Ami Mizuno
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sailor Mercury | ||
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| Name: | Ami Mizuno(水野亜美[1]) | |
| English: | Amy Mizuno/Anderson | |
| Birthday: | September 10 (Virgo)[1] | |
| Age range: | 14-16[2] | |
| Aliases: | Princess Mercury, Dark Sailor Mercury (PGSM) | |
| Affiliations: | Sailor Team, Dark Kingdom (when brainwashed, PGSM) | |
| Powers: | Can control and produce all phases of water. | |
| Debut: | ||
| (Manga) | Act 2 | |
| (Anime) | Episode 8 (#5-en) | |
| (Live-action) | Ami: Act 1 Mercury: Act 2 Dark Sailor Mercury: Act 22 |
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| Performers: | (See below) | |
Ami Mizuno (水野亜美 Mizuno Ami?) is a fictional character, a Sailor Senshi, one of the central characters in the Sailor Moon metaseries. She is known as Amy Mizuno in the English manga and second half of the English anime; in the first half of the English anime, she seems to have been Amy Anderson.[3]
Ami is frequently cited as the most popular character in the series, especially among Japanese audiences.[4]
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[edit] Sailor Mercury
When transformed, she is known as Sailor Mercury. She is given specific titles throughout the various series, including Soldier of Wisdom,[5], Soldier of Justice and Wisdom,[6] and Soldier of Water and Knowledge.[7] Sailor Mercury's abilities are water-based, and initially most of them are strategic rather than offensive.[8] She is the "brains" of the Sailor Team,[9] and possesses a special "mini-computer" and visor, helpful for making special calculations and scanning her surroundings. This small computer allows her to learn about the enemy's weak points. Her Senshi uniform is colored in shades of blue, and in the manga (first series) and live-action drama, does not have sleeves. In every version, she wears knee-length boots.
[edit] Profile
Ami is enormously intelligent — an excellent trait in a soldier, but a difficult one for a teenage girl. Her peers view her with a mixture of awe and distaste, and speculate that she has an IQ of 300.[8] As a result, she tends to have a difficult time making new friends, and is fiercely loyal to the ones she has. She has great appreciation for art as well as science, and contrary to the usual depiction of a nerd, even enjoys pop culture (though she is usually embarrassed to admit it). Most of her free time is spent studying, as she hopes to become a doctor one day; however, she also enjoys swimming and playing chess. Ami is generally considered the sensible one of the five girls, and is often the only one embarrassed when the group has a dull-witted moment.
Ami lives with her mother (Mizuno-sensei), a busy doctor who is not home very often, and whose face is only ever seen in the manga. Ami looks remarkably like her mother, who aside of her workaholic tendencies is a good person and openly resents not having more time to spend with her daughter; Ami admires Mizuno-sensei very much and is typically obsessed with being a perfect student, wanting to live up to her mother's example. As the story begins, she attends Azabu Jūban Junior High along with Usagi Tsukino and Makoto Kino.
Ami's father, a painter, sends Ami paintings. Ami's father and mother divorced, so he doesn't spend time with Ami. In the manga Ami sometimes resents her parents' selfishness in divorcing.[10] This is most likely because divorce in Japan is taboo.[11] However, in the anime Ami seems to appreciate her father and even seems to have some of his artistic traits, such as composing a song in Episode 151.[12] She is one of the few girls in the series whose family situation is explicitly mentioned in the anime. In the manga, her family is revealed to be rich. They live in a condo.[13] She is also shown testing the strength of the sword that the Sailor Senshi received on the moon by using it to chip a diamond. When the girls panic, she calms them by saying that her mother has many more diamonds.[13]
Ami was given her own 'special,' called "Ami-chan no Hatsukoi" or "Ami's First Love." This story originally appeared in the manga as an Exam Battle.[6] The other girls had their own Exam Battles, but they were never made into specials, though interest was expressed in an interview with the Super Movie staff.[citation needed] The plot of Ami-chan no Hatsukoi involves both humorous panic over a secret admirer (named Mercurius) and a typically dangerous monster attack.
