One of the most controversial episodes in the first season of anime episodes that never appeared in the original Sailor Moon manga, either. As a whole, this collection of episodes involves the Seven Great Youma, and although it may not be on par with the first two "acts" that do appear in the manga, it fits well with the overall plot and doesn't feel out of place.
By comparison, the controversial episode in question, "Loved and Chased: Luna's Worst Day Ever," actually feels like the filler it is. However, it actually highlights key moments from the Seven Great Youma storyline and helps add much-needed context. The problem is that what works well is hidden beneath a generous portion of the episode that centers mostly on Luna instead of despite Luna's importance. The fact that Luna also falls in love with one of the most absurdly named cats contributes to the episode's overall infamy.
The Episode Explores A Key Moment in Sailor Mars and Tuxedo Mask's Relationship
"Luna's Worst Day Ever" Might As Well Be Sailor Mars' Worst Day Ever
A key storyline that "Luna's Worst Day Ever" continues quite well from the Seven Great Youma arc involves the anime-only relationship between Sailor Mars and Mamoru aka Tuxedo Mask or, to be more precise, the deterioration of said relationship. The beginning of the end started before "Luna's Worst Day Ever" when Mamoru realized that he was actually Tuxedo Mask, believing that what he had been experiencing as Tuxedo Mask was just a dream. As his memories slowly return, Mamoru romantically drifts towards Sailor Moon since they were initially lovers in their previous lives.
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"Luna's Worst Day Ever" contributed to this storyline in a visually stunning way when Mamoru ignores a call that Sailor Mars leaves on his answering machine as he thinks about his mission to learn about his past. Specifically, he's lost in thought about the Silver Crystal that is formed upon the collection of the Seven Rainbow Crystals, which the Seven Great Youma possess. Without this additional context, the eventual breakup between Sailor Mars and Tuxedo Mask feels more abrupt and almost too random.
"Luna's Worst Day Ever" Also Gives Sailor Mars and Tuuichirou A Big Scene
It's A Perfect Follow Up To "Grandpa Loses Control: Rei in Danger"
This dynamic is complemented by another instance that helps showcase the deterioration of that relationship, but more so from Sailor Mars' perspective. After failing to connect with Mamoru, she eventually runs into the '90s anime-only character Yuuichirou, and the resulting scene serves as another step that helps cement their relationship. In fact, "Luna's Worst Day Ever" directly follows the first time that Sailor Mars appears to be falling for Yuuichirou, which, coincidentally, happened in the immediately preceding episode. In that episode, she kisses him on the cheek. "Luna's Worst Day Ever" serves as the logical next step after that situation.
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In that same vein, the events that follow these romantically driven scenes in "Luna's Worst Day Ever" should be enough for fans to justify Luna's relationship with the absurdly named cat Rhett Butler. Obviously, Sailor Mars' love life is falling apart, causing her to be more naturally inclined to react more strongly to some form of romance. When she inevitably gets involved in the situation surrounding Luna and Rhett, she takes their predicament personally and decides to lead the charge in saving their relationship.
Rather than think of Luna and Rhett's story as the main focus of the episode, fans can try to view it from the perspective that it's actually meant to highlight Sailor Mars' own situation with Tuxedo Mask and Yuuichirou.
Sailor Moon and Luna's Dynamic Is Flipped
Usagi Starts Acting Like Luna
On yet another level, "Luna's Worst Day Ever" effectively flips the entire dynamic between Luna and Sailor Moon in a very satisfying way. Before and after this episode, many of the interactions between Sailor Moon and Luna involve the latter bemoaning Usagi's obsession with boys and trying to get her back on track. It's rather fitting that when the tables are turned and Luna gets dragged into the drama surrounding Rhett, Sailor Moon adopts Luna's mentality and actually conveys her frustration that Luna is getting detracted by less important matters when she should be focusing on her mission.
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If anything, this is an amusing spin on their usual relationship while providing enough mechanics to help justify the switch. Moreover, the episode doesn't veer too far off course from their pre-established personalities. In the same breath when she frets over Luna, Usagi follows up with her uncharacteristic, hypocritical view of Luna when she gets distracted upon seeing a Sailor V game and, characteristically, gets sucked into that, only participating in the real-life mission when her in-game character dies.
So, while the overall focus of "Luna's Worst Day Ever" makes the episode feel like the filler it is in relation to the original Sailor Moon manga, fans can hopefully view it from a more positive perspective once they realize how Sailor Mars' side story complements the events of the overall Seven Great Youmga plot line it takes place in, even though all of it, too, is technically filler.
