Ep 8. The Girl Genius Is a Monster: The Brainwashing Cram School of Horror

As the eighth episode of the first season of Sailor Moon, The Girl Genius Is a Monster: The Brainwashing Cram School of Horror follows Usagi and her friends as they investigate a mysterious cram school that seems to be brainwashing its students. The episode opens with Usagi struggling to keep up with her studies, and lamenting the fact that she has not inherited her mother's intelligence. Meanwhile, Ami, who is a natural genius, is accepted into a prestigious cram school.

However, things take a sinister turn when Ami begins to act strangely after attending the school. She becomes cold and distant towards Usagi and her other friends, and seems to have lost her passion for learning. When Usagi tries to investigate the school and its headmaster, she is met with resistance from the other students, who seem to be under some sort of mind control.

Eventually, Usagi and her friends manage to infiltrate the school and discover that it is being run by a monstrous creature who is using the students' intelligence to fuel her own power. Ami has been brainwashed and turned into a minion of the creature, but with the help of Sailor Moon and the other Sailor Guardians, she is able to break free from the spell and defeat the monster.

The episode is notable for its focus on Ami, who is given more depth and development than in previous episodes. It also explores the theme of academic pressure, and the dark side of the pressure to excel in school. The episode features some of the show's most memorable action sequences, including a tense battle between Sailor Mercury and the brainwashed students.

Overall, The Girl Genius Is a Monster: The Brainwashing Cram School of Horror is a strong episode that showcases the series' ability to blend action, humor, and character development. It is a must-watch for fans of the show, and a good introduction for those who are new to Sailor Moon.