Rising from the ashes of the 90ʼs is one of the most legendary Japanese comics

(Manga) of the 20th Century, if not all time. Naoko Takeuchiʼs Pretty Guardian Sailor

Moon is back on the shelves of American bookstores and fans everywhere couldnʼt

be more excited. Pre-orders of the manga and its prequel, Codename: Sailor V, have

been so backed up that some readers still have not received their copies. The local

Barnes and Noble is also sold out of the nostalgic manga.

    The first installment of the iconic 12 part series has been completely re-translated.

Compared to the first few publications of Sailor Moon, this translation is not only

more accurate, but does not try to hide the Japanese culture that Takeuchi based the

story around. There is no outdated slang from the 90ʼs and all of the names have

been restored to their originals. For example, instead of the main character being

called Serena, she is referred to as Usagi. The same is true for every character in the

book. For those who may not be as aquatinted with Japanese culture, there is even a

culture guide in the back of each manga to help explain odd sayings or gestures.

Not only have the translations been re-mastered, but much of the art has been as

well. In Naoko Takeuchiʼs creation of Sailor Moon, she was put under tight deadlines

that restricted her from paying a lot of attention to small details. Many of the original

pages were sloppy and too sketchy. In the new print, Takeuchi went back and added

or even redrew a large amount of the art throughout the book. One of the biggest

changes can be seen from the cover of the book. Usagi and the other characters that

appear on each installment look more “cute”, than mature and attractive. The cover

art has changed from classic, hand drawn manga characters to digitally edited

generic anime girls. A lot of the characters have been re-mastered to look more like

fourteen year olds (their actual age) than twenty year olds.

    Other than the younger looking characters, Sailor Moon is still just as amazing as it

always has been. This new edition will satisfy the original “Moonies” as well as draw

in anyone who is looking for an excellent manga to read and enjoy. Boys will also

enjoy Sailor Moon for its multitude of big-eyed girls in short skirts and high heels.

I encourage everyone interested in this style of entertainment to go out and buy a

copy of Sailor Moon Volume 1.

    If it so happens that you love Sailor Moon so much, which you will, then another

great buy would be its prequel, Codename: Sailor V. Sailor V digs deeper into the

story of Sailor Venus, the “original” sailor-suited senshi. Itʼs witty, sweet, and puts a

whole new perspective on the world of the Sailor Moon.

    In the name of the Moon, you should buy these books.