Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Series experience:
 This is my first time delving into anything Sailor Moon!

Short review: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, or the original Sailor Moon series’ first season, is a classic shoujo anime and a must-watch for fans of magic girl series. With charming leads, relatable humor, and timeless art, Sailor Moon’s proves that with the right combination of uniforms, monsters, and sparkles, a simple premise could become an enduring franchise.

Full review:

Warning: review contains spoilers

Sailor Moon screenshots pop up every once in a while in social media - from Usagi’s state as a useless crybaby to the fashion forward outfits of Rei, I don’t think the internet is running out of Sailor Moon stuff to repost just yet. There was even a Sailor Moon redraw challenge recently. I started the series a few weeks ago because of the fashion and the color palette. Everything I saw from Sailor Moon was pretty. Upon seeing the first episode, I was sort of confused at how simple everything was. Maybe compared to modern anime the plot of Sailor Moon looks cliche, but I was determined to keep watching.

Once I progressed through a few episodes, I didn’t fully get the hype. I mean, the show is funny, and Usagi & Co.’s outfits never disappoint. The transformation sequences are always fun to watch, and it’s pretty cool to see in action one of the cornerstones of the magical girl craze that swept Eastern and Western countries alike. Still, the initial pattern of the series - monster of the week, discover a senshi, monster of the week, discover a senshi - confused me. I wondered how this was going to keep going. Eventually I figured out that the anime has a lot more monsters compared to the manga, to stretch out the first arc a bit. Once all the girls are together, progress and character development slowly come to light, and it is then that I realized that I appreciate the slowing down of the series a bit. It might seem “simple” to some viewers who are used to huge plot twists and heavy overarching character themes, but I learned that the beauty in Sailor Moon is getting to know and love each of the senshi for all of their strengths and flaws.

The last few episodes really quite explode in big character origin story reveals, which are expected somehow but not too cheesy. Reincarnation, of course, is a common theme in these magical girl shows, and it was done pretty well in Sailor Moon. We learn the reason why Usagi and Mamoru are so drawn to each other, and a little bit about the other members of the inner senshi. Once the girls fully come to realize their places as Usagi’s protectors, we get to be proud of them for coming so far and doing their part. Personally, only at the end did I realize that the girls’ basic but strong friendship was something that I was going to miss.

One of the issues I have is the focus on the main couple. I don’t really have a problem with Usagi and Mamoru’s relationship per se, but I guess it’s more of the wasted potential of setting up more development or relationships for the other senshi. Minako has more than enough backstory for a few episodes, and we don't get a lot about Makoto.

Regarding the animation, I mentioned before that the transformation sequences here really paved the way for some big anime now, which is really cool. A lot of repeat animations, but I don’t think that’s unusual for the time it was released. It doesn’t feel outdated, and the colors and character designs are still gorgeous. The music is so, so catchy. The opening is legendary, and before I knew it, Moonlight Densetsu was living in my mind rent free. All the BG music is so catchy and the voice acting is memorable and apt in a way that soon enough you will be saying their lines with them.

Overall, I believe Sailor Moon’s original series is worth a watch. The girls are likable (and probably relatable to lots of teens), and the main romance is cute enough to satisfy a shoujo fan. I think girl power is an underrated anime genre, and Sailor Moon is one of those shows that could uplift someone when they’re feeling down. In the name of the moon, give it a shot!

Plot 7.5/10

Animation 8/10

Characters 9/10


Overall personal enjoyment 9/10

Top 3 fave characters

Makoto/Sailor Jupiter - tall, multitalented, model-like looks and the cutest personality, I love herrrr the running gag of her failed love is too relatable too… I really like how she’s so headstrong and protective of everyone! of all the senshi her death scene was the most painfulll
Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask - one of the OG bishounen.. his good looks will never fade. I know it’s not that popular a thing now but the bullying the girl you like is strong with this one and somehow it still works! his own backstory is pretty interesting too
Rei/Sailor Mars - what a girl! she’s tough and cool, with a sharp tongue too. even though Rei has a bunch of vulnerabilities, she’s so loyal to her friends and her friendship with Usagi is so heartwarming. Even with all the Mamoru drama she stays an amazing friend

Others: Usagi, Naru, Kunzite

Thank you for reading!

Review for the manga: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Review
Review for the next season: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R Review