"Shine Aqua Illusion" is a water-based attack that Sailor Mercury uses in the manga, 90s anime, crystal, live-action series, along with many Sera Myu and video games.
Manga[]
This attack was only used in Act 15, where Sailor Mercury destroys some of Koan's Droids with a stream of water. The attack was unable to effect the fiery barrier surrounding Sailor Mars.
Anime[]
Unlike the manga, this attack was used many times throughout the second and third seasons. It first appeared in Episode 62, when Sailor Mercury used it against Nipas. She also uses it in the R Movie against a crowd of Dahlian and in the SuperS Movie against a Blue Bonbon Baby.
The attack sequence started with a drop of water falling and creating a ripple. Droplets then surrounded Sailor Mercury as she spun around several times. The droplets coalesced into a stream of water and she then threw it at the enemy, who would be surrounded in a tower or column of liquid water.
Sometimes, the enemy is also frozen in solid ice. This version of Shine Aqua Illusion, having both water and ice properties, is similar to Shine Snow Illusion which is an upgrade to this attack which does not appear in the 90s anime.
Crystal[]
Sailor Mercury first performs this attack in Act 15 on Koan's fiery barrier which surrounds Sailor Mars, but it was ineffective in destroying the barrier. The same attack was later used in Act 22 against Prince Demande, and again in Act 25 against Death Phantom who had become one with Nemesis.
Sailor Mercury spins and a huge wave of water twirls around her, controlled by her movements. She then directs the huge wave at her enemy.
Live-Action[]
Sailor Mercury first uses it in Act 9 against Nephrite. She also uses it on Metalia Endymion in Act 48. The other time she uses it is not against an enemy but to try to extinguish a fire.
Musicals[]
Sailor Mercury uses it in the very first musical, Dark Kingdom Resurrection Chapter, against Zoisite.
Video Games[]
The attack was used by Sailor Mercury in the following video games:
- Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon R for Super Famicom
- Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S for 3DO
- Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Another Story: It appeared as a large wave of water. It hits a single enemy per turn and consumes 4 EP.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In the DiC dub of the anime, the attack was called Mercury Ice Storm Blast for 2 episodes, until the episode Magic of Darkness: Esmeraude's Invasion; in the CWi English dub of Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie, it was called Mercury Gas; and in the CWi English dub of the episode Believe in Pegasus: The Four Guardians' Super Transformation, it was called Super Aqua Illusion.
- "Illusion" has an archaic definition meaning "a thin, veil-like piece of silk or other fine cloth". Since this attack uses a thin curtain of water, the name is most likely referring to this definition of "illusion", rather than the more common meaning of "visual trick".