Eien Densetsu (Kaiteiban) -- The Final First Stage!! Omake Video Special Eikyuu Hozonban
This "Immortal Preservation Edition" omake video is hosted by Mochizuki Yuuta and Kasahara Ryuuji. It features footage from the senshuuraku and Fankan as well as interviews with the actors.
Mochizuki-san starts out his commentary the same way he did in the Eien Densetsu omake video, talking about everyone thought the myus were going to be over after Sailor Stars (Kaiteiban). As he makes this comment, a performance of “La Soldier” from the senshuuraku of the original Eien Densetsu plays.
The performance ends, and Anza is shown thanking the fans for their support and also thanking Naoko Takeuchi, crying the whole way through.
A screen with the words “Fans respond with cheering support” shows followed by another screen with the words “Sailor Senshi-tachi once again return!” Mochizuki narrates that thanks to the fan support, the musicals were able to continue. This leads into footage from the fankan, starting with a 1-chorus performance of “L’amour d’Amour Moonlight” by the five Inners, with the crowd clapping along. This is followed by a performance of “Solar Miracle Make-Up,” also by the Inners.
Then Anza and the Inners appear, thanking the fans for their support. Morino-san says there was a big call for an encore after the previous show. They then follow with self-introductions. Jupiter (Tonegawa Akari) says she’s entered Akina College in her dreams (a reference I don’t get). Venus (Miyazawa Akiko) says in her dreams she’s eating omochi (rice cakes). Mars (Kotani Misako) says her dream of going to Kyoto University “has already come true” (Misako was 21 at this point, so she might’ve been in college already; the crowd laughs after she says this though so it might be a joke). Mercury (Morino Ayako) says her dream is to see the last day of Earth. Moon (Anza) says, somewhat jokingly, that her dream is to marry Mamoru. The five then introduce Takeda Keiko, who returned to play Saturn one last time in this myu. Keiko-chan comes out and sings Saturn’s theme song, “To a Brand-New World” (the whole performance is not shown, however). Keiko’s self-introduction is then shown, and several male voices cheer for her afterwards.
Saitou Rei is then shown as Pluto performing “Stay Alone,” Pluto’s theme song. This song debuted in the Winter ’95 musical, which was never released on video, and debuted on video with the SuperS myus. This version is a little different lyrics-wise than the one from Shin Densetsu Kourin that most fans are familiar with. Rei-san then introduces herself and gets as much cheering as Keiko (one man even calls her Rei-sama). She says her resolution for the year is to go at her own pace and continue to be more “charming and feminine.” Rei-san then talks with Keiko-chan, asking her what it’s like being in front of a crowd again after being away from the musicals for a year. Keiko-chan says it’s great, but she’s a bit nervous. Rei-san then asks what Keiko was doing all that time, to which Keiko-chan replies that she was in the country working in the fields, which makes the audience laugh.
Rei-san then comments on how Keiko is still cute when she transforms into Saturn, saying “Mama is relieved” (making a pun between the Japanese word mama, meaning “as it is,” and the English word Mama, as in “mother” – as one of the older cast members, Rei-san was somewhat like a mother to the others). They then introduce Uranus and Neptune, who come out to sing “Orleans no Sei Senshi ~ Uranus – Neptune no Uragiri.” Kimura Sanae (Uranus) then complains that they are the only ones without a theme song, which leads (ironically) into a performance of “Chou Bi! Uranus to Neptune,” Uranus and Neptune’s theme song, with Rei and Keiko as background dancers and the crowd clapping along.
The song is interrupted after the first couple verses with footage of Tahara Hiroko (Neptune)'s self-introduction, where she says her resolution is only to do her best. Sanae then says her resolution is to study a lot so she can “make [her] will into reality” and become a better singer. Then Anza and Morino come out from different sides of the stage, and Anza asks why the Outers each have their own theme songs, commenting as an aside (in a way only Anza can pull off) that they are all dark. She then asks why she, “Only Me,” doesn’t have a theme song, to which Morino replies that “It’s okay since it’s Usagi-chan. I have zero songs, Only Zero.”
