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A review by mickeyangelvega
Sailor Moon 1 by Naoko Takeuchi
3.0
2024 update: My preview critiques still stand, but this is just a load of fun. 4.5/5.
2019 update: I actually give this 3.5/5 stars which does bring down the rating but for different reasons. First thing is first: I really liked this and will continue on with the series. I thought it was fun and quirky and I loved Usagi as a character. However, while I do think this to be a staple of manga, I do feel that it does suffer from pacing. While the anime gives time before each Sailor Scout is awakened this does all that in one volume. I do believe that if the pacing were slowed down we can see these girls better as characters; basically, I think their development is rushed. The backstory also needs to be flushed out as it’s confusing as to how these girls are destined to save the world and finally I do think the pacing hinders storytelling when it comes to the fighting scenes. Essentially, the girls are in trouble, get cornered by the baddie and through some new power or gadget they randomly acquire they save the day by simply AIMING the gadget or power at the villain without an actual full on “fight scene.” While I do like the manga visually I hope these problems I had with it don’t take away from the remainder of the series.
4.5/5 Really enjoyed this book and I am ecstatic that I finally read the first volume in this series (2 years after originally completing the Sailor V prequel series). Like the Sailor V duology, this is packed with pretty girls, action and romance and it was funny is some places as well. It was not as funny as the Sailor V manga nor as clean (some pages had too much going on). Also, I felt that it could have taken a softer and slower pace in order to not seem a tad rushed, but I am excited to continue on in the series I have waited so long to start.
2019 update: I actually give this 3.5/5 stars which does bring down the rating but for different reasons. First thing is first: I really liked this and will continue on with the series. I thought it was fun and quirky and I loved Usagi as a character. However, while I do think this to be a staple of manga, I do feel that it does suffer from pacing. While the anime gives time before each Sailor Scout is awakened this does all that in one volume. I do believe that if the pacing were slowed down we can see these girls better as characters; basically, I think their development is rushed. The backstory also needs to be flushed out as it’s confusing as to how these girls are destined to save the world and finally I do think the pacing hinders storytelling when it comes to the fighting scenes. Essentially, the girls are in trouble, get cornered by the baddie and through some new power or gadget they randomly acquire they save the day by simply AIMING the gadget or power at the villain without an actual full on “fight scene.” While I do like the manga visually I hope these problems I had with it don’t take away from the remainder of the series.
4.5/5 Really enjoyed this book and I am ecstatic that I finally read the first volume in this series (2 years after originally completing the Sailor V prequel series). Like the Sailor V duology, this is packed with pretty girls, action and romance and it was funny is some places as well. It was not as funny as the Sailor V manga nor as clean (some pages had too much going on). Also, I felt that it could have taken a softer and slower pace in order to not seem a tad rushed, but I am excited to continue on in the series I have waited so long to start.