There's no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.
“Hey, take a look at this cute baby! Whose is he? Is it mine? Hehe, just kidding! But trying to take energy from a cute baby like this or any tiny toddler is something I absolutely, positively cannot forgive! I am Sailor Moon! In the Name of the Moon, I'll punish you!”
— Usagi Tsukino
(DiC Episode: "Much Ado About Babysitting")
The Makaiju aliens sink to a new low as they decide to steal energy from babies at a local nursery. But when one of the babies survives their attack after being shielded, Usagi and Mamoru step up as unofficial babysitters to watch over the little tyke.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Accent Adaptation: In the DiC dub, baby Jordan's mental voice has a Brooklyn accent and sounds like an adult man.
- Baby's First Words: Usagi and Mamoru end the episode in jubilation after hearing Manami's first words.Manami: Mamoru. Usagi. Bye-bye.
- Bland-Name Product: Look at the scene with Ann by the vending machine as she spies on Usagi and Mamoru; in the top left corner of the display, one can see red cans of "Toke" (Coke or Coca-Cola).
- Bowdlerization: In the DiC dub, Jordan peeing on Ann was cut out of the episode itself though if one looks closely, it briefly appears during the "Sailor Says" segment.
- In the original version of the episode, Usagi at first believes Manami to be a girl until she goes to change her diaper and finds out the baby is actually male, with Barbie Doll Anatomy not in play. This moment is cut from the DiC dub and Serena already knows Jordan is male.
- Captain Obvious: In the dub, the Cardigan declares “She’s f-f-f-freezing me!”, as Mercury’s Ice Bubbles Freeze makes contact.
- Convenient Coma: Manami's mother ends up in a coma and is expected to wake up in three days. It gives enough time for Usagi and Mamoru to bond over their new baby.
- Dub Name Change:
- Baby Manami is named "Jordan".
- "Bubble Spray Freezing" is "Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze".
- Amaderasu is named "Skulker"
- Evil-Detecting Baby: Manami does not feel comfortable being picked up by Natsumi and gives her a difficult time.
- Foreshadowing: The theme of the episode has Usagi and Mamoru working together to take care of a child. The next story arc would focus on that topic.
- Gender-Blender Name: Usagi believed Manami was a girl until she changes "her" diaper.
- Human Shield: During her second attack, Amaderasu traps the babies in orange bubbles to surround herself so the Sailor Guardians can't attack her without hurting them.
- An Ice Person: Mercury uses her bubbles to encase Amaderasu in ice to immobilize her.
- Inner Monologue: Baby Manami does this as he shares his thoughts to the viewer over his new caregivers.
- Just Friends: Despite her longing to get back together with Mamoru, Usagi insists to her friends that they're just friends.
- The Klutz: Apparently preparing a bottle for formula without making a mess proves to impossible for Usagi.
- Lampshade Hanging: The DiC dub has Sailor Moon inadvertently throw shade at Mercury's technique after she stops the baby zapper.Sailor Moon: Whoa! Mercury! Where did THAT come from? I know those weren't your usual bubbles!
- Not What It Looks Like: Ami walks in Mamoru's apartment and sees him and Usagi holding hands. Usagi quickly assures her that they were just celebrating Manami's first steps.
- Mid-Season Upgrade: Mercury gets an upgraded version of Bubble Spray called Bubble Spray Freezing.
- Mistaken for Cheating: Downplayed since they weren't a couple at the time. But Usagi is very upset to see Natsumi in Mamoru's apartment trying to help with the baby. It's enough that she almost tries to leave in outrage.
- Out of Focus:
- Even though this being Ami's Mid-Season Upgrade episode, the story focuses more on Usagi and Mamoru being unofficial parents instead of her.
- While Luna and all five Inner Senshi appear, Artemis never appears in this episode.
- Parents for a Day: Mamoru volunteers himself to watch over baby Manami while his mother is recuperating in the hospital. Usagi would later join him and learn about the tribulations of being a parent.
- The Power of the Sun: Amaderasu is based on the Sun tarot card and uses the sun's blinding light to attack her foes.
- Red Sky, Take Warning: Whenever Amaderasu appears, the skies turn crimson red.
- She Is Not My Girlfriend: The DiC dub has Usagi get mad at Minako when the latter sees her and Mamoru together and thinks of them as a couple.Serena: I'LL give you a couple- of black eyes if you don't stop it, Mina! I'm just helping out!
- Taking the Bullet: Thanks to little Manami's mother shielding him from Amaderasu's attack, he's able to escape unharmed.
- Tarot Motifs: Through fire reading, Rei explains the significance of the Sun tarot card for better or worse.
- Teen Pregnancy: Minako teases Usagi about having Mamoru's baby which leads to Usagi insisting that she'd never do something as dumb as "that".
- That Makes Me Feel Angry: Sailor Mercury declares that she's officially mad over the Cardian's cruel and cowardly course of actions.
- Tinkle in the Eye: The baby does this to Natsumi twice to scare her away.
- Villain Opening Scene: Ail and En muse over babies being sources of fresh and helpless energy.
- Worst. Whatever. Ever!: Sailor Jupiter declares Amaderasu to be the worst monster they've faced as of yet.
- Would Hurt a Child: The aliens send the Cardian Amaderasu to harvest energy from babies.
