PGSM has created new teen idols for the JapanTV generation. Mostly "new faces" to the media, the actors/actresses have enlivened our beloved characters and inspired an international fanbase for themselves. SMercury's actress is the newcomer Hama Chisaki who has some experience in the media but is a newbie to the TV series genre. How has she reinvented the role we have come to love so much?
浜千咲(Hama Chisaki), born 泉梨華(Rika Izumi), is just beginning her career as a media idol.[1] She first appeared in a magazine called Monthly De-View during the Winter of 2002-03. Other early appearances include magazines Pichi Lemon and For Lillie in the Summer '03 and April '03 issues respectively. Hama's prior TV work was an Idol special on Sky PerfecTV Japan called "Being Junior, Go!". Her first showing as Mercury was in a magazine called BOMB! with Sawai Miyuu as SMoon and 
Kitagawa Keiko as Mars. She also appeared in the Nov. '03 editions of UP-TO-BOY and melon. Hama has recently signed a modeling contract with melon and has regularly appeared in the magazine since July 2003. [2]
Hama's Mizuno Ami first appears in Act 1 as Ms. Haruna's example of a "fine student" for Usagi; however, she is officially introduced in Act 2 (her name appears at the top of the latest grade postings). Naru and Usagi's other friends comment on how lonely and sad Ami's life is: no friends, busy mother, etc. During lunchtime, Ami leaves the classroom to eat her lunch on the roof. Usagi notices this and becomes a little worried. Usagi and Ami meet up later in the episode and find out that they both have an interest in Aino Minako - the idol superstar. Their "play-date" is cut short since Ami has to leave for cram school, but Usagi gives her the new Venus CD to listen to. Perhaps Ami has finally found a good friend. When she leaves, Luna reveals to Usagi that Ami is the second guardian, Sailormercury. Usagi is surprised but relieved to have another guardian to fight alongside her. At Alt Seminar juku (cram school), Ami is congratulated by her teacher for her exemplary marks on her exam. It is then revealed that Ami strives to do good in school and become a doctor like her mother wants; but what of her own dreams ...
The "new" Ami / Sailormercury has a few interesting changes to her look, her life, and her personality:
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Mercury's hair color is light-blue. Actually, I kinda like this "new" look. Instead of having the 'ole rice bowl dark blue cut, LA-Ami has a stylish light-blue wig with lighter highlights that curls up a little at the bottom; cropped-short. Even though it does make her look a bit more "poppy," it does look nicer and more modern than the original (if blue hair wasn't distinguishing enough!).. |
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Mercury has a new pose I know almost everybody is happy about this. Forget that old cramped/constipated looking pose, our Mercury now has a more stylish, SailorV/Moon type stance. She stands with her left hand on her hip and her right arm in the air with her fingers making a "K" formation. Even during her introduction speech, she ends with a sort of Moon like "Tsukini kawatte" hand movement/pose, though I liked her original anime introduction pose. A very nice change! |
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Mercury becomes "DarkSailormercury" By the will and power of Kunzite, Ami transforms into Dark Mercury in Act 21. Her outfit has changed a little: black outlines on her shoes, black rose-like bow on her back, dark-blue butterfly bow in front, and other "dark" accessories to "intensify" her darkness. She is the only senshi to become "dark" (as always). I've always liked this idea of making her evil, but to me, it's overplayed (happens in Seramyu and now PGSM). She does wield a new weapon, very similar to her "Mercury Harp" but it's more of a bow. |
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Mercury can use her powers to create a sword of ice. In Act 22, DarkSailormercury looks confronts her "friends" and challenges them. She looks at water dripping from a rock and freezes it with her eyes (wow!). The stream turns into an icepick and DSM takes surges it with Dark Power making a crooked ice sword. From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to have quite a reach and must be used for short-range combat. I don't necessary like that fact that her weapon is the symbol of power (the sword), but I guess it works for the situation. And yes, she does keep this *new* technique after she becomes good again. |
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Ami's mother is named Mizuno Saeko. She is finally named! Yes! Saeko appears in Act 33/34 and wants Ami to transfer schools to better enhance her medical studies. Like most parents, her dreams for her daughter endanger her daughter's our dreams and aspirations. I do like that fact that they made her look a little older to show some experience and strength. Saeko has a few wrinkles to express the worries and troubles in her life - everything a doctor/single-parent would have. |
PGSM has highlighted Ami's conflicting character. In the beginning, she always has had some internal conflict that has kept her from living her destiny. Ami always puts new things in question, like her friendship with Usagi or her duty as a Sailor Senshi. Will it stop her from living her "dream"? In Act 5, she begins to doubt Usagi's kindness and buys a book to help her through her problem. Ami ends up at a karaoke party with Usagi and her friends and faints towards the end. She even tries to eat with Usagi's gang, but she resorts to eating back on the roof. Is she still reluctant to "fit-in"? I believe PGSM takes Ami's character a littler further and provides a more complex and complete character - something Takeuchi Naoko probably tried to create, but readers didn't pick up. Eventually, it is this constant struggle with her feelings that leads Ami to the "dark side." She is seduced to fight against Kunzite and ends up serving under him for quite sometime.
