Michiru and Ami: My two cents.

[Tiff]

I'm frankly getting sick of the eternal debate over which senshi is "too perfect". I was talking to Anthy, and thought abuot it, and came up with this:

If you think about it, Ami and Michiru are A LOT alike. A lot.

1) They have many, many talents. Art, Music, Swimming, Scholastic Ability, etc. They both have talents, and they both excel in them.
2) They both lack self-confidence. A lot of the times they don't know what they should do. Ami doesn't bleieve in herself enough, and Michiru seems somewhat lost without Haruka's aggression.
3) They both are undecided about their futures. Sure, Ami knows she wants to be a doctor, but more than once she's gone on about how to go about it, and what steps she needs to take. Michiru just plain doesn't know, becuaes she has too many talents.
4) They're both two senshi that DO portray the "ideal woman". And this is so becuase that's IMPORTANT in Japan. While the country is very modern, there are still many, many traditions when it comes to women. You see the ideal woman character pop up in just about every anime, becuase it's something the girls can relate to.

The bottom line is this: NEITHER ONE is "perfect". They both screw up, they both have flaws, and they both have pluses, too. Like one, hate one, I really don't care. But don't pop off saying one is perfect without research.

Really, I don't HATE any characters. They're animated, and i'm not going to focus that much energy into one of them -_- But, I can simply say that Ami entertains me more than Michiru simply becuase I find Michiru's character pretty undeveloped, so it makes her flat to me. But michiru has many good moments, just as Ami does.

I'm just ready for the debate to end.

[Anthy]

2) They both lack self-confidence. A lot of the times they don't know what they should do. Ami doesn't bleieve in herself enough, and Michiru seems somewhat lost with Haruka's aggression.

I don't think Michiru's lost in Haruka's aggression. Take the S season when we see how Haruka becomes a senshi.

When Haruka resists, Michiru isn't lost. She's damn fiesty. "STFU. Stop running away. You're being a senshi. Stop your BITCHING." in the most elegant way possible, of course.

Ami and Michiru are very similar, I agree. I prefer Michiru because she's less flat to me. The ideal woman usually isn't kissing other women, and I can relate to that. I like her because she's not a stereotypical short-haired, masculine dyke, whereas Haruka seems closer to that terrible image of what a lesbian is "supposed" to be. She's a princess who has selected, not her own prince, but her own princess.

[Tiff]

I don't think Michiru's lost in Haruka's aggression. Take the S season when we see how Haruka becomes a senshi.

When Haruka resists, Michiru isn't lost. She's damn fiesty. "STFU. Stop running away. You're being a senshi. Stop your BITCHING." in the most elegant way possible, of course.

She's a princess who has selected, not her own prince, but her own princess.

^^; as you can see, I meant to type "WITHOUT", so therefore, it takes on a completely different meaning.

and that's a lovely way to describe Michiru..I'll have to remember that.

[Anthy]

Thank you ^^

And, without Haruka, she took care of herself. "Big ugly slug thing? I've been doing this for years! KYAH!"

[Tiff]

Thank you ^^

And, without Haruka, she took care of herself. "Big ugly slug thing? I've been doing this for years! KYAH!"

Perhaps I should add to my statement.

what I meant by that was this: Throughout the anime, it seems that when Haruka and Michiru are TOGETHER, Haruka is more often obviously more aggressive, and tends to make the major decisions. Now, it's also quite obvious that without Haruka, Michiru can take care of herself and be badass, but she's a lot more compassionate than Haruka, and therefore, sometimes lets her emotions get into the way first. Take their deaths in S, as you pointed out...Michiru tried to save Haraka's life TWICE, and as a result, got captured and killed. She let her hysteria get in the way, whereas Haruka didn't. Now, granted, I would probably react like Michiru..but that's my point in saying that's a flaw, and Ami shares the same one.

[Anthy]

I can't disagree with that at all, Tiff. ^^ I don't think Michiru minds not making those decisions. Haruka has a flair for it, and Michiru lets her do her thang. ^^

[Starscream]

Guys, this isn't a chat room :P

*gets slaughtered violently*

...anyways, I'd like to make one comment: that is, that Michiru's decision-making and level of agressiveness as a soldier is probably a reflection of her role in the personal relationship she shares with Haruka. Now, I've never seen Michiru act alone after meeting Haruka, but as you two have pointed out, she becomes much less agressive whenever she is fighting along side Haruka; she must feel that her role, her burden, can be shared now that there is someone else who understands the "severity" of finding the talismans before anyone else does. She also may realize that Haruka's tendency toward more masculine roles in their civilian relationship must lend itself to Uranus' being more of the "leader" of the two.

I'd comment on "the perfect woman" line, but I'm not familiar with what the Japanese seek in their women ^^;;

[Tiff]

Guys, this isn't a chat room

*gets slaughtered violently*

*impales you with many, many sharp things*

[Dinozore]

I'd comment on "the perfect woman" line, but I'm not familiar with what the Japanese seek in their women ^^;;

From what I know, women like Belldandy... (also the kind of woman I'd like, for that matter)

-_- I had a point, but it seems to have been lost when I was making myself dinner.

I don't consider Michiru anywhere near an "ideal woman", though.

[Jeff]

It seems to me that Ami was given a "perfect" character to for the purpose of developing flaws that are less apparent in the other characters.

Yes, Ami is a genius, she is wealthy, she is always polite.... but she is terribly anti=social and at times even obsessive compulsive. (Love letters? Come on, that's not normal.)

