This…this is the first clear-cut moment that Usagi and Mamoru admired each other before they discovered their secret identities.
They discover their secret identities about 2 minutes later.Â
Oh, and then Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask is impaled with a crystal dagger, Sailor Moon mourns his injuries, summoning the Silver Crystal and revealing her identity as Princess Serenity. Hmm.
Let’s be clear: I like Usagi and Mamoru as a couple! And although people complain about the Romeo and Juliet, love-and-destiny-conquers romance, Sailor Moon already has so much fairy tale bombast to its story, so the past-life-lovers angle isn’t all that egregious within the story’s context. That said, the writers could have taken a page from the manga and worked to at least establish a chemistry between Usagi and Mamoru earlier in the season. They hint at it in an episode prior to this, but it felt more like lip-service to me. For people who are less convinced with this “fated lovers” thing, the thin romance-building can definitely be really unforgiving for viewers.
The writers eventually try to support the couple with plots that involve separation or showcasing their affection, and Usagi and Mamoru aren’t so bad once the narrative has them in a relationship. I just really wish the writers had eased us into the romance; it would have DEFINITELY strengthened the idea that these two are fated to be together no matter what time period or present identities they have.
Agreed. I like Usagi and Mamoru as a couple (mostly because it’s canon) but the writers really gave them a bad deal. I would’ve loved to see them play with the “no matter what, these two will meet, and fall in love” angle, and I hope it appears in the new anime.
At least it was handled better than Miaka and Tamahome’s relationship in Fushigi Yuugi. Talk about rushed. That romance could have developed over at least half a season but the writers totally blew their load in, what, episode 4? (It’s been awhile since I watched any FY.)