EPISODE 043

Usagi ga koritsu? Sailor Senshi tachino oogenka

(Usagi Going Alone? The Sailor Soldiers' Big Fight)

Original Air Date: 02-06-1993
Director: Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Animation Director: Katsumi Tamegai
Writer: Shigeru Yanagawa

Screencaps

What's In This Episode?
Kunzite, Moon Stick, Oniwabandana, Nana Asahina

Instead of the regular episode introduction in which Sailor Moon talks about what will happen in the episode, this introduction is styled in the form of a letter read by Sailor Moon saying, "My dear Dark Kingdom: As of today, I, Sailor Moon have decided to quit being a Sailor Senshi. Please let me join your organization. Sincerely,... Hey! Sailor Mars! Thanks so much for picking on me all this time!"

It is night time, and the four Sailor Senshi are chasing after Sailor Moon. They finally surround her and tell her to give up. She refuses, and they say they have no choice. Sailor Mercury sadly says, "Goodbye, dummy." Sailor Mars then attacks with Fire Soul... which unfortunately gets a little out of hand and causes flames to form at the feet of all of the other senshi. Sailor Mars sheepishly apologizes.

In the Dark Kingdom's lair, Queen Beryl's crystal ball lets off an intense, bright light. She says that it is "yet another" abnormal energy reaction. Kunzite notes that it has been happening often for the past few days, and he wonders if it is being caused by some change coming over the Ginzuishou.

Kunzite calls forth the youma Oniwabandana and asks her if she found the origin of the abnormal energy yet, which she has been investigating recently. She flings two photographs of the Sailor Senshi into Queen Beryl and Kunzite's hands, and explains that the abnormal energy has been coming from the Sailor Senshi because Sailor Moon is fighting against the other girls. Queen Beryl wonders if it is actual infighting or a trap. When she asks Kunzite's opinion, he requests more time to make a decision, then instructs Oniwabandana to continue her investigation.

Oniwabandana immediately goes to Jewelry Osa-P to rob the store in an attempt to lure Sailor Moon to the scene. Naru and her mother come upon her while the robbery is in progress, and she attacks them, pinning their clothing to the wall.

Sailor Moon appears on the scene, but as she is giving her speech, the other Sailor Senshi appear. Sailor Mars kicks her, causing her to fall flat on her face. They call her names and ask her why she came here; Sailor Mercury proclaims that she was the first to know about this case, and Sailor Mars accuses Sailor Moon of eavesdropping. The girls begin arguing, leaving Naru very confused.

Oniwabandana leaps away and transforms into the photojournalist Nana Asahina. She hides behind a column and begins snapping photos of the girls fighting, saying that this is a huge scoop. She tells the girls that she is a freelance reporter for the weekly tabloid "Surprise." Sailor Venus recognizes the name of the publication, which is apparently notorious for writing about anything, regardless of truth.

Nana asks the girls how the fight got started, then holds up a recording device. Sailor Moon nervously says that it was just a joke; there's no way that the Sailor Senshi would be fighting amongst themselves. When she looks to the other girls for support, they angrily ignore what she said.

Nana turns to them, asking if they are fighting because Sailor Moon is always messing up, or if it is due to a boyfriend. They leave without talking, and Nana follows them out.

After everyone else is gone, Sailor Moon notices that Naru and her mother are still pinned to the wall. Naru's mother is unconscious. Sailor Moon asks where the youma went, and Naru tells her that it left during the commotion. She then asks Sailor Moon to help unpin them from the wall, which she does. Nana secretly looks on. Luna and Artemis are also watching.

The next day, Naru tells Usagi about the previous night's burglary. She says that it was really weird; it seemed that Sailor Moon was fighting with the other Sailor Senshi. Usagi laughs and says that Sailor Moon is cute and sweet, so there's no way they could fight with her.

Nana Asahina suddenly appears with a recording device. She demands that Usagi tell her more about what they were just talking about. Usagi says nothing, so Nana pulls out a business card and introduces herself as a freelance reporter. She demands to know if the Usagi is close to Sailor Moon, and if she have any reason for believing that she wouldn't fight with the other Sailor Senshi.

