Missing posts

Well i'm afraid i'm going to have to take a break from blogging for a few weeks. I'm finishing off my dissertation for my degree and i really have to focus on it right now. I should be back to blogging in two-three weeks...

Wish me luck!



Custom Moonie goods #1

Naturally Sailor Moon has inspired us all and some of us have got pretty creative! These are a few examples of fan arts and crafts that i've found...

These shoes are FANTASTIC. The colours are beautiful, the characters are gorgeously represented and the style is utterly fab. Sign me up for a pair!

Sweet, cute and so Sailor Moon! This necklace just says it all...

Anyone feel like a bath? These cute rubber ducks are the perfect companions for aquatic fun! Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask will punish you if you don't clean up your act!

This is a beautifully made example of cosplay art. This fabulous, handmade broach must've taken ages to complete and it really shows alot of love.

Sailor Moon Cupcakes! Seriously adorable and the perfect moonie treat. Om nom nom nom nom...

An Apocolypse of Elements

As i'm sure that many of you will know, on March the 11th this year there was a catastrophic earthquake just off the coast of Japan. This quake measured a 9 on the richter scale and caused a huge Tsunami suspected of killing at least 10,000 people. The force of the earthquake was enough to shift the country of Japan 7ft (approx. 2.5m) closer to China and to alter the Earth's rotational axis.

After the earthquake it was realised that the Fukushima Nuclear power station had malfunctioned and more than one of the reactors had failed to shut down automatically as is proceedure. A large area surrounding the power station has now been evacuated, however the reactors are not cooling correctly and there is a danger of melt down.

There was also a fire at an oil refinary.

Thousands of people have been left homeless and yesterday it began to snow.

I know that you will all join me in hoping that Naoko Takeuchi and her friends and family are all safe and well, but i hope that you will join me too, in extending this hope to all the people of Japan. The people of Japan have bourn this tragedy with dignity and patience. There have been no reports of violence or looting and people have been helping each other as much as possible during such a difficult time.

If you have any money to spare at all, pleae donate it to the Red Cross who are doing fantastic work out there, bringing food, providing blankets and shelter and giving medical care. If you don't want to give to the Red Cross then please donate to which reputable charity are doing work in Japan.

Character Profile #13 ~ Naru Osaka

Naru Osaka is the daughter of the owner of "Osa-P", the Azabu jewellery store which features in the opening act of Sailor Moon. She is Usagi Tsukino's best friend and it is to her aid that Usagi rushes upon discovering her powers. Naru doesn't have a very large role in the manga although it is always hinted that she is not neglected by Usagi in favour of her Senshi friends.

In the original Sailor Moon series however she takes a starring role due to her romantic relationship with Nephrite. This storyline is a nice touch to the Sailor Moon saga as it shows that you do not have to have Senshi like superpowers to make a difference! Naru changes Nephrites heart with the simple force of her affection. Her relationship with Nephrite is sadly not meant to be however and he dies in her arms having protected her from Zoisite to the very end. Naru ends up in a relationship with the geeky and kooky Umino Gurio, although she maintains her role as Usagi's friend by joining her in certain "drooling sessions" over handsome young men.

It should never be said however that Naru is oblivious, ignorant or stupid for ignoring Usagi's sudden disappearences or odd behaviour. In the manga, she admits to the reader that she is aware that Usagi is almost inhabiting a different world but that she wants to help Usagi in any way that she can. This is Takeuchi-sama's way of showing true friendship. Naru knows that she can't do much, but is willing to do whatever she can to help Usagi.

"You're lying again!!" - Naru Osaka

Merchandise #2

Continuing our tour of the length and breadth of Sailor Moon Merchandise available...

Sailor Moon fans...

A Sailor Moon Cycle for your Sailor Moon Doll. Pimpin'!

A Pizza delivery scooter upon which Usagi can deliver pizza from her very own Pizza Parlour which was brought to my attention by CyCyN who writes her fantastic moonie blog here:
                                                            sailormoon-obsession.blogspot.com.
Sailor Moon. Saving the planet one Pizza at a time...

And last but not least...an Italian Board game. There have been Sailor Moon board games released in Korea and America too.

Relationship profile #1 ~ Usagi and Mamoru

Usagi and Mamoru are the main coupling in Sailor Moon. Destined for one another since time immemorial their relationship goes through several stages and develops throughout the story in a satisfying way. Their interactions are key to the continuation of the main story as well as contributing to the romantic subcurrent present within each version of the Sailor Moon saga.

Usagi and Mamoru are vital to the main plot as the protagonists of the story. Without their doomed relationship within the time of the Moon Kingdom, Sailor Moon as we know her would simply not exist and there would be no tale to tell. It is the love story between Serenity and Endymion which kick-starts the rebellion of the Earth Kingdom and the corruption of Queen Beryl. This rebellion takes the lives of both Serenity and Endymion, leading to their reincarnation in modern day Tokyo and the beginning of the new battle with the Dark Kingdom which is where the story starts for the viewer.

Upon their first meeting Usagi and Mamoru don't get on quite as destined lovers should. Usagi has just failed a test with 40/100 and in despair throws her scrunched up test paper behind her. Naturally, it hits Mamoru in the face leading to a brief confrontation. She believes him to be stuck up and he believes her to be stupid, having seen her test result. He compounds her dislike of him by referring to her as "Odango" or "dumpling"-head. This makes her angry and their relationship is soon set as one of annoyance and intense dislike.

However, Mamoru is also Tuxedo- Kamen who, as early as the first episode establishes himself as Sailor Moon's love interest. It is later in the first series, when the location of the Silver Crystal is revealed that Tuxedo-Kamen's identity as Mamoru Chiba is uncovered, much to Usagi's dismay. It is also important to note that with the Silver Crystal, the memories of the Senshi and Tuxedo-Kamen return to them and Usagi and Mamoru recognise each other truly for the first time. The joy of this moment is cut short as Mamoru is kidnapped by the Dark Kingdom and Brain washed. this opens up a whole new stage in the relationship between the couple.