Then a voice calls “I can’t stand this argument” and cheers erupt as the camera shifts to show Okuyama Momoko (Yaten/Star Healer) appearing on Morino’s side of the stage. She then sort of dances to the center to the stage while commenting how she’s always “in that 3-person group” (Three Lights). She greets the audience and introduces herself.
Neptune and Saturn then try to introduce Momoko’s version of “Chasin’ After You,” except that Keiko-chan can’t seem to get the title right and calls it “Chasin You,” nearly fainting from embarrassment when she realizes her mistake (Hiroko tries to catch her but fails). She recovers however and then gets the title right.
Momoko sings a solo version of “Chasin’ After You,” with Moon, Uranus, Pluto, and Jupiter as background dancers. The scene darkens at the end of the song, only to reveal as the lights start coming up that the others have wrestled Momoko to the ground somehow. Momoko whines, asking them to play fair. Kotani-san (Mars) and Anza ask him which she likes better, the Inners or the Outers. She refuses to answer, so Anza gets her to whisper it in her ear, but she reveals it anyway that Momoko likes the Inners better. Momoko panics, telling Anza not to say anything.
The footage switches to footage of Mochizuki Yuuta-san singing “Tuxedo Mission” in his usual kakkoii manner. (I always felt he was the only one who sang this song well). He has the Outers as his background dancers, including a caped Saitou Rei.
We come out of the song to see Rei-san leaning on Mochizuki-san (a Pluto/Endymion reference), and Mochizuki-san introduces himself, joking that he has a “flourishing love life.” He then continues the joke by saying his resolution for the year is to stay by Pluto’s side. Anza then comes out, angry, and Mochizuki-san apologizes.
We then see Anza and Morino perform “Tabidachi,” a Usagi and Ami song. Anza is then shown performing “Mop Hop Step Jump,” complete with a mop and the casual overall costume she wore for that song originally. She has two background dancers, one of whom appears to be Momoko (who “plays” her mop as if it were a guitar at one point). Anza and these same dancers then perform “Knockin’ Down Hesitation.”
Anza, Mochizuki-san, and Tonegawa-san (Jupiter) then sing Chibiusa’s song “Mata Mata Chibiusa Desu.” Tonegawa-san is very kawaii here, singing all high-pitched and stuff. She leaves after the first chorus, then for the second verse, Rei-san comes in! (This fankan is getting very Pluto/Endymion, isn’t it?) Rei-san has her wig done very little-girl-like, with a bow on top and braids. Anza and Mochizuki seem rather amused by her performance and join in at the end. Anza and Rei then pose with Mochizuki (very cute).
The Shitsumon (Question) Corner follows – a staple of every fankan. A little girl dressed as Eternal Sailor Moon comes up, but when she says her name, it’s not audible. The girl then asks why Sailor Moon is the most powerful. Mochizuki, who is taking the questions, calls it “an up front, honest question.” Anza is invited to answer it, to which she replies that Sailor Moon is a goddess. The audience laughs. Mochizuki asks the girl if that answers her question. Anza then elaborates, saying that at least Moon seems to be a goddess for the time being, looking at the director sitting next to her. Mochizuki turns to the girl and says Sailor Moon is strong because she’s the star. Anza adds that everyone is strong though, even if Moon is the strongest. Mochizuki repeats this to the girl, adding that he (Tuxedo Kamen) is strong too, even though he dies (he blames bad luck for his dying). He then brings the girl over to the table to shake Anza’s hand and then guides her offstage.
Mars and Venus then perform “Ii ko wa Yameta” (which is mislabeled as “Natsu no Shimashou Vacation” LOL) and Mercury performs “Dream – Yume wa Ookiku.” This is followed by a performance of “I Miss You,” Usagi and Seiya’s duet, with Momoko as Yaten standing in for Seiya. (Momoko-san doesn’t quite hit the last note of the “Knowing that, do you understand how I love you” line, though; her voice breaks at the end). Momoko tries to kiss Anza at the end, but Anza slaps her.
