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Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
I wanted to love this book. But instead I'm just incredibly disappointed.
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- Mood:
disappointed
Okay, so this is the first episode cut from the dub because Umino acts like a thug and sexually harasses Usagi and Haruna. As such, the parts of this write-up dealing specifically with Umino’s behaviour are under a cut and a trigger warning applies to that part.
This is a good moment for Usagi, when she approaches the fortune-teller. It’s another ‘wow, she really does have a good heart’ scene, where she extends a hand (literally!) of friendship to someone who’s being shunned, ignored, or bullied, like she does to the other soldiers.
It also shows Usagi’s still a bit selfish and very foolish, when she considers going to the popular place instead of the old man, and tries KICKING OFF HER SHOE to tell her fortune. I mean, really? I know you’re only fourteen, but that’s just silly.
OH HI MAMORU. I love the music that plays during this encounter, as it sounds kind of silly and antagonistic, and I love how they’re making this SERIOUS BUSINESS. Of course Mamoru has to go and MAKE it serious business for Usagi by attacking her femininity—calling her unladylike and saying she’ll never get a boyfriend. She acts childish about it, but that really does upset her.
This episode is also our introduction to Motoki! He’s my favourite minor character because he just seems so genuinely sweet and brotherly towards Usagi. I’m never quite sure if he’s ignorant of Usagi’s crush or if he ignores it, but either way I find their friendship very sweet.
Usagi’s dad is kinda cool too. It’s sweet how he does the shopping for her mum.
Usagi’s still scared and uncertain, but she’s already growing into her role, which is evident when she realises the House of Fortune is behind things. Go Usagi! You’re much more insightful than people give you credit for. And her speech in this episode is about being considerate of others, something she does try to embody, and which the Dark Kingdom-controlled boys don’t do at all.
Tuxedo Kamen does save Usagi this episode, in addition to offering an encouraging speech, but this is pretty rare. And ultimately, it’s just a distraction, as usual.
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Finally cross-posting this from tumblr, can't believe I forgot to do it before.
Usagi obviously has a lot of her self-esteem and possibly her identity rooted in her femininity. I think this is part of the reason she was a reluctant warrior at first—girls are supposed to be fragile and gentle, not badass crime fighters. Though it’s apparently okay for other girls, such as Sailor V.
I have to say I’m not a fan of Mamoru’s first appearance. He does come across as a grown man bullying a middle school girl, and that’s not cool, even if Usagi does shrug it off.
The transformation sequence is interesting to me, primarily because I think Usagi seems very passive during it, particularly as the tiara appears. It’s something that happens to her, something that is DONE to her, not something she takes of her own volition. She’s disbelieving and just think it ‘sounds cool’ and kind of a coward and crybaby. Despite that, when she hears her friend is in danger, she’ll still act. And she obviously has a flair for drama, and from the very start knows what she stands for. At fourteen years old, crybaby, cowardly Usagi already knows what’s most important to her.
Tuxedo Kamen’s first appearance really sets the tone. Even when Usagi hasn’t grown into her power, long before she’s approaching competent, she still doesn’t need to be RESCUED, but rather, she needs encouragement, someone to believe in her. I like it.
I wonder if the femininity of Sailor Moon helps Usagi accept her power. One of the first things she says about herself is that she’s a ‘fragile girl’ (when Haruna sends her into the hall). And she kind of is, considering that she cries over a skinned knee. But she’s a ‘fragile girl’ who kills monsters with a TIARA. She doesn’t have to give up her femininity to be powerful. I’ve always thought that’s cool.
