Sailor Moon Is Actually Darker Than It Looks

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As a seasoned anime enthusiast with years of viewing under my belt, I must say that Sailor Moon stands out as one of the most intriguing and complex series I have ever encountered. Its dark themes and mature content set it apart from many other magical girl shows, offering a more human-like experience for its characters.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Sailor Moon.

Summary

  • Sailor Moon manga explores dark themes like suicide and abuse, setting it apart from typical magical girl series.
  • Characters in Sailor Moon face tragic deaths and make complicated choices, showing their flaws and complexity.
  • The series pushes boundaries with disturbing scenes of abuse and non-consent, adding depth and realism to the characters.

At first glance, “Sailor Moon” may seem like a typical magical girl series, but upon closer inspection, it offers depth far beyond its initial appearance. The anime delves into darker themes at times, yet the manga amplifies this significantly. Naoko Takeuchi’s masterwork “Sailor Moon” is rich with scenes exploring loss, sacrifice, and sorrow.

Beyond battling wicked entities, the Sailor Scouts frequently encounter challenging predicaments that demand seemingly insurmountable decisions. Each rendition and reimagining of the series offers humorous and adorable scenes, yet they also contain numerous chilling and ominous aspects that are sometimes underappreciated.

Manga Moments That Are Truly Terrifying

The Original Source Will Leave You In A Shock

In the Sailor Moon comic book series, multiple storylines like Dark Kingdom, Black Moon, and Infinity delve into ominous subjects. This vibrant and adorable magical girl cartoon subtly transitions into a more somber tone as it advances. Unlike other similar series, Sailor Moon isn’t shy about portraying its characters’ imperfections.

From my perspective, the characters in this captivating tale deviate from the conventional heroic archetypes. The sailor guardians are prone to errors and grapple with intricate dilemmas – it’s these complexities that make Sailor Moon truly unique. This is particularly evident in the graphic novel format, where Naoko Takeuchi fearlessly delves into profound themes such as suicide, incest, and abuse, adding depth and realism to the narrative.

Themes Of Death And Suicide

In the “Sailor Moon” comic series, death is a recurring theme. A particularly poignant scene occurs during the Dark Kingdom storyline where Sailor Moon’s former self, Princess Serenity, and Mamoru’s former self, Prince Endymion, meet a sad end. Prince Endymion is fatally stabbed when Queen Metalia corrupts Queen Beryl. The Moon Kingdom crumbles following the Earthlings’ invasion, and seeing this devastation, Princess Serenity becomes distraught and ultimately takes her life by falling on a sword.

In the name of the moon, I’ll punish you – Sailor Moon

In the Black Moon storyline, we see an increase in devastation and ruin. The Black Moon Covenant, a defiant faction under Prince Demande’s leadership, confronts the White Moon Kingdom and Neo Queen Serenity. With the backing and manipulation of a malevolent figure known as the Wise One, this group sows discord and devastation in both past and future timelines. Among its most significant members are the four Ayakashi sisters.

Members from the future, who serve the Black Moon, travel to our present time to establish their rule by causing destruction. Among them is Koan, the youngest, with the power to ignite fire, who torches a group of nuns, leading to their tragic deaths. This act of violence was just one instance of many ruthless actions carried out by the Black Moon cult, resulting in countless lives being lost.

In addition to its vibrant scenes, the anime includes some heart-wrenching deaths, such as the selfless sacrifice of Sailor Saturn, also known as Hotaru Tomoe. Regarded as one of the strongest sailor guardians, Hotaru’s character unfolds in the Sailor Moon S series, where it is revealed that she serves as a vessel for Mistress 9, working alongside Pharaoh 90 to annihilate Earth. Eventually, to thwart Pharaoh 90, Hotaru uses her weapon, the Silence Glaive, and gives up her life in the process. After Sailor Moon employs the Silver Crystal, Hotaru is reborn as a newborn, yet her selfless act remains one of the most poignant moments in Sailor Moon.

You’ve got meatballs on the sides of your head to go with the spaghetti inside! – Sailor Mercury

In the Dark Kingdom storyline, it’s heartbreaking to witness the consecutive demises of Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. These valiant Sailor Senshi willingly sacrificed themselves for Sailor Moon’s safety, making their untimely deaths all the more poignant. Fortunately, they were brought back to life following the downfall of Beryl.

Abuse And Incest

Takeuchi Is Not Afraid Of Pushing Boundaries

In the vast expanse of the Infinity Arc, we encounter Souichi Tomoe, the father of Sailor Saturn, or Hotaru Tomoe. Despite his professional success as a scientist, Souichi fell short in his role as a parent. His inhumane experiments on his own daughter were deeply disturbing to observe. Instead of treating her with respect and kindness, he saw Hotaru merely as a container for Mistress 9, which added to the emotional turmoil that Sailor Saturn had to endure.

My father is hurting me… but I can’t escape him. He says it’s for my own good – Sailor Saturn

Afterward, we encounter Chibi-Usa and her Electra complex, which was consistently portrayed throughout the series but played off as a running joke within the animated version. However, in the manga, it is significantly more intense. A controversial scene involving a villainous Chibi-Usa and a mind-controlled Mamoru sharing a kiss stood out among viewers. This occurred when the Wise Man transformed Chibi Usa into a black woman. Given that Mamoru is her future father, this scene is arguably the most unsettling part of the entire series. The black woman’s act of kissing Mamoru to inflict pain on Usagi raised many eyebrows. This instance demonstrates how Sailor Moon transcends the magical girl genre in ways that no other 90s anime does.

The Portrayal Of Non Consensual Scenes

In the “Black Moon” storyline, the clan’s ruler, Prince Demande, develops an unhealthy fixation on Neo Queen Serenity. His fascination with her, coupled with a striking resemblance between her and Usagi, leads him to abduct Usagi against her will and forcibly kiss her without her consent. This disturbing scene was particularly upsetting for viewers, as the series was accused of glamorizing non-consensual advances.

You are the one I desire. You are my future, my queen. I will make you mine – Prince Demande

In the third episode of Season 3 in Sailor Moon Crystal, a similar situation arises. This is where Sailor Uranus unexpectedly kisses Sailor Moon at the end of the episode. Although Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune are well-known LGBT characters, this unexpected action left viewers feeling uncomfortable.

In the abyss of Sailor Moon, its deep, somber undertones set it apart, for it fearlessly presents characters who exhibit a striking resemblance to real people, due to their intricate personalities and choices they make. Amidst these dark overtones, there’s an uplifting message that resonates – the struggles of sailor guardians, their unwavering determination against evil forces, and their willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.

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2024-12-18 05:34