EPISODE 175

Idol wo Mezase! Minako no Yabou
(Go For An Idol! Minako's Ambition)

Original Air Date: 05-25-1996



The bell rings at Juuban High School. Minako peeks around the corner and Seiya follows her. "It won't take long," she tells him. She looks at her wristwatch communicator and says to Usagi, "Are you alright? I'll get it done!" Through her own communicator, Usagi asks, "You really want to do it? Isn't it a bit risky?"

Minako stops walking and says through her communicator, "Too late! Just get it done, ok?" Seiya asks why she stopped, and what she needed to talk to him about. She suddenly complains to him that dust flew into her eye. He walks over to her for a closer look, while Usagi secretly stands in the bushes and snaps a picture of the two. "They really seem to be kissing," she says.

Usagi continues taking pictures, but gets just a little too close... she is standing directly in front of Seiya, who glares at her and asks, "What are you doing, odango atama?" Usagi simply laughs.

[Title Screen]

Usagi, Ami, Makoto, and Rei sit at a table at Fruit Parlor Crown, and Makoto looks through the pictures Usagi took, saying that they are terrible. Minako had planned to sell a picture of herself with Seiya to the media in order to make her famous. Usagi tells the girls that the other day, Minako made Usagi take a picture of her spoon-feeding lunch to Yaten. Rei is very angry about this, and pounds her fists on the table. Usagi also tells the girls that before that, Minako wanted a picture with Taiki, while the two were studying together after school. Upon hearing this, Ami stands up and becomes angry. Makoto puts her hand on the girl's shoulder, who sits down and blushes.

The girls wonder who Minako's real target is, and just then, Minako comes in. Rei scolds her for wanting to have pictures with each one of them, and asks who is really her favorite. Minako bumps Usagi over in the booth and sits down, explaining that she has given up that plan for a better one... she has now become an assistant for the Three Lights. If she is with them all the time as an assistant, she will have a better chance at winning their hearts.

Makoto asks Minako what her true ambition is... to debut as an idol, or the become a girlfriend of one of the members of the Three Lights? "Both, of course!" is the reply. She says that she has to go because the Three Lights need her, and quickly darts out the door. Rei angrily says, "When in hell did she become an assistant? We can't underestimate her, can we?" Ami notices that Usagi has gone missing...

In Three Lights's studio, Seiya strums his guitar and Taiki wonders aloud if they'll ever find their "respectful figure." Seiya remains positive, saying, "Of course we can, that's why we became idols." Yaten says, "if we do a good job, she should recognize us for sure, no matter where she is! We should do more business!"

At Galaxy TV, Sailor Iron Mouse sits in an office flipping through a magazine and eating cookies. She finally stops at a page showing Saki Itabashi which says that she is 24 years old, and a "new star in the photo industry." Iron Mouse circles her picture with a red pencil. A voice announces over the intercom, "Producer Nezu, the President is calling you."

Sailor Iron Mouse walks down a series of dark hallways until she reaches an elevator which is out of order. She swipes her card, and the elevator opens. She steps in and emerges in Galaxia's lair. Her clothing has changed from her pin-striped civilian wear to her white attire. Galaxia asks if she has found the next target, and Iron Mouse says that of course she has! Galaxia tells her to go forth and find the true Star Seed!

Back at the Three Lights's studio, Taiki plays chords on a piano (which sounds more like a harpsichord) while Yaten sings arpeggios. Minako stares through the window, and Usagi creeps up beside her, asking what they are doing. Minako tells her that they are doing voice training (she says this in English). "Breast cleaning?" asks Usagi. Minako is embarrassed and asks her what she is doing there. Usagi says that Minako looked like she was having fun, so she followed her!

Saki Itabashi begins photographing of the stars, and Minako asks her not to take pictures without permission. Saki tells Minako not to get in her way, angering her. Later, Saki continues to photograph the Three Lights at an autograph signing. Minako is giving her autograph out as well, and Saki very forcefully drags her away. Minako makes faces at her and calls her arrogant.

The Three Lights return home, exhausted. They find Saki Itabashi waiting on them, and she introduces herself, saying that she is the cameraperson for the upcoming photo series called "Naked Three Lights." Taiki quickly moves to greet her and shake her hand, but Yaten angrily rushes forward to tell her not to take pictures of him while he is yawning! He begins to pull the film out of her camera, and she takes more pictures of him with another camera, saying that he looks nice with such an angry face. Minako and Usagi stand in the doorway; Minako still dislikes Saki, and she slams the door as they leave.

The next day, the Three Lights go to a country field to film a commercial. As the product is being poured into glasses, Usagi asks, "What is this super-bad looking stuff?" Minako tells her that it is Red Soup.

At a table, the Three Lights lift their glasses and clink them together, then begin drinking. When they finish, they smile and say, "We drink it, too!" The director yells "cut!" and says they will try it from a different angle. He calls out to Minako to bring more Red Soup. Usagi counts on her fingers - this is the fifth take! She decides to try the product, and immediately spits it out, saying that it is terrible!

Usagi asks how the Three Lights can drink the Red Soup so tastefully. Minako says, "Silly! An idol has to show his smile every time in front of a camera! Isn't it tough to work as a pro?"

Saki Itabashi appears behind them and says, "You talk like you know everything! You also want to be a pro, don't you?" Minako says that she does, and Saki says, "Then you'll see." Her attitude is beginning to annoy even Usagi. As Saki walks away, a shadow appears in the field behind her. Sailor Iron Mouse materializes, hidden by the tall crops.

