Never running from a real fight; she is the one named Sailor Moon!
Sailor Moon made her debut as one of the most well-known magical girls in anime during the 1990’s. Adorned in a Japanese-style sailor uniform, sporting a golden tiara, and her classic “bun-head” hair, Usagi Tsukino’s heroic acts have gotten her out of trouble and has saved the Earth a multitude of times.
The 90’s anime was revolutionary, and it set the stage for many other magical girl series to become popular: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Tokyo Mew Mew, the Pretty Cure series, etc. Despite the originality and nostalgia of the original series, the remake is actually more accurate to what the author wanted for her series.
Sailor Moon Crystal, although it isn’t favored by many compared to the original series, is wonderful for those who want a version to stick to the main story without much filler. It is not an adaption of the 90’s anime, but of the manga itself.
Though many believe that it lacks the character and personality that the 90’s had, Crystal does have a better hold on the story storyline throughout the duration of the show.
While it is true that the original adaptation of Sailor Moon gives the sailor scouts a lot of personality and fluffs them up, most of it was not stated to be true by the original author, Naoko Takeuchi.
One of the major differences seen in the 90’s anime compared to Sailor Moon Crystal and the manga, for example, is Rei Hino’s— also known as Sailor Mars—personality. While in the 90’s she was seen as a fiery and semi-aggressive girl who took out the time to scold Usagi and create a sibling-like relationship with her, originally, she was meant to be a passive and more calculating character with spiritual ties to evil. This “change” angered many nostalgic fans, but the way that Rei’s personality was interpreted is very close to how Takeuchi planned for it to be.
It’s also worth mentioning how short Sailor Moon Crystal is compared to the original Sailor Moon series.
Sailor Moon starts off with the first season, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, then goes on in the order as follows: Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon R Movie: Promise of the Rose, Sailor Moon S, Sailor Moon S: The Movie, Sailor Moon Super S, and finally, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars.
In comparison, Sailor Moon Crystal is much shorter: Sailor Moon Crystal seasons one, two, and three, Sailor Moon Eternal parts one and two, and lastly, Sailor Moon Cosmos.
Both series cover the same story and follow it through similar means, but in terms of staying the closest to the source material, Crystal takes the cake. Sailor Moon, on the other hand, is better for character development, building suspense, and creating a relationship between the show and its viewers.
But, if you’re planning to watch Sailor Moon, which one should you start with?
If you want a story that’s very close to the original source, is a short an easy watch, and something with newer animation, then Sailor Moon Crystal’s your best bet. The story is not hard to get through as the seasons have about 13 episodes each, and the story continues through each episode.
However, if you want a longer watch with more focus on the characters’ relationships with each other, their development, and a more vintage look to the anime you’re watching (or if you’re looking for some nostalgia), then the 90’s Sailor Moon series will be your best friend. As a watcher of this series, you’ll come to love the girls and their shenanigans, and you’ll have the time to appreciate all the time that comes from watching.
No matter which series you prefer—Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon Crystal, even the stage plays and musicals—when it comes to Sailor Moon, you’ll always find your token sailor scout at the center ready to save the world from evil.