The Brain-washing of Mamoru allows Usagi's character to expand and mature. For the first time she does not have Mamoru to save her anymore and also for the first time she knows and accepts her love,which makes her seperation from Mamoru doubly difficult. In the anime, she heals him and saves him however in the manga, the story takes a far more dramatic turn. Usagi, destitute with grief at her inability to save the man she loves, resolves to at least save him from himself and the taint of association with the Dark Kingdom. She takes the Silver Crystal sword and kills him, before killing herself. This is a strong statement by Naoko Takeuchi about the strength and depth of Usagi's feelings for Mamoru and it allows the audience to see a different side of Usagi's usually playful and relaxed character. With the help of the Silver Crystal, Usagi and Mamoru are healed and go on to defeat the evil Queen Metallia, leading to a short respite of peace.

In the anime however, there is yet more seperation for Usagi to endure. After a small time during which Usagi and Mamoru are happy and in love, Mamoru begins to have dreams informing him that if he stays with Usagi, then disaster will befall her. He breaks up with her and much of Sailor Moon R is spent dealing with the emotional anguish that this causes them both.

In the live action version of Sailor Moon, the plot line between Usagi and Mamoru is slightly different. She finds out that he is the engimatic Tuxedo Kamen but also that they cannot be together as he is already promised to another young woman. This story emulates the pain of seperation shown in the R season.

Eventually, Endymion and Serenity have their happy ending and are married. Naoko Takeuchi always swore to herself that the story would end with their wedding, and so it did.

Merchandise #1

Due to the Success of Sailor Moon there is a large amount of merchandise bearing the Sailor Moon logo. Some of it is rather unusual especially by western standards and i have collected a few examples here for your delectation.

A Sailor Moon cooking set including a chopping board, measuring spoons, knife, peeler, bottle opener, ladle, whisk and Spatula...

A Sailor Chibi Moon Karaoki set...

A Luna hat. Also available in Artemis colours...

Sailor Moon slippers available as each of the Senshi...

There is a great number of Sailor Moon cosmetic kits...

Sailor Moon socks...

                                           
A Sailor Moon baking set including a decorating kit and recipe book...

Naoko Takeuch is herself a big fan of of the Sailor Moon merchandise and owns a set of the senshi slippers. The fact that there is so much unusual merchandise makes being a moonie fun...if a little expensive!

Villain profile #1 ~ Queen Beryl

Queen Beryl is the enemy in the first series of every version of Sailor Moon. Queen of the Dark Kingdom, it is her mission to crush the Moon Kingdom, claim the Silver Crystal and rule the world; the basic super villain bit. In the anime she doesn't really have any other motive than her longing for power, however in the manga and live action versions she was a servent of Prince Endymion who could not bear the fact that he was in love with Princess Serenity instead of her. This underlying feeling of betrayal and heartache perhaps explains why she was so open to the corruption of Queen Metalia who becomes her mistress.

Queen Beryl's story begins before the Sailor Moon saga that we know. Before the scope of the story (although we are told about it), she helps Metalia crushthe Moon Kingdom, killing Serenity, Endymion, the Senshi and indirectly Queen Serenity. Metalia is sealed away by Queen Serenity but we are left assume that Queen Beryl was killed and reincarnated at the same time as the senshi or else her story does not make sense. It is Queen Beryl who reawakens Queen Metalia kick starting the Sailor Moon saga.

Beryl's role as a villain is strong because of her vehement hatred towards the Moon kingdom. This makes her irredemable as a character meaning that we all root exclusively for the senshi as they set about defeating her. This is unlike future villains who have deeper reasons for what they do and are thus more rounded and challenging characters. Queen Beryl's simplicity is a vital fragment of the story at this stage for two reasons. First is that Usagi and the senshi are still coming to terms with themselves and their new found powers, to expose them to a complex and deep version of Beryl would have thrown their character development off mark somewhat. Second is the fact that the Senshi are the main characters of the story. It is essential that the audience side with and love them before they begin to perform challenging or morally difficult behaviour or else there is a risk of dispersing or even losing the viewers.

"Why must you always take everything away from me, Princess?" - Queen Beryl

Location profile #3 ~ Rainbow bridge

The Tokyo Rainbow bridge was completed just as the second series of Sailormoon began to air, opening in 1993. Extending over the Tokyo port area the Rainbow Bridge was visable from Naoko Takeuchi's work room in which she drew the manga and wrote the storylines for the subsequent anime. Although it is called the "Rainbow bridge" the towers are infact white and are lit up at night creating a dazzling light display. These lights are powered by solar pannels placed on the bridge itself.

The animators of Sailor Moon used this location to great effect as a battle ground for the Senshi and the black moon sisters Petz and Calaveras. It was also used in the second season opening.

Perhaps more importantly, in the manga side notes Naoko Takeuchi speaks of the view from her window as being an inspiration to her. It may be that the Rainbow bridge is more than simply a Sailor Moon location but also a progenating force behind the creativity of the series.

Posting Schedule

Now that i have built up a small back catalogue of posts i will be limited my posting schedule to every Monday and Thursday. Sadly, real life won't allow me to carry on at my current pace !

*~Thanks~*



Character Profile #13~ Artemis

Artemis is a counterpart to two characters; Luna and Minako. It is he who enters the story with the nearest thing to a complete memory which ensures his place as a main character that is not superceded by his human colleagues or by Luna who could have overshadowed him with her similarity in physical form or function.

Artemis appears for the first time in "Codename Sailor V", the underrated prequal manga, where he finds, recruits and guides Minako Aino; the original Sailor Senshi. He has a slightly immature personality forever taking matters into his own hands and attempting to impress Luna ending up in a variety of scrapes. He is however also a passionate character who takes his purpose as guide and friend to the Senshi very seriously. It is Artemis who most often offers practical advice, leaving any emotional or personal advice to Luna.

Artemis is however very close to the character of Minako, supporting her when she is alone and knowing before anyone else when something is wrong. This access to another character makes Artemis  more interesting and also allows the viewer that same point of entry to Minako.