Momoko then leaves as the other Inners join Anza to sing “Mystery Sagashi.” (I think this is the first live performance of it, since the original performance was back when they were still lip-syncing the songs).
The Inners, Outers, Momoko, and Anza and Mochizuki then join together to sing “Triple Dreams” (with the Inners representing the Dead Moon Circus). Momoko sings with the Outers. An unidentified person comes on stage with wings on (to represent Pegasus from the original song) and Keiko as Saturn does her Miss Dream “Disappear” line to banish him. Mochizuki asks how the song was, commenting that it’s from the SuperS myu. Anza, though, is perplexed by the Pegasus guy, asking what that was about.
An all-Senshi rendition of “La Moon” (including Yaten) follows to end the fankan footage. Mochizuki narrates over the end of the footage, saying everyone’s favorite members had returned for the Eien Densetsu (Kaiteiban) musical, which they were already preparing for at that time. But, Mochizuki adds, this was to be the graduation performance! Rehearsal footage starts to play. Here Kasahara Ryuuji joins the commentary, interjecting how sad he was to hear the news of the graduation. Mochizuki asks who Ryuuji is, and Ryuuji launches into a imitation of MC Fly (one of his characters) to introduce himself, ending with the nickname “Mohi,” which Mochizuki can’t understand. Ryuuji says it’s short for MoHiKan (as in a Mohawk haircut, perhaps referring to some past role), then says he’s kidding. Mochizuki tells him not to interfere. Ryuuji begs Mochizuki to let him commentate too, to which Mochizuki grudgingly agrees.
Interviews with various cast members, conducted before the senshuuraku, follow, while “La Soldier” plays in the background and footage from the senshuuraku is shown. Anza is first, and says graduating from her role is the saddest graduation she’s had to experience, even more than her school graduations. She tells the fans to cherish the Sailor Moon anime. Next is Morino, who can’t believe that after 5 long years, she’s graduating from her role. She says she wants to continue acting in musicals. Then Misako says she thinks she’ll be happy when she finishes this performance. Miyazawa-san (Venus) is next and says she’s surprised she’s graduating already, sinc e she just started in the myus the previous summer. She wishes she could’ve played Minako longer. Tonegawa-san (Jupiter) follows, and since she began in the myus at the same time as Miyazawa-san, she too is surprised to be graduating already.
The Outers are next, with “La Moon” in the background. We begin with Sanae-san (Uranus). She says that after playing her role for 4 years, she can’t believe she’s graduating. Hiroko-san (Neptune) follows, saying she can’t believe she’s having to part with her green wig. Rei-san is next (and she has short hair! Who knew?). She says graduation is a time to cry, but for this senshuuraku she plans to try hard and be mature. After her is Keiko-chan, who looks older not in costume (I think she was about 20 at this point). Keiko says she feels disappointed that things are ending, but she is happy she was able to return to the myus.
Next is Kawasaki Mao, the first Chibimoon, who played Chibi-Chibi in this myu. She says she feels surprised and yet happy about the graduation, saying it’s similar to her school graduations. She says she wants to keep being on stage and that when she gets older, she wants to play Sailor Moon. [She did return to the myus later to play Black Lady. It’s not Sailor Moon, but it’s something, I guess.]
Mochizuki-san comes next, but he introduces himself as “Tuxedo Kamen” rather than his real name, holding up a small plushie keychain of Tuxedo Kamen before appearing himself. He then properly introduces himself. He asks the fans to listen to his honest feelings about the graduation, admitting that they’ve all cried over it, himself included. He says they’ve all gone through so much, that a 3-hour tape couldn’t hold it all.
Next comes the Starlights, with “Chasin’ After You” in the background. First is Sayuri-san (Star Fighter). She says though it’s the end, it’s really a beginning, and that she experienced a lot. She then says she would like to travel. Hikari-san (Star Maker) follows and relates her graduating to school graduations, like Anza. [Actually, Hikari-san stayed in the myus till 2002.] Next is Momoko-san (Star Healer), who says the three of them (the Three Lights actresses) should be together and that this performance will be in her heart. Yoshioka Sakoto (Kakyuu) follows, though she can’t get her own role name correct at first. She tells fans to pay attention to the last scene, which she thinks should be fixed.