Ami is often compared to Michiru Kaioh because each has water-based powers. There are differences, however: Sailor Mercury's attacks tend to serve a tactical purpose (by hiding her allies or by distracting/immobilizing/freezing her enemies) whereas Sailor Neptune's powers are more offensive (drawing power from the seas and oceans) and psychic-based. The distinction is nonetheless a smaller one than those between the other senshi, and this similarity is played with twice in the anime, when the two engage in swimming competitions and neither wins in Episode 97.[14]
In an early DiC promotional tape that advertised Sailor Moon to television stations, Ami was given the name Blue.[15]
[edit] Other forms
Senshi forms - As she grows stronger, Sailor Mercury gains additional powers, and at key points her uniform changes to reflect this. The first change takes place in Act 35 of the manga, when she obtains the Mercury Crystal and her outfit becomes similar to that of Super Sailor Moon. She is not given a new title.[10] A similar event takes place in Episode 151 of the anime, and she is given the name Super Sailor Mercury.[12] A third form appears only in the manga[citation needed], also unnamed but analogous to Eternal Sailor Moon.
Princess Mercury - According to the manga, during the Silver Millennium, Sailor Mercury was also the Princess of her home planet. She was among those given the duty of protecting Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. As Princess Mercury, she dwelt in Mariner Castle and wore a light blue gown — she appears in this form in the original manga and in supplementary art.[16][17] Naoko Takeuchi once drew her in the arms of Zoisite, but no further romantic link between them was established.[18]
Dark Sailor Mercury - In Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Ami is briefly taken over by the power of the Dark Kingdom and becomes Dark Sailor Mercury. This form first appears in Act 22, as a servant of Kunzite. Her sailor fuku has black tooling and lace on the back bow and sleeves, and tribal designs appear on her tiara and boots. Her transformation phrase is Dark Power! Make-up!. The weapon she wields is an icicle fashioned into a sword when her transformation is first displayed. In Act 28, she realizes that she has hurt Sailor Moon, and is healed. After being healed, she has no memories of what happened while she was Dark Sailor Mercury.
[edit] Statistics
- Blood type: A[1]
- Favorite color: Aquamarine[1]
- Hobbies: Reading[1], playing chess[1], swimming, computers
- Favorite food: Sandwiches, anmitsu[1]
- Least favorite food: Yellowtail (hamachi, a kind of fish)[1]
- Favorite subject: Math[1]
- Worst subject: None[1]
- Has trouble with: love letters[1]
- Strong point: Computing[1]
- Dreams: To be a doctor[1]
- Height: 158 centimeters / 5 ft 2 in[19][20]
- Favorite animal: Cat[21]
- Image gemstone: Sapphire[22]
- School club: Computer club[23]
[edit] Senshi powers
[edit] Anime and manga
[edit] Transformations
(Note: In the English dub, she transforms without saying "Make-up" at the end.)
- Mercury Power, Make-up! - Used to transform into Sailor Mercury.
- Mercury Star Power, Make-up! - Used to transform into Sailor Mercury.
- Mercury Planet Power, Make-up! - Used to transform into Sailor Mercury. (Manga only.)
- Mercury Crystal Power, Make-up! - Used to transform into Sailor Mercury's two more powerful forms in the manga, and into Super Sailor Mercury in the anime.
All of Sailor Mercury's transformation sequences are essentially the same. They all involve a stream of water encircling her body and forming her outfit.
[edit] Attacks
- Shabon Spray[24] — Sailor Mercury conjures a blast of bubbles which form a thick blanket of chilling and obscuring fog. It is only used in the anime, although she uses a similar attack in the manga that has no vocal activation. In the English version, the attack is called Mercury Bubbles Blast.
- Chou Jigen Kuukan Genshutsu — It translates to "Super-Dimensional Space Emergence". It is a defensive technique used with her VR goggles. This attack is only used in the manga, and basically produces the same fog as Shabon Spray. In the English translation of the manga, it's called "Hyperspace Area Formation."
- Shabon Spray Freezing — A powered-up version of Shabon Spray used in Sailor Moon R; the fog created will freeze the enemy. In the English version, the attack is called Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze.
- Shine Aqua Illusion — Sailor Mercury summons a wave of water that can freeze or destroy enemies. Sailor Mercury sometimes calls it by this name in the English anime, but other times calls it "Mercury Ice Storm Blast." In the fourth season (SuperS), after she gains her Super form from Pegasus, it is referred to as Super Aqua Illusion.
