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