A way to judge a culture is through her art and literature. For centuries, society has based her worth on the high standards of fine art and eloquent writing. The Shakespeare's and DaVinci's are the true heroes, and they will never really die. Sadly, modern society almost always overlooks the one creature who combines both art and literature: the comic book. Equated with 12 year-old boys or grown men who have never kissed a girl, comic books are scoffed at by the majority of American citizens. This is not true the world over. In Japan, manga (comics) accounts for 40% of all Japanese publishing, and anime (animation) is also extraordinarily popular (Ledoux 212). Slowly, Japanese art has been trickling into this country, to the point of becoming trendy.

One of the most popular and well-known Japanese shows is Sailor Moon. The manga story Sailor Moon was created, written, and drawn by Naoko Takeuchi. It was later turned into an anime television series which ran from 1992-1996, producing 200 episodes and three movies. The English translated version of the anime began broadcast in North America on September 11, 1995 (Arromdee FAQ), and the English translated manga is currently serialized in the monthly magazine Mixx Zine, starting with Issue 1-1 in August, 1997. The story centers around young Usagi Tsukino, a regular 14 year-old school girl who discovers, through the help of a talking cat, that she is also a "Champion of Justice" (Takeuchi 1-3 30) named Sailor Moon. As the story progresses, she meets and joins forces with other Sailor Senshi (soldiers) and the mysterious and handsome Tuxedo Kamen (Tuxedo Mask). Sailor Moon and company fight a number of evildoers in hopes of bringing peace to the world. Along the way, the group slowly regains memories of a past life in the beautiful and peaceful Moon Kingdom, where Usagi was the Moon Princess.

The synopsis of the story makes it seem to be a very fluffy, childish comic. In Japan as well as America, SailorMoon is marketed towards eight to twelve year old girls (Griffith 4). The target audience can be determined by the show's related merchandise: dolls, purses, stickers, and easy-bake ovens, to name a few. Fortunately, the show has reached beyond its intended viewers and now includes a fan base of males as well as females, ranging from four to 40 plus. Why this wide-spread popularity of a "little kids' comic"? The answer lies in the many levels encompassed in the story, layers and layers like the petals of a rose. Although marketed as a comic for prepubescent girls, Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon is based on biblical, mythological, and astrological symbolism.

The most basic symbolism found in Sailor Moon is within the names of the characters. Unlike the English translation, which haphazardly picked names, Naoko carefully chose character names and kanji (written Japanese characters) according to corresponding planets, elements, and mythological figures. Along with character names, the names of the Inner Senshi's attacks are based on mythology. The kanji used in Japanese planets and, subsequently, the attacks include the five Asian elements: fire, water, wood, metal, and earth (Arromdee FAQ). Sailor Mars' attacks deal with fire, her last name containing the kanji hi, for Mars or fire. Mars, in Japanese, is the "fire planet," much like the English "red planet" (Davis 20). Also, Mars' pet ravens are named Phobos and Deimos, after the moons of Mars and the sons of the Greek god Ares (equivalent to the Roman god Mars) (SM Mythology 3). Sailor Mercury's attacks are water based, her name containing the kanji mizu for Mercury or water. In Roman mythology, during the main festival of the god Mercury, called Mercuralia, merchants sprinkled their heads and merchandise with water from his well, near Port Capena (SM Mythology 2). Sailor Jupiter's attacks deviate a bit from the norm. While her later attacks are associated with wood, coinciding with the kanji ki for Jupiter or wood, her early electricity-based attacks are associated with the Roman god Jupiter. The supreme god of the Roman pantheon, Jupiter threw lightning bolts from the sky. His other titles include Totans (thunderer) and Fulgurator (of the lightning) (SM Mythology 3). This may account for attacks such as "Supreme Thunder!"

The name and attacks of Sailor Venus are the most inconsistent, since she was created before the Sailor Moon series, in 1991 (Levy 1-4 11). Venus' Japanese name is Minako Aino, which contains the kanji ai for love. This forms an association not with the planet Venus, but rather with the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Venus' early attacks contain the word love, and she is often pictured before a seashell, as in the painting The Birth of Venus. The Japanese name for the planet Venus contains the character kin for the metal gold, nothing to do with love. Venus's later attacks do evolve to include the element gold. It may also be noted that the name Minako is a Japanese pun. Mi and ko can also be pronounced bi and su, making it Binasu, a Japanese pronunciation of Venus (Arromdee FAQ).