Tanami Matsumoto (Galaxia) follows, and “Galaxia Gorgeous” begins playing in the background. She says she’s tired, then comments – similar to Jupiter and Venus – that she doesn’t really feel like she’s graduating since she’s only been in two myus before this. She wishes more people clapped for her. She is followed by Nishina Yuri (Beryl), who says the previous summer she was thinking about how to act rather than the rumored end of the musicals. She also says she’s impressed with Anza and Morino’s improvement over her 5 years of working with them. She says she never thought she’d perform for such a big audience after she quit Takarazuka [an all-female troupe, on whose members Uranus and Neptune were based, according to Naoko Takeuchi]. Next is Ryuuji-san, who says he’s somewhat happy to be graduating. He then does an imitation of one of his characters. [Technically, though, he didn’t graduate…he stayed with the myus till 2002.]
“La Soldier” starts playing again as the minor villains are interviewed. First is Endou Ado-san, who plays Sailor Theta in this myu. She says she is thankful for the performance. [She too, didn’t graduate at this point; she actually stayed through the last myu in 2005]. Second is Komura Mika, who plays Sailor Phi. She says she hasn’t experienced much since she’s only been in the myus for a year. She says she’ll dance, act, and sing with all her power. [She stayed through Shin Densetsu Kourin and then graduated]. Next is Yasuda Mari (Sailor Chi), who says her experience seems empty since she hasn’t been in the myus very long. [She later returned as an Assistant Director for the two Transylvania no Mori myus and played Mandra-ko in Chou Wakusei Death Vulcan no Fuuin].
“See Me! Boku-tachi no Jidai” starts playing in the background. The next person interviewed is Hiramitsu Takuya, the director and scriptwriter. He says that after this, the actors will be doing various things, but until then, the audience should cheer for them. Then Kosaka Akiko, the composer/arranger/music supervisor, is interviewed. She thanks the cast for their hard work. Next is Fuyumori Kayoko, the lyricist. She begins by congratulating the cast on their graduation, and then says that even though the myus are over, the experience will help them later in life.
The interviews end and footage of the crowd lined up for the senshuuraku is shown. Some Starlights cosplayers are shown. Mochizuki comments that some of the people in the audience bought tickets as early as New Year’s (the senshuuraku was on February 16). Footage is then shown of the audience seating and the lobby crowd, which both Mochizuki and Ryuuji find amazing. Mochizuki says since they don’t arrive as early as the audience, they don’t see how many people are really there to see the musical.
Backstage footage is shown, and Anza is heard saying, “Everyone’s been waiting, right?” Then there is footage of some crew member telling Anza (who’s in her Musketeer costume) that there are about 40 people who have no place to sit, and when she asks if they can sit in front, the crew member says nothing can be done and they will simply have to watch the tape. Mochizuki comments that Anza looks troubled. Discussion of the seating dilemma continues, with the issue of reserved seats coming into it. Anza says despairingly that nothing can be done, and Mochizuki comments that she is kind-hearted, just like Sailor Moon.
The audience is heard clapping, and Mochizuki asks what they are gesturing at, and Ryuuji says they’re just being enthusiastic. Dressing room footage of the Three Lights is shown. Mochizuki and Ryuuji wonder what the Three Lights are doing, and Mochizuki speculates that they’re making up jokes for the senshuuraku and comments how everyone was doing that backstage. Ryuuji agrees. While things were fun backstage, the two guys comment how the audience is impatient to see the show.
Backstage footage is shown from about 10 minutes to curtain, and Anza talks about how nervous she is. Then Misako-san is shown backstage practicing lines, and the guys comment on how busy she is with this role. Two of the Three Lights and Venus are then shown coming from backstage, and Mochizuki wonders if these people are nervous. Everyone’s now on standby (like “places,” I guess).