Artemis also has a close relationship with Luna, to whom he eventually gives a daughter in the form of Diana. Though his courtship of Luna is clumsy at best, the audience never doubts that his love is true and that he will always and has always been at her side. This allows the relationship to progress in a different way to that of Usagi and Mamoru whose relationship is rather stop and go.

Artemis is less stand alone than other characters but this in itself makes him different and rounded as a complete character. His relationship with Minako is different to the relationship between Luna and the other Senshi, setting them apart as something else. Capable of great courage, Artemis walks a fine line between friendship and leadership which makes his character challenging but lovable.

"Always trust and have faith in your friends" - Artemis

Saban Moon ~ Heinous error or terrible mistake?

Sailor Moon is one of the most influential animations of all time. It was only natural that eventually it make its way world wide, beginning in the 1990's with its distribution to North America. Toei put the series up for sale in a bidding process, part of which involved the bidders displaying when they intended to do with the rights to such a franchise. The two main bidders were DiC and Renaissance- Atlantic in conjuction with Toon Makers.

There is a misapprehension that the other competitor was Saban. Saban has been responsible for such Japanese cross-overs as "Power Rangers", "Digimon", "Super Mario Bros." and "Dragon Ball Z" and Saban's history with DiC has been fraught, with a few legal cases between the two and a large amount of competition in the children's programme and dubbing market. Also, Saban was for a time attached to Renaissance- Atlantic, so Sailor Moon fans began to dub the bidding project, "Saban Moon". This however is not the case as Saban actually had nothing whatsoever to do with the bid for the franchise.

DiC approached Toei with its own dub of the series. This dub isn't particularly fantastic and there was alot of tweaking with footage and episode structure in order to westernise the story. However, Renaissance-Atlantic went forth with an entirely new concept of Sailor Moon; the first episode of which being written, directed and produced by Toon Makers founder and president, Rocky Solotoff.

Toon Makers created the 17 minute promo video as well as the 2 minute music video seen on many video streaming sites such as Youtube. Soon after however, this version became known as Sailor Moon's "Worst Case scenario". The pilot episode has so-far never seen the light of day and perhaps this is a good thing as there are still Sailor Moon fans baying for Saban's blood; even though Saban is an innocent by-stander in this escapade.

Toei handed Sailor Moon to DiC who set about murdering the series in their own way, however the legend of "Saban Moon" refuses to die. It is my feeling that this is simply because it is so painful!

• The animation is americanised. This would not be a problem except that the series was already animated in Japan.
• The character design is altered pretty radically.
• Any references whatsoever to Japanese culture are cut and the series looks like an episode of "Beverly Hills 90210".
• It is quite simply NOT Sailor Moon anymore.

Rocky Solotoff still insists that this new version of Sailor Moon would have been an improvment upon the original and that eventually it would have proven more popular. However, Moon fans everywhere say "keep dreaming!"

Manga Plot Review #1 ~ Act 1 "Usagi A.K.A Sailor Moon"

I will be away for a long weekend this week, so the next post for this blog will be on Tuesday.

This act is arguably one of the most important in the Sailor Moon saga. It has to introduce Usagi to the reader as well as immersing them in the Sailor Moon universe and hooking them onto the story. This is a challenge for an installment which only lasts 41 pages as often authors spend their entire books achieving these goals.

The Sailor Moon manga opens with Usagi, who is late for school as usual. On her way there she accidentally steps on a black cat with plasters on it's face. She peels them off, exposing a crescent shaped "bald-spot". The reference to the moon shape on Luna as a "bald-spot" continues throughout the acts of the first book, much to Luna's chagrin. Revealing the crescent moon, restores Luna's powers and, as we find out later, allows her to identify the clumsy Usagi as Sailor Moon.

Much of the earlier pages are spent establishing Usagi's character as a normal girl, with normal friends, who enjoys gossip and shopping. We are however alerted to the fact that Usagi is failing school when she recieves a grade of 30/100 on a test. Her protest of "But i hate English!" only serves to cement her in the readers mind as being perhaps slightly childish. This however is where the characters main development takes place over subsequent acts.

Usagi's friend Naru Osaka is the daughter of a jewellery store owner and it is here that we first meet an enemy from the Dark Kingdom. Naru's mother (who is tied up in the basement) has been replaced by a minion of Jaedite who is stealing energy and searching for the Silver crystal. Usagi, oblivious to this goes along to a sale but finds that she cannot afford anything and due to failing her test is unlikely to be able to convince her parents to purchase her a gift. Unwittingly, these facts save her.

Later, while taking a nap, Usagi is awoken by Luna who tells her that she is a warrior, here to protect a mystical princess and find a crystal. Usagi, understandably, believes it to be dream and attempts to go back to sleep but Luna gives her brooch which immediately perks up the fashion conscious 14 year old. After her first transformation, Usagi shows one of her most appealing traits; her ability to toss all of her doubts aside in order to save a friend. In the first and last use of her goggles, Sailor Moon sees her friend Naru being attacked by the creature that has taken the place of her mother.

Next thing we know, Usagi is at the jewellery shop to save her friend. She wins the fight in truly spectacular cry-baby style and saves the day leaving her friend to tell everyone about the new heroine on the scene, Sailor Moon!

Also important in this act, is that it is the kick-start for the love story between Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. The first meeting between Usagi and Mamoru does not go particularly well. While sulking about her low test score and lamenting the fact that her parents will not buy her anything from the jewellery store sale, Usagi throws her scrunched-up test paper behind herself, accidentaly hitting Mamoru in the face. He tells her off, calling her "cow-tails". This annoys her and her first observation about him is that "he thinks he's so cool". After Sailor Moon's first battle however, she meets Tuxedo Kamen who was observing her from the shadows. Not realising that he and Mamoru are one and the same, Usagi is rather taken with the well dressed man and this begins a love affair that will last throughout the Sailor Moon story.

This act introduces the two absolute main characters in the manga plot line; Usagi and Mamoru, while drawing the reader into the story by maintaining a certain level of mystery alongside the dramatic irony of the duel characters, e.g. the fact that Mamoru is also Tuxedo Kamen. This encourages the reader to continue reading as we want to know if these two characters will ever know what we do about each other.

