The second Sailor Moon adaptation of Naoko Takeuchi's classic manga, titled Sailor Moon Crystal, began in late 2015. Unlike its 1990s-era predecessor, Crystal is actually still in the works, with a pair of movies slated for early 2021.
And while Usagi and the rest of the groups' charming dynamic is captured well in most Crystal episodes, there are still naturally a few that just won't hit the same mark of quality.
10 Best: Premonition, Part 1 (8.4)
The beginning of a new, sinister evil is hinted at with the third seasons' beginning, which is pretty typical for Sailor Moon season setups. A newly-introduced villain is instructed to bring the heroes to ruin, nothing fans haven't seen before. What makes this episode stand out from the other two introduction episodes is that two fan-favorite characters, and the only canon pairing that can really rival Usagi and Mamoru, are introduced here. Usagi and her friends run into Sailor Uranus, while Mamoru has a run-in with Sailor Neptune, setting up events to come.
9 Worst: Replay -Never Ending- (7.5)
Most of the series' opening episodes tend to be pretty similar plot-wise, and the same can definitely be said for season two's finale. The actual final battle and upgraded powers of Sailor Moon and Chibi-Usa are exciting overall, but it's the actual details of the plot here that drag this episode down. For as much as the story tries to make use of its time travel element, they completely ignore so many of their previously-established plot points.
8 Best: Infinite Labyrinth 1 (8.5)
Stakes begin to really ramp up in this episode nearing season three's finale, as Sailor Uranus announces her plans to kill Hotaru — as she believes it's the only way that Chibi-Usa can be revived — and storms off. Usagi gets caught in the middle of an incredibly interesting dilemma as she's torn between wanting to stay and protect Chibi-Usa and wanting to chase after Uranus to make sure that her plans can't be completed, thus saving Hotaru from harm.
7 Worst: Conclusion and Commencement - Petite Étrangere (7.6)
The Queen Metalia storyline is wrapped up in Season Two's finale, and Usagi is able to both learn about her destiny and still get the happy ending on Earth with her friends restored that she wished for. It's a bit disappointing, though, that this isn't just wrapped up in the first season's finale, and its enjoyment is dampened overall by the numerous animation issues that the first two seasons especially suffered from.
It ends with fans meeting Chibi-Usa and her threatening Usagi.
6 Best: Premonition, Part 2 (8.5)
At the request of Usagi, Mamoru escorts everyone to an amusement part near the academy where Uranus and Neptune supposedly attend classes. Fans get another glimpse of the villains plotting to destroy the Sailor Guardians, but not much else this time around.
As Usagi and her friends investigate, she runs into Michiru playing the violin, who also warns her to leave immediately. It's one of the more laid-back episodes of the season, but it works since the season's early in, and everything's enhanced by this season having greatly enhanced animation quality than those prior.
5 Worst: Complication, Nemesis (7.4)
This episode of Season Two is incredibly plot-heavy, which doesn't do many favors for Crystal. As the series' plot at this point has quite a few flaws that only become more glaring as the show tries to flesh itself out. Nothing of note besides heavy exposition happens, either, besides Chibi-Usa going towards the grasp of evil as she felt she didn't belong anywhere. This story thread doesn't go anywhere quite yet, though, so it just can't rank as high as other action-packed parts.
4 Best: Transformation, Super Sailor Moon (8.6)
The eighth episode of the third season is especially impactful as Usagi finally gains her transformation into Super Sailor Moon. Tensions rise heavily in this episode as well, as it's revealed that the Outer Guardians are tasked with killing the reincarnation of Sailor Saturn. This leads to a natural clash between them and Usagi, and things only get more hectic as Chibi-Usa meets up with Sailor Saturn right as the latter succumbs to evil's influence. With perfectly high stakes combined with season three's increased animation quality, this episode is simply a thrilling, enjoyable ride.
3 Worst: Attack, Black Lady (7.3)
Chibi-Usa completes her transformation into Black Lady, and a long scene of trying to protect the Silver Crystal from being stolen ensues. Tuxedo Mask breaks free of the villains' control but still has the Silver Crystal stolen from him, setting up a powerful advantage in the enemy's hands. However, they're stolen again right as Black Lady tries to use both crystals to wreak havoc, meaning that after so much fighting and build-up, nothing really goes anywhere this episode.
Crystal pretty heavily only focuses on the main plot without any of the growth that leads the characters into the larger moments, which allows all of the flaws within it to show more. Sadly, this episode fell victim to this larger problem that the earlier seasons of the remake suffer from.
2 Best: Infinite–Judge (8.8)
Crystal's biggest strength is that of the original series — when Usagi and her friends are faced with a reality so grim compared to the light and joyous, peaceful lives they wish to attain, and everything seems lost — fans know that everything will be solved with the power of friendship and some newfound ability. So hitting those high-tension notes perfectly is pretty important. Luckily, this episode nails it — the Guardians fail to attack a major enemy, and Usagi has to seemingly sacrifice herself along with using her friends' remaining strength. The end of the entire world is at stake here, and everything is handled quite well.
1 Worst: Covert Maneuvers, Wiseman (6.9)
This episode involves a lot of premonitions and time-jumping, which is by far one of the weakest aspects of the reboot and its plot, so it's no wonder that the tenth episode of the second season ranked lowest. Usagi sees a vision of the future and is then yanked back into the past; then the entire group decides to go into the future to try and thwart Black Lady. It's not an unwatchable episode, but the plot holes sadly remove most attempts at trying to get any enjoyment out of it.