches Mikan and suddenly appears to look exactly like the idol!

The next day, Jadeite appears as an announcer at the fake talent competition Cinderella Caravan. He says that "You, too, could follow in Mikan Shiratori's footsteps! Everyone can be Cinderella, starting today!" He points to Derella, at this point disguised as Mikan Shiratori, who says, "Hi everyone, I'm Mikan Shiratori! How are you doing? We're looking for stars like me! Everyone make sure to apply to our Cinderella Caravan!" While she is talking, a satellite hypnotizes all of the members of the audience so that they all want to apply to Cinderella Caravan. In a trance, they all begin to chant, "I wanna... I wanna..." Jadeite chuckles to himself, quite pleased that his plan is working.

At Juuban Junior High School, Usagi and Naru talk to two of their classmates about Cinderella Caravan. Because Usagi hasn't heard of it, Naru tells her she's very behind... but Usagi insists that she has a lot going on. Their classmates explain that Cinderella Caravan is a talent competition looking for the next Mikan Shiratori. "Since even Mikan is assisting in the search, this is a pretty sure way to stardom!"

Usagi is very excited about the prospect of potential fame. She thinks back to trying to train Luna to do tricks, and decides that she will definitely win. Umino walks past and does his dance (that he will be performing with Naru). All of the girls are shocked, and Naru tells him that he doesn't need to do that right now! He walks away.

Meanwhile, the girls at Cinderella Caravan continue to be hypnotized. A police officer walks up and asks why they aren't all in school, and a producer runs up asking Mikan hy she is canceling all of her appointments. Mikan says, "You, too, can be a star, starting today!" Both the policeman and the producer are transfixed by the hypnotic waves, and begin to do tricks, saying that they're stars.

After school, Usagi walks through town telling Luna that today is the day they'll show off what they've been working on. Luna sits down and says that she quits. She says, "Usagi-chan, I figured maybe you needed a little break, so I put up with it, but... this isn't just a little break. You're serious about becoming a star." Usagi insists that she isn't, but Luna challenges her by saying that if she isn't, then she shouldn't apply for the Cinderella Caravan. She reminds her of the seriousness of her situation, and says that they don't have time for this. Luna attempts to go home, but Usagi is quite distraught, so she begins to cry and calls Luna mean.

Usagi runs away, saying, "Luna just doesn't understand a young girl's genuine dream!" Soon, she sees Mamoru, who smiles at her and says, "Hi." Instead of responding, she runs away and hides behind a corner. Mamoru follows her and says, "I can see your dumpling head. Don't tell me you're going to that Cinderella Caravan." Usagi refuses to speak, but Mamoru continues speaking, saying, "Well, I guess Odango Atama would have to compete with a comedy routine." She finally gets upset and says to him, "Are you kidding me?! Of course I'm not going! Get out of my way!! I'm going home!" Mamoru smiles and watches her walk away.

At the Cinderella Caravan, two girls stand on stage. One girl says, "Yesterday, I went to buy two loaves of bread [pan]! But suddenly, they gave me strawberry-patterned panties [panstu]!!" She holds up a pair of panties. The two girls both turn to the audience and say, "Two loaves of bread is 'pan-two' [panties]!" Mikan (really Derella in disguise) hits a series of chimes with a mallet and says, "You pass! You're stars!" She uses the mallet to place purple stamps on each girl's hand.

Next, Naru and Umino (who is wearing the peach-colored dress and lipstick again) dance on stage and single the Sailor Moon theme song. Mikan hits the chimes and tells them they pass; she stamps their hands. Umino decides that they must have passed due to their talent. Mikan takes the microphone and tells the audience that those who passed will be in a show which will be held at Shan Shan Plaza next Sunday. From that moment on, they will be stars. The girls in the audience are excited, but Mikan laughs evilly.

Later, at school, Usagi walks into her classroom to find that two girls are standing on stage telling jokes while the rest of the class watches. Naru sits in a desk writing, and Usagi greets her. Usagi sees that her friend is signing her autograph on several different bits of paper. Meanwhile, Umino holds a bag full of tape and asks everyone if they have a roll. He gives a roll to Usagi and asks her to throw it. Naru suddenly stands up and announces that she'll be holding an autograph session now.