"Luna! I don't get any of this, but Naru's in trouble!" - Usagi Tsukino, Act 1. 

Location profile #2 ~ Crown Pachinko

The "Crown Game Parlor" is featured in both the anime and manga and it serves as a base of operations for the inner Senshi. In reality known as "Crown Pachinko", this game arcade stood in Tokyo, Azabu prefecture until it closed it doors in the late 90's - early 00's. This is the place where Usagi cements most of her friendships, bringing the new senshi here as a form of ice-breaker.

Crown Pachinko was not actually an arcade in the traditional sense portayed in the Sailor Moon series. Pachinko is a game that does not require alot of input from the player; it is a mixture between a slot machine and a pinball-type game. The player only controls the speed at which balls enter the game making it rather boring for somebody of Usagi's age group and vibrant attitude. However the facade of the shop is bright and attractive, so Naoko Takeuchi used it and transformed the building into the gaming arcade that would attract girls of Usagi's age.

It is however Minako which first penetrates the male orientated world of the gaming arcade, arriving with style in the Sailor V manga and immediately gaining high scores and displaying her lightening reflexes. This paves the way for Usagi and the others.

Very close to Crown Pachinko is a jewellery shop known as "Jewel A". This is the real-life parallel of the "Osa-P" jewellery shop owned by Naru Osaka's mother.

Young, free, single and gothic?

Hotaru has long been a subject of debate amongst Sailor Moon and Sailor Saturn fans. The question is: Is she a goth? I do not believe that she is but there are plenty who would disagree. So, here is the argument.

She dresses in black - Black is not purely the colour of gothica. Many people wear black. Also it may be that Hotaru is in mourning for her mother and thus dresses in dark colours.

She has a strange power - Goths have strange powers? If only i had known that growing up...Hotaru was born with the power to heal people simply by touching them. This does not make her a goth.

She is the Senshi of death - Actually the mythology of Pluto and Saturn are mixed up in the Sailor Moon saga. However, this does not alter the fact that Hotaru is the Senshi of death and destruction. This too however does not make her a goth as even Hotaru reminds us that with death and destruction come hope and life. Hope and life are not gothic ideals and Hotaru merely represents the passage of living.

Pale with black hair - Hotaru is Japanese. Most Japanese people have black hair. Also, due to her disability she spends alot of time in the house meaning that she is pale. Neither of these factors are purposeful.

She is depressed - Everyone who is depressed is not gothic in the same way that everyone who is gothic is not also depressed. Hotaru is a sad character, but let's examine why. Her mother is dead and she is very ill. Her father works all day and she is lonely. I think that these four things would be enough to make anyone depressed and depression with so much cause is not a gothic trait.

I feel that it was never Naoko Takeuchi's intention to write Hotaru as a goth although there are gothic aspects to her character and the story around her. Either way, Hotaru is a much loved character who draws the audience in by being so different to the personalities that surround her.

Character Profile #12 ~ Luna

Luna is one of two surivors from the original moon kingdom who retains at least some of their memory from the begginning of the story. It is her job to identify four of the Sailor Senshi and locate the moon princess and her crystal. It is with Luna's discovery of Sailor Moon that the Sailor Moon saga begins and at the start, Luna is the only source of information that the senshi have. With the arrival of Artemis this role is diluted slightly as he appears to remember more that she does, however Luna remains an integral advisor to the senshi and continues to be the main issuer of orders.

Luna's relationship with the senshi alters for each girl. For Usagi, she is almost a parental figure; attempting to encourage her to do the right thing and work hard. However there are lapses when she picks on Usagi, drawing pictures of her as fat and teasing her with names. This reveals Luna's young state of mind and ensures that she does not become like the much used "aged-master" stereotype common in Asian story telling and western interpretation.

Luna treats Ami almost as an equal. She confides in her and appears to trust her judgement which is understandable given Ami's intelligence and attitude to responsibility. To Rei she shows a certain amount of deference in the manga, possibly out of respect for Rei's highly attuned spiritual powers. In the anime however, Luna functions more as a referee for Rei's pitched battles with Usagi. Again, Luna treats Makoto almost as an equal, discussing tactics and plans with her and relying on her. This may be due to Makoto's strength, both physically and of will being an asset to the Sailor team.

Luna does not have as much interaction with Minako as she does with the other girls. This may be due to the fact that Minako has always had Artemis and so there is not much call for her to advise or guide this character. Luna's relationship with Artemis though is probably one of her more interesting ones.

Luna and Artemis are obviously destined to be romantically attached. This is assumed by the viewer as they are the only cat characters in the series that are suitable for one another. It is also reinforced with the appearance, from the future (Chibiusa style!) of their daughter Diana. However from the start of the anime and the manga, their relationship is slightly fraught. Luna bullies Artemis and Artemis attempts to impress her in the silliest of ways but perhaps more importantly, Luna falls in love with a young astronaut (pictured in doll form above). This story fills the entirety of volume 11 in the manga series and it is here that we first see Luna in her human form. But what does this love mean for Artemis?

Fortunately for Diana, not much. It is a fleeting romance born of fantasy and Luna knows that she could never be in a true relationship with a human being. Having accepted this, she embraces the love for what it is worth before returning to Artemis with a new appreciation for him. It is almost like having a crush on a celebrity; it's nice to watch a film and imagine yourself in place of their love interest, but in the end you should know that you are only in love with an image or an idea. It would never work.

Luna is an interesting character. She is a cat but she lives her life almost as a human. This could lead to a confusion within her personality but thanks to Naoko Takeuchi's expert writing she retains enough cat like behaviour to ensure that this is never the case. She is however, also a female cat and carries enough traits, such as worrying about her weight, to make her accessable and understandable to a female audience. This leads to a multi-layered character who is both interesting and fun to get to know throughout Sailor Moon.