Yaten and Tuxedo Kamen show up, and Mochizuki says “This person is naturally a sleepy head” (about Yaten probably). Tuxedo Kamen is shown and Ryuuji says “Ah, Mochizuki-san is coming” as Mochizuki-san is shown shaking Anza’s hand. He walks off and Mochizuki comments that he looks like he’s not thinking. Ryuuji comments on a pretty smile (probably Anza’s). Audience shots are shown, with “La Moon” playing in the background. The Inners do a last-minute pep cheer backstage.
The senshuuraku footage begins, and Ryuuji says he is appearing first, that he has to or people won’t be excited. The darkness takes a long time to part.
We then see footage of the lobby, where we discover the 40-something people who couldn’t get in the actual theater have been set up with a roped-off area and a TV screen so they can still watch the musical live.
Footage of the basketball scene is shown. Endymion/P.E. Teacher guy enters, and Mochizuki asks aloud what he is doing with his stomach. Ryuuji claims that Mochizuki is playing with his belt as an adlib, but Mochizuki says he just didn’t have time to set his belt. Ryuuji and Mochizuki then comment on their adlibbed scene.
Footage of Ami singing “Dream – Yume wa Ookiku” is shown, and the P.E. guy appears again, with Mochizuki asking where he came from.
The beginning of “Kick Me a Bloody Mystery” is shown. Sanae and Hiroko are shown backstage, anxiously awaiting their chance to adlib. A line is shown saying “I’m at the point of laughter again.” Ryuuji comments that at least people can’t sleep through this part.
The Starlights/Haruka/Michiru scene with Yaten dressed as a dog is shown. When Yaten pulls the plush puppies out of his shirt, Mochizuki says it is a “make something and eat too much unpermitted gag.”
Footage of “Galaxia Gorgeous” is shown. Mochizuki asks if there was adlibbing in this scene, and Ryuuji says there was no chance for it. Mochizuki questions the pronunciation of “Gorgeous” in the song. Ryuuji says he’s probably heard it too many times.
The scene with Misako Kotani and Ryuuji’s character is shown. Mochizuki comments on Ryuuji’s annoying behavior in the scene. Ryuuji’s character pulls off his jacket and tries to pull something off his head, when he realizes what he’s trying to pull off isn’t there. He does some weird drop kicks, and Mochizuki asks how Misako felt watching this. He says that he practices, but with the adlibs, he doesn’t always know what to expect.
Footage of Ryuuji lying below the stairs somewhere is shown, and Rei is shown going up to it as Mochizuki comments how kind Misako is. Ryuuji begins a wrestling KO countdown as he is shown trying to stand up.
The Inners (minus Moon), Uranus, and Neptune are shown making their entrance.
Sailor Moon is shown looking sad, and we then go into some song, “Tabidachi” by the looks of it. Mochizuki comments that from here on is the second act, and that it looks like everyone is holding back tears.
Kakyuu’s death scene is shown next, followed by “Sorezore no Elegy,” the Inners’ deaths, and Uranus and Neptune’s deaths. Then there is a somewhat touching scene of Beryl telling Sailor Moon not to give in to hatred, since the world would disappear if she disappeared. Then there’s a scene of Tuxedo Kamen (possibly still evil) asking Sailor Moon to give him her power, and she says she will and runs up and kisses him.
Then the scene where Sailor Moon learns all her enemies also came from the same Galaxy Cauldron that birthed her and the other Senshi plays, with Sailor Moon in a sad, regretful mood. Then she hears Rei, Makoto, and Minako’s voices.
The full cast finale – “Double Moon Romance” – is shown. Different cast members are shown close up fighting off tears.
The graduation scene is shown, and Anza speaks of her gratitude toward Naoko Takeuchi. Then the whole cast sings “Densetsu Seitan” as different backstage clips are shown. Mochizuki narrates at the end, saying this is how things ended and thanking the fans for their support these last 5 years. The song ends and the curtain goes down, to much applause.
The video ends with a special announcement by Mochizuki and Ryuuji announcing Final First Stage and the limited sale of the full senshuuraku on video, ending with a funny rendition of Sailor Moon’s “Oshiokiyo” speech.