A film-shoot outing introduces Chibiusa to Hotaru Tomoe, a frail and solitary girl hiding remarkable gifts along with a terrible family secret. This Sailor Moon S episode plants the first seed of the Sailor Saturn mystery, tying the quiet newcomer to the scientist behind the Death Busters.
Summary
During an amateur movie shoot that doubles as a picnic, Chibiusa strikes up a fast friendship with Hotaru Tomoe, a sickly and withdrawn girl her own age who quietly carries unusual powers. The story hints at something darker beneath the bond, since Hotaru's father Souichi Tomoe is the deranged researcher responsible for creating the Death Busters.
Key Events
Hotaru makes her anime debut here, and her act of catching Chibiusa's runaway hat becomes a memory revisited far later in episode 168, when a reborn Hotaru begins recovering her past. The installment also introduces the spoken transformation cue Crisis Make Up and showcases the attacks Dead Scream and Rainbow Moon Heartache. Viewers see that a person whose Heart Crystal is pulled out and swallowed by a Daimon turns an ashen gray.
Notes
This twenty-third chapter of the third season, the 112th overall, aired in Japan on November 5, 1994, written by Shigeru Yanagawa and directed by Noriyo Sasaki. North America received it as Show Stoppers on July 12, 2000, and its featured monster is U-Estern.
In the Cloverway dub, Sailor Moon shouts Moon Crisis Power! while rising into Super Sailor Moon rather than the Japanese and Viz line Crisis, Make Up! The manga also stages the first meeting outside a Mugen Academy laboratory building and has Chibiusa injure her arm instead of her knee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the true messiah in "Who is the True Messiah? Chaos of Light and Darkness"?
The episode does not answer the question outright; it centers on Chibiusa's new friendship with the frail Hotaru Tomoe, whose father Souichi Tomoe secretly created the Death Busters.
How do Chibiusa and Hotaru meet in this episode?
Chibiusa and Hotaru meet during an amateur movie shoot that doubles as a picnic, where Hotaru catches Chibiusa's runaway hat.
What transformation phrase debuts in "Who is the True Messiah? Chaos of Light and Darkness"?
This episode introduces the spoken transformation cue "Crisis, Make Up," along with the attacks Dead Scream and Rainbow Moon Heartache.
What monster appears in this episode?
U-Estern is the featured monster of the episode.
How does the Cloverway dub change this episode?
In the Cloverway dub, Sailor Moon shouts "Moon Crisis Power!" while rising into Super Sailor Moon, rather than the Japanese and Viz line "Crisis, Make Up!"
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Sailor Moon anime series, manga, and official materials. Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Takeuchi, published by Kodansha, and animated by Toei Animation. All rights to Sailor Moon and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byNaoko Takeuchi
- Published byKodansha
- Animated byToei Animation
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