Sailor Moon Season 1: A thorough review of the magical girl appeal and depth of the story

Sailor Moon Season 1 - Sailor Moon

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

March 7, 1992 - February 27, 1993 Every Saturday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: TV Asahi Network

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 46

■Original Story

・Original work: Naoko Takeuchi ^{Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon ・Kodansha}

■ Production

Animation production: Toei Animation Production: Toei, ANB, Toei Agency

■Works

©Naoko Takeuchi, PNP, TV Asahi, Toei Animation

■ Main staff

■Subtitle

Detailed review and recommendation of Sailor Moon Season 1

Sailor Moon is an anime series that began airing in 1992, with the first season running for 46 episodes from March 7, 1992 to February 27, 1993. The series is based on the manga of the same name by Takeuchi Naoko, and aired for 30 minutes every Saturday from 7:00 pm on TV Asahi. It was produced by Toei Animation, and co-produced by TV Asahi, Toei, and Toei Agency.

Story and Characters

The story is about the main character, Usagi Tsukino, who is entrusted with the mission of being a Sailor Warrior by the cat Luna and fights to protect the Earth. As Sailor Moon, Usagi struggles with her companions to thwart the ambitions of the Dark Kingdom. Her companions include Sailor Mercury (Ami Mizuno), Sailor Mars (Rei Hino), Sailor Jupiter (Makoto Kino), and Sailor Venus (Minako Aino), each of whom is portrayed as a unique character. Tuxedo Mask (Mamoru Chiba) also appears as an important character, and his romance with Usagi adds excitement to the story.

Each episode depicts the growth of Usagi and her friends as they fight various demons. In particular, Usagi's growth and the process of her deepening bonds with her friends are deeply moving to the viewers. There are also many romantic elements, and the relationship between Usagi and Mamoru, as well as the love lives of other characters, are also highlights.

Animation and Music

The animation is a work that highlights Toei Animation's high level of technical skill. Character design is by Kazuko Tadano, who faithfully reproduces the image of the original work while bringing out the unique charm of anime. Under the direction of animation directors Katsuji Matsumoto and Kunihiko Natsume, beautiful visuals are developed in each episode. Additionally, the backgrounds by art designer Takamura Mukuo and art director Tadao Kubota are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story.

The music was composed by Takanori Arisawa, and the impressive opening theme "Moonlight Legend" and ending theme "Mirror of the Heart" left a deep impression on viewers. The background music was also used skillfully to match the development of the story, playing a role in enhancing the emotions of the viewers.

Cultural influence and recognition

Sailor Moon gained huge popularity not only in Japan in the 1990s, but also overseas. It is particularly noteworthy that it went beyond the boundaries of anime for girls and gained support from a wide range of people. The work depicts themes such as female strength, friendship, and romance, and has resonated with many viewers. In addition, the costumes and transformation scenes based on sailor suits had a major influence on later anime and manga.

Critics praised the storyline, character development, and the quality of the music and animation. In particular, the episodes depicting Usagi's coming-of-age and her bond with her friends touched viewers and created many fans. There are also episodes that deal with social themes, and the show has been praised for its deep messages.

Recommendations and how to watch

Sailor Moon is a monumental work for girls, and can be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups. It particularly resonates with many viewers because it depicts universal themes such as friendship, love, and growth. The animation and music are also of high quality, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally.

There are several ways to watch this work, including purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray, or using streaming services. In particular, it is available on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You can also purchase related goods at fan events and Comic Markets.

Sailor Moon is an iconic anime of the 1990s and continues to have an impact today, so be sure to watch this series and enjoy the adventures and growth of Usagi and her friends.