Introduction
Sailor Moon was originally a series of Japanese comic books written and drawn by Naoko Takeuchi. Naoko Takeuchi first had the idea of the manga Sailor V, which was published by the monthy
comic book, Kodansha.
Because of its success, she created Sailor Moon, which first debuted in Kodansha about February 1992. After a month after its debut, the anime based on the manga aired on TV for the first time in Japan during March 1992. The company creating the anime was Toei Animation.
Bishoujo Senshi Sera Muun (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon) is about a klutzy blond student named Usagi . She finds out she has secrets powers, and is in a battle with good vs. evil. During her adventures, she meets the rest of the senshi, finds out her past, and her prince. All the characters were reincarnations of the people of the Moon Kingdon (to find out more about this, click on the link "In the Beginning..." below)and defeats all evil using love, kindness, and will power. With a time slot of 7:00 pm Saturdays, the whole anime series was shown in five years in five seasons. It aired March 1992 until its 200th and final episode on February 8, 1997.
1st season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Ep. 1-46
2nd season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R (eturns/Romance)
Ep. 47-89
3rd season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Super
Ep. 90- 127
4th season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS
Ep. 128-166
5th (and final) season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
Ep. 167-200
The anime was intended for young children and early teens (8 - 14) but has gained popularity among all ages ( including myself..hehe).
Many fellow Sailor Moon fans still consider the manga the original. The manga is made up of 18 black and white paperback volumes with color covers. Many people ( including myself ) believe that the manga is more dramatic, romantic, detailed, and more violent than the anime.
Though the anime was based on the manga, parts were cut, changed, or added. One way is that the first arch of the R series ( Doom Tree series) never existed in the manga. Also they made Usagi a klutzy irresponsible ditz, and Mamoru a cold insensitive jerk. The manga portrays Usagi as responsible, passionate, and certainly not a ditz. Mamoru is really sweeter, kinder, and has the personality of the perfect man.
The changes are both bad and good though.....whatever you think is better, the anime or manga, BSSM is one of the most popular series in Japan and is quickly spreading its popularity around the globe.
I myself has been a fan of it after I was introduced to it the dubbed version done by Dic ( Yes, I know they suck, but ya gotta admit, many of the North American fans were first introduced to Sailor Moon by them). Then I found out about the Japanese version, the manga, and so on....before I knew it I was hooked.....(in a good way...hehehe).
I love the series so much because everything about it is so sweet. It has a loving romance that lasts for thousands of years (I'm a hopeless romantic), teens with real live emotions that many can relate to (including, hate, sorrow, love, despair, happiness, and friendship), and also because it's so mysterious and is so in depth about good and evil. It does teach you about life, such as love and goodness will always triumph over hate and evil. Sailor Moon (to me and many others) will always be a classic and will remain in many fans' hearts (I'm one of them) for a very long time...............
[ In the Beginning.... ]
[ In the Present..... ]
[ In the Future..... ]
