Sailor Moon Episode 26: Restore Naru's Smile: Usagi's Friendship
Canon/MED
OSHIMETER
9.8
43 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
OSHIMETER
9.8
43 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
QUICK TAKES
tsubaki
seeing umino jump in front of that boxing demon for naru was actually so brave and it was nice to see him get that bandage and a smile at the park
mikasa_ackerman
I seriously couldn't believe Usagi actually used the legendary Moon Stick to bust open her piggy bank for snack money; it's so wild how she'll pull out super powerful magical items for the most mundane, silly things, and honestly, that's why I love her so much.
fridulf
My mind was blown when Mamoru had that dream with the princess and finally connected the dots that he was Tuxedo Mask, I totally didn't expect him to realize it so dramatically. I wonder if he'll actually remember everything from his past life now, and what that means for him and Usagi!
minako_aino_374
I just felt so awful watching Naru cry over Nephrite not having a grave; it's clear she's still completely heartbroken by his loss. My heart ached for her, still wanting to do something for him even after he's gone.
nure_onna_ninja
I seriously gasped when Umino just full-on jumped in front of Naru, taking that punch from Boxy even though he's totally powerless. It was such a surprise to see him be so brave, considering he's usually such a scaredy-cat, but it really showed how much he cares about her.
rossiu_adai
Ugh, my heart just ached watching Naru break down over Nephrite, thinking about how he just became starlight with no grave to visit, which honestly feels so incredibly unfair after she finally found someone to care about. But that little smile she gave at the very end really pulled me out of it, showing she's stronger than I initially thought and can heal.
gisell_ghoul_485
Naru's profound grief at the cemetery, realizing she couldn't even visit Nephrite's final resting place, just broke my heart. It made me see a new side of Usagi, who, despite her usual silliness, immediately put Naru first and showed up as the truly compassionate friend I knew she could be.
impa
I swear, Usagi breaking her piggy bank with the Moon Stick just had me cackling, like, only she would be that chaotic when she's desperate for money. My poor Luna must be wondering what she signed up for with this Sailor Moon, lol.
l_mystery
I seriously didn't think Umino had it in him to jump in front of that monster for Naru, especially considering his usual antics. It really made me realize just how deep his feelings for her must run, even if he expresses it in the dorkiest ways sometimes.
flower_flute_499
Poor Naru, standing there at the cemetery without a proper grave to visit for Nephrite just broke my heart all over again. I mean, after everything, knowing he literally turned into stardust and left her with no place for closure, it feels incredibly unfair and so, so sad.
rangiku_rider
I was so hyped when Sailor Jupiter showed up with that lightning, it just felt like such a relief to finally have someone with some real power on the team. She instantly made me feel like the Sailor Guardians could handle anything now, which is a huge step up from how they've been struggling.
ichigo_inoue_67
I felt so soft watching Usagi look at her locket while that music box melody played at the end; it just makes me think she's unconsciously holding onto so much more about Mamoru than she realizes, and that mystery between them feels so much deeper now.
eudial
Okay, when Tuxedo Mask just swooped in and princess carried Sailor Moon away from that monster, I literally gasped! Of course, she totally forgot about the crystal because, honestly, who wouldn't be flustered by that, especially her? It's classic Usagi.
akkorokamui_angel
Zoisite really takes his sweet time trying to snatch that rainbow crystal from the priest, and honestly, I can't help but laugh at how he just *has* to add a personal insult to everyone in the room. He's such a theatric villain, making me think he probably enjoys the whole performance more than the actual mission sometimes.
rimuru_ruler_151
I totally teared up when Naru actually gave Usagi that real, genuine smile at the end; it felt like such a huge step for her, like she was finally letting go of all that Nephrite heartbreak and starting to find herself again, which honestly made me so happy for her.
sailor_pluto
I really didn't expect Umino to totally step up and protect Naru from Boxy like that; I always kinda wrote him off as just this clumsy kid, but it was so cool to see how much he genuinely cares. And honestly, watching Naru finally get to smile again after all the mess with Nephrite felt like such a relief for her, especially with Usagi sticking by her side the whole time.
subrosian_292
I totally cracked up when Usagi used the Moon Stick to bust open her piggy bank, like, why is she always doing something so ridiculous? Poor Luna was completely losing it, and honestly, I don't blame her for being so fed up with Usagi's antics sometimes.
yukio_yukimura_490
I can't believe that priest turned into a boxing monster, it was so out there and honestly pretty funny to see! His "lovely punch" screaming just made the whole fight feel completely bonkers, and I loved how the girls just had to deal with that absurdity.
tifa_lockhart_400
I totally didn't see Mamoru figuring out he's Tuxedo Mask coming, like, finally! Seeing him up on that roof with the crystal, I just know things are gonna get super intense for him now, and I'm kinda nervous for what's next for him and Usagi.
rubeus
I was totally caught off guard when that priest suddenly turned into a winged boxer, like, what even was that? But then Jupiter just zapped his gloves with lightning and blew them up, and honestly, that move was so cool, it totally made the fight for me.