[Stephen Victor]

I'd comment on "the perfect woman" line, but I'm not familiar with what the Japanese seek in their women ^^;;

From what I know, women like Belldandy... (also the kind of woman I'd like, for that matter)

-_- I had a point, but it seems to have been lost when I was making myself dinner.

I don't consider Michiru anywhere near an "ideal woman", though.

Well, why not? Could you please back up your opinion on that so I can understand why you think that way? I think she's sort of an ideal girlfriend: sweet, intelligent, talented and very self-sacrificing. Although, I personally do not think she is the type that relates or connects to others very much, that she feels too different from other people and doesn't get too close to them, and Haruka is pretty much the only one she relates to and feels any sort of connection with.

[Anthy]

Guys, this isn't a chat room

*gets slaughtered violently*

I'd comment on "the perfect woman" line, but I'm not familiar with what the Japanese seek in their women ^^;;

Now that people are participating, it won't be. ^^

From what I've read in books about Japan, the Japanese people in general favor hard-working-ness (there is no other way to word that), shyness, docility, intelligence, politeness, and so forth. I hope that helps a little.

It seems to me that Ami was given a "perfect" character to for the purpose of developing flaws that are less apparent in the other characters.

Yes, Ami is a genius, she is wealthy, she is always polite.... but she is terribly anti=social and at times even obsessive compulsive. (Love letters? Come on, that's not normal.)

That's an interesting way of looking at it. I never thought of that. Makes sense. ^^

[LadyFlameSniper]

When Haruka resists, Michiru isn't lost. She's damn fiesty. "STFU. Stop running away. You're being a senshi. Stop your BITCHING." in the most elegant way possible, of course.

Yeah, it was kinda ironic that is Michiru was being more aggressive in that flashback episode. And that Haruka was depending on it. Haruka , because of her emotions was the one who was being hesitant to fight that daimon who possessed that kid. I guess it's because Haruka was facing her destiny for the first time. Yet during the present times of the series, it's usually Michiru who has her emotions sort of "getting in the way"

And for the initial topic, yeah I also noticed that Ami and Michiru have plenty in common. Even their magic power is similar... I much prefer Michiru to Ami though. I find Michiru to be classy, elegant flirty, and even on top of all that, she has an edge. . I don't really hate Ami or anything, but the things I do like about her are pretty superficial and shallow. lol Such as the fact she likes blue, some of her image songs are good, and she uses ice. Nothing about her personality really, even if she does has a few moments. And not that it matters much to me but I never thought she was all that great looking either. ^^; Except in the manga.

[sailormoonaddict]

Since no one else has brought this up I will throw my two cents in. I personally think Ami is shy! When push comes to shove she is there for all her friends but away from them I really think she is shy. Not lacking self confidence but scared of how people perceive her. It is evident especially in the episode where she is introduced and later in many episodes. It is late and therefore I can only think of one example but look at how she backs off from Michiru during their swim/race in the S season. Once they talk and the ice is broken then she feels comfortable trying her hardest.

sma

[Tiff]

Since no one else has brought this up I will throw my two cents in. I personally think Ami is shy! When push comes to shove she is there for all her friends but away from them I really think she is shy. Not lacking self confidence but scared of how people perceive her. It is evident especially in the episode where she is introduced and later in many episodes. It is late and therefore I can only think of one example but look at how she backs off from Michiru during their swim/race in the S season. Once they talk and the ice is broken then she feels comfortable trying her hardest.

sma

Um, the examples you mentioned show a lack of self-confidence. She lost the race because she felt she needed to hold back...she didn't believe in herself enough. Also, in SuperS, she's afraid her song that she composes isn't good enough...both a lack of self-confidence.

[Rainbow]

Hmm, I bet it was some of my posts that were the reason for this topic.

And I apologize. I USED to think Michiru was "perfect" but that was because:
1) I didn't know much about her and took the idea off of webpages that said that
2) Serena calls Michelle that in the dub

I don't think either one is perfect, though I like Ami better because she's more innocent and not so suave, which annoys me about Haruka and Michiru both.
(suave doesn't mean perfect, but for some reason I don't like suave characters)

As you can find elsewhere, I have found faults for Michiru.

[Tiff]

Hmm, I bet it was some of my posts that were the reason for this topic.

Um, no. Don't give yourself that much credit, Rainbow. This is due to a conversation Anthy and I had.

[Rainbow]

Oops. I thought it was the "Michiru's Flaws" topic that did it.

Oh well. I'm not offended that it wasn't me, actually, I'm kind of glad.

[Anthy]

When Haruka resists, Michiru isn't lost. She's damn fiesty. "STFU. Stop running away. You're being a senshi. Stop your BITCHING." in the most elegant way possible, of course.

Yeah, it was kinda ironic that is Michiru was being more aggressive in that flashback episode. And that Haruka was depending on it. Haruka , because of her emotions was the one who was being hesitant to fight that daimon who possessed that kid. I guess it's because Haruka was facing her destiny for the first time. Yet during the present times of the series, it's usually Michiru who has her emotions sort of "getting in the way"

I never noticed that before. Good observation. ::Applauds::

Haruka and Michiru are completely dedicated to the duties of senshi; however, they are only human, and occasionally let their feelings for each other override their mission. I think this conflict between destiny/duty and personal needs adds major depth to the both of them.

[LadyFlameSniper]

Yep despite the fact that the dub portrays the two as heartless andrioids, they're human.

That's a major reason why I like the outers in general (including Saturn and Pluto too). They seem to deal with a lot of interior conflict, and it makes more things interesting.