Pluto

Breakdown of site 75/100

Welcome and site identity 8
The initial homepage of the site is chock full of information and links. The layout is (and always has been) a bit dark for my liking, as well as being the same since it went up. That gets a bit boring but some people may like the fact that it's stayed the same, so that's a bit of a neutral point. As they constantly point out, they are busy people with lives...unlike the rest of us prols.

Navigation 9
The site navigation is pretty simple and straightforward, with the common sense link list at the left hand side. Once a link is clicked, this list then appears in the top graphic to the rest of the site, so you don't need to keep going back to get somewhere. A neat touch, tho it can get a bit crowded if you have a lot of information.

Content of Interest 7
There is plenty of content, but not all of it is available at this time. The archives are still lacking in some places, even after all this time. It feels almost like they've given up on some of it. A shame really since the show's been over for some time now so there's been plenty of time to work on it, even with busy lives. The Nihon corner links all go to pages with similar layouts, which is good. The Album links don't. This is a continuity issue with me. I can see having a different colour for each category, that is fine, but having completely different styles within a category itself isn't. The cast galleries are also a bit of a problem - many are set out as a proper gallery, others go to another page with links, then the particular member's gallery. This is also a continuity issue. If you're going to have them one way, make them ALL that way, not having it change for some of them. If you're in the process of changing them over, then at least say so, so that we're prepared for it.

The content that is already there is pretty good, with lots of screencaps, accurate transcripts (at least as accurate as is possible under circumstances), an updated downloads page, and other parts of the site.

Advertising and sponsorship 7
Advertising where to get the episodes, how to get them and where to get the merchandise is great. This is what I like to see. I'm not necessarily interested IN it, but it's nice to see it all the same. That way those of us who can afford it, can get it.

Self-promotion 7
I've seen Shingetsu linked on just about every PGSM website there is (and it shortly will be on all of mine :)) as it is one of the more definitive sites about the PGSM series out there. It's not the be-all, end-all of all PGSM sites, but it's still up there, as far as I'm concerned.

Filler 7
With all the information on here, there's not much filler, unless you count the stuff like Neeko's reviews, the goodies and such as filler. I guess that's why they're in a special section of their own. Not a bad thing to have filler, and there is a nice balance between info that people want, and the fun stuff to keep people interested in the site.

White-space 7
The layout works on Mozilla just fine, no need to tweak settings, and it is evenly balanced. Not too much white-space, and not too little. The initial layout is a bit dark, so maybe that could be changed some time in the future.

Other 7
I have been a long time fan of this site, despite any failings with the site itself. Sure there could be more information being done, but with a small crew it's understandable that it wasn't done to start with, but a little confusing as to why it's not been done given there has been plenty of time since the show ended to get the information up. It gives the feel of being abandoned in parts of it due to the lack of completion. Overall tho, the site is still pretty good as they go. I am not reviewing the forum, given I am a lurking member on there. (mainly due to idiot me constantly forgetting my passwords ^.^;;)

Saturn

Alright as much as I have always said that Shingetsu is a great site, I have to get something off my chest.

There are a LOT of people that act like Shingetsu is an OFFICIAL site. It is not. It is a site for the fans created by the fans. This is the biggest issue I have had with fans because there are a lot of people that take anything and everything that is said at Shingetsu as gospel. It isn't. Whereas a lot of things that are reported on Shingetsu is good information, you have the hard core zealots out there that believe that if it is at Shingetsu that it has got to be the end all of everything.

The other beef I have always had with Shingetsu has been the undertone of negativity. I am not saying that they are mean to their fans, so if anybody thinks that, please scratch that from your plate. However, there is a pessimistic attitude about some things on the site that bother me. For example, when all the speculation was flying around as to how many episodes there would be and if the series would end, this particular site kept stating "it is the end at this episode" and that bothered me. I still hold out hope for more in the future, and maybe that is my optimistic nature, but I feel that if you run a fansite that SOME ray of hope should exist for fans and I don't tend to find it on this site. That being said, and with a few more people that hate me online I am sure, I shall start my review.

The layout to this site is clean and consistant. I appreciate that in sites and surprisingly it was a trend for a while and seems to be replaced by garrish sites lately. Thank you Shingetsu for sticking with the clean look and the consistancy. Even though the color of the page might change from time to time, the layout is the same and works. There isn't anything that is out of place or any such. It is all tightly packaged and viewable.

The sites information is very well laid out at that. On every page you can access pretty much any area of the site that you could want to and at the same time you get to view thing similar to a storyboard at times. This is rather pleasing to the eye and works insanely well. Good job!

Now mind you, I am only viewing the information right now. However, the information is very easy to read and is easy on the eyes. There aren't any areas where you would rather pluck your eyes out then view the site. No bright or hard to read fonts. No clashing colors. It just works. The information isn't bad either ^_~ And if you can't tell that is my way of saying go view the site for yourself.

