Usagi Learns Her Lesson: Becoming a Star Is Hard Work

Running late as ever, Usagi stops to admire a poster of the rising idol Mikan Shiratori, a graduate of her own school. Umino insists Usagi should be the next star to come from their halls, much to the other girls' annoyance. Jadeite, watching Mikan sign autographs, decides she is the perfect draw for harvesting energy for the Dark Kingdom. At home, Usagi and Naru try to promote themselves by singing together, but a botched performance and a stepped-on foot turn them into fierce rivals, each vowing to outshine the other.

Usagi prepares a pet act starring a reluctant Luna, while Naru teams with Umino, dressing him as a woman. Their plans collide with the contest Jadeite is orchestrating once Mikan becomes his instrument.

The monster Derella ambushes the real Mikan in the shower, encases her in an icy substance, and takes her place. Posing as the idol, the impostor and Jadeite announce a talent competition and hypnotize the audience into entering. Luna urges Usagi to focus on her duties as a guardian instead, and after Mamoru mocks her plans, Usagi decides to sit the contest out and heads home. Naru and Umino advance, and soon the whole town neglects daily life to rehearse as if everyone were a celebrity.

At Shan Shan Plaza, Derella conjures an illusory crowd, brainwashes the contestants with a spinning disco ball, and drains their energy as they perform, Naru and Umino among the victims. When Usagi comes upon the monster's true form she panics and hides in the restroom until Luna forces the issue. Transforming into Sailor Moon, she confronts and is chased by Derella, who freezes her solid, only for Tuxedo Mask to shatter the ice. As the monster pursues him, Sailor Moon destroys it with Moon Tiara Action, restoring the stolen energy to everyone.

The episode introduces Mikan Shiratori, who returns much later in Sailor Moon R for a second and final appearance. Its premise closely mirrors a chapter of Codename: Sailor V, though there the monster was the idol herself rather than an impostor. Shan Shan Plaza is modeled on the real Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo. The DiC dub, retitled So You Want to Be a Superstar, renamed Sailor Moon's finishing move and had her banish Derella to the Negaverse, one of only two times the show framed a defeat that way.