Sailor Moon Crystal
A faithful reboot of the Sailor Moon manga.
Sailor Moon Crystal (full title: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal) is a Japanese anime series that adapts Naoko Takeuchi’s original Sailor Moon manga. Toei Animation produced it to mark the 20th anniversary of the first anime, and it functions as a reboot that sticks closely to the manga, leaving out most of the content that was added in the earlier series.
The story takes place in Tokyo during the 2010s. It follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle-schooler who can transform into the title character, Sailor Moon, and fight evil. Along with her fellow Sailor Guardians, she searches for Princess Serenity and the Silver Crystal. The first two seasons were directed by Munehisa Sakai. They streamed worldwide on Niconico from July 5, 2014, to July 18, 2015, with new episodes released twice a month. An updated version later aired on Tokyo MX from April 6 to September 28, 2015. The third season, directed by Chiaki Kon, covered the Infinity arc of the manga and aired on Tokyo MX from April 4 to June 27, 2016.
The first episode had an early screening on June 30, 2014. In May 2014, Viz Media obtained the license for an English-language release in North America. They simulcast the series on Neon Alley and Hulu at the same time as the worldwide streaming. Crunchyroll also simulcast it through a separate deal with Toei Animation. Viz premiered the first episode during their “Sailor Moon Day” event at Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
A two-part sequel film, *Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie*, based on the Dream arc of the manga, came out in 2021—the first on January 8 and the second on February 11. Another two-part film, *Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie*, based on the Stars arc, was released on June 9 and June 30, 2023.
**Plot**
**Dark Kingdom** In 2010s Tokyo, fourteen-year-old Usagi Tsukino encounters a talking black cat named Luna. Luna tells Usagi she is Sailor Moon, a Sailor Guardian meant to fight the Dark Kingdom. Luna also tells her to find four other Sailor Guardians, the lost Princess of an ancient Moon kingdom, and a powerful artifact called the Silver Crystal. Along the way, Usagi meets Sailor Mercury (Ami Mizuno), Sailor Mars (Rei Hino), Sailor Jupiter (Makoto Kino), Sailor Venus (Minako Aino), and a mysterious masked man named Tuxedo Mask (Mamoru Chiba), whom she finds attractive. Later, Usagi and the Guardians learn they were once member
- field
- Anime series
- based_on
- Sailor Moon manga by Naoko Takeuchi
- producer
- Toei Animation
- first_aired
- July 5, 2014
- last_aired
- June 27, 2016 (third season)
- seasons
- 3 (Dark Kingdom, Black Moon, Death Busters)
Lore & Background
Set in Tokyo in the 2010s, the story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school student who transforms into Sailor Moon and fights villains alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians. The first two seasons, directed by Munehisa Sakai, streamed worldwide on Niconico from July 5, 2014, to July 18, 2015, with episodes released twice a month. The Blu-ray updated version aired on Tokyo MX between April 6 and September 28, 2015. The third season, directed by Chiaki Kon and based on the Infinity arc of the manga, aired on Tokyo MX between April 4 and June 27, 2016.
The plot covers three arcs: the Dark Kingdom arc, where Usagi discovers her past as Princess Serenity and defeats Queen Metaria; the Black Moon arc, involving time travel and the villainous Black Moon Clan; and the Death Busters arc, introducing Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Saturn. A sequel two-part film, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie, based on the Dream arc, was released in 2021, followed by another two-part film, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie, based on the Stars arc, released in 2023.
Reader's Guide
Sailor Moon Crystal is significant as a direct adaptation of Naoko Takeuchi's original manga, distinguishing itself from the earlier 1990s anime by omitting filler and closely following the source material. Its production was announced in 2012 as part of the series' 20th anniversary, with a simultaneous worldwide streaming release on Niconico, marking a shift in anime distribution. The series was licensed by Viz Media for English-language release in North America, simulcast on Neon Alley and Hulu, and also streamed on Crunchyroll. The reboot introduced updated animation and a modern setting, while retaining the core themes of friendship, love, and the battle between good and evil. Its legacy includes spawning two sequel film series that continue the story through the Dream and Stars arcs, solidifying the franchise's enduring popularity.
Did You Know?
- The first episode had an advanced screening on June 30, 2014.
- The idol group Momoiro Clover Z performed the opening and ending theme songs.
- Viz Media premiered the first episode as part of their 'Sailor Moon Day' celebration at the Anime Expo Convention in Los Angeles.
- The third season was directed by Chiaki Kon and based on the Infinity arc of the manga.
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