How Similar Is the Sailor Moon World to the Actual Azabu-Juban?

Disclaimer: this is not a real photo

Disclaimer: this is not a real photo

One thing that I’ve always loved about the world of Sailor Moon just how how much of the real world Ms. Takeuchi, and later the anime staff, included into the series. You can really feel tell that she really did live in Azabu-Juban before choosing it as the backdrop for her series in how detailed and alive the various locations are.

Today, we’re going to talk about something near and dear to my heart – real life locations that appear in the world of Sailor Moon! For the sake of simplicity, we’ll be talking about Sailor Moon Crystal today, but I do plan on sitting down to write an article about the old 90s series and manga once I get enough old pictures together.

Well, let’s get started!

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Did Sailor Moon Influence the School Girl Miniskirt Boom?

Are people trying to mimic this?

Are people trying to mimic this?

While the vast majority of what I write tends to be about either lore within the Sailor Moon universe or fans’ perception thereof, it’s also interesting to sometimes take a step back and analyze the impact that Sailor Moon had on the real world.

Today, I wanted to stop and take a look into one curious theory that I occasionally see floated around on Japanese blogs and books: that the Sailor Moon series was — at least partially — responsible for the rise in popularity among Japanese high school students wearing miniskirts in the mid- to late-90s.

As absurd as it sounds on the surface, it turns out that there may actually be some basis to this theory. Join me today for a look back into 90s Japanese skirt culture!

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Where is the Original Sailor Moon Musical / SeraMyu Cast Today?

See that Mars right there? Yeah, we're not talking about her...

See that Mars right there? Yeah, we’re not talking about her…

Have you ever been sitting at your desk at work, trying desperately to give the impression that you’re actually busy and had that rogue thought run across your mind: “hey, I used to love [actress/singer/ballet dancer], whatever happened to them?”

Then hours later, you have no idea where your day just went.

That very thought is what inspired my original article on what happened to the live-action Sailor Moon cast, and I decided it was about time that I followed it up with an article about the girls of the Sailor Moon musicals. If you’ve ever wondered the same, stick around to find out!
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Who Were Moon Lips and Why Did They Sing Moonlight Densetsu?

This is from a Sailor Moon stage show and has nothing to do with Moon Lips... but it DOES cause nightmares

This is from a Sailor Moon stage show and has nothing to do with Moon Lips… but it DOES cause nightmares

Moonlight Densetsu really is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to bringing us a plethora of fan rumors and other mysteries surrounding Sailor Moon‘s famous theme song.

After two full seasons of using the original cut of the song, sung by the mysterious and short-lived DALI, the animation studio decided to record a new cut of Moonlight Densetsu starting with Sailor Moon S season. What’s interesting about this version, though, is that it’s actually credited to two different groups – which is the mystery we’re going to look into today.

Put on your scuba gear! We’re about to take yet another deep dive into this moonlit destiny!

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Is Rei’s Grandfather From Her Mother or Father’s Side?

You've got some 'splaining to do, Grandpa Hino!

You’ve got some ‘splaining to do, Grandpa Hino!

With how many articles I end up writing about Rei Hino, you’d think I should have named this blog Sailor Un-Mars’ed. But to be fair, it’s not entirely my fault that between the anime and manga, there are so many riddles about this Christian school-attending Shinto priestess who suffers from split personalities.

Today I’d like to take a look at trying to unravel the mysteries of Rei’s family tree and, specifically, which side Rei’s grandfather lands on.

I hope you join along, it’s going to be an interesting ride!

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What Is the Meaning Behind the Song Moon Revenge?

"That's no moon, it's a..." Sailor Soldier

“That’s no moon, it’s a…” Sailor Soldier

Remember that time that Usagi sang about beautiful corpses, painful tattoos, and wanting to control your lover until every little breath of theirs belongs to you? Of course you do, because how could you possibly forget Moon Revenge, the bizarre ending theme to the Sailor Moon R movie.

But like most things that get lost in translation, these sort of thing can make at least a little more sense when looked at in the proper context. And today, that’s what we’re going to talk about!

If you’ve ever been up late at night fretting over lovely corpses and engraved tattoos, this one’s for you!

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What Is the Correct Spelling of Haruka’s Last Name, Tenoh or Tenou?

Wait, which one is it Haruka?!

Wait, which one is it Haruka?!

While I’m sure I’ve made quite a reputation for myself about being a stickler for the every little tiny detail in the Sailor Moon universe, I’m just going to say up front that I find it absolutely absurd that fans even argue about this.

And argue they do! As someone who’s been a part of the Sailor Moon internet community since the late 90s, I can say that I’ve seen this argument come and go since the earliest days of the fandom.

So, since this is a question I see from time to time in my inbox and DMs, I figure it’s time I throw in my 2.27 yen!1 What is the correct spelling?

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