S1 Ep 7 Usagi Learns Her Lesson: Becoming A Star Is Hard Work
None of these kids should quit their day jobs.
Synopsis: Usagi and her classmates learn a local celebrity Mikan Shiratori is putting on a talent show. They all begin to work on their acts in hopes of getting discovered. We later learn that one of Jadeite’s monsters, Derella, has taken on Mikan’s appearance to trick the contestants and harness their energy for Queen Beryl. Usagi and Luna figure out what’s going on, Usagi transforms into Sailor Moon to save the day.
Takeaways: The kids in the talent show exclusively sing the Sailor Moon intro song “Moonlight Densetsu” by Dali and Misae Takamatsu, which is a cute 4th wall break AND economical. I’m obsessed with Umino’s extremely early 90s explanation of the Internet.
The baddies: Jadeite and Derella. Queen Beryl couldn’t make it because she had a thing but wishes she could be there.
Jadeite clearly packed multiple outfits for this episode. First, when he’s creeping on Mikan giving out autographs, he’s wearing a button up and tie with teal slacks, and what very much feels like a Burberry trench coat.
Later when he is MC-ing the talent show he’s made the really interesting choice to wear what appears to be a full tuxedo underneath a tan slack and blazer set. I don’t know the rationale for this but imagining that jacket on jacket combo is making me extremely uncomfortable.
When Derella is posing as Mikan she’s got on an orange princess dress with a red bow, choker and sinister vibes.
When Sailor Moon catches Derella in monster mode the look is what I can only describe as Linda Blair from the Exorcist meets little girl from the Utz chip bag.
When Derella fully transforms she’s wearing a purple bandeau dress with a big slit up the side, a pony tail + bald head. She also barfs glass as her super power which feels a little less fashionable to me.
Conclusion: Jadeite wins by sheer quantity of outfits. Derella gets an honorable mention but won’t be progressing to the next round.