EPISODE 023

Nagareboshini negaiwo! Naru-chan no junai

(Wishing to a Shooting Star! Naru-chan's Pure Love)

Original Air Date: 08-22-1992
Director: Harume Kosaka
Animation Director: Harume Kosaka
Writer: Shigeru Yanagawa

Screencaps

What's In This Episode?
Kunzite, Kurozuishou, Naru Osaka, Nephrite, Yasha, Zoisite

Naru and Usagi relax at a public pool, but Naru cannot seem to get her mind off of the mysterious Masato Sanjoin, with whom he is in love. Usagi splashes her friend, but Naru says that Usagi is acting like a child. Naru thinks that she is a grown up because she is involved in a "mature romance." Usagi thinks that Naru may be in love with Umino, and says that Naru had better not be in love with Tuxedo Kamen or Motoki, because they belong to her! Naru tells her friend that she is in love with Masato Sanjoin, and that age differences don't matter if you're in love. Usagi tells her that Sanjoin-sama is no good, but Naru gets angry and storms away.

Later, at Hikawa Jinja, Usagi discusses the situation with Ami, Rei, and Luna. Rei insists that they should tell Naru that Masato Sanjoin is really Nephrite, but Ami thinks that they should wait and see what happens. Usagi feels conflicted, because she wants to consider Naru's feelings. Usagi tells her friends that they should leave everything concerning Naru to her!

In the Dark Kingdom's lair, Queen Beryl is furious. No matter how many times she summons Nephrite, he refuses to appear. Zoisite is pleased to hear what is going on, because it means that Nephrite will soon be out of his way forever.

In his mansion in the forest, Nephrite decides that he no longer has time to search for energy, and that he must concentrate on finding the Ginzuishou. Zoisite suddenly appears and begins to mock him, telling him how angry Queen Beryl has become. Zoisite suggests that he give up before Queen Beryl gets too angry, but Nephrite insists that he will find the Ginzuishou. Hearing these words upsets Zoisite, because finding the Ginzuishou is his assignment. Nephrite simply tells him that it doesn't matter whose assignment it is; whoever gets it first will win.

Zoisite disappears in a fit of anger, and Nephrite regains his composure. He consults the stars and creates a guide to the Ginzuishou: the Kurozuishou (Black Crystal). The Kurozuishou immediately begins to glow, and an illusionary image of Naru appears. Nephrite thinks that this means Naru has the Ginzuishou.

Back in the Dark Kingdom's lair, Kunzite comforts Zoisite. Kunzite says that if Nephrite does happen to find the Ginzuishou first, they will simply steal it from him. He says that they should let the youma watch Nephrite for now. Zoisite instructs the youma Yasha to do as Kunzite said, and Yasha disappears to follow instructions.

Meanwhile, Usagi visits Jewelry Osa-P, the jewelry store where Naru lives with her mother. She walks to the apartment upstairs, but hesitates before ringing the doorbell. She ultimately decides that instead of telling Naru right away, she should consult Motoki first for advice. She goes to Game Center Crown and sees that Motoki is showing a girl how to play a video game. She immediately becomes jealous. Just then, Mamoru appears behind her and calls her "Odago Atama" (Dumpling Head), infuriating her. Mamoru calls out to Motoki, who approaches the pair. Motoki says that his shift is almost over, and asks Usagi if she would like to go out for a cup of tea. Mamoru says that he will tag along, because he has nothing better to do.

At a cafe, Usagi tells Motoki and Mamoru that her friend Naru is in love with a bad person, but she doesn't know he's bad. She wonders what she should do. Motoki says that she should wait and see what happens, but Mamoru says that waiting won't change things. Mamoru says that "telling the truth can be a form of courage, too," and Motoki agrees with him. He says that telling the truth might make Naru angry, but it is something that she has to know. Usagi immediately feels better after receiving advice, and she gets hungry. She orders a fruit parfait, mixed sandwiches, a strawberry short cake, a glass of juice, and a pizza!

Back at Jewelry Osa-P, Usagi works up her courage and finally rings the doorbell. As soon as Naru opens the door, Usagi tells her that Masato Sanjoin is a bad person, that he is not human, and that he is scary! She tells Naru that she should not go out with him, and that she should completely forget him. She doesn't wait for Naru's reply, but simply runs off, telling Naru to think about it.

Later that night, at the Tsukino residence, Usagi tells Luna that she worked up the courage and told Naru everything. Unfortunately, she didn't wait for a response. Luna sighs and says that she should have gone with Usagi!

