Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon

If one anime/manga series can be said to define the "Magical Girl" genre of Shoujo, Sailor Moon is it. It has kidnapped boyfriends (who also get brainwashed and die at least once), a talking pet, cool transformation jewelry, complex and ever-changing attack & transformation sequences, and one kid-from-the-future who falls in love with a horse.

BSSM is the story of Usagi Tsukino*, a fourteen-year-old ditzy girl. One day, she meets a talking cat named Luna, who informs her that she is to be the legendary Senshi of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon. Understantably, Usagi isn't very good at being a superhero right away, and often reluctantly battles evil. Once joined by several of the other Senshi (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus) she begins to take her duties a little more seriously.

Every time Sailor Moon battles an enemy, she grows in experience and in determination, not only to defeat evil, but to protect her friends from it as well. Usagi falls in love with Mamoru*, aka Tuxedo Mask, and is often called upon to either save or redeem him in some fashion. He also serves as a focus for her determined belief that everyone can get along if they only believe in themselves and their friends.

Strictly Shoujo Sailor Moon Information

Strictly Shoujo Sailor Moon Sites

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Great Sailor Moon Sites

The Doi Sailor Moon Encyclopedia
*grep sailormoon
sailormoonstore.com
sailormusic.net

Words & Names in DiC (English)

Usagi Tsukino = Serena; Sailor Moon
Mamoru Chiba = Darien Shields; Tuxedo Mask
Sailor Senshi = Sailor Scouts
tankubon = like the pocket Mixx books

Usagi must not only find the strength to believe in herself, but to help others share those beliefs. She uses numerous transformation brooches in the series, several attacks, and many speeches. Usagi never loses the belief that love and understanding will save the day, even in her darkest hour. Though Sailor Moon is not the brightest, most coordinated, or powerful superhero, she has enough heart to conquer everyone.

The adventures of Sailor Moon cover a wide span of printed and animated material. The animated series is 5 seasons long* (comprising 200 episodes), along with 2 television specials, one short, and 3 movies. The manga comprises 18 tankubon*, and 3 Code Name: Sailor V tankubon. There are 5 official art books, one materials collection, and numerous anime books for each series. Sailor Moon ran for 5 seasons (200 episodes) in Japan. 2 Seasons are currently available in English, as well as the 3 movies.

I highly recommend the Doi Sailor Moon Encyclopedia for information on everyone in the Sailor Moon Universe, as well as scripts and episode descriptions.

Pictured below are some of the "cast" of Sailor Moon. From left to right:

Haruka, Michiru, Rei, Mamoru, Usagi, Ami, Minako, Momoko, Yaten, Taiki, and Seiya    or

Sailor Uranus, Neptune, Mars, Tuxedo Kamen, Sailor Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Sailorstar Healer, Maker, and Fighter