- Shine Snow Illusion — Sailor Mercury creates a snow storm to blast her enemy. This attack is only used in the manga.
- Double Shabon Spray Freezing — A powered-up version of Shabon Spray Freezing used in Sailor Moon R. Instead of just chilling the enemy, it freezes them.
- Mercury Aqua Rhapsody — An attack that Sailor Mercury gains in her Super form. She plays a small harp which causes waves of water to blast her enemy.
- Mercury Aqua Mirage — This attack is seen in the SuperS special Ami-chan no Hatsukoi (Ami-chan's First Love). In the manga, this is her primary attack during the Infinity arc and resembles "Shine Aqua Illusion" in appearance.
- Galactica Aqua Rhapsody — In the manga, Sailor Mercury uses this attack against Sailor Moon when controlled by Sailor Galaxia.
[edit] Live-action drama
- Mercury Power, Make Up — Ami's words to transform into Sailor Mercury.
- Dark Power, Make Up — Ami's words to transform into Dark Sailor Mercury.
- Mercury Aqua Mist — Ami shoots a misty beam of water and bubble energy, capable of destroying weaker enemies, at her intended target. In Act 14, this attack was blocked and absorbed into Kunzite's sword and he redirected the energy on her.
- Shine Aqua Illusion — A stream of powerful water sent from the hands, used against more powerful enemies.
- Mercury Aqua Storm — A powerful stream of water sent from the Sailor Star Tambourine, used against more powerful enemies.
- Mercury Aqua Cyclone — A one-off special attack used late in the series, which involves a powerful beam of water energy sent from the hands.
- Mercury Aqua Blizzard — Mercury's most powerful attack, used only once in the final battle with the possessed Endymion. Mercury sends forward a powerful blizzard, which has momentary freezing affects. The attack failed to damage Endymion upon impact and was in turn reflected back at her.
- Unnamed Beam Attack — Used in Act 16 to break down a barrier alongside the other Senshi.
[edit] Variations
Ami's personality and history are largely consistent across each version of the series. She is always bookish, intelligent, and shy, but with a secret fondness of pop-culture.
In the manga, Ami also has something of a crazy streak — she often scolds Usagi and the others for not doing their homework, and in Ami-chan no Hatsukoi flies into something of a panic over a love letter she receives.[6]
In the anime, Ami can be a bit insecure, as seen in Episode 97 where Ami feels that she is only good at studying and wants to be viewed as more of a normal girl.[14]
In the live-action drama, Ami is especially shy, almost painfully so, and usually wears glasses while in public, even though she doesn't need them. Usagi notices in Act 5 that they are made of plain glass. At her middle school, she has no friends before meeting Usagi and always eats lunch alone so she can study. Usagi seems to be the only one to realize that Ami is merely shy, whereas all of her peers think her standoffishness is due to snobbery because of her successful mother. Through the influence of Usagi and the other senshi, Ami starts to come out of her shell as the series progresses, and learns that she is more than just a bookworm.
[edit] Music
[edit] Anime
All songs were sung by her voice actress, Aya Hisakawa.[25]
- "Someday... Somebody..." — From the first series.
- "Onaji Namida wo Wakeatte" (Sharing the Same Tears) — From Sailor Moon R
- "Koibito ni wa Narenai Kedo" (We Can't Become Lovers, But...) — From Sailor Moon R
- "Ashita mo mata Jitensha" (Bicycle Again Tomorrow) — From Sailor Stars
[edit] English adaptation
- "Only a Memory Away" — sung in Sailor Moon R in the translation in the place of "Onaji Namida wo Wakeatte". It was sung by Shandi Sinnamon.[25]
[edit] Musicals
- Setting off (旅立ち Tabidachi?) — Duet with Usagi from Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu hen.
- The Good Kid Quit (いい子はやめた iiko ha yameta?) — from Yume Senshi Ai Eien ni.
- A Fabricated Forevermore (偽りのForevermore Itsuwari no Forevermore?) — Duet with Izō Saitō (斎藤以蔵 Saitō Izō?) from Eien Densetsu.
- "Drive Me Mercury" — originated in Translyvania no Mori — Kaiteban and used in several other musicals as an attack song.
[edit] Live-action
In Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon her actress released two solo songs:[26]
- Mi Amor (Spanish for "My Love")
- Yakusoku (約束, "Promise").
