EPISODE 176

Fighter no Shoutai! Shougeki no Chouhenshin
(A True Figure of a Fighter! A Shocking Super Transformation)

Original Air Date: 06-08-1996



The Three Lights are shown in a studio, rehearsing dance moves. The director yells at Seiya, telling him to do it again. "Me again?" he asks, "What didn't you like this time, ma'am?" Much to Seiya's dismay, the reply is, "Everything!"

[Title Screen]

At school, Usagi sits in a desk, struggling through a test. "My beloved Mamoru," she laments, "I am in the biggest pinch that I've ever had in my life!" She chews on her pencil and stares at her math test. Looking behind her at Seiya, she says, "Oh, he seems to be in a rather big pinch, too."

Seiya thinks back to rehearsal in the studio. The director tells him, "With that level of skill, you can't be a hero in this musical!" In his flashback, Seiya is obviously angry, but the director tells him to do it again. Seiya slams his fist down on his desk and screams, "Damn it!" All of the other students in the class stare at him.

The bell rings, and Usagi and Minako are shown standing outside the school, clasping hands. Usagi says, "As we thought, we have to take the make-up exams, don't we, Minako?" With tears in her eyes, Minako replies, "If we fail the make-up exam, we still have the make-up class, Usagi!" Worried, they decide they'll go anywhere together. Makoto appears behind them and tells them they're being optimistic, but Ami says in high school, they can still stay back another year... which does not sound appealing to Usagi and Minako! Makoto tells them that it might be good to spend another year relaxing.

The Three Lights walk up, Seiya telling his friends that they are not very thoughtful. Usagi says that Seiya is also in the group to take the make-up exam, but Seiya says that that's not what he was talking about. Yaten says that Seiya is having a hard time in the lessons for the musical. Minako and Usagi are excited to hear about the musical, and Minako talks about how difficult (but also great!) it is.

Seiya says that it's not so great - it's just a matter of memorization. Everyone looks at his test, on which he scored 16. Seiya becomes angry, but everyone keeps talking about the test, saying that if he does poorly on the make-up exam, he'll have to stay back a year in school. He says that the score is because of the musical.

Rei suddenly shows up out of nowhere and says that Seiya should join their study group. She says that they all studied for their entrance exams at her house, cheering each other on. Minako reminds her that she didn't even have to take an entrance exam, but Rei steps on her foot and laughs. She then tells the Three Lights that there is a study group at her house today, and invites them to come. They decline, awkwardly backing up while saying that they have to go to a lesson for the musical. Usagi, Minako, and Makoto follow the Three Lights, leaving Ami and a very dismayed Rei behind.

At the studio, Minako, Usagi, and Makoto watch the Three Lights dance. Ami and Rei suddenly appear behind them. The music and dancing stops, and the director tells Seiya to do it all over again. He asks her what is wrong this time, and the director tells him that everything is bad. He becomes quite angry, saying that it is easy for her to direct when she just keeps saying that everything is bad. She tells him that everything he is doing is bad, and that she has already told him what she wants. She asks if he is really a pro.

The Three Lights take a break, and Seiya slams his fists against a wall, venting his anger. Usagi asks who the woman is, and Taiki explains that she is Akane, the director of the musical. Yaten sarcastically says that she likes Seiya very much, making him even angrier... he says that she is treating him like the enemy.

"I know," says Usagi, "there's always someone who you can't get along with for some reason!" Rei says, "You can say that again! Someone like a rash crybaby and somehow a too easy-going girl... I don't go well with that kind of girl!" Usagi and Rei begin to fight as the Three Lights look on. "Well," says Taiki, "after all, as they say, 'Having quarrels is, in fact, the sign of good terms.'" Together, Usagi and Rei say that it is not true!

Seiya slams his fist against the wall again and says that Akane just hates him! Akane's voice calls out asking how long they are going to have a break, and telling them to come back quickly. She tells the girls that they are a bother, and should leave immediately. She then scolds the Three Lights, telling them that there is something wrong with them for bringing girls to the rehearsal.

Rei recognized Akane, and the director asks Seiya if he is just being an idol because he wants to attract young girls. Seiya becomes even angrier. When the director removes her sunglasses, Rei recognizes her and calls out, "Sister Angela!" Everyone is quite surprised to hear this name. The director recognizes Rei as well.

On a park bench, Nezu Chuuko (Iron Mouse's civilian form) reads a magazine which shows that the Three Lights are doing a new musical. The magazine talks about Akane Gushiken, the director, saying that she is currently the most noteworthy director, but that "her profile is covered by a thick veil and only a few know her real character." Nezu decides that a mysterious director sounds like a serious person.

She takes a sip of tea, and a phone begins to ring. She pulls a black phone out of her bag and begins speaking, saying that she has already selected a new target, and that she'll arrange an interview today.

At T*A Private Girls' School, Sister Angela walks around in a nun's habit. Several girls speak to her, and she tells them all to have a good day. Usagi and Seiya hide in the bushes watching her, amazed that a nun at Rei's school is actually the director of the musical. Usagi says, "No wonder she doesn't tell her true character!"

Inside the chapel, Sister Angela kneels to pray. Seiya calls out behind her, "Akane-san! Aren't you a director?" She smiles and says, "I have lots of things to do. To narrow them down into one thing and give up the others isn't what I want to do." "Isn't that going halfway?" asks Seiya. She says that she always does everything perfectly; he is the one who goes halfway. Seiya is angered, and says that he does things perfectly as well... but the nun says that she doubts it.