"Well, I'm a girl too..." - Luna

Location profile #1 ~ Tōyo Eiwa Girls Academy

The Tokyo presented in Sailor Moon actually exists. The buildings and locations presented to the viewer, though renamed, are actual locations, painstakingly copied in order to give the Japanese audience the feeling that Sailor Moon may actually walk among them. In honour of Naoko Takeuchi's beautiful and tireless representation of the real Tokyo, scattered throughout this blog will be location profiles; posts on the cultural history and meaning of the places that the Senshi call home.

Rei Hino attends the T*A Private Girls Academy" which is based upon the well known Tōyo Eiwa girls school in Azabu- Jûban a short walking distance from the shrine upon which Rei's home is based in the manga. The school was established in 1884 and encompasses all grades from Kindergarten to grade school and is well considered in Japan as a training school for well-bred young women. Originally created by Canadian methodist missionaries the school began with just two students. However, as time went on more and more girls enrolled and the school expanded. Sadly, the main buidling of the school was demolished due to disrepair in 1993, however the logo of Rei's school matches the logo present on the main school building before this date.

In the manga and anime, Rei's school is presented as being Catholic rather than methodist, this aside though, why would a clearly Shinto shrine miko such as Rei be attending a Christian school? The Japanese education system of assessment relies very heavily upon which school you go to. If you can attend a well thought of school and get high grades, then this is seen as a higher achievment than attending a less well thought of school and recieving the same grades. This may partially explain why Rei is willing to attend a religios school which does not follow her faith.

Also, T*A Private Girls Academy is a well considered private school. Rei's father is a successful politician and it may be that he seeks to further his own career and reputation by sending his daughter to an exclusive and probably expensive school.

Rei however seems happy at her school. Dispite scenes of bullying from her school mates during her introductory episode (both in the manga and the anime), when we see Rei at school later on in the story she appears to have a group of worshipers and is fully engaged in school activities such as the culture festival.

 Tōyo Eiwa Girls Academy still teaches to this day although now in the new building pictured above which sadly looks less like Naoko Takeuchi's artwork of the school.

How long is Henshin?

The length of Henshin, otherwise known as transformation, is an issue which has sparked many arguments between Sailor Moon fans all over the world. There are several different theories, the main three of which i will discuss in this post. The main issue is that the audience is shown a lengthy sequence in which one of the senshi goes from normal girl into Sailor Warrior involving lots of sparkles, twirling and mystical make-up application. This long-winded change of clothes appears unlikely to some, as they point out, why would an enemy simply sit and wait while a warrior becomes stronger?

The purist: The purist theory states that the henshin is exactly as it appears. This theory is fairly uncommon as it does not explain the time lapse between the start of transformation and the actual beginning of combat. It could be argued though that as the senshi rarely tranform in front of an enemy this does not present a regular problem.

The Slow-mo: Some state that the henshin is infact as it appears but so much faster that in real time it would be instantaneous, thus it is shown in slow-motion. This theory does make sense and explains why an enemy would not react. It also explains why when seen externally, the henshin does indeed appear to be instantaneous.

The Multi-Dimensional: This theory revolves around the existance of two dimensions. One is the reality that we know and the other is where the henshin takes place. The idea is, that the act of transformation allows the senshi to side-step into a seperate reality where time is a different deal. Almost like Narnia, minutes there are seconds here and this allows the henshin to take place uninterrupted at the shown pace.

These three theories are all perfectly valid and i do not feel that there is actually a solid answer to the debate without consulting Naoko Takeuchi herself. However, transformation sequences are a common factor in many magical girl anime and it may simply be that the length and presentation is not an issue of storyline.

Personally i am stuck between slow-mo and Multi-dimensional as i feel that the purist theory leaves too many issues open for my liking. However, as alway, the issue remains an open one and one i expect to see being argued in forums for many year to come.

Character Profile #11 ~ Mamoru Chiba A.K.A Tuxedo Kamen

Mamoru Chiba is the only male main character in Sailor Moon. He is the handsome prince to Usagi's beautiful princess and is directly based upon Naoko Takeuchi's idea of the perfect man. Orphaned at a young age and suffering from amnesia he seeks the Silver Crystal, not even truly knowing what it is, in order to remember himself. This means that to the Senshi he is an enemy at first although he continually saves Sailor Moon. He is a cool customer, intelligent and well off living in a large and well kitted out apartment in an expensive part of Tokyo.

In the manga, Mamoru is a high school student who rides the bus to get about whereas in the anime he is in university and owns a motorbike and a car. This may be because in the anime, the locations used are further apart and the age difference between himself and Usagi is more interesting. In the live action he is a student who is actually engaged to a young woman who's family helped him as a young orphan, this causes romantic tension when he falls in love with Usagi.

Being the main male influence in the story it is important that Mamoru is neither over whelming, nor too soft and maleable by the large and penetrating female side. Takeuchi strikes this balance by keeping him largely seperate from the other characters; only appearing when they are in dire need or when he is required for the purposes of furthering the romantic storyline.

Unlike the Senshi, who's characters stand alone, Mamoru relies upon the character of Usagi for his existance in the story. This does not mean that his character is weak but more that it furthers a different storyline from the other Senshi, one which requires two people. A love story. This love story runs through the entire Sailor Moon saga ending with the marriage of Usagi and Mamoru and the eventual birth of Chibiusa. It provides not only a substory to follow alongside the main plot, but also something for Usagi to fight for other than the altruistic goal of saving the world.

