Sailor Moon and the Power of Friendship

I’ve never been a fan of anime. I appreciate the detail that goes into creating such a piece. It’s art, after all, but not the kind I’m usually into. So I was a bit iffy last year when presented with the entire box collection of Sailor Moon. It’s life changing, I was told.

For those unfamiliar with the Sailor Moon franchise, the story revolves around a group of junior high girls in 20^th century Tokyo, or Crystal Tokyo as it’s referred to in the anime. Unbeknownst to them, they’re actually (Senshi) Soldiers from the Moon Kingdom, sent from the past to live ordinary lives as schoolchildren.

Sailor Moon is the antagonist, reborn as 14-year-old crybaby Usagi Tsukino. With the help of her four guardians, she must awaken as Sailor Moon to protect the Earth. The series is spoken in Japanese, with English subtitles.

It was with much patience that I began the Moon Journey. I was put off at first by Season One’s animation. But again I was told to get through it; that as the series went on I’d find out why it was worth it.

The first season was a bit repetitive with each episode dealing with a “monster-of-the-day.” As the series went on, however, I was, like predicted, hooked.

I didn’t care about having to read the subtitles. The characters were hilarious and their personalities were spot on. You see, each of the 5 ‘Inner Senshi’ took on an astrological form. Besides Usagi/Sailor Moon (Cancer), there was the quiet bookworm Ami Mizuno, who became Sailor Mercury (Virgo). Then there’s the levelheaded tomboy Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter (Sagittarius). Rei Hino is the spiritual Sailor Mars, Soldier of Fire and Passion (Aries). Lastly is the glamorous Minako Aino, known as Sailor Venus (Libra).

So there I was watching their lives unfold from regular schoolgirls to crime fighting super soldiers. Over the course of the series the enemies became more sinister, cultivating in the introduction of Sailor Galaxia, the baddest of the bad.

By the final season, the Stars Arc, many favorites were added to the show, each of them representing some aspect of astrology. It was by watching this show that I came to study stars and planets. It’s true when I say a person’s astrology sign says a lot about them. I myself am a Virgo, though not as smart as top student Ami, but I guarantee I am the definition of a Virgo.

Besides the astrological awesome-ness of the show, there is so much more at play. To the core, Sailor Moon is the ultimate symbol of feminism, and thus, friendship. Sure the girls are a bit boy crazy. (What 14 year old isn’t?) But beyond that, they represent what a young girl should be. Each of the girls, and this is especially true of the Outer Senshi, who are in their 20s and extremely mature, are well put together. They have their flaws (Usagi’s being an addiction to sweets that causes her much trouble) but those flaws are nothing in comparison with the honor and love they hold for each other.

They are strong, confident growing women, each on the same path, yet each on their own awakening. They struggle with coming to terms with their past lives as princesses of their respective planets and with wanting to lead normal lives.

Ami wants to be a doctor like her mother. Rei is already a Shinto priestess. Minako dreams of being an idol. Makoto, challenging the tomboy stereotype, is an excellent cook and hopes to open her own Floral Shop/Bakery. And Usagi… well, Usagi is Usagi, the clumsy, carefree, hyper, sweets-loving Usagi, dedicated to her boyfriend Mamoru, who was Prince Endymion in the past, the protector of Earth.

This is a story like no other you’ll find today. These are friends that come by once in a lifetime. For each girl is loyal to the other, willing to die for their Princess (That’s right, Sailor Moon is Princess Serenity. Usagi… a princess?!?), standing strongly by each other to the very end.

I wish I would have watched this show growing up. I would have known the true meaning of friendship. I would have searched for my Inner Senshi to the ends of the galaxy. But I’m grateful that I experienced this at the time I did. I wouldn’t have understood the meanings had I watched it as a 14 year old. I would have seen, but I wouldn’t have known.

A year later and I’m still hooked. Having finished the anime I’ve moved onto the live action version, known as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (or PGSM for short). PGSM combines elements of both the manga (written first) and the anime. PGSM holds true to the symbolism of feminism, giving the anime characters more depth, and highlighting their friendship even further.

This is an age where girls are losing their hearts to the highest bidder and women parade on television flaunting their womanhood for all to see. This is an age where female politicians are more of celebrities and targeting each other instead of uniting.

Sailor Moon is no longer on television, having its run in the 90s. But Sailor Moon lives on, evident by the plethora of dedicated fans, and these fans I speak of aren’t only females. Sailor Moon reaches across the world, from Japan to America to Russia and Italy. And as long as there are those out there (and believe me when I say we are) who truly believe in the message of Sailor Moon, well let’s just say “Tsuki ni kawatte, oshio kiyo!”