Now I will say after clicking the cast I was a bit surprised to see the colors change. However, the layout is still the same design. I am sure that there is a reason for the color change, and frankly I don't mind it as you are talking about these beautiful girls as they are the cast and it doesn't give the dark navy doomish feel. It actually HAS a feeling to the page. I don't get that often and I really like it. Now just don't do something like make me feel squishy inside... that could be bad :P

The color changing continues for each page thus far, but it isn't color changes that hurt. They are all soft and subdued and it is ONLY the colors that change. The layout is the same and everything, so I am done talking about it.

I am finding myself sitting here in the screen capture archive and thus far this is the first time I am finding disappointment. The caps don't start until Act 19, skip ep 20 and then start again at 21 only to stop again at 37. However I am happy to see that there is an explanation for it. Once again. Thank you. It is nice that people let the fans of their sites know why something does or doesn't work, or why something is or isn't somewhere. It is a courtesy that seems to be lost on quite a few sites these days, so nice job there guys. All of the fans will appreciate it I am sure.

The other articles in this category have the same issues. There is some there and some that aren't. However, there is usually a reason given as to why something is or isn't there. Moving on.

The Nihon Corner is rather interesting and refreshing. You don't find translations on every site as there are few people in the SM community that fully know Japanese enough to do the translations. (And if anybody flames us for that, so be it. I am speaking of the VAST MAJORITY, not the fans that took the time to learn the language or happen to be Japanese.) The consistancy continues and I am not going to elaborate as you should read the articles yourself.

The Album category has something that I really like. They have taken magazine articles and tranlated the information on it and put it back on the actual article. This is something I wish I could see more of, but it goes back to the last statement of the lack of language knowledge in the community... that and my lack of being able to take a Japanese course for lack of a baby sitter for my daughter....

The Photo Bookes and Cast Galleries are exactly what I expect of them... well kinda as the photobooks aren't there yet ^_^;

There is really no need for me to continue on with the rest of the categories. This site is wonderful and I recommend it to anybody that is new to the PGSM community. Give it a shot, and enjoy it. There is no need for me to go down the line on EVERY little thing. The site as a whole is a good site. Now if we could work on the pessimism.... well, who knows. I keep up hope.

Uranus

A word of warning: this is not your typical Sailor Uranus review. I'm going to talk about Shingetsu, but I'm going to go beyond the site. So be prepared, because you're not all going to agree with what I'll say. But let me cover the site first.

Most of the sites we review, I go into cold, having never seen them. But I've been to Shingetsu many times, so the layout is as familiar as an old slipper. A nice contrasting picture of PGSM Sailor Moon with PGSM Usagi heads up a dark home page. This theme is carried throughout most of the site, but a few have a beige background and dark text. This is quite refreshing and not at all contradictory. A ubiquitous logo and shadow border ties all the pages together.

For content, well, if you haven't accessed the content on this page at some point, you're either a newbie who hasn't found them yet or an expert who doesn't need them. Their screencaps and synopses are the Platonic ideal to which other sites can only aspire. There are translations of things that no one outside of Japan would ever see if not for Shingetsu. And the highlight of it all are the PGSM act transcripts, which come out generally within a day of the release of the show. They're accurate and make sens in English. Perfect? Of course not. No 24-hour traslation can be. But they are good, and good is enough.

OK, that's all the technical stuff, now here's why in this reviewer's opinion Shingetsu is the number one site for PGSM at this moment. The webmistresses are quite simply two of the best people in the community. If you've read my piece in the drama section on TV-Nihon's bad attitude (and shame on you if you haven't!), you'll know I talked about keeping the fans appraised of what's going on and staying friendly. The Shingetsu folks are the polar opposites of TV-N in terms of the way they handle the work they've assumed. When they couldn't get a transcript done in time, they explained why, and if they didn't outright apologize, at least they understood that they had people waiting for them to finish, and that what they do is important.

Throughout the site, it's this attitude of caring that shines through and makes this site such a happy place. Go to the site FAQ and see the way they dealt with the issue of watermarks on images. Or the issue of fansubs. Or of e-mails asking them to contact the PGSM cast. Each was an opportunity to act high and mighty and to lay down the law. Instead, they patiently explain the scenario and do the best they can to accommodate. If there's any element of pride in the site, it's only the pride of an accomplishment that is appreciated by so many.

So if you're looking for a break from all the ill will and complications that infest the online Sailor Moon world, head over to Shingetsu, and make it your starting point. Don't worry about being too ignorant or too boorish or too egotistical. Shingetsu is the seeming utopia that Sailor Moon lets us all dream of.

Neptune

Layout-As basic as it is, it works! Notice how orginized it is. Things fall into place and things aren't scattered.

Content-Yeah....let's say lots! A very popular site that offers fans translations of magazines. No MP3's or Video clips, just information on your PGSM characters. Also included are transcripts, screencaps, interviews, diaries and tons more. Fans will or do, love this site for what it offers.

Background-Beautful. A dark blue background and a beautiful picture of Moon/Usagi on top. Nothing blinds me and I don't need to highlight.

Downfall-Well only if you are on a slow connection. Because there is so much here-content wise-people may experience slow loading. But it's worth it in the end.

Overall Opinion-Great site with a great design and easy navigation. See you don't need a fancy pantsy layout to have a wonderful site. Good job guys!