The Real Score
Rei seems to be as controversial as Haruka and Michiru...
and also one of the most hated characters.
And so we have to look closely at the real Rei Hino.
In my observation, as I scanned through the web, Hino Rei has also acquired her own share of detractors. And while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, some issues about her need to be straightened out, as she seems to be one of the most misunderstood characters of the Bishoujo Senshi series.
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Rei and Usagi! Instead of reiterating the issue over and over again, let us just put the facts straight. That Rei is called names is of no concern. Hino Rei/Sailormars will still be the same whatever anyone's opinion is. So instead of comparing opinions, let us simply compare the scenes in the anime series.
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The first season. In both anime and manga, Usagi thought Rei was cool. But during the first season, she seemed to be constantly fighting against Usagi a lot. Rei didn't tolerate Usagi's "klutzy, crybaby" character, even as Usagi already admitted that. It seems that Rei was Usagi's greatest opposition. So they fought, bickered, showed their tongues up to the very end.
A revealing episode. When the sailor senshi planned for Sailormoon to be captured. As Sailormoon struggled with the enemy, the four senshi hid by a distant clearing as they watched their friend suffer. Sailorjupiter wanted to help, but Sailormars
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stopped her. Jupiter asked Mars why she is still mad at Usagi up to this time, to which Sailormars dejectedly took out the wand and said, "If I hate her, would I keep this for her?" To which Sailorjupiter nodded and apologized.
But Sailormars couldn't take it anymore, as she leapt out of the clearing first and proceeded to help Sailormoon.
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When they were at Yuuichirou's mansion, Rei had impliedly revealed two things:
- She had saved Usagi from the huge snowball and had actually become closer to her. Usagi said that they had become close friends, but Rei didn't want to admit it.
- That she cared for the selfless Yuuichirou, who tried to save Rei at all costs.
Facing the now-evil Tuxedo Kamen, it was Sailormars who pleaded with him to spare Sailormoon, reminding him with tearful eyes, not to forget his one true love.
Against Beryl, Sailormars tried to assure Sailormoon and fought for her against the very end. Even her words when she died was most accepted and a comfort to Sailormoon.
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It's a fun irony---Rei and Usagi are both seen disagreeing with each other and still
the best of friends. The popular cliche holds true, "Rei and Usagi are there for each
other during the hardest times."
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In Sailormoon R movie, Sailormars pushed Sailormoon aside so as not to be swallowed by the invading monsters. When they thought that Sailormoon was going to die, Sailormars was hysterically calling out her name. But Sailormoon was revived and Sailormars was the first to hug her. (The picture of her here was that as in the R movie.)
The first S episode. Sailormoon tried to recall Rei's words to her. Rei had told Usagi of her hopes and dreams for the future, but the daimon had caught both her hands and she was unable to transform. Usagi was in tears as the daimon took Rei's heart crystal, and she held Rei on her lap until her heart crystal was restored.
And the last S episode. "Kawaii!" Rei exclaimed as she saw Usagi's gift to Chibiusa. But Usagi was upset because Rei thought that Usagi sewed a "cute dog" instead of a bunny. They were supposed to fight, but Rei patted Usagi's hand and gave her band-aid (^_^) for her wounds.
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When Chibiusa saw this, she sighed and said that she wished that she had the kind
of friendship that Rei and Usagi had.
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Yuuichirou. Yuuichirou has been selfless and almost all he does is for Rei. And Rei always tells him to do the chores around the shrine, to which he obeys. But she does care for him, as she tried to save him from the daimon.
I'm just restating all the facts. And you've seen this probably in most web pages about who Rei/Sailormars really is. She protects those who she care about. Maybe simply that she doesn't always shows what she really does feel. Her thoughts, her feelings, her visions---they're all kept within her.
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That is Hino Rei for you---strong, impatient, argumentative. Perhaps she will always be this way. But when someone close to her is on the line, she'll be there to defend them. Like her ojii-chan, Yuuichirou and Usagi. And I assure you, you can't stop her!
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Return to the Realm.
See the Realm's Special on Usagi.
Or the special On Yuuichirou.
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