Usagi, distressed, tries to get everyone's attention by telling her that class is going to start soon. They tell her that getting into the entertainment business isn't easy, and that they don't have time for class. Umino suddenly tells everyone to throw the tape, which they do. One roll hits him in the face, and he says that "you shouldn't damage a star's precious face!" Usagi thinks that something is wrong...

Later, the students stand outside. Umino and Naru stand on a makeshift stage and perform their act, singing the Sailor Moon theme song. Luna, who is sitting on a bench nearby, asks Usagi if she thinks her classmates are acting a little weird, since they all want to become stars and they've all stopped studying and working. Usagi wonders if this is due to another youma, and Luna correctly speculates that the people acting strangely have all participated in the Cinderella Caravan. Usagi is shocked that she almost became one of them, and Luna says that she should thank her, but Usagi says that she got in the way of her becoming a star.

Naru announces to the crowd that they should come to Shan Shan Plaza on Sunday for their concert. The two girls who told jokes earlier insist that they're the ones who are putting on the show at Shan Shan Plaza. Everyone begins to argue about who will be the star of the show. Usagi and Luna quietly watch the crowd argue.

At Shan Shan Plaza, a sign announces the Cinderella Caravan. Usagi looks up at the sign and finds it a little weird that there aren't any customers lined up. Inside, in the auditorium, all of the seats are empty. Mikan (who is still just a disguised form of Derella) tells all of the participants that the show will be starting. She says that the audience is cheering, although all of the seats are empty. A disco ball high above the auditorium spins and emits energy, creating the illusion that the seats are filled with people who seem to be clapping.

As the victims' excitement grows, the places where their hands were stamped earlier begin to glow. The contestants begin performing their acts as the illusory "crowd" cheers them on. Mikan sits down in one of the seats, turns a pin attached to her dress, and begins stealing the energy of the contestants. Meanwile, Jadeite collects the energy.

The contestants continue performing all at once as their energy is slowly stolen. Usagi opens the door of the auditorium and peaks in, to find that all of the seats are empty except the one that Mikan sits in, and that the various contestants are all performing their acts at once with no order. She remarks to Luna that it seems weird. Suddenly, she spots Mikan.

Mikan stands up from her seat and turns her head around a full 180 degrees to reveal her true self as Derella!! She says, "You saw me, didn't you?" Usagi screams and quickly runs into the women's restroom. Luna knocks on the door and tells her to transform into Sailor Moon. Usagi resists at first, but when Luna reminds her that Naru and everyone else is in danger, she transforms.

Back in the auditorium. Naru and Umino continue to perform, believing that the illusory audience is cheering for them. Soon, all of the contestants fall to the floor, their energy completely gone. The disco ball above the room stops turning, and Mikan's pin stops collecting energy, much to Mikan's dismay.

The curtains on the stage close and Usagi's voice echos through the auditorium, saying, "You're the bad person who tricks girls who dream of becoming Cinderella with a pair of fake glass shoes!" Suddenly, Sailor Moon appears in front of the curtains, under the spotlight, and performs her traditional speech.

Angered, the fake Mikan jumps up from her seat and transforms into her true form as Derella. She breathes her icy breath in the direction of Sailor Moon, who manages to dodge the attack and run down the aisle. Sailor Moon hides between rows of seats while Derella flies above, searching for her.

Sailor Moon looks over the seats for Luna, but Derella spots her. She breathes on Sailor Moon's arm, and Sailor Moon's body begins to be encased in ice. She can't move or breathe, and is soon completely frozen. Just in time, a rose flies through the air, shattering the ice and freeing Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen appears in the rafters with a spotlight on him. He says, "You're the star of the show, Sailor Moon" and disappears.

Derella is quite angry that Tuxedo Kamen interfered, and begins to chase after him. Luna appears behind Sailor Moon and tells her to attack, so Sailor Moon uses her "Moon Tiara Action" attack to destroy Derella. Her body breaks into dozens of glass shards, and the pin that she used to collect energy is destroyed. The disco ball above the auditorium shatters and glass falls to the floor.

On the stage, the Cinderella Caravan participants begin to slowly wake up. They are all very confused about where they are and what they are doing there.

Back in the real Mikan's apartment, Mikan wakes up in her bathtub. She is no longer encased in ice, and is very confused about what happened.

At Usagi's house, Luna lies on her bed thinking about how tired she is. Luna reminds her that nothing good ever happens if she goofs off, and asks if she's learned her lesson. Usagi sighs.