C[>]haracter // analysis
With brains, knowledge, and an inconsistent hairstyle, Mizuno Ami has grown in popularity in the BSSM world. Even in the beginning, she was one of favorite characters during the premiere episodes of the anime! But, she didn't always start off with such a fanbase; and that seemed fitting for her. Why? Because, Ami is not one to hover in the spotlight or even desire it. Her humbleness has made her a lovable character, but also - at times, a rather predictable one. And for that, some still consider her a "geek" or "nerd" that pays too much attention to books rather than people. But they may not understand her past, her broken home life, or her personality that has taught her to stay away to avoid the pain ...
Ami was born into a well-endowed family and moved to the "rich" section of Juuban. Her penthouse apartment appears to be one of high-taste in an environment of professional workers (lawyers, physicians, scientists, etc.). So, Amy began her life with a financial security and model influence. Her mother, Mizuno Saeko - the name revealed in PGSM - is a physician working in an acclaimed hospital; her father was a talented painter who sends her postcards infrequently.[1]. We first see her mother and her father in manga Act 35. Together, they gave Ami a 
combination of factual intelligence and artistic knowledge to make her wise beyond her years. However, as Ami's suggests in Act 35, Ami's father was "not compatible" with her mother and they divorced (which is taboo in Japan).
Life with mom doesn't seem all bad for the young child. She appears well-nourished, clothed, and well-off (since Crystal Seminar is a very expensive cram school).[2] But at what cost? Because of her never-ending profession, Dr. Mizuno was unable to stay at home for very long and rarely had time to make for her daughter. No; it's not that she didn't love Ami or didn't want to be with her, but that she could only do so much to provide as a single-mother and keep a household. Ms. Mizuno, however, did make time to form some connection with Ami. In the SuperS Movie we see Ami's flashback of her mother baking her "special cookies" as a symbol of her love and care for Ami; it's truly a kodak moment for the two ^_^. But Ami seems to take up many responsibilities in the house. She does the chores needed, her homework, and keeps the house in order while her mother works. In PGSM, we get a glimpse of Mizuno Saeko, her mother, and how she pushes Ami to follow in her own footsteps.[3] It's a typical parental dilemma; you think you know what your child wants and you push them in that direction but end up hurting them as the years pass.
And what of the father? Did he completely let his daughter loose? Of course not! Mr. Mizuno gave Ami what he could in the time he had. As a master artist, he might have instructed her in expression and using her talents to their fullest - do what she can do, not what other want her to do. This lesson is reflected in Episode 170 when Ami fights against Nehelenia with Sailoruranus and uses her way of fighting to help defeat her. He also taught her the strategic game of chess (which eventually helped her in her career as a Sailor Soldier) and introduced her to the mystery of water with swimming lessons.[4] This possibly attributes to her love of swimming to calm her nerves as she reveals in Episode 97. But I cannot neglect the fact that he did leave - whether he wanted to or not. Even with all his teachings, his absence left Ami without the 
influence of a father figure and tendency to be uncomfortable to men. She becomes too fearful, too unsure to approach love, though she may dream of it. It's difficult for a child to know that someone who teaches you and brings you so much ends up hurting you in the end.
At school, her initial interactions mirrored those at home. Because of her desire to use her skills to the fullest, she becomes a model student: acing unbelieveable scores on test and even reportedly having an IQ of 300![5] Of course, other classmates envy and despise this "suck up" and treat her with hostility.[6] They take Ami's shyness and quiescience as "pomp and press," pushing her off as stuck-up and snobby. She quickly became overly apologetic and tried desperately not to offend anyone in any way. If she felt as though she failed to do so, Ami would "I'm sorry" them to death and becoming "more" annoying (from the viewpoint of the one she 'offended'). Ami decided to be a "scapegoat" and take the blame for many problems that she probably didn't even commit.
Then, she moved to the Juuban district and met Tsukino Usagi, a 14-year-old clutz with a heart of gold. From their first meeting in Episode 8, Usagi and Ami became close friends and Ami truly had some one to make her laugh and praise her for talents rather than hate her for them. In the Sailormoon musicals, Seramyu, Usagi and Ami's relationship is very deep and even featured in songs like "Tabidachi" and "Sorezore no Elegy" and musicals like Usagi Ai no Senshi e no Michi and Starlights! Ryuusei Densetsu. The pair met with the fiery Hino Rei and formed a long-lasting trio that fought through many battles in the anime. Eventually, Ami was introduced to Kino Makoto and Aino Minako and had to group of friends that admired and loved her.
Because of her new found friendships, Ami gained a confidence and courage like she never had before. She became an above-average athlete in swimming, even rivaling the senshi of the ocean, Kaioh Michiru.[7] In episode 100, Ami displays her volleyball skills and great aim as she passes as pure heart crystal to Sailormoon with ease. But sports is not her *best* field, of course; she doesn't waste that 300 IQ! In Episode 71, we discover that Ami is a 
reigning national chess champion and even beats the plotting and calculating Berthier. Evidently, her father's advice has helped her overcome her fears and really show herself as a formidable opponent in all fields.
But the pains of her father's leaving still linger in her present. Ami is very unsuccessful in the field of love. Her troubles are even exploited in a the manga Battle Exam Chapters and the anime short-movie Ami-chan no Hatsukoi. In the manga, all her romantic adventures end in pain just like those with her father. She is seduced by Fisheye and "falls in love" with him in the pet store before she is attacked and almost succumbs to the lust of her dreams. The anime gives her a bit of a break, though. Well, not really. Her closest love interest is Urawa Ryo (Greg), a psychic student that adores her. She is blinded by their friendship to see exactly how he loves her at first and pushes him off as "just friends." But his admission of his powers and knowledge of her senshi identity turn her around. It's difficult to say whether she protects him as a friend or a lover, but I do understand that she gives her all to save him from the hands of Zoisite and Evil Endymion. However, Ryo does not return after first season, so our Ami is left alone for awhile. Until, strangely, Tsukino Shingo (Sammy), Usagi's brother makes her his first crush.[8] Ami's failures with men help many fans justify their predictions of budding relationship with Kino Makoto or Hino Rei. Takeuchi has not stated any connections other than friendship between the girls ... but us moonies find our own "truths."
I cannot help but admire Ami for how she handles her life. Even with all the pain, the neglect, and the ridicule from so many people, she still remains strong, learning and USING the lessons she's learned from her parents, her friends, and her experiences. Her life seems so pitiful that I sympathesize with her struggles in love. One day, I hope she meets another Ryo - no, something better than Ryo that will make her happy and free. But for now, our Ami must stay strong for her friends, for her family, and for herself.
1 Sailormercury: Manga. The Sailor Senshi Page.
2 Act 2. Dark Kingdom arc. Serialized Manga.
3 Act 33/34. Pretty Guardian Sailormoon. Live-Action TV Series.
4 It's all in the family. The Moon Garden.
5 Sailor Mercury-PGSM. the oracle :: bssm encyclopedia.
6 Episode 8: Tensai shoujoha youma nano? Kyoufuno sennoujuku. Sailormoon. Anime TV Series.
7 Episode 97: Water Labyrinth. Ami is targeted. Sailormoon S[uper]. Anime TV Series.
8 Episode 144: Sparkling Summer Days! Ami, the Girl with the Sea Breeze. Sailormoon SuperS. Anime TV Series.