Haruka and Michiru's first appearance is quite complicated and mysterious. Since they were "encore" senshi, I believe Takeuchi wanted to make them a bit more enigmatic and serious than the Inners - and she did a great job of it. I've provided mini-summaries of their first appearances ONLY in the first episode/manga they appear.
The manga appearance of Haruka and Michiru is quite alluring and mysterious. We first see the glimpse of a woman with wavy hair coming out of a swimming pool. She answers her phone and mentions the roughness of the sea. In the next scene, a man with short blond hair emerges from a car to a roaring crowd. "Haruka," as he is called, is praised by fans who talk of his celebrity and great driving skills. Two helicopters fly over head and a fan points out that on is the Tenoh Maru and the other the Kaioh Maru, planes for the notorious racecar driver and the famed violinst. They are considered be the "perfect couple" and attend Infinity Academy.
In the next scene, Usagi meets the others at the Crown Arcade Center. Makoto and Minako get Usagi to play a racing game, but she loses miserably. They notice a man nearby
playing the same game and reaching unbelievable speed records (300 km, 400 km ...). When he removes his helmet, we see the face of Haruka; Makoto and Minako think "he's" quite cute. Meanwhile outside, Mamoru and Michiru bump into each other. Her hand mirror falls to the ground and the two touch hands when each tries to pick it up. Michiru comments on the noble quality of Mamoru's eyes, saying "[he] must have been a prince in a previous life." Mamoru is surprised and Michiru apologizes for making such a weird statement. Usagi appears and sees them talking, but Haruka interrupts her thoughts and invites her to race with "him" later. Haruka and Michiru leave their "admiring lovers" behind and walk away.
The next time we see Haruka and Michiru is during Usagi's infiltration of the Infinity Academy (Mugen Gakuen). Usagi hears the sound of a beautiful violin and follows it towards Michiru. Her friends start to follow towards the sound but are stopped by Haruka.
Michiru chastises Usagi for her carelessness and warns her of her death if she continues to act like she does. Haruka scolds the others for sneaking around and pardons them this time. But there's no time for Usagi to answer for she's chased by another Infinity student. She thinks of how "dark and cold" Michiru's eyes were and wonders if she's an enemy.
Want to read the rest? Visit The Manga of Takeuchi Naoko for complete arc summaries
The anime entrance is a bit more revealing and comical than the manga one with - of course - a few changes. We meet Haruka first when he approaches Usagi and Minako in the Crown Arcade Center and joins Minako in a racing game. Minako thinks she's impressing "the boy" with her driving, but he hasn't even moved; he says he needs to give her a "headstart." Infuriated, Minako puts the pedal to the metal hoping to prove her title as the "future of F1 racing." But her speed is no match for Haruka's as he passes her up lap after lap. Minako crashes trying to keep up, but Haruka compliments her on her skills. Then, a girl with flowing teal hair comes in and
apologizes to Haruka for making "him" wait. Haruka and Michiru leave while Minako and Usagi flush at the "beautiful people."
Minako and Usagi follow the couple to a coffee house and Minako decides that Haruka is the guy for her. When Michiru and Haruka split up, the sleuths trail Haruka to a garage; Haruka asks them how long they're going to hide. He introduces himself and the blondes start asking questions about Michiru. Haruka implies that they're dating but says there's still a chance for them. Michiru walks in and comments on Haruka's flirting. Minako asks her a straight yes-or-no question: Is she Haruka's girlfriend? No.
Haruka begins now to express a bit of her feelings. She likes coming to this garage because she can "see the swaying mirage of the race track" and almost feel the "fragrance" of the breeze. Michiru adds that Haruka's dream is to be a racecar driver, but Haruka retorts, saying her dream now is "to do only what can be done [himself];" the two touch hands.
Want to read the rest? Visit Hitoshi Doi's Sailor Moon Page for complete episode summaries.
[[ revelation ]] ~~ [[ devotion ]]
