The darker aspects of the mind has always fascinated us humans not always just as fiction, unfortunately and there is something strangely attractive about characters who don't have to follow the common rules, can do as they please and are free of inhibitions. Of course, not all 'evil' characters are completely free of rules; most have to bend to someone else's will. Still though, compared to us common people, they have much fewer restrictions. Yes, the same goes for heroes, who can have an exciting, hidden life, but since they are generally on the side of good (the case of the anti-hero complicating things a bit) they can't wallow in egoism in the same way.
And that, my dear, is exactly what Jadeite and the Dark Kingdom citizens do. We have the prime example of Queen Beryl who, at least in the manga, seems to start a war because of jealousy. But also the Shitennou are guilty of this, in varying degrees. They plot against each other and use humans without a second thought of how it might hurt. Most of the time, they wouldn't lift a finger to do anything which doesn't improve their own status.
In short, they are what many of us wish we were (at least when we're in the company certain people ) How many have not dreamed for a short moment that they were stronger, smarter and more beautiful then everyone else? That one could, though we deep down know they are usually mindless snobs, belong to the 'popular' or at least intimidating group.
All the Shitennou are good-looking, but it's more to it then that. They know they're better then everyone else, not only in that prancing, often ridiculous, way people with big ego's do, but with the absolute certainty of someone who has always been aware of his own superiority and never had it challenged. (why you think they looks so surprised every time they lose? it's a damn novelty)
It's visible all the time, right there in Jadeite's mocking looks, Nephrite's classy demeanor, Zoisite's teasing smirk and Kunzite's... don't even get me get started on Kunzite, the man oozes aloofness from every pore (up until the death of a certain sakura; afterwards he seems to have... shrunk).
They're bad, beautiful and strong. And damn proud of it too.
I'm not good enough in psychology to explain exactly why this kind of people seems to draw others like flames attracts moths, but it's quite common. The same way the resident 'bad boy/girl' is often the cause of admiration as well as envy and fear, anime villains appear to us as attractive. Dangerous, yes, and of course we know they are up to no good. They aren't the role-models one should have, mostly everything they do is what we have been taught is wrong. But hey, this only adds the spice of the forbidden ^_~
Through villain characters, we can let out some of our darker fantasies. Through them, we can dream of being not only inhumanly powerful, but also completely egoistical and disrespectful. Impressive badasses, in other words.
Though most people, at least after some thought, do not wish to ever meet someone like a Dark Kingdom warlord, they love to dream about them.
However, not everyone sees things this way. Those who prefer to neat, cute and gentle idol that can be found in Sailor Moon and most other heroes/heroines often have trouble understanding how a villain-fan can find anything likeable in such a dark character.
That's fine by me; I can not understand how anyone can enjoy Chibiusa or the cheerfulness of the Inner Senshi (when they're not currently engaged in battle of life and death, that is) so why should I ask anyone else to do the opposite?
But, a bit more acceptance from the ones who root for the good guys wouldn't hurt. Just because one likes evil, twisted and often heartless characters, it doesn't necessarily mean one acts that way in real life, as some people assume. Neither do we who love villains belong to a 'lesser' category of fans though we don't applaud the same aspects of the show Sailor Moon, we love it deeply.
Anyway... those lucky bastards aren't forced to live through the agonizing moment when your favorite character dies, never to return, half as often as us who fall for the 'wrong' side.
Fictional evil attracts me. No matter how dashing Tuxedo Kamen, no matter how bold Sailor Uranus or pure Sailor Moon might be, I will always become more enchanted by Jadeite's smirk and the careless cruelty of Metallia's followers.
Comments and dis/agreeing opinions are welcomed! Please mail ahead to dancing_moon@hotmail.com with any and all thoughts ^_^
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon © of Naoko Takeuchi.