The Watchening: Sailor Moon Crystal Act 24, Attack ~ Black Lady

Wow.  Just wow.  This episode was great!  Just a few beats short of perfect, really.

STOP HER!  SHE'S ASSAULTING US WITH CUTENESS!
STOP HER! SHE’S ASSAULTING US WITH CUTENESS!

Let’s start with the animation again.  Not much to complain about.  The weird panning effect on Black Lady was pretty cheap, and once again I can’t help but feel there’s something off about the way Sailor Moon’s waving hair is animated.  But hey, at least it’s not as bad as the Dark Kingdom climax episodes.

After the intro, we hear Disc 2, Track 14 from the OST, “Unleashed Anger.”  It’s rockin’.

One of my favorite parts about this episode was how Black Lady felt like a real threat throughout it… at least until the very end.

I, for one, welcome our new art director Michael Bay.
I, for one, welcome our new art director Michael Bay.

This is one of the rare episodes that improves upon the manga chapter, though this time it’s not so much content as the sheer visuals.

Nemesis descends upon the planet, much like a meteor.  Earth's only defense is the holy light of the silver crystal.  Fuck E3, this right here is the FFVII remake!
Nemesis descends upon the planet, much like a meteor. Earth’s only defense is the holy light of the silver crystal. Fuck E3, this right here is the FFVII remake!

It wasn’t much, but Demande being forced to kill his brother had a little bit more weight.  And, well… let’s all just take a second to absorb just how well the episode pulled off Demande going batshit insane by the end.

Wiseman’s corpse wasn’t a skeleton this time, but the body resembled the profile of Death Phantom.  Honestly, this change is pretty acceptable; being a skeleton doesn’t really add anything.  The reveal of Wiseman as Nemesis was unexpectedly impressive.  The fact that Nemesis has such a booming, powerful voice is just the payoff we needed from the high-pitched old man voice he’s had up to now.

Finally… What the hell was up with cutting to expressionless brainwashed Tuxedo Mask during those final reactions?

Seriously, what was the point of this?
Seriously, what was the point of this?

There’s only two episodes left!  If we don’t get any info on a continuation of the series in the next two weeks, we’re probably never getting it!  Or at least, not anytime this year.

Next episode looks great, the animation looks… adequate, and I am prepared for dem feels.  Also, pointlessly nude Chibi-Usa.

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