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The Mars Arrow

First appearance: Act 41 (Manga); Episode 152 (Anime)

The Mars Arrow is one of Sailor Mars's most important items, used throughout the SuperS/Dream and Stars arcs. With it, she could preform her ultimate attack, Mars Flame Sniper.

In the manga, the Mars Arrow appears at the beginning of the fourth arc. Rei and the rest of the Senshi go to a circus, which, in reality, is the stronghold of the Dead Moon Circus. Rei goes off on her own and eventually ends up in a house of mirrors. However, Tiger's Eye has targeted her and traps her in a nightmare. Although Rei does her best to fend it off, she is unable to transform and soon passes out. However, her guardians, Phobos and Deimos (who had, up until then, been disguised as crows that she cared for at the Hikawa Shrine) appeared and gifted her with the Mars Crystal, telling her to remember her dreams and fight to protect them. She then transformed into Super Sailor Mars.

Phobos and Deimos also gifted her with the Mars Arrow and Mars, upon remembering Michiru Kaioh's words and advice regarding her sixth sense, was able to perform Mars Flame Sniper for the first time. Sailor Mars continued to use the Mars Arrow to use Mars Flame Sniper all throughout the fourth and fifth arcs.

In the anime, like all of the Super attack items, the Mars Arrow is not a physical object. However, its symbol appears at the beginning and end of Mars Crystal Power, Make Up as well as in the beginning of Mars Flame Sniper. When Sailor Mars preforms the attack itself, she summons a fiery bow and arrow, which seem to be the Mars Arrow's anime incarnation.

Other notes:

The Mars Arrow has a basis in Classical Mythology. Although the god of war, Ares/Mars, was commonly associated with the spear, he was occasionally depicted wielding a bow and arrow. In addition, his son, Eros/Cupid, with the goddess of love, Aphrodite/Venus, was always depicted using a bow and arrow.

In addition, miko are well-known for their archery skills and occasionally exorcised demons with arrows. Both the Mars Arrow and Mars Flame Sniper are a reference to this skill.

In the anime, the Mars Arrow seems to be formed out of the energy of fire itself.

In the manga, the Mars Arrow has anti-evil charms attached to the end of its shaft.

Unlike the Mercury Harp, the Mars Arrow is not shown speaking to its wielder. However, it can be assumed that it also possesses sentience.

#Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon #Sailor Mars #Mars Flame Sniper #Sailor Moon #Mars Arrow #item analysis