BALM
バーム · Bāmu
“Look deep into my eyes…”
– Balm to Umino
We have now reached that six-episode stretch of classic Sailor Moon where only the titular hero, along with feline mentor Luna, are up against the Dark Kingdom. And apart from Sailor V in the background, and perhaps Tuxedo Mask, there’s not another Senshi in sight. For many fans, this is the beginning of the dreaded filler, but for myself, I like the worldbuilding and slice-of-life aspect. I also enjoy getting to see Usagi’s perspective without the other Senshi around.
In this episode, we not only meet Usagi’s father Kenji Tsukino, we are introduced to Motoki Furuhata. Both men eventually disappeared from the series, each at a different stage, but they are recurring for the time being. Of the two, Motoki would definitely see the most gametime before going the way of Naru and Umino.
Speaking of, this is a Gurio Umino-centered episode. There aren’t a lot of those in the show’s whole run, although more than you might expect. The bespectacled dork doesn’t become lovable until later, and that’s largely because of his dating Naru. In the meantime, Umino is essentially this anime’s Steve Urkel — a minor nuisance best tolerated in small amounts.
Last we met, Sailor Moon had completed her first mission, defeated her first monster, and without realizing it, thwarted Jadeite. Plot-wise this episode is more of the same, a standard plug-and-chugger with no discernible effect on the overarching story. For now that’s fine, but there are even better cases of this sort of episode in the near future.
WHEN AND WHERE
In Episode 2, Punishment Awaits: The House of Fortune Is the Yōma Mansion, Jadeite uses another current trend as part of his next energy-stealing scheme; in Azabu-Jūban, Yōma Balm attracts potential victims to her House of Fortune (Uranai House). This includes Usagi’s male classmates, who as a result of their visit to said business, become uninhibited and dangerous.
ETYMOLOGY
The general consensus is, Balm’s name is just a play on “palm” (パーム, pāmu), as in palm readings. The spelling alteration might also be for the purpose of indicating a slight change in normalcy. After all, Balm took something as commonplace as fortune-telling and tainted it.
In addition, SailorFunComics has suggested that Balm’s name could be taken from barmbrack (バームブラック, bāmuburakku), a type of Irish yeast bread associated with Halloween and fortune-telling.
DESIGN
Balm doesn’t look quite like what Naoko Takeuchi had proposed, but she’s not too far off either. At least when compared to Morga. Here that hoodless cloak remains intact and also serves as a total timesaver for the artists; minus her arms, decolletage and head, we don’t see Balm’s body. Nevertheless, her Yōma form, while simple, is ghastly enough. It goes without saying, these earlier Yōma are genuinely menacing when juxtaposed with the anime’s later examples. Sailor Moon was right to be frightened by Balm and her peers.
Balm immediately brings to mind the snake-haired Medusa of Greek mythology. In lieu of serpents are prehensile hair tendrils, which she wields like extra limbs. Unsettling! In addition, the emphasis on Balm’s hair conjures up images of classic Japanese ghost stories and folklore as well as “J-Horror” cinema. Mind you, Balm was born in the early ’90s, so she was well ahead of the latter.
THE BATTLE
Sailor Moon is still rather green when it comes to fighting, but she holds her own against the unyielding Balm. More reactive than offensive, Moon narrowly evades those hair tendrils — they do real damage to the floor and wall! — and a sharp tarot card. Tuxedo Mask’s rose distracts the enemy long enough for Sailor Moon to recuperate, then unleash her tiara. It’s not all that different from the scrap with Morga. Balm even mind-controls humans like her predecessor did.
As for weaknesses, Balm had none (“tokuninashi”) listed in the Nakayoshi Anime Album.
Standard combat and resolution notwithstanding, it’s enjoyable how Moon Tiara Action explicitly hits Balm here. To see the Yōma agonize and disintegrate in real time is satisfying and should be savored, seeing as the enemies’ deaths are indirectly shown in most subsequent episodes. Something else of note is how Balm, when reduced to moondust, leaves behind a tarot card like the Cardians later do in Sailor Moon R.
EPILOGUE
Classic Sailor Moon wasn’t that big on showing religion, apart from Rei’s faith and some minor Catholicism, but fortune-telling does come up often enough. This is a reflection of reality, where Japan — ancient and modern — puts stock in divination, omikuji and other readings. Younger people, particularly women, remain fans of having their fortunes told.
The funny thing about Balm is, was she even really clairvoyant? Seems doubtful.
This is hardly my favorite episode from the divisive solo section of Season One, but as usual, the Yōma is the highlight. Umino flipping Miss Haruna’s skirt, on the other hand, is a lowlight that needn’t be discussed beyond this mention. 🌙
Tales from the Paulside 
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