New Releases of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Film Promo Videos

I have fantastic news! Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal has released new promos this month. The Sailor Moon Crystal series, which consist of three seasons, will release two films in Japan that are adapted from the Dream Arc of Naoko Takeuchi's original manga, Sailor Moon. In this story,  Sailor Moon battles new powerful enemies from another realm, the Dead Moon Circus. Part 1 will be released on January 8, 2021, and Part 2 will be released on  February 11, 2021.

Much to fans' delight, the original character designer, Nazuko Tadano, from the original 1990s franchise will return to provide new character designs in both films. The first promo video includes more scenes of our favorite romantic duo, Usagi and Mamoru (or Serena and Darien for North American 90s fans). The dual film project is a joint production between Toei Animation and Studio DEEN. The image is one of the first official movie posters featuring Sailor Moon and Queen Nehelenia. 

There is no specific date on when the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal films will become available in North America. According to SailorMoonNews.com, there is a good chance an English dubbed version of the films will be streamed on Netflix.S tay tuned for further updates!

Check out the promo videos below:

Are you a Sailor Moon fan? Share your thoughts!

2020: Countdown to the Christmas Star on December 21, 2020

Photo Credit: NASA

In just a few days, something spectacular is about to appear in the night sky this Christmas season. Jupiter and Saturn will draw closer together, heading into a "great conjunction" after sunset on December 21, 2020. It will mark the closest alignment of the two planets in nearly 800 years. CNN reports:

The two largest planets in our solar system are coming closer together than they have been since the Middle Ages, and it's happening just in time for Christmas -- hence the nickname of the "Christmas Star."

While it's not an actual star, the two planets will certainly make a bright splash in the night sky.

On the night of December 21, the winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will appear so closely aligned in our sky that they will look like a double planet. This close approach is called a conjunction. The fact that this event is happening during the winter solstice is pure coincidence, according to NASA.

What is a planetary conjunction? According to NASA, it means that the two planets, Saturn and Jupiter, will come together in close alignment. And both planets will be visible from Earth like a bright star. It is called a “great conjunction” because Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the solar system.

What makes this year exceptional is that the two planets have not aligned this close together in the night sky since the year 1226 A.D. This incredibly rare event will showcase a special Christmas around the world. Some sources believe this planetary conjunction was the same fabled Star of Bethelem, or "Christmas Star," that is said to have revealed the birth of Jesus Christ in the town of Bethlehem (Israel) nearly two millennia ago. For those who are unfamiliar with the famous biblical story, see the excerpt of the Three Wise Men (Magi) in Matthew 2:1-2:

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Between tonight and December 25, look for the Jupiter-Saturn pairing in the western sky for about 45 minutes to an hour after sunset. The sky must be dark enough to see the two planets. While the cosmic event can be seen with the naked eye, it is recommended for individuals to use binoculars or a telescope to enhance the viewing, especially if you're interested in seeing Jupiter's four large moons. Although these two planets may appear close, they are still hundreds of millions of miles apart. While planetary conjunctions typically occur every 20 years, the next sighting of Jupiter and Saturn will not appear this close again from Earth until 2080.

Recommended links:

• NASA: The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
• The Lowell Observatory's YouTube Channel -- Flagstaff, Arizona (The observatory will host a program beginning at 7 p.m. ET, showcasing live views through its telescopes.)
• The Virtual Telescope Project - Rome, Italy.

Did you get a good view of the "Christmas Star" in the night sky? Share your thoughts!

Review: Dark Wine at Dusk and Dark Wine at Death (A Hill Vampire Series, Books #3-4)

A seductive spy. An alpha vampire. A traitor in their midst...

This post focuses on the third and fourth novels in A Hill Vampire series by Jenna Barwin: Dark Wine at Dusk and Dark Wine at Death.

Dark Wine at Dusk is the third novel in the A Hill Vampire series. The series picks up from the events in the previous novel, Dark Wine at Sunrise. When a a rogue vampire group attacks residents of the Hill, Dr. Cerissa Patel must set aside her romantic relationship and focus on her mission.Her lover, vampire Henry Bautista, would do anything to help his beautiful spy capture the conspirators who are determined to enslave mortals. But as Henry’s secret past rears its ugly head, it not only threatens their mission, but risks their love—and their very lives.

The search area widens as does the complexity of the investigation. Cyberattacks and subterfuge are just the tip of the iceberg. Meanwhile, mortal mates are campaigning for equality. Even more so, Cerissa discovers that the Lux have secrets of their own, causing her to doubt things. With the pressure mounting on the Hill, Cerissa and Henry must identify who is targeting the vampire founders for true death. 

Dark Wine at Death is the fourth novel in the series. The leader of the rogue vampires is in jail. Cerissa and Henry can finally live happily ever after--so they thought. A traitor is feeding confidential information to the conspirators. Death strikes a founding member, which is a huge blow to The Hill community. Henry is selected as bait to flush out the mastermind behind the murders. Cerissa dislikes the idea, but she is willing to take the risk. She also wants to stop the conspirators' goal of enslaving mortals. 

But the heartbreaking demons from Henry’s past—demons he must confront before he can tie his life to Cerissa’s forever—threaten to distract him from their mission and, in the process, could cost the life of a loved one… Meanwhile, secrets that some characters want to remain hidden are slowly revealed. Find out who is behind the murders in the conclusion of this spellbinding, thrilling mystery.

Jenna Barwin is a new author in the urban fantasy genre. I have enjoyed how Barin was able to weave a complex, intriguing story that captivated the audience so seamlessly. I love how Cerissa and Henry's relationship evolves, illustrating both the ups (chemistry, teamwork) and the downs (mistrust, doubts). These moments felt often felt intense and realistic, which gradually strengthened their love for each other. The suspense, romance, and mystery among the characters (vampires, mortals, and the Lux) got me hooked, making the reading experience both well-rounded and satisfying. It was a lot of fun to read.

I can't wait to learn what's awaiting Cerissa and Henry in their next investigation. If you like the worlds of Deborah Harkness, Charlaine Harris, or Jeaniene Frost, then you will love this latest installment in the Hill Vampire series. It is best to start from the beginning with Dark Wine at Midnight. Overall, I highly recommend this series.

Stay tuned for the next novel in A Hill Vampire series, Dark Wine at the Circus, which will be released in the spring of 2021.