When Usagi refuses to answer, Nana turns her attention to Naru. She says, "I hear you've been saved by Sailor Moon many times... did you talk to Sailor Moon last night? Did she say any nasty things about the other Sailor Senshi?" Usagi sneaks away, then Naru runs after her. Nana yells after them to call her if they hear anything else. Usagi is uncomfortable, and thinks that Nana is entirely too persistent. Luna saw everything that happened.

Later that night, at Hikawa Jinja, the other Sailor Senshi chase after Sailor Moon, trying to attack her. Finally, Sailor Mars kicks her and she falls on her face. She begins crying and says, "That hurt! Mars kicked me for real!!" Sailor Mars says that if they don't do this seriously, it won't be good practice. Sailor Moon complains that the kick was "full of hatred," but Sailor Mars tells her to stop whining, saying that Sailor Moon was the one who came up with the plan in the first place.

Sailor Moon says that she isn't whining; she is committed to saving Tuxedo Kamen from the Dark Kingdom. Sailor Mars says that to do that, they have to really look like they are fighting, but Sailor Moon says she is still in pain. Sailor Mars then says that if they don't look like they are serious, then Sailor Moon will never be taken to the enemy's lair. Luna agrees, saying that she didn't want to do anything so dangerous, but they went along with it at Sailor Moon's insistence.

The girls take a break from their fighting practice to discuss things. Artemis tells the girls that there is something strange about the tabloid reporter from the previous day. They see that their photograph has already been printed in a magazine, along with a story about their fighting.

Artemis says that Nana Asahina only became popular very recently. She reports about all sorts of things, including politics, entertainment, and economics... she gets huge scoops in every field. Artemis feels that there is no way she is a normal person, and that she may have been transformed into a youma.

Usagi is happy to hear this news, because she feels that if a youma is approaching them, then her plan is successful. Ami reminds her that it may just be a coincidence. Makoto suggests that they start the final stage of their plan anyway.

Luna reminds Usagi that this will be very dangerous, and asks if she is ready. Usagi says that she "probably" is, and Makoto reassures her by saying that the Sailor Senshi will be right there looking over her. Rei asks Usagi if she wants her to take her place. Usagi wryly says that Rei's plan all along has been to give her a hard time and then take her place as leader of the Senshi. Minako tells her that she thinks too much, but she persists, saying that Rei always gives her a hard time. Rei tells Usagi that she's just too clumsy, and the girls begin arguing and sticking their tongues out at each other.

The next day, Usagi and Luna visit Nana's condo, which is extremely nice. The other Sailor Senshi look on from a hiding place and wish her luck. When Nana opens the door, Usagi gives her a note which she says Sailor Moon asked her to deliver. Nana read the note, which says, "I want to quit being a Sailor Senshi of love and justice. I don't want to fight with those other Senshi anymore. I want to make a shocking confession, so I will be waiting at the Juuban Cemetery at 11:00 PM tonight." Nana asks why the letter came to Usagi, and she nervously says that she doesn't know; some people say she looks dependable. Nana thanks her and thinks about the huge scoop she will be writing.

[Commercial Break]

Oniwabandana takes the letter back to the Dark Kingdom's lair and shows it to Kunzite. She says that there is no doubt that Sailor Moon is being isolated by the other Sailor Senshi. He tells her that it is time for him to go out there.

The clock tower in Juuban Cemetery strikes 11:00 PM; Sailor Moon is there anxiously waiting. Oniwabandana appears behind her and thanks her for the letter, then quickly transforms into Nana before Sailor Moon sees her. Sailor Moon says that it's true that she wants to split from the others; she no longer wants to see their faces, and she has made up her mind.

Nana transforms back into her youma form and summons Kunzite. Sailor Moon angrily says that he was not invited; she is supposed to be interviewed now. Oniwabandana says that there will be no interview. Kunzite appears and asks Sailor Moon to join their side, saying that she will be able to see Endymion any time she wants. She tells him not to be ridiculous; she is a Sailor Senshi of love and justice! He tells her that Endymion cannot move right now due to "certain circumstances" and that he would probably like it if she came to see him.

