Sailor Moon - viewing update

Sweet mercy.

I can’t quite work out whether this 90s anime is intentionally dumb and irritating, or it’s all just lost in translation thanks to the English dub. But it is dumb and irritating. And, yes, strangely compelling stuff! Saying that, I’ve begun leaving episodes running even if I leave the room for minutes on end to cook dinner or make a cup of tea or go potty. There is little consequence, for me at least, to missing bits here and there. Plus, hey, I can usually hear Sailor Moon squeaking bollocks like a complete twat from great distances anyway.

So, what’s compelling me to keep watching and not just throw the boxset out the window in frustration?! I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not that. I believe it’s because it is so dumb and irritating. These elements push the camp factor up way higher than anything in my disc collection. Including films that feature extensive scenes of homosexual lovemaking.

I’ve heard women simply adore the character of Sailor Moon, which surprises me. I’d be offended by her shallow airheadedness (real word). She’s certainly no Edward, that spunky, independent tomboy from Cowboy Bebop who’s smart and capable and takes no shit from anyone. Sailor Moon is just the worst person. But, well, I guess audiences feel less threatened watching idiots mucking about being idiots. I mean, have you watched any reality television lately?! It’s probably also why male audiences root for and gravitate towards dimwitted action heroes, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sailor Moon seems to fail upwards constantly, with the help of some magical powers and a very patient talking cat, thereby not actually earning anybody’s respect. Especially mine.

The show sometimes throws up mindless philosophical platitudes that don’t hold water. Stuff like “I know what you’re thinking, someone who paints pictures should be prettier!”. Nope. Nobody thinks that. Oh and something like: “People can’t make others happy unless they’re happy themselves”. Nope. That’s not true either and actually a pretty bleak view of the human experience.

I’ve met some miserable healthcare staff in my time and they’ve made me feel better.

So, yes, I’m onto the second disc of Sailor Moon and still strangely captivated by its infantile charm. I seem to have moved away from watching the same American sitcom boxsets over and over again, now preferring to have anime on in the background instead. I’ve got Evangelion and Gunbuster and Gundam to continue on with, plus the two Robotech boxsets have just arrived, so I’ve got plenty to be getting on with.

Whether or not I’ll start caring about Sailor Moon or whateverthefuck her name is and whether or not she finds all the magic rainbow crystals or something and defeats… erm… whoever, I cannot say.

I’m just enjoying the ride.

Do stay in touch, darlings.

Toodles!