[edit] Actresses
- In the original anime production of Sailor Moon, Ami is played by veteran voice actress Aya Hisakawa.[27]
- In the English dubbed version of Sailor Moon, Amy is played by Karen Bernstein (episodes 5-82 and the dubbed movies) and Liza Balkan (episodes 90-166).[28]
- In the musical version, Ami has been played by 6 actresses: Ayako Morino, Yukiko Miyagawa, Hisano Akamine, Mariya Izawa, Chieko Kawabe, and Manami Wakayama.[29]
- In Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Ami is played by Chisaki Hama.[30]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Takeuchi, Naoko (June 6, 1995). “Back of volume”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 10. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178806-X.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (July 6, 1992, September 5, 1996). “Act 4”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178721-7., page 120; has the listings for the first ages of Ami, Rei and Usagi. Possible beginning age for Mamoru (17~18).
- ^ In a Japanese first-season episode, Ami says "Mizuno residence" when answering the telephone. In the dubbed version, she answers with "Anderson residence."
- ^ Edwards, Michael J.. rec.arts.anime. Retrieved on November 22, 2006. The November 1992 issue of Animage magazine is mentioned as listing Ami as the most popular character.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (July 6, 1994). “Act 23”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 7. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178781-0.
- ^ a b c Takeuchi, Naoko. “Exam Battle: Ami-chan no Hatsukoi”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 13. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178820-5.
- ^ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Act 2
- ^ a b Takeuchi, Naoko (July 6, 1992, September 5, 1996). “Act 2”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178721-7.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko. Materials Collection, p. 12
- ^ a b Takeuchi, Naoko (September 6, 1995). “Act 35”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 12. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178814-0.
- ^ Bumiller, Elisabeth (October 29, 1996). The Secrets of Mariko: A Year in the Life of a Japanese Woman and Her Family. Vintage. ISBN 0-67-977262-6.
- ^ a b Petrow, Joe (1996-04-21). Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Supers Episode 151. Hitoshi Doi. Retrieved on 2006-11-18.
- ^ a b Takeuchi, Naoko (April 6, 1993). “Act 11”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 3. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178744-6.
- ^ a b Doi, Hitoshi (1994-05-29). Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S episode 97. Retrieved on 2006-11-18.
- ^ Tyler L.; Zogg. Toonami Digital Arsenal. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (July 5, 1996). “Act 41”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 15. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178835-3.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (September 1996). Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon Volume IV Original Picture Collection. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-324519-5.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (August 1994). Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon Volume I Original Picture Collection. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-324507-1., Naoko Takeuchi quote about it from the artbook: "This is the title page for the conclusion of the first series of Sailor Moon. It had a great deal of impact on the first series. Probably because the four couplings on the right side were very unexpected. I was thinking of love stories of the previous lives of these couples. I'd like to be able to draw that someday..."
- ^ (April 1993) “Chapter 1: Stage”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon album I. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-177734-3., The height is guessed at from page 103, and V2, page 94 and 111 since Usagi's height is given
- ^ Aromdee, Ken. Sailor Moon FAQ. Retrieved on 2006-10-17., estimates of heights from here.
- ^ Bobagirl. Bandai Mercury. Retrieved on 2006-11-18., from http://www.bobagirl.com/, uploaded on request for the Sailor Moon Wikiproject. Lists other stats as well.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (October 1999). Materials Collection. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-324521-7.
- ^ Takeuchi, Naoko (September 6, 1996). “Act 43”, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 16. Kodansha. ISBN 4-06-178841-8.
- ^ Shabon is sometimes romanised as Sabão, the Portuguese word for soap.
- ^ a b Bacon, Michelle (September 9, 2006). SAILORMUSIC.NET. Retrieved on 2006-10-01.
- ^ Spanish was used in her song because non-Japanese languages besides scattered English phrases in J-Pop is rare and exotic. Its use was probably intended to emphasize Ami's genius-level intelligence.
- ^ Doi, Hitoshi. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
- ^ Chiang, Jackie. The Sailor Senshi Page: North American Dub. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
- ^ eternal.legend. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
- ^ Nae; wasurenagusa; Hui, Andrea. Shingetsu. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
[edit] External links
- innocence (Shrine)
- The Oracle Information and Images
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