At Naru's apartment, the young girl thinks about what Usagi says. Suddenly, her phone rings. Masato Sanjoin calls for her, and tells her to meet him in the nearby Sankaku Park right away. She tells her mother that she is leaving and immediately runs out the door.

[Commercial Break]

In Sankaku Park, Naru sits on a bench with Nephrite. He tells her that he has come to say goodbye to her. He says that he is a being threatened by some very bad people, and that he doesn't want to drag her into a dangerous situation. He stands up and begins to leave, but she stops him, asking if there is anything she can do to help. He says that only the Ginzuishou will help him get out of trouble. Naru thinks back to a very rare crystal that her mother had shown her earlier. Thinking that it must be the Ginzuishou, she runs away to retrieve it.

Naru sneaks into a cabinet at Jewelry Osa-P and grabs the crystal her mother had shown her earlier. Suddenly, her mother enters the room and turns on the lights, catching Naru in the act. Naru puts the jewel in her pocket, apologizes to her mother, and quickly runs away. Her mother calls after Naru, wondering what has happened to her daughter.

Meanwhile, Luna makes Usagi go to make sure Naru understands that Sanjoin-sama is evil. As they stand on the sidewalk discussing it, they see Naru's mother looking for her. Usagi asks what is wrong, and Naru's mother tells her about the mysterious phone call from Masato Sanjoin and the stolen jewel. Usagi and Luna quickly run away to find Naru, and Usagi transforms into Sailor Moon.

At the park, Naru shows Nephrite the stolen jewel. He holds the Kurozuishou to it, but it doesn't respond, proving that it is not the Ginzuishou. Naru looks on, wishing there was a way to help. Suddenly, the Kurozuishou begins to respond... but it is responding to Naru, not the crystal. He decides that the girl is worth investigating, so he asks her to follow him. As they are walking away, Sailor Moon appears behind them and confronts Nephrite.

Nephrite tells Sailor Moon not to interfere, but Sailor Moon ignores him and tells Naru that Masato Sanjoin is really Nephrite, a member of the Dark Kingdom. Naru doesn't believe her, and Nephrite sends a strong blast of energy towards Sailor Moon, knocking her to the ground. He asks the stars to grant him power, and when he does, several more bursts of energy shoot towards Sailor Moon. He then attacks Sailor Moon with his "Starlight Attack," but misses her.

Just as Nephrite moves to attack again, Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury appear. Nephrite threatens to send them to Hell together, and attempts to attack the trio. Sailor Mercury quickly uses her "Sabão Spray" attack to confuse him, and Sailor Mars attacks with "Fire Soul." He leaps away from Sailor Mars's flames, and then realizes that Naru is still there.

Sailor Moon attacks with "Moon Tiara Action," and her tiara flies through the air towards Nephrite. Suddenly, Naru leaps in front of Nephrite to protect him, and Sailor Moon manages to stop her tiara in mid-air. Naru begs the senshi not to hurt him, and says that they cannot hurt him without killing her first. She tells them that she loves him with all her life, and will protect him even if it costs her life.

The Kurozuishou begins to glow, responding to Naru's kind heart. Nephrite realizes that it must be responding to love, and Naru's willingness to sacrifice her own life for his.

Yasha appears and attacks Nephrite, causing him to drop the Kurozuishou. Naru picks up the crystal, but Yasha sees her and rushes towards her, telling her to hand it over. Just as Yasha reaches the young girl, Nephrite attacks the youma, splitting its mask in half. Sailor Moon and Naru realize that Nephrite has just rescued the young girl, and Naru faints.

Yasha sits on the ground, her hands buried in her face. She screams, "Damn you, Nephrite! You intend to protect a human?!" Yasha transforms into a frightening dog-like creature, and rushes towards Nephrite, saying, "Traitors must die!" Sailor Moon quickly uses "Moon Tiara Action" to destroy the youma, who screams, "Such regret!" as she dies.

After the youma is destroyed, the Senshi rush to Naru's side. Naru is still unconscious, and Nephrite places the stolen jewel back in her hand. As he walks away, Sailor Moon asks him why cannot be a little considerate of Naru's feelings. He tells her that he has returned the favor, and Sailor Mars says that he has no heart. Nephrite tells the girls that once he has the Ginzuishou, the Dark Kingdom will rule the entire universe! The Senshi don't know what he means by Ginzuishou, but Luna thinks that it sounds very familiar.

Nephrite leaves, and Naru wakes up. Sailor Moon sees a shooting star and wishes, "Please, shooting star, if Nephrite cares about Naru, don't let him hurt her feelings any more!"