Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Anyone who enjoyed the Sailor Moon anime would find reading its manga equally delightful. The manga is filled with details and backstories that were omitted from the original anime, which can be quite surprising for those only familiar with the anime's narrative.

The classic first season in the manga didn't include any yaoi elements, and it offered much deeper insights into the enemies' backgrounds.

In the S Season, Haruka is portrayed more intricately than just being the tomboy she was depicted as in the anime. The manga's plot during this arc was also notably darker and more emotionally intense.

The SuperS Arc might be my favorite part of the manga. While still focusing on Chibi-Usa (Rini), it reveals a lot more about the enigmatic Tuxedo Mask's past and future.

Stars - This season underwent so many changes in the anime that it barely resembles the same story. Genders, personalities, and even relationships were completely altered. ChibiChibi herself is an entirely different character in the anime.

Despite all the additional detail and improvements the manga has over the anime, there is one drawback. The manga is significantly shorter, resulting in entire season plots being wrapped up in just a few chapters. This makes the manga feel rushed compared to the anime, which took its time to develop characters we could love.

Naoko Takeuchi's art is classically beautiful, offering plenty to admire.

To newcomers, this is a quintessential magical girl series, and you should give either the manga or the anime a try if you haven't already.

I first encountered Sailor Moon through the anime in the 90s, back when I didn't know it originated from a manga. At that time, I was just a kid without a computer.

After re-watching the series, I read through all of the manga and I still adore it!

The story: Usagi discovers she is a Sailor Guardian and, with her crew, must fight evil organizations trying to take over Earth and ruin it using her magical powers. I find the plot compelling, filled with hope, despair, love (of all kinds!), peace, food, fashion, and some exciting battles – all good stuff.

A quick note for those who know the anime by heart: The manga might seem shorter, but it's still incredibly good!

Art: There’s nothing not to love about it! It’s brimming with imagination (the transformations, powers, villains) and it’s beautifully crafted. Plus, the fashion! I would absolutely adore having such a clothing collection.

Characters: The Sailor Guardians are strong-willed girls, capable of overcoming their "weaknesses" even without their powers. They demonstrate that you can be beautiful, fashionable, and still accomplish anything you set your mind to. While Usagi is the main character, other characters also receive significant attention, allowing us to learn about their pasts and understand them better. The villains are equally well-crafted - they’re truly evil, and they only get worse as the story progresses.

I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I reread it regularly, laughing, crying, feeling my heart skip a beat, experiencing joy and sadness each time. Overall, as you can probably tell, I think it’s an outstanding work because it manages to evoke all these emotions every time I return to it.

This is where the entire phenomenon began, and it surely won't let you down. Compared to the anime, which mostly consists of filler or a new villain each week, this version is more straightforward and serious. The storyline remains largely unchanged, though there are some fresh characters and transformations introduced. Certain main characters, Mars in particular, differ significantly from their anime versions (I actually found Usagi more likable than annoying!). It's slightly less juvenile than its anime counterpart, but that isn't necessarily a negative aspect. For any fan of Sailor Moon, it's an absolute delight.

I first encountered the dubbed version of Sailor Moon when I was young, and it, along with Speed Racer, sparked my initial interest in anime. Sailor Moon has a special place in my heart because it was the first anime series I truly couldn't get enough of.

A few days ago, I decided to read the manga, and I just finished all of it recently. It was wonderful, but it felt rather rushed. Each villain was defeated quickly, and each story arc concluded rapidly. Because of this, I prefer the anime over the manga. Watching the anime allowed me to get to know each character better, including the villains, and the story arcs didn't need to move so swiftly.

In the end, for me: the manga was a fantastic way to bring me back into the Sailor Moon fandom and would serve as a nice introduction for newcomers. It was a lot of fun to read, and I would recommend it. However, afterward, I'd suggest watching the anime, which I plan to do again myself.

