To defend the world from destruction, magical girls, often dubbed “sailor soldiers” or “sailor scouts,” star in the manga Sailor Moon (also known as Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon), crafted by the brilliant writer-artist Naoko Takeuchi. These super-girls sport costumes rooted in school uniforms, which some circles classify as a “sailor costume,” hence the catchy name.
From Lone Wolf to Stellar Squad
Initially, Takeuchi envisioned her series with just one sailor scout, a sole defender of the world. This early manga, dubbed Codename: Sailor V, chronicled the adventures of an adorable sailor soldier doing battle with evil in the vastness of outer space. Later, the titular character transitioned into a full-fledged team member when the story was adapted for anime, marking the genesis of a whole new franchise by masterfully blending the magical girl genre with the Super Sentai Series.
The Genesis of a Phenomenon
The manga, spanning 52 “Acts,” first graced Japan in 1991. The themes explored throughout the manga and anime are as diverse as they are captivating, touching upon astronomy, astrology, Greek and Roman myths, geology, Japanese cultural elements, and even teen fashion and schoolgirl shenanigans. While lauded for its empowering, feminist undertones due to its extensive female superhero lineup, some critics scoff at its vibrant colors and overly “cutesy” action sequences.
A Legacy of Loyalty
This massive success has spawned a merchandising empire, encompassing “The Art of…” books, live-action television shows and films, stage musicals, and games. The devoted and ever-expanding legion of fans remains fiercely loyal to the series, making the Sailor Soldiers incredibly sought-after choices for cosplay at comic conventions.
The Stellar Ensemble
The anime itself boasts six series, featuring a plethora of memorable characters and the ever-present threat of evil from the Dark Kingdom. Let’s take a peek at some of the stellar cast:
- Usagi Tsukino/Serena Tsukino (Sailor Moon)
- Ami Mizuno/Amy Anderson (Sailor Mercury)
- Rei Hino/Raye Hino (Sailor Mars)
- Makoto Kino/Lita Kino (Sailor Jupiter)
- Minako Aino/Mina Aino (Sailor Venus)
- Chibiusa/Rini (Sailor Mini Moon)
- Haruka Tenoh/Amara Tenoh (Sailor Uranus)
- Michiru Kaioh/Michelle Kaioh (Sailor Neptune)
- Setsuna Meioh/Trista Meioh (Sailor Pluto)
- Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn)
The Sagas Unfold
The anime series include:
- Sailor Moon
- Sailor Moon R
- Sailor Moon S
- Sailor Moon Super S
- Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