On another note, It appears that the "new" Ami/Mercury is much stronger and less "innocent" in her attitude. Looking at her range of offensive attacks and her turn to the dark side, I can tell that PGSM has made Ami into a more desirable character that would probably be liked a little more by the public:
Mercury Power, Make Up!
A light shines from Ami's communicator and paints her nails. Her hand goes over her face, changing her hair color, and she begins to spin. Her hand crosses her entire body and creates her outfit. Mercury ends her in stance in front of a water drop. She then introduces herself and ends in a pose similar to that of Moon. Very different from the regular transformation by a lot. I kinda like hers; it's not a good as Mars or Venus's but it's pretty cute.
Mercury Aqua Beam/Mist
A sign emerges from Mercury's communicator and surround her. She gathers her water energy by spinning and accelerating in speed. The water collects before her, and Mercury slowly releases it. Seems like a powerful attack. I'm thinking along the lines of "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody" or "Mercury Aqua Mirage." This attack replaces "Shabon Spray," presenting a more offensive attack rather than defensive.
Shine Aqua Illusion
Mercury makes crosses her hands twice and lifts them up in the air in to reverse "L" shape. She then makes a regular "L" shape, brings her arms in, and releases a stream of bright bubbles. I did like how this attack was introduced, even though it's a very short and quick attack. The animation looks a lot more like what the manga "Shine Snow Illusion" would be. I do not believe it freezes the enemy on contact.
As you can see, Sailormercury loses a lot of the characteristics that made her so different from the other senshi. However, this can may be a result of budget issues. It would be more difficult to change the atmosphere (through 'Shabon Spray') than to have a computerized attack "hit" an enemy. I'm not too thrilled with the change but I can accept it.
Her "new" strength is also shown through her image song, Mi Amor (Spanish for 'My Love'). The beat is a little Caribbean and exotic with fast-moving lyrics and a deep desire for love; nothing at all like the soothing, relaxing sounds of "Ashita mo Mata Jitensha" or "'Someday ... Somebody ...'." I do admire how the producers/writers chose to expand on the strength we all knew Ami had inside of her; I just wish they wouldn't of let it take over and shadow her strategic and skillful side. With an offense valued just as much as Mars and SJupiter, what is the role of Mercury now? Just to become evil?
To an American (like myself), PGSM may appear to have low-standard acting and "corny" battle scenes. But I think Hama Chisaki does an excellent job in her case. Though her character's initial personality may not be too difficult to execute, Hama does add a certain strength to Ami that was somewhat encouraged in the anime and the manga. I am very impressed by her approach to the sweet character and her portrayal as a confused, lonely genius. Hama is by far the smoothest in her moments and her deliverance of emotion and pain. I'm proud to be a Hama-supporter!
1 Chisaki Hama. Wikipedia.org.
2 Brilliant Dreamer. Living the Sailor Dream.