“Naru’s Tears: Nephrite Dies for Love” is the 24th episode of the 1st season of the Sailor Moon anime and the 24th episode overall. It aired in Japan on August 29, 1992. The DiC English dub title for this episode is "A Friend in Wolf's Clothing" and it aired in North America on October 6, 1995.
Summary[]
Zoisite decides to use Nephrite's recently discovered romantic feelings for Naru to manipulate him into handing over the Black Crystal to him.
Plot[]
At the park, Naru sits on the slide besides Usagi who tells her that it would be best to forget about Sanjouin. She responds that even if he's a bad person she can't help loving him. Naru adds that since Usagi has someone she loves, she should understand how she feels.
Nephrite wonders why the Black Crystal reacted so strongly towards Naru, not understanding her love. Thinking back, he mentions Sailor Moon seemed to know her, and concludes Naru must know her true identity based on this. Zoisite stalks him from around a corner, planning to steal the crystal to aid his search.
While Naru is asleep, Nephrite manifests on her balcony, using the Black Crystal to scan her body, believing it to possibly be inside her. He teleports inside of her room and uses his powers to look inside of her body, realizing the Silver Crystal really isn't with her after all. Just then, she wakes up to see his silhouette past her curtains.
He admits that Masoto Sanjouin has been a façade, admitting that for the first time, he's felt and learned what love is thanks to her. In his world, people betray and kill each other for personal gain, and love doesn't exist. This has made him want to switch sides and help Sailor Moon, so he needs information on her.
She starts to tear up, not being able to as she doesn't know Sailor Moon. He acknowledges this and fades away as she runs to her curtains, opening them to empty surroundings. Nephrite is in the reflection of her window, planning to play the waiting game. He suspects that if she really does know something, she would contact Sailor Moon.
From above a rooftop, Zoisite peers down at OSA-P as three Youma stand behind him. He was listening on the conversation, and suspects what Nephrite said about returning her love as true. He plans to take Naru hostage, forcing a response in a rescue.
Usagi receives a call at midnight from Naru, who is lost on what to do. Naru apologizes for bothering her so late, telling her Masoto dropped by, asking where he could find Sailor Moon. Nephrite stands outside, hearing the whole conversation and Usagi's name.
Racing through the streets, Luna knows that Nephrite is keeping close tabs on Naru. She goes on ahead, leaving Usagi to catch up. Just as she's out of sight, Usagi starts to experience the world warping around her, transforming into Sailor Moon and preparing to defend herself.
However, it was a trick from Nephrite, getting Usagi to transform so carelessly. Realizing the mistake, she begs him not to reveal her identity, keeping it between them. He assures her not to worry, because he plans to kill her. He attacks her with energy, which near misses. A red rose descends upon the scene, and Tuxedo Mask shields Sailor Moon, bracing for a second attack on both of them.
Hearing Naru's voice calling out his name in desperation, Nephrite decides to flee back to Naru's apartment.
Luna sees Naru being transported across the sky by a Youma, noting that she's too late, and plans to gather help from the Sailor Guardians. Nephrite heads to Naru’s room, finding a ransom letter left by Zoisite demanding the Black Crystal for Naru. He denies the fact that he cares about her, though he truly does as he remembers her being happy and burns the letter in his hand.
The three Youma bring Naru to an abandoned bar, keeping her chained up. They wonder if Nephrite would even bother to help, as they can just finish her off. Walking down the stairs into the main room, Nephrite takes a glance at the scene before having plant based attacks used against him immediately. He evades them, attacking two of the Youma before holding a sword to the neck of the last, declaring he'll never hand over the Black Crystal.
Carrying Naru in his arms all the way to the entrance to Juban Park, they rest. She thanks him for saving her, though he has no idea why he did so. He admits to lying to her the whole time, knowing he would still continue the habit. Naru is willing to accept his lying, however, so long as he remains with her. Noticing a gash across his arm, they sit against a tree as she tears a piece of her pajama to tie around it. She mentions there's a restaurant that serves chocolate parfaits, and dreams of going there together. Nephrite decides that he would like that, telling the truth for the first time. She asks if his "Evil Organisation" would give him a day off on Sunday in order to carry out the plan, causing Nephrite to laugh for the first time with her.
However, the Youma regroup, and one of them impales Nephrite through the chest with thorns. She declares the Black Crystal be handed over to spare Naru. He complies, willing to sacrifice himself to let Naru live. He begs Naru to run, who refuses, grabbing the thorns, trying to pull them out and getting electrocuted in the process. Before they are completely out, the Youma attack again, injuring them further.
Nephrite takes the attack, using himself as a human shield to ensure Naru's safety before collapsing on her. The Sailor Guardians arrive, swearing vengeance. Sailor Mercury uses Shabon Spray, freezing one of the Youma's explosive seeds. Sailor Moon and Mars combine Moon Tiara Action and Fire Soul, which destroys all three Youma together.
Nephrite, who is on the verge of death, declares that Sailor Moon's true identity will remain a secret after all, before Naru asks him not to die. He apologizes, unable to keep the promise of eating chocolate parfait together, telling her he lied to her until the end. Wiping away Naru's tears, he asks for forgiveness and thanks her for being part of his life, before taking his last breath and fading away into sparkling dust.
The Sailor Guardians hold back tears, watching Naru lose all emotional strength. She grasps the piece of material she gave him as gauze, the only thing she has remaining of him, before crying out. She wraps her arms around his body, which disappears, and she calls his name into the sky.
International Dub Titles[]
- Brazilian Portuguese: As Lágrimas de Naru: Nepryte Morre Por Amor ("Naru's Tears : Nepryte Dies for Love")
- European Portuguese: O Nephlite Morre Pela Sara ("Nephlite Dies for Sara")
- French:
- TV: Amour perdu ("Lost Love")
- DVD: Les sanglots de Naru ! Néphrite meurt par amour. ("Naru's Sobs! Nephritis Dies for love.
- German: Der Verrat ("The Betrayal")
Changes[]
Changes From the Manga[]
- In the manga, Nephrite meets his end at the newly awakened Sailor Jupiter.
- Additionally, Zoisite is greatly distraught when Nephrite dies.
- Nephrite falling for Naru and reforming his ways before his murder are plot lines that exist in the anime only, and not in the original manga.
Dub Changes[]
- In the DiC English dub, the scene in Naru's bedroom when Nephrite is searching for the Silver Crystal in Naru's body is edited to remove Naru's nudity. This scene is retained in the Viz dub.
- DiC edited out references of Naru want to have chocolate parfait with Nephrite.
First Appearances[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This was the last appearance of Nephrite (not counting episode 44). However, flashbacks to this episode (particularly his confronting Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, and Zoisite's Youma being destroyed) were seen in a later episode.
- This is the last of two episodes featuring a Youma not sent to drain energy or attack the Sailor Senshi, the other being the previous episode.