[Commercial Break]

In a photo studio, the Three Lights stand in front of a white backdrop while Saki Itabashi takes pictures. Usagi and Minako stand close by, watching, and Minako comments, "The sound of a shutter and the flash of light... the moment I might feel like a star... aren't they?" Usagi's stomach growls, and she asks when they are going to eat. Minako tells her that idols don't eat until they finish their work. Usagi decides that she can't be an idol at all, and goes to get something to eat at a convenience store.

Saki begins to put away her camera, and Minako says that since their time to use the studio is over, they've finished taking pictures for the day. She brings out a cart with drinks, and Yaten says that he's hungry. Minako suggests that they get something to eat, and they agree. Just as they are walking away with her, Saki interrupts and asks the Three Lights to stay, saying that they keep looking even better. She asks to keep going until she is satisfied.

Minako protests, but Saki says, "This is not a school! You can't say it's over just because the bell is ringing!" Minako angrily replies, "Everyone did a good job without eating anything!" Clicking her camera, Saki says that she wants to take good pictures, and Minako says, "I'm sorry to say, but isn't it because of your skill that you can't take good ones?" Yaten tells Minako to be quiet for a while.

The Three Lights reverse direction and tell Saki to take more pictures, but on the condition that they are better than the previous pictures. Minako protests, saying that time is up and that they are hungry, but the Three Lights tell her that they are pros. Minako looks sad and wonders if this is the strictness of being an idol.

For the first time, Saki shows tenderness towards Minako. She says, "We've got to be serious in everyday life. To get the best results, we're supposed to bring in everything that we have. We can't compromise. We can't say, 'I did my best...' or 'I'm hungry...' but just expecting an yearning for a good outlook doesn't go well with that kind of indulgence alone. It's not so easy. It's you who said it's tough to work as a pro!" Minako listens to everything the photographer has to say.

The lights come on again and everyone is ready. Saki returns to take more pictures, instructing the Three Lights on how to pose. Minako watches, and thinks about how she has a long way to go before becoming a pro.

After the photo shoot, Saki says goodnight to everyone and leaves the studio. She stops at a drink machine and purchases a canned drink. Just as she is about to drink her beverage, a voice interrupts her saying, "Saki Itabashi, as expected... the genius cameraperson they call the new superstar of the photo industry!" Sailor Iron Mouse, dressed as Producer Nezu appears, and Saki asks who she is. Iron Mouse continues, "I'm impressed with your passion for taking photos! May I ask you to take one for me?" Saki says that she will not take any photos unless on business.

Sailor Iron Mouse approaches the woman and says, "I'm teasing you! What I want is not a photo, but your Star Seed!" Iron Mouse yells "Chuu" and leaps into the air, her outfit changing from her pin-striped suit to her usual white attire.

Just as Sailor Iron Mouse transforms, Minako exits the photo studio, wondering where Usagi went. She is about to go back inside when she hears Saki screaming. She looks over just in time to see Iron Mouse put her bracelets together and shoot two orbs of golden light at the photographer. When they hit her, a small flower comes forth from her chest and reveals a Star Seed.

Minako quickly transforms into Sailor Venus with "Venus Crystal Power, Make Up!" Iron Mouse walks up to Saki to inspect her Star Seed, but it clouds over... another blank. Sailor Venus approaches the villain and tells her that she won't let her go.

Meanwhile, Usagi happily walks down the street eating snacks. She comes upon Sailor Venus and Iron Mouse, and, seeing them fighting, immediately transforms into Eternal Sailor Moon. Sailor Venus attacks with "Venus Love and Beauty Shock," but amazingly, Iron Mouse side-steps the attack and makes fun of Venus's aim.

Eternal Sailor Moon appears behind the pair. Sailor Venus asks where she's been, but she just giggles and apologizes. Sailor Venus tells Iron Mouse that she can't forgive her for attacking Saki, who taught her the strictness of pros. Eternal Sailor Moon says, "After eating a rice, ball, fully-powered pretty soldier Sailor Moon."

Sailor Iron Mouse says that they should have been taught more about strictness. She turns to Saki Itabashi and says, "Sailor Gekisha! Get these girls!" Black lightning swirls around Saki, and Iron Mouse disappears into a phone booth. Sailor Venus and Eternal Sailor Moon rush forward to Saki, but black vines come from the ground and surround the woman. The vines burst off of her and she emerges as Sailor Gekisha.

Sailor Gekisha leaps into the air and says, "Looking good! Good pose!" She has a camera attached to her arm, which she points at Usagi. She yells out, "Shutter Chance!" and shoots a beam of light at Eternal Sailor Moon, narrowly missing her. She then spots Sailor Venus and attacks her, this time hitting her opponent.

Just as Eternal Sailor Moon rushes to Sailor Venus's aid, snapping sounds can be heard as the Starlights appear on the roof of the photo studio and introduce themselves. "Oh, how picturesque you are," says Sailor Gekisha as she attacks them with "Shutter Chance." The three manage to dodge the attack, and Sailor Star Healer attacks with "Star Sensitive Inferno," injuring the phage.

Eternal Sailor Moon rises to her feet and uses "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss" on Sailor Gekisha, who yells out "beautiful!!" just before turning back into Saki Itabashi. Her Star Seed glows and goes back into her body. The Starlights leave, although Eternal Sailor Moon calls out to them to wait. She wonders aloud if they are allies or foes.

At Fruit Parlor Crown, Usagi, Ami, Makoto, and Rei sit at a booth. Ami asks if Minako is still planning to make her debut as an idol, and Usagi says, "No, no! Because she won't be able to eat meals at all!" Just then, Minako comes through the door and announces that she'll be going to a few auditions to try to make it as a star. She then runs off the door to pursue her dreams.