Naoko Takeuchi

the creator of Sailor Moon

DOB/Place:
March 15, 1967 (a Pisces), in Kofu City, located in the Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan

Current residence:
Azabu, Juuban District (in Tokyo; also where Sailor Moon takes place)

Family:
Parents Kenji and Ikuko, brother Shingo (coincidentally, these are the names of Usagi's family members in the anime)

Marital status:
Married to Yoshihiro Togashi (shounen manga artist for Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter X Hunter) since January of 1999. They have a son together. FYI: I recommend checking out Yu Yu Hakusho on DVD, it's a pretty good anime...Cartoon Network's Adult Swim has shown episodes in the past as well.

Education:
A self-taught artist, Naoko also graduated from Kyoritsu Yakka University, where she specialized in ultrasound and medical electronics. Her works were first published while in school, even as early as her high school days.

Before drawing mangas...
Naoko worked for a while at Keio Hospital as a licensed pharmacist. Eventually she concentrated more on manga drawing.

Works include:

• The Cherry Project
• Chocolate Christmas
• Maria
• Miss Rain
• Code Name: Sailor V (Code Name wa Sailor V)
• Bishoujo Senshi (Pretty Soldier) Sailor Moon
• Prism Time vol. 1 & 2 (short stories include her award winning Love Call)
• PQ Angels
• Princess Naoko Takeuchi's Return-To-Society Punch! (autobiographical manga)
• Marriage Punch (about her marriage with Yoshihiro Togashi)
• Mermaid Panic (novel by Marie Koizumi; she did the illustrations)
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Genga-Shuu, vol.1-5
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Genga-Shuu, Infinity (very rare book, so you could forget about EVER finding it at your local comic book shop or a Barnes & Noble)
• Various song lyrics for the Sailor Moon TV series, including Sailor Stars Song (OP, Sailor Stars), Tuxedo Mirage (end, Sailor Moon S), and Rashiku Ikimasho (Let's Be Ourselves), the ending theme to SuperS

Awards:
2nd Nakayoshi New Artist Manga Award, for Love Call; 17th Kodansha Manga Award, for Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

My Thoughts on Naoko

I think of Naoko Takeuchi as one of my role models. She is one of the few female manga artists that I've heard of (besides Rumiko Takahashi of Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura fame). (Note: if there are any other female manga artists that you know about, email me please! Thanks! ^_^ ) The comic book world these days seem a bit male-dominated, so it's nice to know of someone who represents us female cartoonists/animators. Sailor Moon has also given me inspiration since its debut in North America in 1995. Enough inspiration to get into art school, where I am currently studying for my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Illustration/2D Animation. I think if it wasn't for Naoko and her work, I would not be where I am today and instead would be in some other field of work I dislike but have to do for the money.

Ms. Takeuchi, if you're reading this, thank you so much for bringing Sailor Moon in my life. You truly are something special. ^_^

BIG UPDATE! (November 20, 2003)

Did you know the original, Japanese uncut Sailor Moon has come to DVD at last? Finally after all this time, ADV Films has finally released Seasons 1 and 2 of Sailor Moon (Japanese with subtitles only for the hardcore sub fans). Available wherever you buy DVDs, or you can rent them from Greencine (DVD rental service).

And that's not all! Sailor Moon has also gone live action! Starting in October 2003, episodes of the live action Sailor Moon started airing on Japan television (fansubs are available over the Internet), so definitely show your support and hope someday they bring this show stateside on DVD!

And another thing: Ms. Takeuchi is adding to the Sailor Moon Saga...that's right, there are new volumes of the Sailor Moon manga being published (Japan only, sorry).

This information was gathered by the webmistress from a documentary she saw on the internet concerning the live action Sailor Moon show...if you want to find out more, do a search on Google for "live action Sailor Moon", or download the documentary if you have Kazaa.
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