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!