Just like many people, I have a special bond with Sailor Moon since it was the first anime I encountered at the tender age of 3. Though my memories from that time are not very clear, it left a significant impact on me. The series has been broadcasted repeatedly on TV here, though often not reaching the final episode. Regardless, I've always loved it and would wake up at 6 in the morning just to watch it every time.

Given my love for Sailor Moon, I feel it is my duty to write a review, choosing between the anime or manga. I picked the manga because it is more straightforward and direct compared to the anime, which spans around 200 episodes, most of which feature uninspired enemies that don't exist in the manga.

Reading the manga brought about a sense of nostalgia, which I'm sure is shared by many others. I enjoyed reading, especially during the first arc, but it's after that when the manga reveals its true weaknesses. Namely, Tsukino Usagi is a Mary Sue character. I can already imagine everyone staring at me in horror, but it's the truth. This is the manga's major drawback. I understand Usagi is the main character, but she could share some spotlight and important roles with the other characters. They're her soldiers, but what's the point if she overpowers them every single time?

I appreciate the character designs and abilities, but unfortunately, apart from their introduction in the first arc, they end up being pretty much useless. Usagi ends up saving the day while the rest fall behind. This bothers me greatly. I couldn't even believe it when she defeated another antagonist; I thought, "This can't be happening, is this what I loved so much?"

Since the manga is shorter than the anime, this weakness is quite apparent, whereas in the anime, fillers cover it by giving other characters more storylines and usefulness.

Moving on to the art, I cannot say much as I have little experience with manga from that era. I rated it a 6 because... it's Sailor Moon, it's not bad, and you can follow the story.

The story has been done many times due to Sailor Moon's popularity and success. At the time, it was ahead of its time. I still enjoy watching it unfold in the anime, deserving a 7.

I've already discussed the characters. It's a big mistake to focus solely on Usagi, even if she is the main character. I give it a 3.

Enjoyment would have been higher, but the way the characters were handled bothered me and took away from the experience. Perhaps I had other favorite characters besides Usagi who didn't reach their full potential. Above average, a 6.

Overall, I feel it deserves a 6. It offered much to the anime/manga world and established itself as the representative of the magical girl genre. We should not be blinded by our childhood love, as it hasn't aged well in many aspects: characters, art, and story. My own childhood memories influenced me slightly, but I feel the anime is superior to the manga despite its never-ending fillers for reasons mentioned above.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.

I have to admit, when Sailor Moon comes to mind, I'm instantly transported back to that anime episode where Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars battled Jedite at the airport. It was a time when I was just five years old, chanting "Moon Prism Power" like it was my personal mantra. Fast forward to now, as a college graduate, I find myself diving back into the manga that sparked my passion for collecting them (my collection has surpassed 300 and is still growing!). Undoubtedly, this manga holds a special place in my heart.

It's challenging to categorize Sailor Moon as merely another shojo manga because, in truth, it defines the genre. Nowadays, it's almost impossible to come across a shojo manga that doesn't draw inspiration from or harken back to Sailor Moon. This series blends elements of girl power, romance, time travel, magical unicorns, and intergalactic battles into an unforgettable mix.

If you've ever dreamt of fighting evil alongside your friends, Sailor Moon will resonate with you. It's humorous, emotionally charged, occasionally perplexing, but above all, inspiring and courageous. Before I even understood hate and intolerance, this series taught me about love and acceptance. It demonstrates that everyone can transform into a better version of themselves countless times, finding friends who believe in their true selves along the way.

If I had to pinpoint one thing I dislike (and I'm really digging deep past the nostalgia), it would be how both the anime and manga were marketed towards children in America. While the anime seemed like an iffy call for kids, the manga wasn't necessarily censored but might not be suitable for what's considered the typical American child. This led to some awkward, mature discussions.

In conclusion, it's a fantastic read, and every manga fan should give the first two (or originally four) books a chance, regardless of whether they end up loving it or not.

