Sailor Moon: Scouts Unite! [VHS]

Two episodes of the phenomenally popular series are featured on this video: "Computer School Blues" and "An Uncharmed Life." Both offer up the introduction of two of the sailor-suited crime/alien fighters. The first, "Computer School Blues," presents Amy, a new girl who evolves into Sailor Mercury. Next up, "An Uncharmed Life" tells the tale of Sailor Moon's friendship with Raye, daughter of a temple caretaker, and how Raye turns into Sailor Mars. Both stories feature gripping and looming alien-demons (which evolve from "normal" looking humans) that may frighten younger viewers, but for fans who must have these first shows, it's a must. Like the ubiquitous Olsen Twins, this Japanese anime series has undeniable appeal. Fans of the series clamor for tapes in English as well as in the original Japanese, and know the cosmology of Sailor Moon with the fervor of any Star Trek Trekker. Five series, movies, video games, and merchandise fill the Sailor Moon catalogue. Sailor Moon, whose daytime alter ego is 14-year-old Serena (in the English version, which this tape is), is a nice, if not typical girl-power creation. She hates studying, loves comic books, has a tendency to whine, acts before she thinks, and is more than a little boy-crazy. Perhaps this is why she's so appealing: she's easier to relate to than some saintly superhero. (Ages 5 and up) --N.F. Mendoza