"Follow your path without fear" - Mamoru Chiba

Character Profile #10 ~ Hotaru Tomoe A.K.A Sailor Saturn

Name: Hotaru Tomoe

Birthday: January 6th

Sign: Capricorn

Bloodtype: AB

Fave colour: Violet

Hobby: Reading & Collecting lamps

Fave food: Japanese Soba

Least fave food: Milk

Fave subject: World History

Least fave subject: Gym

Weaknesses: Marathons

Special talent: Healing wounds

Dream: Nurse



Hotaru Tomoe is a fragile character, both physically and mentally. She has no friends in her age group and suffers from a respiratory disability stemming from the fire which almost took her life as a small girl. To add to her own frailty she is being utilised by her father, the one man who should love her, to raise the evil spirit of Mistress 9. This depiction of parental betrayal is difficult to stomach, however, Hotaru's addition to the story fulfills some important requirements. First there is her role as the new super villain after Wiseman and Queen Beryl. She is though, different to these previous characters in that she has the potential to become a good character and is innocent of the evil within. This makes the battle against her complex, adding a new dimension to the usual, straight-laced good vs. evil plot line. Second, she provides a special friend for Chibiusa, especially after Hotaru's reincarnation where she fits into Chibiusa's age group. Chibiusa, although friends with the other senshi is at a disadvantage due to her age and never quite fits into the group completely. There was a need therefore, for her to find a friend who could be more at her own level. The enrolment of Hotaru into the senshi later in the series, completes this need.

Third, Hotaru is a new type of Senshi. The others have their emotional, cultural and sociological problems but Hotaru is a physically disabled character. Although after her reincarnation this part of herself is lost, it is my belief that her original physical state is an important part of her personality type. She is understanding of others with difficulties and tries very hard to fit in. She is quite shy and is often sad. These traits may be informed by her inability to control her own body like others.

Hotaru is also known as the "Goddess of death and destruction". It is her job to bring an end to worlds and societies. The last kingdom to feel the swing of her scythe was the Silver Millenium and throughout episodes leading to her awakening we are led to believe that the next one will be Earth. This however is not the case and instead of allowing Earth to be destroyed, Hotaru throws herself into her own attack; destroying Mistress 9, Pharoh 90 and their minions as well as sacrificing herself. Why?

The obvious and practical answer is that if she had not done this then the Senshi would have died and the Earth would be lost, thus ending the Sailor Moon saga for good in a rather upsetting and unsatisfying "Neon genesis Evangelion" - esque way. Within the context of the story though a different answer come to light. Love. Hotaru and Chibiusa have become good friends over the story leading to this point, perhaps it is this that saves the world as Hotaru can not bear to see her friend hurt. Or perhaps it is that, like Sailor Pluto, Sailor Saturn has some higher knowledge and is somehow aware that now is not the time for the world to end. Either way, it is through Hotaru's sacrifice that the world is saved; somewhat of a departure from the usual heroic antics of sailor Moon and her friends.

Sailor Saturn is the antithesis of Sailor Moon. Instead of a Queen of love and light, she is a reflection of darkness and death but this in itself is the nessecary flip-side. Hotaru is the shadow that comes with the light or the other side of the coin and yet she is our friend.

"I thought i was going to die all alone" - Hotaru Tomoe

Character profile #9 ~Michiru Kaiō A.K.A. Sailor Neptune

Name: Michiru Kaiō

Birthday: March 6th

Sign: Pisces

Bloodtype: O

Fave colour: Marine Blue

Hobby: Collecting make-up

Fave food: Sashimi

Least fave food: Kikurage

Fave subject: Music

Least fave subject: None

Weaknesses: Sea Cucumbers

Special Talent: Violin

Dream: Violinist



Michiru Kaiō is a classmate of Haruka. A young artistic genius, she paints, writes and is also a virtuoso violinist. Although she is the same age as Haruka (late teens), she is a more mature character, acting with great elegance and adding an adult seriousness to the pair’s murderous mission. 

Michiru is the Senshi of water and this is represented in her personality which is calm and smooth with a dangerous undercurrent of determination and raw power. This tenacity of spirit is what (in the anime) leads to Haruka joining her quest for the talismans. Also combined in Michiru’s character is a deep sadness born of the need to destroy life in order to save it. Whereas Haruka merely buries the pain and pushes it aside, Michiru bears it and expresses it through her artworks. This juxtaposition between the attitudes of a couple that are supposedly lovers, leads to conversations which make the viewer aware that neither girl is comfortable with their mission. This is a vital realisation as without it the pair may be misjudged as heartless, leading to the dislike of their personalities. It is important that the audience feel some form of sympathy for them in order for the story to carry any kind of emotive factor.

Michiru is one of the few Senshi who gains a strong relationship with Ami. This may be because they reflect one another s intelligence and both have a love of water, Ami being the Senshi of ice. This is a nice twist for Ami, as Michiru boosts her confidence and allows her character to grow instead of stagnating in a pool of self- denial and lack of esteem. It is not her relationships or interactions with other characters which make her popular however. I feel it is her sensual and spiritual air along with the internal battle between constraint and liberty which make her character so fascinating.

In her everyday life, Michiru is the very embodiment of freedom. She stands in pagodas in the moonlight, playing her violin with the wind in her hair. However, she is tied to her mission as a senshi; one which will take her life, the life of her lover and potentially many more. She is shackled to this reality, not even released by her art with which she produces only the appearance of autonomy.

It may therefore be unsurprising that her relationship with Haruka is so close, as together they stand even against the other Senshi, to perform the unforgivable in order to protect everything.  Her character shows that even the sensitive can be great in strength and that loving and fighting are never mutually exclusive.

"Only you and I can do this" - Michiru Kaiō

Character Profile #8 ~ Haruka Ten'ō A.K.A Sailor Uranus

Name: Haruka Ten'ō

Birthday: January 27th

Sign: Aquarius

Blood type: B

Fave colour: Gold

Hobby: Driving

Fave food: Salad

Least fave food: Natto

Fave subject: Gym

Least fave subject: Modern History

Weaknesses: Confessions of love

Special talent: Racing

Dream: To be a Racer

Haruka Ten'ō is oft misjudged both inside the series and outside in the fandom. Her character design is based around Takeuchi's desire to introduce a personality resembling a performer from the Takarazuka Revue  tradition of Japanese theatre. This theatrical style is characterised by an entirely female cast, hence Haruka's slightly masculine appearance; many of the female performers play men.

Haruka is a tomboy; more so than Makoto, in that she also dresses in men's clothes. It is perhaps unsurprising that in the beginning Minako and Usagi mistake her for a him. However, dispite allowing the other characters n the story to make certain assumptions about her gender, Haruka never actually outright claims to be male. This prevents the audience from believing her to be transgender and cements the fact that she is merely what she is and not bothering to conform to traditional feminine ideals.

