Sailormoon S: Heart Collection V DVD Mini-Review
By: Abe-sempai - Dojinuata@cs.com
~ GENERAL REVIEW ~
(Pioneer's Synopsis)
Threat of Darkness! Chibi-Usa's new best friend, Hotaru, has another personality with awesome powers! Unfortunately, her father, Professor Tomoe, is also part of the Death-Busters who are attempting to destroy the world. As Hotaru's powers grow stronger, so do the suspicions of Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Pluto. Soon everyone suspects that Hotaru may not only be Sailor Saturn, but also the Messiah of Silence - the nightmare that brings the world of darkness and destruction! The three Outer Solar System Sailor Soldiers are determined to prevent the darkness, but can they destroy a fellow Sailor Soldier?!
(Content Synopsis)
The story draws near to its climax. Heart collection V includes episodes 115-120. Half of this disc is more filler episodes, like discs 2 and 3. Though each filler episode reveals something new. For example, in episode 115, we see a flashback of Hotaru's past. This disc has one of the most important episodes in Sailormoon S, episode 119. We find out Hotaru is Sailorsaturn and the Messiah of Silence. In the final episode on the disc, we learn more about Hotaru's past, and the third of the Witches 5, Teruru, appears and kills Mimete.
(Tidbits)
The English uncut version only has extra footage not shown on Cartoon Network. The scripts are the same as to the edited version ("Amara" and "Michelle" are still cousins). The suffixes are kept (Mamo-chan) in the subtitles. Daimon is still spelled "Daimohn" (I'm guessing for the pronunciation…). The subtitles spell Mimete as "Mimet" even though in the ending credits they spell her name as "Mimett".
(Episode Titles)
"Shadow of Silence!? The Pale Glimmer of a Firefly"
"Sunny skies after a Storm! A Friendship dedicated to Hotaru"
"Higher, Stronger! Cheers by Usagi"
"The Battle in a Demonic Dimension! The Sailor Soldier's Bet"
"Awakening of the Messiah of Silence? Stars of Destiny"
"Invasion from an Alternate Dimension! The Mystery of Mugen Academy"
(Opening)
The third opening is being used. One reason is because only the third opening was released textless in a special Sailormoon Laser Disc in Japan.
~ TECHNICAL REVIEW ~
(Picture Quality)
The picture quality is still very good. Its crisp, and the colors are well presented. But at sometimes there may be a little fuzziness. Not a real problem though.
(Sound Quality)
The original Japanese track is still in MONO, while the English track is recorded in Stereo. I didn't find or hear any problems while watching the DVD in both tracks. The sound is great.
(Translation)
As usual, the Japanese version has a very accurate translation for the subtitles. The English script is not as accurate though. You can see the changes by playing the English track with the subtitle option on.
(Menus)
The menus on this are very good. When the main menu first opens up, it starts where Rei finishes up her transformation. The screen pauses when she poses. The usual PLAY, SET-UP, SCENE INDEX, and EXTRA STUFF options show up on the bottom right corner. Unlike with DVD 4's different transitions to sub-menus, this one only has one. It's of Sailormars doing her Fire Soul. The Set-Up menu 's background image is from Rei's transformation. It's where she is twirling around. The Scene Index is still done very well. The background image is of Sailormars doing her Burning Mandala. The Extra Stuff menu's background is an image of Sailormars smiling right before she poses (at the end of her transformation).
(Packaging)
This cover, in my opinion, is my favorite cover. It features the three outer Sailor Soldiers. This image is from the original Japanese laser disc cover used for volume eight. The reverse cover was from the seventh laser disc. On the back of the front cover, we have a well-written summary and episode listings. The background image is of Hotaru. The back of the reverse cover features Sailorpluto. The insert was also well done. It lists chapter stops for the six episodes. It features the same background image of Hotaru used on the back of the front cover. The disc also has a nice silk image on it which features Sailorneptune, and Sailoruranus (from episode 117).
(Chapter Stops)
The chapter stops are similar to the ones used for the past DVDs. I wished they could of cut up the episode a little more (Fast-forwarding and rewinding stinks…). They should cut the PART A and B in halves (IMO).>
~ EXTRAS/MISC REVIEW ~
(Sailor Gallery featuring Sailor Mars)
Yay. A feature I have been waiting for. This gallery has some very accurate information for Sailormars. Even Japanese names were used (Yuchiro). The actual gallery was good too. It would have been nicer to have a few more images.
(Original Japanese Opening version 3)
This was a pretty good feature in my opinion. It's good to see how the animation looked with the Japanese credits and lyrics on top of it. I did not really enjoy it though. It's because I still haven't seen the first version on disc 3, and I am already use to the animation. But it's still very good.
(DVD Credits)
Many Pioneer DVDs do not have this, but I don't really think it should be considered as an extra. It's nice to see who put work into this DVD.
~ OVERALL REVIEW ~
This DVD is very good in my opinion. Awesome packaging. Great menus. Good features. The audio is very well presented along with the video. Here are a few grades on some of what I think are important for this DVD.
AUDIO: A-
VIDEO: A
PACKAGING: A+
MENUS: A-
EXTRAS: B+
CONTENT: A
OVERALL: A
(go back home)