For the Senshi of the outer planets, the planet connection is represented more in their names than in their powers (Davis 20). Sailor Uranus' family name uses the kanji ten and ô, meaning heaven king. This is symbolic of the Greek god Uranus, the personification of the sky, and is used in the planet name. Along these lines, Sailor Neptune's family name involves the kanji kai and ô, meaning sea king. The Roman god Neptune was the god of the sea, which is symbolized in the anime by Neptune's water-based powers (Davis 20). In both the anime and the manga, Uranus and Neptune are regarded as having a more than platonic relationship, considering that Uranus has an "amorphous gender, which may actually change from male to female on occasion" (Davis 20). "Uranus and Neptune are associated with homosexuality in some versions of astrology, with Neptune specifically feminine and Uranus masculine. Uranus is considered an androgynous planet. Neptune in mythology was the patron god of homosexuals" (Arromdee FAQ). Masculine Sailor Uranus drives racing cars and dresses like a boy, while the "very feminine" Sailor Neptune plays the violin and paints on a professional level (Decker 7).

The last of the Outer Senshi are Sailor Saturn and Sailor Pluto. Pluto's name is the more obvious symbol of the two. In Roman mythology, Pluto was the god of the underworld. The Greek called him Hades: lord of the dead and ruler of the netherworld, referred to also as Hades. Sailor Pluto's name contains the first character for the planet Pluto, which can also be read "Hades" (Davis 20). Her attacks include the appropriately titled "Dead Scream." Sailor Saturn, on the other hand, is a little more mysterious, in character and by name. Hotaru Tomoe literally means "firefly sprouting from the soil" (Davis 20). This is obviously an obscure name, until Roman mythology is considered. Saturn (Cronus in Greek) was the god of agriculture concerned with the sowing of seed. The explanation for "firefly" is yet to be found.

The guardians of the Sailor Senshi are three talking cats from the Moon Kingdom: Luna, Artemis, and their daughter, Diana. Animals associated with the moon include nocturnal animals, such as cats (Lovejoy 1). The names of these lunar kitties stem from the mythological goddesses of the same name. Luna is "the personified goddess of the moon" (SM Mythology 1) while Diana is the Roman goddess of nature, fertility, and childbirth, "also a moon goddess" (SM Mythology 1). Artemis, although a male cat in Sailor Moon, is the twin sister of Apollo, the sun god, and associated with the moon. This lunar symbolism is completely opposite of Sailor Moon's other guardian and lover, Tuxedo Kamen or Mamoru Chiba. The chi stands for chikyû, the Japanese name for the Earth. Mamoru means protect, as in the protector of the Earth. Mamoru is claimed to also represent the sun, with Helios (from the fourth anime season, SuperS) as his guardian. In Greek mythology, Helios was the sun god.

Sailor Senshi, guardian cats, Tuxedo Kamen - no mention has yet been made of the protagonist of the story, she for whom the manga was named, Sailor Moon. It can be inferred that Sailor Moon's family name includes the kanji for the moon, much like the other senshi. Beyond this, her full name, Usagi Tsukino, is translated as "rabbit on the moon." This refers to an Asian legend of a rabbit who lives on the moon pounding the mochi, or rice cake (Arromdee FAQ). Jokes based on this well known legend are abundant in the manga and anime. Usagi wears rabbit designs on her clothes and bedsheets, and her hair visually suggests rabbit ears. Luna's computer password is "the rabbit on the moon pounds the mochi" (Arromdee FAQ). Usagi's least favorite food is listed as carrots. Her daughter from the future, Chibi-Usa (little Usagi), is referred to as "the rabbit" by villains. Also, in the manga, Usagi is symbolized in dialogue boxes as a little rabbit head. Legends associating rabbits with the moon are not uncommon. "Animals associated with the moon are often those also associated with fertility and transformation, such as the rabbit and the snake" (Lovejoy 1).

Most translations attempt to keep this aspect of the show by translating Usagi's name as "Bunny." The English DIC version has the most discrepancies, with Usagi being called "Serena." Why such a switch? This has to do with Usagi's other name, used only when she is in her princess form. Though most often called Princess Serenity, she may also be called Princess Selenity. "In Japanese, there is no distinction between the sounds 'l' and 'r,' and the name has two origins" (Arromdee FAQ). Serenity may refer to the Sea of Serenity on the moon, where the Moon Palace was located. Selenity stems from Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon and twin sister to Helios. Selene's lover was a beautiful shepherd boy named Endymion (SM Mythology 2). Consequently, when Tuxedo Kamen is in his prince form, he is called Prince Endymion of Earth.

