{ARTICLES}
This time the topic that pop in my head and I shall be writing about the power levels of the senshi. Hey, it just popped into my head. I just finished rereading my Sailor V books and thought how cool it was that Sailor V powered up into Sailor Venus. Now that I reflect a little on it, besides Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus has an extra little power up (to put it in video gameqse terms). Let's count them shall we? Sailor Venus first, since I mentioned her first, she was Sailor V, Sailor Venus, Sailor Venus with star power, with planet power, with crystal Power and she is also Princess Venus. Ok, I know Sailor Moon has a lot more than that, but Venus has one more on the power up than the other inners. 

Makes her better leader material. I find it interesting in the manga that with each new power level, they are still called the same, aka Sailor Jupiter is still Sailor Jupiter, not Super Sailor Jupiter, but their power has increased immensely. So what is up with all these power levels, new transformations, new attacks and little new additions to their fuku or entirely new one for Sailor Moon in the last two seasons? Couldn't it been simpler for them to remain the same, and have same attacks. Simpler yes, and very, very boring. 

I mean it's a new season, new enemy and Sailor Moon needs to keep up with the pace and get a new attack! Besides just keeping the show fresh, these power ups reflect how the senshi are maturing. Sailor Moon in the beginning was a whiny little crybaby, and at the end of the entire show, she became more mature than the her friends. It's amazing to watch her from episode 1 and then turn around and watch her in episode 199 and 200. Gotta watch both, because it's a two part finale. 

Yet if you remember watching all the episodes in-between her maturity is gradual, but faster than the others, like Minako or Makoto. She understands life a little better, has appreciation of her friends, and this is reflected on her powers advancing. The inners also gain power, but it takes them awhile longer, and they have to look deep within themselves to find their own potential. I loved how the manga illustrated this when they became Super Senshi. "Oh look, it's me telling me what to do. I'm playing me now..." Heh, yea, I really love that. I often wondered why the animators never showed all the attacks in the manga, but whatever the reason, it makes the manga much more special. 

Yea, back on topic, the powers and attacks, transformations and what have you make look silly and a rehash of old material, but it really is neccessary. Besides making the series unique, it shows how much everyone's favorite senshi has grown up. Can't have Chibi Moon doing a "Pink Sugar Heart Attack" forever, now can we. So enjoy those transformations, and spiffy attacks. 

That's why they are there. Of course if you are curious about Jupiter's Flower Hurricane or Sailor V becoming Sailor Venus, you'll just have to get the manga and read. It's a lot prettier than the anime, and has better flow. Yet, that is another topic for another time.

•RETURN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
BSSM copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha,Toei animation. MoontiaraNET created and maintained by Kchan 2008-2009.