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
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