Usagi's Joy: A Love Letter from Tuxedo Mask

Reading the stars for a weakness in the guardians, Nephrite learns that Sailor Moon's soft spot is Tuxedo Mask, and Queen Beryl warns him this is his last chance before eternal sleep. He floods the school with counterfeit love letters signed by the masked hero, luring hopeful girls to a mall after dark. Naru, still infatuated with his Sanjouin persona, answers the summons and becomes his target, pulling Usagi into a frantic rescue.

Usagi is crushed to learn every classmate received the identical letter, while Luna warns her the notes may be bait. At the shuttered mall, Nephrite mistakes Naru for Sailor Moon and siphons a huge amount of her energy when she cannot transform. Usagi arrives, becomes Sailor Moon, and challenges him; he names himself Nephrite of the Four Heavenly Kings and conjures a lion to hunt her.

The real Tuxedo Mask intervenes with a rose and flees with her into an elevator that proves to be a trap. They climb out and cling to a ledge as the car drops away, and Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars catch them, then carry the unconscious Naru toward a hospital. Beryl spares Nephrite only because of the vast energy he harvested from the girl.

This marks the first time Mamoru is shown changing into Tuxedo Mask, though he stays unaware of his second identity for several more episodes. Regulus is the first monster-of-the-day immune to Moon Tiara Action, and the second foe overall to shrug it off after Jadeite. Beryl openly recalls Jadeite's fate while threatening Nephrite with eternal sleep. Among the UFO-catcher prizes Mamoru plays for are dolls of Sailor V, Sailor Mars, Beryl, and Tuxedo Mask. The episode later drew online attention for a shot of Sailor Mars wearing a medical mask.