Kunzite offers to take Sailor Moon to Endymion on the condition that she hands over the Ginzuishou, but he warns her that if she misses this opportunity she will never see Endymion again. Sailor Moon thinks to herself that Tuxedo Kamen could be sick, so she is confused about what she should do. She ultimately agrees to hand it over, b ut only after she sees Endymion.

The other Sailor Senshi look on from a hidden place in the bushes. When Sailor Mars quietly remarks that the Dark Kingdom agents fell for it, Oniwabandana hears her and alerts Kunzite. Sailor Moon does not realize that they now know her actions to be a trap, so she continues to try to get them to take her to the Dark Kingdom. She says that she no longer cares about the other Senshi.

Kunzite tells her that this is a good attitude to have, and he quickly opens a portal to the Dark Kingdom's lair. Sailor Moon thinks it is "creepy," but she resolves to go. She says Kunzite is "as mean as Sailor Mars." Sailor Mars, who is still hiding with the other Senshi, overhears this and is angered.

Just as Sailor Moon faces the portal to step in, Oniwabandana sends a ribbon flying at her. It wraps around her neck and begins choking the girl. Oniwabandana demands that she hand over the Ginzuishou, but she refuses until she sees Endymion. The youma tells her that if she continues saying that, then she will die right here... they'll look for the Ginzuishou afterwards. The other Sailor Senshi watch the scene from the bushes and await the best time to attack.

Sailor Moon says that she does not have the Ginzuishou. Kunzite laughs at her and says that if she dies, no one will be left that can use the crystal. Sailor Moon understands that the Dark Kingdom agents are stalling for time in order to see if the other Sailor Senshi will come and rescue her. She hopes that they won't come!

Finally, Sailor Jupiter can't stand it anymore. She stands up and resolves to go rescue her friend. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus join her, but Sailor Mars blocks them from going. Jupiter says, "Mars, you actually really hate Sailor Moon, don't you?!" Sailor Mars reveals to the other girls that she has the Moon Stick and says, "If I hated her, I wouldn't be watching something this important for her!" Jupiter apologizes to Mars for her assumption.

Sailor Moon is still being choked to death, but hopes that the other Senshi will not come. Finally, the other girls leap onto the scene to confront Kunzite and Oniwabandana. He tells them that he saw through their trick long before.

Sailor Mars attacks with Fire Soul, which destroys the ribbon choking Sailor Moon and frees her. Next, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus use a combination Supreme Thunder/Crescent Beam attack against Kunzite. He surrounds himself with an invincible forcefield so that he is not harmed. Just before he disappears, he tells the girls that if they want to trick him, they will have to study acting a little more.

Oniwabandana brandishes a sword and begins attacking Sailor Moon, who is able to leap out of the way. Sailor Mars tosses the Moon Stick to Sailor Moon, who uses it to shield herself from Oniwabandana's sword. When the sword strikes the Moon Stick, it breaks.

Oniwabandana is angrier than ever. She begins chanting the word "ban" over and over, and dozens of clones of herself appear, threatening to chop the girls to pieces. Sailor Mercury uses Sabão Spray to confuse the youma while Sailor Moon says her speech. When the bubbles clear, Sailor Mars uses Fire Soul to reveal the true Oniwabandana. The clones disappear. Sailor Moon uses Moon Healing Escalation to heal the youma, causing her to transform back into Nana Asahina.

Sailor Moon asks her friends why they showed up. She claims that she was doing "perfectly fine" on her own. Sailor Mars says, "because you were crying like a little baby!" Moon asks when she was crying like a little baby, and Mars says that it was today, at 11:16 and 28 seconds! The two girls begin to argue and stick their tongues at each other, while the other Senshi become embarrassed.

Nana wakes up from being temporarily unconscious and bombards Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars with questions about the supposed break-up of the Sailor Senshi.