YMMV / Sailor Moon R Ep 24 Battle Of The Flames Of Love Mars Vs Koan

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• Designated Hero: Rei falls into this. Even though she's right to point out that Rubeus doesn't love Koan and how she's only being used by him, her own aggressive actions and condescending attitude towards Yuichiro definitely come off as hypocritical. Were it not for her antics being portrayed in a comedic light along with Rei showing actual concern for his well-being, she definitely would come off as Yuichiro's abuser on first glance. She doesn't even reflect on how she treats the boy after seeing firsthand how Rubeus cruelly used a Love Martyr like Koan. There's also the matter of her vouching for girls needing to trust and stay committed to their boyfriends even after they begin treating them like garbage.
• Fridge Brilliance: Koan receives two fortunes that relate to her future. The first is from Wiseman who warns that she'll suffer a great tragedy while the other is from the Hikawa Shrine which promises her great blessings. The fortune from the Black Moon Clan only foretells misery in her life and how she'll suffer the longer she's there. While the fortune received from the Earthly Shrine which houses a Sailor Guardian (and was once a Crystal Point) assures her that she'll live a happier and more promising life. As a result, she ends up renouncing the Black Moon Clan to become a normal human woman.
• Most Wonderful Sound: The return of Moon Healing Escalation as Koan is purified by the Silver Crystal.
• Tear Jerker: Koan's Villainous Breakdown. After being thrown away by her malevolent master and having her suicide attack fail, she resorts to lashing out at the Guardians on how she has nowhere to go and no one to love. A battered Mars protects her from Jupiter's kneestrike and assures Koan that she still has her life and that it's not too late to start over.
• Values Dissonance:
  • Rei firmly believes that girls should trust their boyfriends even if they begin to act cruel and hostile towards them. This isn't a positive message for anyone who's stuck in abusive relationships with partners who don't treat them properly.
  • Yuichiro proudly declares that he doesn't mind being belittled or humiliated as long as he can show his love for Rei. This doesn't work too well for people with little self-esteem who don't mind being walked over or abused by their supposed loved ones.

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