Why Starlights?

1. The Attitude. I love the way that Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten waltz into Juuban High School one morning and plunk themselves down as if they belonged there all along. Seiya with his outgoing flirtatiousness, Taiki with his quiet aloofness, and Yaten with his narcissism . . . The personalities of the Three Lights just work. They provide a nice contrast to Usagi and her friends, and also act as foils for each other. I also like the ways that their characters dramatically change over the course of the season, but a lot about their basic attitudes remains the same.

2. The Senshi factor. The transformation music, the final transformation animation, the attacks, the introduction and entrance, the fuku . . . Wow. These are some seriously cool Sailor Senshi. I was as blown away by the Starlights as I was when the Outer Senshi first appeared in Sailor Moon S.

3. The Music. I just love "Nagareboshi He" and "My Friend's Love." And the jazz-inspired character image songs are awesome, too. I think the way that the Three Lights weave pop music into the overall theme of Sailor Stars is part of what makes this season so unique.

4. The Looks. I love these character designs! The animators make the Lights look both masculine and feminine at the same time. The long hair, the delicate eyelashes, and the ovaline faces accentuate their feminine aspect; the broad shoulders and slender chests serve as reminders that these are undoubtably male characters. But all that changes when the Three Lights transform into the Sailor Starlights . . .

5. The Voice. Niiyama Shiho, Tsunoda Narumi, and Sakamoto Chika exhibit incredible talent when they perform both male and female voices for the same characters. In addition, these talented voice actresses can also sing! When the Three Lights harmonize, it's good enough to turn your knees into melted butter.

6. The Romance. A lot of fans were upset when Seiya started flirting with Usagi. But I, for one, was intrigued. Don't get me wrong, I completely support the relationship between Mamoru and Usagi, and I would just hate to see them broken apart. But I was kind of sick and tired of seing nothing but blissful romance between the two for the past three seasons. Nothing interesting happened in their relationship since their brief break-up in Sailor Moon R. When Seiya entered the picture, an element of tension and suspense was re-introduced. Suddenly, a happy ending for Usagi and Mamoru wasn't quite as certain. It was refreshing to have actual conflict again. Plus, on top of all that, I loved watching the way that Seiya's beautiful, unrequited love for Usagi evolved slowly yet surely throughout the course of the season.

7. The Inspiration. Yes, the Starlights play a most definite role in the final defeat of Chaos. It is their encouragement that helps Sailor Moon find the strength that she needs to face Galaxia. The following dialouge is from episode 198:

(All of the Inner and Outer Senshi are dead. Sailor Moon and the Starlights are hiding from Galaxia in a pile of rubble.)

Sailor Moon: If follow Galaxia, can I see Mamoru and the others again?

(A pause)

Fighter: Do you know why Uranus and Neptune did that? I didn't understand either. Was it because it was their way of fighting? It may be true, but now I know that it wasn't the only reason. It's because everyone believes in you.

Maker: Believe . . .

Healer: Sailor Moon . . .

Fighter: You're a mysterious person, you know? I thought that I would never be able to fight with you. But now we're fighting together. I don't know why, but when I'm with you, I believe in you. I want to believe in you.

Moon: So? Why is everybody around me gone? Why?

Fighter: They're not gone.

Maker: Right. It's possible that everyone is really gone when you give up.

Healer: But you'll never give up. Everyone believes in you.

Fighter: That's why they rest their hopes on you. Do you want to surrender to Galaxia? Can you feel easy doing that?

Moon: No.

Fighter: I knew you would say that. That is, I believe in you too.

Maker: Me too.

Healer: Me too.

Moon: Fighter, Healer, Maker, we're friends, right?

Fighter: Yes.

Healer: Yes.

Maker: Of course.

Moon: That's right . . .

(Sailor Moon and the Starlights emerge from hiding to face Galaxia)

Sailor Moon (To Galaxia): We won't ever give up. Never!

You see? If it hadn't been for the Sailor Starlights, Sailor Moon would have lost all hope and allowed Galaxia to win. If it weren't for the Starlights, Sailor Moon would never have been able to defeat Chaos.

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