Perhaps most misunderstood is her relationship with fellow Senshi, Sailor Neptune. The American dub pinned them (insulting cousins everywhere!) as cousins but they were originally written as lovers and this is obvious in the way in which they treat one another. Although their behaviour was never explicit, it is always strongly hinted that they are an item. There is a wide range of dōjinshi and fanfiction available on the couple but it is my feeling that their relationship is stronger than simply the sexual aspect. In the anime, it is Neptune who recruits Haruka to the Senshi and their interaction seems to be one of mutual support in a difficult and unforgiving world.

Haruka and Neptune are introduced to the story as seeking the three Talismens which reside in the pure hearts of individuals. They, unlike the inner Senshi, are in their late teens and have a more cynical and jaded perception of the world around them. For the greater good they are willing to kill innocents, a tactic which does not sit well with the other Senshi. This allows Neptune and Uranus to act almost as renegade Senshi, exposing the first true rift between the Senshi of the Silver Millenium. This gives us a much more interesting storyline, asking the viewer a moral question; whose ideals do you support?

Haruka is a more complicated character than her easy going exterior would suggest. We know that she is capable of deep feelings for those around her and yet she is willing to kill or die to achieve her goals. This suggests a great inner conviction to do what she feels is right. Haruka is an almost perfect reflection of the human conscience; You know what is right, but do you have the strength to do it?

                                                         "I never said that i'm a man!" - Haruka Ten'ō

Character Profile #7 ~ Setsuna Meiō A.K.A. Sailor Pluto

Name: Setsuna Meiō

Birthday: October 29th

Sign: Scorpio

Bloodtype: A

Fave colour: Dark Red

Hobby: Shopping

Fave food: Green Tea

Least fave food: Eggplant

Fave subject: Biology

Least fave subject: Music

Weakness: Cockroaches

Special Talent: Sewing

Dream: To be a designer

Setsuna Meiō is the eldest of the senshi being in her 20's. This brings an adult element to the story which enables an older audience to feel included. She is the guardian of the gate of time, a vital job which gives her a very lonely existance. She is however extremely powerful, almost to the point where I as a viewer felt that she could take on Sailor Moon if she had the inclination, however, she is bound by certain rules that will take her life if broken. In both the anime and manga, she breaks the rule of not stopping time and sacrifices her life.

In the manga, the rule is broken to prevent the joining of the Silver Crystal from the past and the one from the future. Such an action would destroy the world, so Sailor Pluto stops time. It  is at the point of her death that  Chibiusa finally becomes Sailor Chibi Moon. In the anime, Setsuna stops time in order to save the lives of Sailors Neptune and Uranus who are (rather dramatically) caught up in an exploding helicopter. In each instance Setsuna makes the ultimate sacrifice with no hesitation.

This lack of regard for herself reinforces Setsuna as a surrogate mother figure. When Chibiusa travels to the past, it is Setsuna who guides and comforts her, it is also Setsuna who helps to raise the reincarnated Hotaru. Dispite her quiet and slightly aloof exterior, Setsuna is clearly capable of great love. Her ability for affection is almost overshadowed by her duties as guardian and senshi as reflected by her unrequited fondness for Mamoru.

Setsuna is also the guardian of the Garnet Orb, one of the three talismens said to awaken the messiah and bring forth the holy grail. This too is of vital importance and it is only she who knows where the other two talismens lie. In this capacity she behaves as the Minako Aino of the third series, the one who brings knowledge so that the story may continue.

Above all else, Setsuna is mysterious. We know nothing of her past, although as a guardian of time, what her past actually is may be difficult to define. She appears to come and go as she pleases and always seems to know far more than she reveals. It is my belief that this is the secret to her popularity as a character. Just as you think you know her, she slips between your fingers like the sands of time.

                               "Watching over someone from afar, is a kind of love too." - Setsuna Meiō

Character Profile # 6 ~Usagi "Chibiusa" Tsukino A.K.A Sailor Chibi Moon

Name: Usagi Tsukino

Birthday: June 30th

Sign: Cancer

Bloodtype: O

Fave colour: Red & Pink

Hobby: Collecting Usagi's goods

Fave food: Pudding

Least fave food: Carrots

Fave subject: Drawing

Least fave subject: Grammar

Weakness: Staying home alone

Special talent: Begging

Dream: To be a lady

Usagi Tsukino, also known as "Chibiusa" in the past and "Small Lady" in the future to avoid confusion with her mother, the original Usagi Tsukino, begins life as a possible enemy of Sailor Moon. Having travelled back in time from the future to steal the Silver Crystal, her first confrontation with Usagi and Mamoru involves a very realistic looking gun! However as the senshi learn about why this strange little pink-haired girl needs the crystal, they vow to help her and thus Chibiusa is cemented as a "good guy". However, like any small child, she is insecure without her mother and easily swayed using her own guilt against her. This leads to the creation of "Dark" or "Black" Lady, an evil character who is made when "Wise Man" manipulates Chibiusa's heart.

It is this ease of manipulation and constant need to be reassured that makes Chibiusa, at first, one of the more unpopular characters of the series. She continually looks down upon Usagi who has already become our friend long ago, she runs away meaning that the senshi have to spend whole episodes searching for her, she doesn't care that her behaviour around Mamoru hurts Usagi's feelings and she manipulates Usagi's own family. These points alone make her a fairly infuriating character! However, she is also a perfect representation of a small child. This is how many small children are, they are easily lied to, believe they already know everything, selfish and at times highly irritating. The fact that she starts out this way gives her character an extraordinary scope for growth and development which she embraces to become a Sailor Senshi in her own right and to find (literally!) the man of her dreams.

This development is a slow process and can even take the audience by surprise; but this may be a good thing. A story is boring if the characters never change. Chibiusa actually grows up before the viewers eyes, going from bratty princess to a genuinely contributing character. This process is perhaps a reminder to the audience that we were all young once. 

