Scan barcode
A review by arnrockwell
Codename: Sailor V, Volume 2 by Naoko Takeuchi
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This second and final volume of Codename: Sailor V, the prequel to Sailor Moon, follows the same kind of episodic format for almost the whole thing. Minako Aino continues her adventures as Sailor V. She not only fights the Dark Agency, but also solves crimes committed by regular humans. The villains of the Dark Agency, like the previous volume, are somewhat generic one-off characters that only survive for a single chapter.
There are some other characters we get introduced to. While these are also usually one-off characters, Mina ends up helping them out, willingly or otherwise. Such as a classmate with a heart condition, a manga artist, or helping her best friend collect money for charity.
However, a thread is introduced soon into the book with Phantom Ace, a mysterious young man who is much like Tuxedo Mask. He wears the same mask over his eyes but dresses in all white instead of black, doesn't wear a hat, and uses playing cards instead of roses. He is also an up-and-coming celebrity, who acquires many starring roles in shows and movies. He appears just in time to save Sailor V, but of course Artemis tells her to remain cautious. They have no idea if Phantom Ace is friend or foe.
One plus this volume has versus the previous one is in the pacing of the plot. You can tell Takeuchi had a much better idea of how this series was going to end by this point. You also catch more glimpses of characters who make their formal appearance in the first volume or two of Sailor Moon.
The art style and colours are still on point and just as strong as they were in the previous volume. Takeuchi has a style all her own, as it's hard not to stop and just stare at her beautiful drawings. The chapter art is gorgeous, even in black and white.
The only time the volume breaks the episodic mold is in the final two chapters. There are a lot of revelations here, so I will not spoil it for those who don't know. I loved how it ended, both how it was handled and how it alluded to things to come. It was a great lead in to the main series. Definitely more recommended than the first volume and worth a read.
There are some other characters we get introduced to. While these are also usually one-off characters, Mina ends up helping them out, willingly or otherwise. Such as a classmate with a heart condition, a manga artist, or helping her best friend collect money for charity.
However, a thread is introduced soon into the book with Phantom Ace, a mysterious young man who is much like Tuxedo Mask. He wears the same mask over his eyes but dresses in all white instead of black, doesn't wear a hat, and uses playing cards instead of roses. He is also an up-and-coming celebrity, who acquires many starring roles in shows and movies. He appears just in time to save Sailor V, but of course Artemis tells her to remain cautious. They have no idea if Phantom Ace is friend or foe.
One plus this volume has versus the previous one is in the pacing of the plot. You can tell Takeuchi had a much better idea of how this series was going to end by this point. You also catch more glimpses of characters who make their formal appearance in the first volume or two of Sailor Moon.
The art style and colours are still on point and just as strong as they were in the previous volume. Takeuchi has a style all her own, as it's hard not to stop and just stare at her beautiful drawings. The chapter art is gorgeous, even in black and white.
The only time the volume breaks the episodic mold is in the final two chapters. There are a lot of revelations here, so I will not spoil it for those who don't know. I loved how it ended, both how it was handled and how it alluded to things to come. It was a great lead in to the main series. Definitely more recommended than the first volume and worth a read.