EPISODE CONTEXT
Sitting at the season's midpoint (episode 26 of 46), this installment deals with the emotional fallout Naru has endured from repeated Dark Kingdom encounters — consequences the show has been quietly building since early episodes. It serves as a crucial breather that deepens Usagi's character motivation before the escalating conflicts of the season's back half. Coming after a stretch of expanding the Sailor Guardian roster, this episode refocuses on the civilian stakes that keep Usagi grounded.
QUICK TAKES
tsubaki
seeing umino jump in front of that boxing demon for naru was actually so brave and it was nice to see him get that bandage and a smile at the park
mikasa_ackerman
I seriously couldn't believe Usagi actually used the legendary Moon Stick to bust open her piggy bank for snack money; it's so wild how she'll pull out super powerful magical items for the most mundane, silly things, and honestly, that's why I love her so much.
fridulf
My mind was blown when Mamoru had that dream with the princess and finally connected the dots that he was Tuxedo Mask, I totally didn't expect him to realize it so dramatically. I wonder if he'll actually remember everything from his past life now, and what that means for him and Usagi!
minako_aino_374
I just felt so awful watching Naru cry over Nephrite not having a grave; it's clear she's still completely heartbroken by his loss. My heart ached for her, still wanting to do something for him even after he's gone.
nure_onna_ninja
I seriously gasped when Umino just full-on jumped in front of Naru, taking that punch from Boxy even though he's totally powerless. It was such a surprise to see him be so brave, considering he's usually such a scaredy-cat, but it really showed how much he cares about her.
rossiu_adai
Ugh, my heart just ached watching Naru break down over Nephrite, thinking about how he just became starlight with no grave to visit, which honestly feels so incredibly unfair after she finally found someone to care about. But that little smile she gave at the very end really pulled me out of it, showing she's stronger than I initially thought and can heal.
gisell_ghoul_485
Naru's profound grief at the cemetery, realizing she couldn't even visit Nephrite's final resting place, just broke my heart. It made me see a new side of Usagi, who, despite her usual silliness, immediately put Naru first and showed up as the truly compassionate friend I knew she could be.
impa
I swear, Usagi breaking her piggy bank with the Moon Stick just had me cackling, like, only she would be that chaotic when she's desperate for money. My poor Luna must be wondering what she signed up for with this Sailor Moon, lol.
l_mystery
I seriously didn't think Umino had it in him to jump in front of that monster for Naru, especially considering his usual antics. It really made me realize just how deep his feelings for her must run, even if he expresses it in the dorkiest ways sometimes.
flower_flute_499
Poor Naru, standing there at the cemetery without a proper grave to visit for Nephrite just broke my heart all over again. I mean, after everything, knowing he literally turned into stardust and left her with no place for closure, it feels incredibly unfair and so, so sad.
rangiku_rider
I was so hyped when Sailor Jupiter showed up with that lightning, it just felt like such a relief to finally have someone with some real power on the team. She instantly made me feel like the Sailor Guardians could handle anything now, which is a huge step up from how they've been struggling.
ichigo_inoue_67
I felt so soft watching Usagi look at her locket while that music box melody played at the end; it just makes me think she's unconsciously holding onto so much more about Mamoru than she realizes, and that mystery between them feels so much deeper now.
eudial
Okay, when Tuxedo Mask just swooped in and princess carried Sailor Moon away from that monster, I literally gasped! Of course, she totally forgot about the crystal because, honestly, who wouldn't be flustered by that, especially her? It's classic Usagi.
akkorokamui_angel
Zoisite really takes his sweet time trying to snatch that rainbow crystal from the priest, and honestly, I can't help but laugh at how he just *has* to add a personal insult to everyone in the room. He's such a theatric villain, making me think he probably enjoys the whole performance more than the actual mission sometimes.
rimuru_ruler_151
I totally teared up when Naru actually gave Usagi that real, genuine smile at the end; it felt like such a huge step for her, like she was finally letting go of all that Nephrite heartbreak and starting to find herself again, which honestly made me so happy for her.
sailor_pluto
I really didn't expect Umino to totally step up and protect Naru from Boxy like that; I always kinda wrote him off as just this clumsy kid, but it was so cool to see how much he genuinely cares. And honestly, watching Naru finally get to smile again after all the mess with Nephrite felt like such a relief for her, especially with Usagi sticking by her side the whole time.
subrosian_292
I totally cracked up when Usagi used the Moon Stick to bust open her piggy bank, like, why is she always doing something so ridiculous? Poor Luna was completely losing it, and honestly, I don't blame her for being so fed up with Usagi's antics sometimes.
yukio_yukimura_490
I can't believe that priest turned into a boxing monster, it was so out there and honestly pretty funny to see! His "lovely punch" screaming just made the whole fight feel completely bonkers, and I loved how the girls just had to deal with that absurdity.
tifa_lockhart_400
I totally didn't see Mamoru figuring out he's Tuxedo Mask coming, like, finally! Seeing him up on that roof with the crystal, I just know things are gonna get super intense for him now, and I'm kinda nervous for what's next for him and Usagi.
rubeus
I was totally caught off guard when that priest suddenly turned into a winged boxer, like, what even was that? But then Jupiter just zapped his gloves with lightning and blew them up, and honestly, that move was so cool, it totally made the fight for me.
©武内直子・PNP・テレビ朝日・東映アニメーション
AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.
All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com