"Act 47 - Farewell, Minako" is the 47th episode of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. It aired in Japan on September 4, 2004.
Summary[]
To celebrate Minako's preparation for her surgery, the Sailor Guardians plan a party for her, only to find out that she passed away during the medical exam.
Plot[]
Minako, in her hotel room, is preparing to leave for a medical exam regarding her surgery. She explains to Artemis that the demo for her newest CD has arrived, and after pranking him with a jack-in-the-box lion, gives him the CD before heading out. It's later revealed in the episode that when Minako closes the door, a wave of concern hits Artemis.
The day before, within the Secret Base, Ami, Rei, and Makoto are wishing Minako good luck on the surgery, and plan both a send-off party and a welcome back party. The girls plan on making the party a surprise to Usagi, giggling at the thought of their friend's reaction. Minako heads out, but as she leaves, a moment of concern washes over Rei.
Shortly after, Usagi is leaving a watch repair shop in disappointment, as the seemingly repaired Moon Phase still does not function. However, Minako bumps into her while on her way to the studio, where she hints that Usagi might hear her newest CD before then, and the two part cheerfully.
Meanwhile, back at the Secret Base, Makoto worries that Usagi is still left in the dark over Minako's surgery, wondering when to tell her, but the others wish to keep from adding more woes to Usagi. Discussing Princess Sailor Moon's healing of those affected by Queen Metalia, including Naru, Ami speculates the healing was actually by the hands of Usagi herself instead of the Princess. Ami begins to worry if it's possible that, due to the Silver Crystal's strong power, Usagi could possibly be able to use the power to destroy worlds, becoming Metalia as a result. The team concludes to continue keeping the surgery a secret from Usagi, until Minako's welcome back party. There is brief concern that the surgery may not succeed, but Rei insists it will.
The next scene is symbolical of Minako's passing, depicting the idol donned in a white dress, walking down a hallway into a bright, blinding light. Further symbolical scenes like this are spread throughout the episode, including shots of a ferris wheel, a hospital bed, white backgrounds, her studio, and hotel room.
In the Dark Kingdom, Queen Beryl grows concerned for Metalia's surging power and her wishes to destroy the planet, realizing that Metalia has far more power than Beryl. She gives the nearby Jadeite a stone, telling him to use Youma to release Metalia's power. Jadeite is hesitant due to the power's potential effects on the world, but Beryl deduces the potential risks are better than letting the world simply be destroyed.
Back on Earth, Mio watches a pondering Prince Endymion. She tells Endymion that he will be dead soon, knowing most of his life has been drained, but Endymion replies that Queen Beryl will never rule the Earth, nor will the planet be destroyed. Later in Karaoke Crown, Nefukichi ponders over his continuing powers, but wishes to go back to the Dark Kingdom. Motoki approaches Nefukichi, and teases him for not buying a thank-you gift for Ami, thinking he may have a crush on her, much to Nefukichi's annoyance. Makoto enters the store, having a friendly conversation with Motoki until she notices a saddened Artemis outside the door.
Rei, Ami and human Luna are planning & decorating for the Minako's party, but Makoto and Artemis enter to explain to the girls that Minako hasn't returned from her examination, and Artemis is unable to contact Minako, deeply concerning the others. Luna decides to reveal the party to Usagi back at her home, in cat form, much to Usagi's excitement as she speculates Minako's earlier hint for the unreleased CD.
Later, Rei meets a deeply saddened Artemis at Hikawa Shrine. Rei asks Artemis what is wrong, and then Artemis reveals news that leaves Rei in complete shock and devastation.
Jadeite and Beryl's Youma appear in Tokyo, the former ordering it to release Metalia's power from within the planet. As the Youma does as it's told, multiple of Youma belonging to Metalia appear before the two and attack citizens left and right. Usagi, Makoto, and Ami rush to the scene, transforming into their Senshi forms as they reach Jadeite. The three begin fighting with the Youma, realizing that Rei is not present to battle.
However, to the dismay of Queen Beryl, Metalia's power only increases, rendering her unstoppable. Endymion arrives to the Dark Kingdom, declaring that he is taking Metalia's power, believing he'll be able to suppress possession, and he jumps straight into the source of Metalia's power before Beryl can stop him. An injured Kunzite struggles through a forest, but stops and witnesses the bright release of Metalia's power.
Beryl telepathically summons Jadeite to return to the Dark Kingdom, and though he is cornered by the three Senshi at first, Beryl's Youma defends the Shittenou, distracting the girls and allowing him to leave. Rei finally arrives mid-battle, but appears completely void of motivation to fight, staring into space with a hint of dissociation in her expression.
Sailor Jupiter saves her from a crowd of Metalia's youma, yelling at her to hurry and transform, snapping Rei out of her silent daze. Remembering Artemis' stunning news regarding Minako, Rei's blank expression shifts into one of rage and grief, her voice shaking as she yells her transformation phrase, and with that Sailor Mars blindly charges into the fight, and as the team defeat Metalia's Youma, Mars finally destroys Beryl's Youma.
As the fight ends, a flashback of Rei's finally reveals the stunning reveal from Artemis: Minako Aino has died amidst her medical exam. Usagi takes notice of the teary Rei, quietly calling her name as the other two Senshi watch in concern. Rei breaks down into tears, falling to her knees and screaming out Minako's name.
Later, the Secret Base is still decorated for Minako's party. The surviving team and the cats are seated, and Minako's album CD lies in the middle of the table. The scene starts off cheerful of an afterlife-like state, and/or a state of what could have been, as Minako sings her newest song, "Sayonara ~ Sweet Days" to her friends. This spirit of Minako reads a letter to the team, one that had been written by Minako herself in case she passed away. She thanks her friends for everything, and though she regrets not being able to fulfill her past life & duties due to her passing, she feels she had finally become her true self.
As the note reaches its end, the scene suddenly cuts to the group without Minako. Rei holds the letter in her shaky hands, and begins sobbing and grieving along with the rest of the Senshi and the cats. The episode ends with the camera zooming into the album CD, and Minako giggling is heard.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In Act 23, it was mentioned that Minako had 6 months to live and this episode was aired about 6 months after Act 23.
- Minako dies after having awakened as Sailor Venus only the previous episode.
- Up until this episode, the fifth chair in the base was white but in this episode it is orange, the main color of Sailor Venus.
- Minako's death wasn't shown onscreen but there were symbolic shots such as showing her hotel room and recording studio empty.