There are other parallels between Usagi and Mamoru and the sun and moon symbols. The moon is feminine, matriarchal, the woman to the sun's man in the struggle between the sexes: "The clash between the two ideas (male, female, light and dark) was most often represented as trouble in the relationship of the sun and moon, often thought to be married..." (Lovejoy 1). Moreover, Tuxedo Kamen always carries his signature rose, to identify himself to Sailor Moon. "...[T]he rose...[is] associated with the moon, and [has] deep mystical significance having to do with [its] many layers of petals" (Lovejoy 1).

Along with animals, flowers, and genders, there are also specific colors associated with the moon: black, white, silver, and blue. "White and silver represent her light..." (Lovejoy 1) and are therefore used frequently with Sailor Moon. Her costume always contains blue and white, and silver is commonly used with powers. She carries the Silver Crystal, and the time of peace when her family ruled was called the Silver Millennium. The other Senshi have similar color correlations: Mars is red for the element fire, Mercury is blue for water, Jupiter is green for wood, and Venus is orange for the metal gold.

Astrology plays a significant role in the unity of Sailor Moon. Each character in the story has a specific birthdate. The birthdates were not chosen at random, though. The dates correspond to specific astrological signs, according to the Western Zodiac, and individual to each Senshi. In astrology, each star sign has a number of characteristics including ruling planet, color, element, and personality traits. These attributes match those already stated for the Senshi. For example, Rei Hino has a birthday on April 17, which falls within the sign of Aries the Ram. The ruling planet of Aries is Mars, which is fitting since Rei is Sailor Mars. Aries is one of the fire signs and its associated color is red, both of which are characteristics of Sailor Mars.

Sometimes the Aries man or woman is not very tactful in communicating with others...Sensitive people are likely to find him somewhat sharp-tongued in some situations...At times Aries can be too impulsive. He can occasionally be stubborn and refuse to listen to reason. If things do not move quickly enough to suit the Aries man or woman, he or she is apt to become rather nervous or irritable. (Horoscope 33)

This personality profile is undoubtedly about Rei, the "beautiful priestess with a temper" (Takeuchi 1-4 20). She blurts out whatever she's thinking, no matter how much it might hurt the other girls, especially Usagi.

"Usagi, you're always late!"

"You're such a crybaby!"

"You can't be that stupid."

These are common examples of Rei's tactless communication and sharp-tongue. Like all Aries, Rei has a short temper and a big mouth, but is filled with an undying loyalty to her beliefs. A true Aries, Rei has even given her life to save her friends.

Another clear-cut example comes in the form of Usagi herself. Born on June 30th, she falls under the sign of Cancer the Crab, ruled by the Moon.

Sometimes Cancer finds it rather hard to face life. It becomes too much for him...the uncultivated Cancer is a bit lazy...Too sensitive, when he feels he's been injured, he'll crawl back into his shell to nurse his imaginary wounds. The immature Moon Child often is given to crying when the smallest thing goes wrong. (Horoscope 38)

Anyone familiar with the story can see Usagi immediately in that profile. As she says herself, "I love eating, sleeping, and relaxing," (Takeuchi 1-2 7) and, "I admit it...I'm kind of a crybaby" (Takeuchi 1-1 169). Known to be a whiner, a crier, and rather childish, the other Senshi can hardly believe it when Usagi is discovered to be the Moon Princess; they can barely believe she is a Sailor Senshi to begin with! A number of times Usagi has practically given up, ready to turn over the Silver Crystal to anyone who will take it. Beyond the bad traits, though, is Usagi's "...understanding nature. On the whole, [s]he is a loving and sympathetic person. [S]he would never go out of [her] way to hurt anyone" (Horoscope 37). Usagi loves her friends dearly, and would do anything for them. Cancers are known to be very maternal, and, as Chibi-Usa once said, "Sailor Moon is everyone's mother" (SM R movie). The Senshi know Usagi will see them through.

Although basic story elements such as names and colors are important, they are not what keeps fans coming back. The depth of the plot and the use of age old legends is what is at the heart of Sailor Moon's appeal. Biblical imagery abounds, especially in the second half of the story (season three of the anime, S). The plot centers around the arrival of the Outer Senshi and the search for the Holy Grail. In Christian belief, the Holy Grail is the chalice at the Last Supper, and was used to catch the blood of Jesus as He hung from the cross. "The Holy Grail came to symbolize a life-giving force" (Reiss 283). In Sailor Moon, the Holy Grail looks more like an urn than a cup, but is still a type of life-giving force; when she obtains the Holy Grail, Sailor Moon can transform into Super Sailor Moon, able to combine the powers of all the other senshi into one (Davis 20).