[Commercial Break]

In the chapel, Sister Angela talks with Seiya. She says, "I watched it... a Three Lights Concert. While I watched it, I felt that you guys were shouting out from the depths of your minds, wishing to send some message." There is a flashback of a concert, and Seiya thinks that she is right... there is one person in the galaxy that they want to recognize them, which is why they are shouting all the time. Seiya smiles to himself, and Sister Angela continues, saying, "I saw you guys shining incredibly, live, in person! But as an actor, you're terrible! It is I who wants to get angry! Why do you have such a huge gap! Do you want to say that you can't send your message through my musical?"

Seiya is shocked by Sister Angela's words. In a calmer voice, she continues, "Anyway, I won't give up until you show me your shine." Seiya asks her if she's be in trouble if the school finds out that she is a director, but she laughs and says, "I'm in a better situation than someone else who will get a red mark in the next make-up exam!" Seiya tells her that he doesn't think he likes her, but she says it's even better for her to have him trained. Usagi stands outside the door, saying to herself that it seems to be getting worse.

Later, Seiya and Usagi are walking home. Usagi asks him how he can continue rehearsals with Sister Angela after everything she said to him. Seiya says that if he gives up at this point, he'll lose. Usagi asks him if he's a masochist. He decides that he simply must keep trying.

Seiya turns to Usagi and asks her if she has a boyfriend. she says that she does have one, overseas. Before leaving, Seiya says that he has a chance. Usagi remind him about the make-up exam tomorrow, but he says that he knows.

Seiya arrives at the rehearsal studio to find Akane sleeping in a chair. He asks, "Didn't you say you were going to train me?" She asks if he is ok not studying for the make-up exam, but he says that he must continue working at everything he does. She says that if he continues to do everything halfway, she will replace him as the hero in the musical. He replies, "Go ahead! Only if there's someone who shines more than me!" Both laugh. They begin rehearsal, and Akane thinks to herself that Seiya is getting better.

Usagi peaks into the studio from the doorway and says to herself that there is nothing to worry about. Rei suddenly appears behind her and says, "On the contrary, there's much to worry about! What will you do if you get a red mark and have to stay in the same class? Don't worry about someone else! Just go home and study seriously!" Rei grabs one of Usagi's pigtails and drags her down the stairs, saying that she'll take care of Seiya.

Inside the studio, Seiya continues dancing. Akane looks at her watch, tells him that it is getting late, and suggests that he quit for the day. He refuses, and she laughs and goes to the break room. Thinking to herself how stubborn Seiya is, she pours two cups of coffee.

Nezu appears in the doorway behind Akane and calls out to her how shining she is. Nezu says, "My insticts are great!" Akane asks if she is a fan of the Three Lights, and Nezu says, "I am Nezu, a director at Ginga TV." She holds up a business card which reads, "Ginga TV - Third Production Room - Nezu Chuuko" and continues, "I came all the way here to see the origin of your shine!"

Akane says that she does not want to show her face on television, and that when audiences look at the stage, they'll see all she wants to express. She asks Nezu to leave. Nezu is quite dismayed and says, "Unbelievable! You're as stubborn as I expected!" She screams, "Chuu!" as she jumps into the air, her clothing suddenly changing... she becomes Sailor Iron Mouse. Meanwhile, in the studio, Seiya hears Akane scream.

Akane drops the coffee that she is holding, and Iron Mouse demands to see her Star Seed. Seiya rushes to the scene and lookson from the top of the stairs. He yells out, but Iron Mouse uses her bracelets to shoot two golden orbs of energy at him. She then shoots two orbs at Akane. When they hit the director, a golden flower emerges above her head and blooms to reveal a Star Seed. As Seiya helplessly looks on, the Star Seeds clouds over with darkness, disappointing Iron Mouse.

Akane suddenly transforms into a phage, Sailor Director. Seiya curses Iron Mouse, who says, "Don't look at me with such an angry face! It turns your handsome face bad! Sailor Director, please take care of him!" She then disappears into a black phone booth. Sailor Director attacks with "Camera, Start!" causing a roll of film to fly towards Seiya. He dodges the attack, unsure of what to do. As Sailor Director prepares to attack again, Seiya transforms into Sailor Star Fighter. Sailor Star Fighter attacks the phage with her "Star Serious Laser" attack, temporarily immobilizing the victim.

Just as Star Fighter is going to attack again, Sailor Mars and Eternal Sailor Moon arrive on the scene and tell her to stop. Sailor Star Fighter says, "You'll never know our hardship... and the sorrow of the survivors! This is our way to fight!" She begins to attack, but Sailor Mars points a huge flaming arrow at her. Mars tells her, "if you insist on fighting, I'll be your opponent!" She turns to Eternal Sailor Moon and says, "Now, Sailor Moon..."

Eternal Sailor Moon heals Sailor Director with "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss," causing her to transform back into Akane Gushiken. The flower appears once more above her head, and envelopes the sparkling Star Seed, disappearing back into the young woman's body. Akane collapses to the floor.

Sailor Star Fighter thinks to herself, "Sailor Moon... What we need is her shine..."

Oustide the studio, Eternal Sailor Moon asks Sailor Star Fighter if they can meet again. Star Fighter says that she hopes Sailor Moon is not her enemy.

The next day, Seiya holds up his make-up exam paper for Minako and Usagi to see. They exclaim at once, "What? Scored 98?!" Usagi asks when he studied, and he replies that he'll do it whenever he has to, and that he'll keep going to rehearsalls for the musical. Minako says, "Not only a musical, but studying as well! It's a miracle!" Seiya thinks to himself that he must continue working hard, believing that their message will one day reach that perfect person. He thinks of Eternal Sailor Moon.