Chibiusa also, in a way, represents the audience itself. She worships the senshi, trusting them to protect her and save her mother. She loves Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, having be told stories about them by her father, the future Prince Endymion. Could it be that this child is actually a reflection of the audience who, just like her, love and have faith in the actions of these warriors of legend? 

Upon meeting Chibiusa, I, as a viewer was tempted to say "Yeah, she'a cute, but i'd still throttle her." but my mind was changed as she grew into a character that is sweet, admirable and brave like her mother. In this way Chibiusa not only develops herself, but also her audience, opening their minds to the possibility of change through time.

"May i remind you that you're a superhero?" - Usagi "Chibiusa" Tsukino

Character Profile #5 ~ Minako Aino A.K.A Sailor Venus

Name: Minako Aino

Birthday: October 22nd

Sign: Libra

Blood type: B

Fave colour: Yellow & Red

Hobby: Chasing Idols

Fave food: Curry

Least fave food: Shiitake

Fave subject: Gym

Least fave subject: Maths & English

Weaknesses: Mama & Policemen

Special Talent: Playing

Dream: To be an Idol



Minako Aino is, on the outside, just like Usagi; a representation of an average teenage girl. However, this is only a front for her deeper self. It is all too easy to forget the sacrifices the Minako has already made before even meeting Usagi. She gave up a promising relationship, playing her favourite sport in which she may have had a career and many other things that normal teenage girls simply take for granted, like the time to hang out with friends. To look at the way in which her character behaves on a day to day basis (bubbly, excitable and an avid Idol hunter) is simply not enough as Naoko Takeuchi reminds us that it is not only silent waters which run deep.

Throughout the versions of Sailor Moon, Minako is permanently connected to fame and glitz, rather like the area in Tokyo from which she comes; Shiba Koen. In the manga, she is obsessed with Idols, being the Senshi’s link to popular culture which is not provided by any of the other girls. In the anime, her role is the same, only she is increasingly also interested in boys in general. In the live action, she  actually is a pop star, idolised by Usagi.

Minako was the original Sailor Warrior. Starting the Sailor Moon franchise off with “Codename: Sailor V”, the underrated manga prequel, it was not originally Takeuchi’s plan to have a team of Senshi at all. However, with the success of this manga she decided to write more, changing the main character from Sailor V to Sailor Moon. It is unclear as to why she did this, perhaps she felt the need to utilise a different character to build up the new story but Sailor V managed to transcend the gap between manga with her personality largely intact, showing that it was not through a dislike of the character that she was relegated from stardom.

Minako is also the owner of the second survivor of the Silver Millenium, Artemis. This is a vital story driver as Artemis has more of his memories than Luna and so Sailor Venus is able to instruct the other Senshi, meaning that the story moves forward instead of stagnating due to a lack of information.  I feel that the root of Minako’s popularity however is her hard working nature. She never gives up, even when perhaps she should have done long ago (for example, the anime episode where she insists upon nursing the other senshi back to health after a flu epidemic). This is an appealing trait and one to which most people can relate (who hasn’t sat for hours trying to get through a game level?). She is that rare thing, a character with the capacity for serious thought and action who at times is light, airy and fun as well, this makes her character rounded and interesting for the audience who are never quite sure what she’ll do next!

"You're thinking i'm just a pretty blonde. In my case, what you see is definitely not what you get" - Minako Aino

Character Profile #4 - Makoto Kino A.K.A Sailor Jupiter

Name: Makoto Kino

Birthday: December 5th

Sign: Sagittarius

Blood type: O

Fave colour: Pink

Hobby: Shopping

Fave food: Cherry Pie

Least fave food: None

Fave subject: Home economics

Least fave subject: Biology

Weakness: Airplanes

Special talent: Cooking

Dream: To be a Bride, confectioner & florist

Makoto Kino is the representation of a specific Japanese cultural idea, that the "Nail that sticks up, must be hammered down". Makoto, often referred to by her friends as "Mako" is tall, tomboyish but sweet and gentle, however she is often misjudged by her peers who believe she is agressive and the "Nail that sticks out". This leads to bullying and ostracism as shown by this conversation presented in the first sailor moon movie:

Girl 1: She injured someone again.

Girl 2: She'll be kicked out for sure this time.

Girl 1: Who cares? She's so violent.

Viewers who know Mako's character will know that this is an unfair conversation. She is not violent although she does know martial arts and will use them in the defense of others. This is a fantastic story device for viewers who immediately feel that they are part of a good minority, who believe the best about this character. Makoto's ostracism will also make her accessable in that everyone has been an outcast at some point in their lives. However, the fact that she is ostracised due to a question of body image (her height is 5 foot 6 inches, a full 2 inches taller than the average height of Japanese women and an inch taller than the average Japanese man) will resonate with many people who have issues with the way in which they look. Mako can not even fit into the usual school uniform immediately setting her apart from any potential school friends.

Mako is a very lonely character. She is an orphan (her parents were killed in an aircraft crash, hence Naoko Takeuchi listing her weakness as planes) and lives alone in what (for Tokyo) is a fairly spacious flat. Teenage girls living alone in Tokyo is not uncommon as rent in Tokyo is very expensive and it makes more economic sense to move in the one child rather than an entire family when a single child wishes to go to school or work in Tokyo. However Makoto does not have any friends until she meets Usagi who immediately (in true Usagi style) accepts her for what she is.

Differing from public perception of herself, Mako is infact an ultra-feminine personality. She is an excellent cook, enjoys cleaning and tidying, loves flowers and is of a romantic disposition which makes her character sadder as many Japanese men will reject a taller woman off hand. In a way, she represents the broken ideals of many women for whom reality does not match up to the ideals delivered in books and films.

Makoto Kino is a lesson which we all need to learn; not to judge others by what we see or hear of them before actually meeting them. She is a loving, kind young woman who is constantly misinterpreted in each version of Sailor Moon. It is little wonder that when Mako becomes a senshi she fights so agressively to defend those who accept her for who she is rather than judging her by what she is not.

"A life is a life. They are the same." -Makoto Kino