Mercury Power, Make Up

This phrase is the earliest of Ami Mizuno's transformation commands, the one that first turns her into Sailor Mercury. It recurs through the manga, the 90s television run, and the Crystal films, while in the live-action Pretty Guardian series it is the sole phrase she ever uses.

The manga keeps the change immediate: Ami crosses her hands over her chest around her pen, speaks the words, and transforms, though she may instead lift the pen aloft. The anime opens with her raising the Transformation Pen, then sweeping it overhead as blue water streams out to form her gloves, boots, and leotard before a burst of mist finishes the uniform. Crystal frames her against the planet Mercury and a blue backdrop, her fingernails turning pale blue as swirling water clothes her and the Mercury emblem settles on her forehead. The live-action take keys off the Jewelry Star Bracelet, which unfolds from its sealed shape as glowing rings and a spiral of bubbly water climb her body, ribbons weave her gloves, and she closes on her pose while water splashes behind her.

Sailor Mercury is the only user. The command marks her original transformation and later gives way to the stronger Mercury Star Power, Make Up. It debuts in Act 3 of the manga, even though she had physically transformed back in Act 2 without speaking the words, a gap the 2003 reprint later corrected. A Super Nintendo game also employs the phrase, instantly changing Ami as the screen flashes white.