Story: The Sailor Moon series (dubbed) was my gateway into anime and manga. Fans of the genre or shoujo in general would find this series delightful. The narrative unfolds across 17 out of the 18 volumes, divided into five arcs (with one volume as filler). While the manga sometimes diverges from its animated counterpart, it frequently takes a darker path. Nonetheless, it retains a lot of humor, particularly in the Exam Battle Chapters. Romance enthusiasts will also appreciate the storyline. I rated the story a perfect 10 because it's an epic, classic example of shoujo.

Art: The artwork is exceptional. I especially adore the signature long, flowing hair. Both the original and reprint covers are beautifully designed and visually striking. My only gripe is that the primary antagonists often look alike—Chaos, Pharaoh 90, and Queen Metallia all appear as large black blobs to me.

Character: Usagi, Chibi-usa, and Mamoru are well-developed and intriguing characters, but the majority of the others lack depth. They tend to be sidelined to make room for the main characters. The other Sailor Senshi do have personalities and backstories, but they don't evolve significantly. This is understandable due to time constraints, but some characters disappear for considerable periods—either kidnapped or deceased.

Enjoyment/Overall: As mentioned in the story section, I approached my first read already loving the Sailor Moon tale, and the manga version did not disappoint. It provides the same beloved narrative while introducing enough differences to keep me engaged. The artwork is also appealing. Unfortunately, the English version of the manga is now out of print. If you ever come across it, I highly recommend purchasing the series. I'd also suggest getting the artbooks.

Like many others, Sailor Moon was the first anime I ever watched. Initially, there was the truly awful dubbed version. The real version is much better, but still doesn't compare to the manga.

In contrast to the anime, the arcs in the manga flow seamlessly into each other. For instance, Sailor Moon and her friends receive their power-ups at the end of each arc through much more compelling means than in the anime. The manga is darker, yet not without humor, and it tells a much deeper and superior story. Take SuperS as an example. The anime turned this into a cheesy, fluffy tale, whereas in the manga it's very dark. Neherenia is a far more notorious villain, and the Amazoness Quartet holds a much greater significance. Additionally, the Golden Crystal (and the Silver Crystal too) are much more crucial.

The anime also neglects most of the manga specials, with the exception of one. They animated "Ami-chan's First Love," but skipped over the stories centered around Jupiter or Venus & Mars.

The main characters are much more developed individually in the manga, whereas their growth (except for Usagi) is ignored or forgotten in the anime. For instance, the Starlights in the anime each interact with other senshi and undergo experiences that change them, but this is later forgotten. Notably, Ami's words to Taiki and Minako's to Yaten.

The anime also altered many characters, particularly the outer senshi, Venus, and Mars. Sailor Venus plays a much more significant role in the manga, where she was underutilized in the anime. She is the leader of the inner senshi and participates much more actively. This is especially true during the Dark Kingdom and Black Moon arcs. Mars in the manga is a much more elegant and serious character. Both Venus and Mars are well portrayed in the live-action series, unlike the anime. The anime also ignores the relationship between Venus and Mars, which is quite powerful, whether viewed romantically or otherwise.

Sailor Saturn is similarly shortchanged in the anime. She appears as a major character in the S, SuperS, and Stars arcs, interacts more with the other senshi, and has a much larger purpose. The outer senshi are much more integral to the story and don't disappear like they do in the anime.

Uranus is somewhat different, mainly because she shows her more feminine side more prominently in her attire. Pluto also has a bigger role, especially during the Black Moon arc.

Chibiusa is less annoying in the manga, partly because you can't hear her speak and she doesn't try to steal the spotlight as much. Tuxedo Kamen is actually useful! Instead of waving a cane around and throwing flowers, he is granted real powers by his four generals! The four generals also undergo significant changes from the manga to the anime, none of them positive.

The art in the manga is very elegant, and the artbooks are beautiful.

I promise that if you're a fan of the Sailor Moon anime, you'll love the manga. I believe it's far superior, and I wish the anime had stayed truer to it. The live-action series stayed closer to the source material but created its own story, which was still better than the anime. I still appreciate the anime, but the manga is by far the better story. I wish they would do what Fullmetal Alchemist did and release a new version that's faithful to the manga!