Bishojou Senshi Sailor Moon (1992-1993)
Production: Toei Productions
Episodes: 46
By Kamui Shiro

Introduction

In 1992, the anime world was introduced to a ditzy, gluttonous, crybaby by the name of Usagi Tsukino. There was nothing truly remarkable about her at first glance; she seemed to be the picture of what a typical teenage girl would be, which is exactly how her creator, Naoko Takeuchi envisioned. But little did Naoko--and the rest of the world for that matter--realize how much of an impact her creation would make. Not only in Japan, but in the US and across the entire world.

The Story

1000 years ago was a time of peace and prosperity known as the Silver Millennium. Presiding over this halcyon of peace was Queen Serenity, who ruled from Earth's Moon. The only real threat at the time was the mirror of this universe known as the Dark Kingdom. This was a universe of deceit, torment, hatred and evil. At the center of this evil realm, its ruler, Queen Metallia, plotted to plunder the Moon Kingdom and steal its legendary treasure, the Ginzuisho, an ancient crystal of incredible power and use it to lay siege to the rest of the universe.

Queen Beryl, Metallia's subordinate, seizing the opportunity of a Lunar eclipse, led the Dark Kingdom's army on an attack against the Moon Kingdom. Their army was no match for the might of Beryl and Metallia's power and the Kingdom was all but eradicated in the assault. The Sailor Soldiers, four princesses from worlds loyal to the Moon Kingdom attacked Metallia herself in an attempt to defeat her, but this attempt proved to be futile. The casualties of this war were devastating; Amongst them were the Sailor Soldiers themselves, the Moon Princess, Queen Serenity's only daughter, and her suitor, Endymion, a young prince from Earth.

After the initial battle, Beryl and Metallia claimed victory. Queen Serenity, devastated by grief, knew that the Dark Kingdom could not be allowed to rule the universe, so using the full power of the Ginzuisho, she banished the Dark Kingdom from the Moon and sealed them away. The effort cost her dearly as the strain of unleashing the Ginzuisho left her on the edge of death. But before she passed on, the Queen sent her daughter, the Sailor Soldiers, and her all of her subjects who had perished in the battle 1000 years into the future where they would be re-incarnated. Now in the present day, the Dark Kingdom has risen again. and the fate of the world lies in the hands of a klutzy crybaby by the name of Usagi Tsukino.

Usagi, as it so happens, is anything but hero material. In fact, she's about as far removed from heroic as a person could possibly be. Fortunately however, she's got lots of help in the form of her fellow Sailor Soldiers, a pair of talking cats, and an enigmatic tuxedo-clad, rose-bearing love interest who fights evil in a top hat and cane. Now from reading this, one would assume you've got the makings of some slapstick comedy. And you'd be right--partially. The beginning of the story focuses on the formation of the Inner Sailors as a group, and their battle with the Dark Kingdom, and has a nice balance of humor interspersed throughout. But midway through the series, the deeper plot-driven theme comes to life along with a few surprises and revelations, and culminates with a powerful and deeply dramatic climax that becomes a trademark for the next four seasons of Sailor Moon.

Review

There are very few anime that can blend comedy, drama, romance, and action into a successful formula. But Sailor Moon does so on a multitude of levels: Lost love, death, sorrow, jealousy, hatred, humor and comedy. This series has been hailed almost universally for its exceptional character development and its unflinching way of tugging at the audience's emotions.The storytelling is among the best in genre, comedically over-the-top one monet, and heart-wrenching the next. The characters are so inherently likeable that you can't help but be drawn into their universe. Whether loved or hated, Sailor Moon never fails to invoke a powerful emotional response.

The voice acting is simply some of the best ever seen in an anime series. Especially in the case of Kotono Mitsushi (Usagi), who effortlessly handles all of Usagi's emotional highs and lows with fantastic skill. Aya Hisikawa (Mercury), Michie Tomizawa (Mars),
Emi Shinohara (Jupiter), and Rika Fukami (Venus) are all in fine form as well, and it's very clear they enjoy the roles they play to put this kind of top-notch effort into them. Animation-wise, the show is displays a bright, vivid atmosphere, lending a light-hearted air to the series.

Conclusion

Even now, 11 years after it television debut in Japan and eight years after its premier in the States, Sailor Moon still retains an enormous fan-following, proving its invincible staying power across the world. Now with the release of the original first season, available in a 8-volume unedited DVD box set from ADV Films, fans both old and new have a chance to see the series that made Naoko Takeuchi's manga creation the ultimate in Magical Girl adventure shows.

Kamui Shiro