The search for the Grail is led by Professor Tomoe, father of Hotaru, Sailor Saturn. "The Grail's power, channeled through the mysterious 'messiah,' will give him the power to control the world. But to get it, he needs the three talismans, said to be held by people who are pure of heart" (Davis 21). The talismans are held by the Outer Senshi; when the orb on Pluto's staff is combined with Uranus' sword and Neptune's mirror, the Holy Grail is formed (Decker 22). These three items (sword, mirror, and jewel within the orb) are based on the myth of the legendary three treasures which the sun god Amaterasu brought to Japan, and appear often in manga and anime (Arromdee FAQ).

When Sailor Moon finally receives the Holy Grail, she is referred to by Uranus as the Messiah. Unfortunately, there is another "messiah": the Messiah of Silence, Sailor Saturn.

When the final crisis comes, the Messiah will be the one to make the difference. If she is on the side of good, the world will be saved. If she is on the side of evil, the world will be destroyed and with it the happy future that includes Crystal Tokyo and Neo Queen Serenity [Usagi]. (Decker 22-23)

Knowing this to be the case, the Outer Senshi attempt to attack and destroy Hotaru before she becomes Sailor Saturn, signifying the end of the world (Decker 22). Feeling this is Judas-like betrayal of a friend and comrade, the Inner Senshi stop them from killing her. It is later revealed that Professor Tomoe and Hotaru are being controlled by an evil alien intelligence called "Pharoh 90" (Decker 24). Sailor Moon and Sailor Saturn confront Pharoh 90 in the final battle. Saturn, like a true Messiah, sacrifices herself to save the Earth. Instead of being resurrected, she is reborn as an infant and given to the Outer Senshi to raise.

Sailor Saturn is not the only character to sacrifice herself for her friends or the world. In the Sailor Moon R movie, the first movie released, the Inner Senshi transport to an asteroid headed towards Earth to save Mamoru and avert mass destruction by an alien named Fiore. After a long battle, Fiore is defeated, but the asteroid still plunges for Earth. To protect the Senshi from the Earth's atmosphere, Sailor Moon releases the full energy of the Silver Crystal, transforming into the Moon Princess. As always happens when unleashing the full power of the Crystal, Princess Serenity dies. When all seems lost, she is resurrected by Fiore, who gives his life energy to her, through Endymion's kiss.

In the battle at the end of the first story arc (season one of the anime), the Senshi fight the evil Queen Beryl, hoping to destroy her for good and bring peace to the Earth. As the fight progresses, the Senshi are killed off one by one, knowing that peace is more important than their lives. Even Mamoru (as Prince Endymion) is killed, until only Usagi is left alive. Fortunately, Usagi does defeat Queen Beryl, using the power of the spirits of her fallen friends.

The last great sacrificer is Queen Serenity, Usagi's mother from her past in the Moon Kingdom. During the Silver Millennium, everyone lived in peace and harmony, until Queen Beryl attacked the Moon Palace. In the course of the battle, the Senshi, Princess Serenity, and Prince Endymion were all killed. Queen Serenity unleashes the full power of the Silver Crystal, temporarily defeating Beryl, but exhausting her body's energy. She uses the last of her strength to transport everyone, including the cats, to the future to be reborn on Earth. Sacrificing herself for the future, Queen Serenity dies upon two columns of her palace, fallen to form a perfect cross (Sato 45-46).

In yet another biblical symbol, crucifixion and the cross are used repeatedly in Sailor Moon. There is the aforementioned death of Queen Serenity and two other known instances. When fighting Fiore in the R movie, Sailor Moon is restrained and tortured, held with her arms spread in a Christ-like position. Also, at the end of the second story arc (second season of the anime, R), the villain Rubius is shown "[c]rucifying the girls [Senshi] on crystal pillars in the Dark Moon's spaceship-like fortress..." (Davis 7).

The biblical and mythological symbolism in Sailor Moon proves what many fans have known for years: this is not just a cartoon for little girls. It has the endearing qualities of a children's book, but it has the essence of a great novel. Eternally optimistic, Sailor Moon teaches fans about the power of love and true friendship, something most people tend to forget in modern society. Sailor Moon is inspiring. If ditzy, cry-baby Usagi can save the world, then anyone can! The timeless qualities of this fantasy tale and the other-worldly beauty of Naoko Takeuchi's illustrations blend together seamlessly, forming a perfect work of art. 

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