On April 27, 2014, at the third annual Niconico Chokaigi (a fan event celebrating popular Japanese video website Niconico Douga), a Sailor Moon 20th Anniversary Project panel revealed that Sailor Moon Crystal, the fast-approaching remake of the original 1990s Sailor Moon anime, will premiere worldwide July 5, 2014, at 7:00 PM Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) on Niconico Douga. Subsequent episodes will then premiere every first and third Saturday of every month. It appears each episode will remain available for streaming for two weeks only.
Saturday at 7:00 PM is not just any broadcast time. The Sailor Moon Crystal website says it coincides with that of the 1990s series. With this, the website proclaims, “Sailor Moon will be resurrected once more.”
The panel also named the actresses who will play the Inner Senshi:
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino | Kotono Mitsuishi |
| Sailor Mercury/Ami Mizuno | Hisako Kanemoto |
| Sailor Mars/Rei Hino | Rina Satou |
| Sailor Jupiter/Makoto Kino | Ami Koshimizu |
| Sailor Venus/Minako Aino | Shizuka Itou |
Of note, Mitsuishi is returning as Sailor Moon/Usagi, having played the part in the original anime series and movies since 1992. The 200th and final episode of the original series aired February 8, 1997.
Pictures and Japanese character profiles of each Inner Senshi have been added to the official Sailor Moon Crystal website.
What do you think of the new art style for Sailor Moon and her friends? How does it fare against the classic look? How do you feel about Sailor Moon Crystal so far?
Thanks to oprainfall Translation Team Leader Will Whitehurst for translating the information used to prepare this article.
