Soldier of Love and Beauty
Undoubtedly the most enigmatic of the Sailor Senshi, Minako Aino, popular Japanese singer, began her reign as a Senshi in the form of the mysterious Sailor V, fighting on the law's side for justice of jewel thieves everywhere. V is actually the second character to appear in the series--in the first act, she halts a certain masked man in his tracks during his break-in at a jewelry store who is non other than our own Tuxedo Mask in search of the Silver Crystal.
Watching over her teammates from afar for much of the series, Minako is very serious about the past life and the mission that comes with it to find and protect the Princess. As Sailor V, she warns Usagi against her attraction to Mamoru, for it could very well prove fatal due to the Moon Princess's inheritance of the powerful Silver Crystal, and continues to watch out for her Princess from a distance.
In Act 12, V reveals herself as the fifth and final senshi Sailor Venus, the Princess of the Moon. Her role as the Princess (complete with crescent moon birthmark and sparkly tiara) is a hoax employed by herself and her advisor Artemis in order to fool the enemy into chasing Venus, a more experienced and articulate fighter, as leader of the Senshi, than Moon.
Venus and Mars form a rather interesting relationship right off the bat. Venus is thoroughly immersed in the past life for her own reasons, but Mars insists on living for the present. Rei and Minako even get into conflict before Rei even discovers Minako's true identity, competing their skills to find a lost dog his home, and at slight odds with their different religions (Minako is Catholic. Who knows what Rei is). This conflict of differing views leads to trouble in later acts. Venus attempts to train Mars to be the leader during her guise as the Princess, but steps in to take over her role when the true Princess is revealed in Act 25. Mars is not happy about this.
Little is known about Minako herself in regards to her family life, how she became a singer, how she became Sailor V. Her first published album is "Venus," including her popular song "C'est la Vie"--a play on Japanese pronunciation makes the listener hear "Sailor V." Cool, ne? This song actually helped the Senshi fight in unison in Act 4 when they timed their attacks to the music.
Minako's other songs include "Romance," "Venus Over the Shoulder," "Kiss Bang," and "I'll Be There." A cute theme of her idol reign is that she always wears hats--a cowboy (girl) hat for performances, fancy baseball hats whenever she darn well pleases (usually to hide her eyes when she goes out in public).
Minako also suffers from anemia and a rare and fatal brain disease, which causes her to faint during performances or battles. In the later part of the first third of the series, we learn she has about six months left to live. Part of the reason she is so obsessed with the past life is because she has dedicated the little remainind time she has to her past mission.
Her obsession with the past is a hindrance in her fight. In order to truly awaken their Senshi powers, each of the girls must discover what is in them that is lacking and fill the void. Minako has to discover inside herself that she finds life in the present, with her friends and fans, a truly joyous thing to be appreciated. Though she disregards herself as temporary, she realizes that, in the hearts of her fans and teammates, she will live on, and this gives her the strength to fight and the courage to risk the operation that has little chance of saving her life.
Act 47: Spoilers
Each senshi has her own specific "salute" that reflects her home planet. Sailor Venus extends her first two fingers, much like the American Sign Language sign for the letter V (for Venus, undoubtedly--maybe even Peace or Victory). All the senshi share the "I'll punish you" hand sign, the two middle fingers tucked under the thumb and the pointer and pinkie fingers extended.
Powers
Sailor V
V transformation
Minako starts running and she instantaneously transforms into Sailor V. Simple, quick, and easy. ((darn))
Crescent Boomerang
This is Sailor V's attack weapon, a gold compact shaped like a crescent moon. Used as a boomerang and a very powerful cutting device. Minako can summon this instrument even in human form, as displayed in Act 12. Once she becomes Sailor Venus, however, this nifty compact disappears and is never heard of again (much like her V form).
Sailor Venus
"Venus Power! Make Up!"
Using the power of her bracelet, Minako transforms by first saluting with her hand signal and then crossing her hands while making a V shape with both, lifting her left leg under her. She swipes her right hand across her hair and her nails glimmer orange, then leaps high into space, twirling like a gymnast while a large golden ribbon surrounds her, forming her skirt and collar. As she lands, she does a glamour walk down a golden aisle with golden lights as her gloves, shoes, and bow appear. Her chain spirals around her and lands on her waist as she poses. Her tiara forms and she brushes her hair back as little fairies with ribbons dance along her hair, transforming it into a long, luscious gold ((yes, Venus is the only Senshi whose hair changes last rather than first, like her teammates)). The same fairies tie her trademark red bow into her hair with bead ornaments hanging from it, and Venus spins and poses amid a shower of dusty golden sparkles.
Venus Beam
No official name for this attack. Venus uses this attack only when she is disguised as the Princess. With her hands in the "oshiokyo" shape, she presses them close to her lips and blows a kiss, then crosses her arms over her chest. Venus flings her right arm out and her left arm up and a blast of deadly golden energy fires from her fingertips. Very fast and effective.
Venus Love Me Chain
Venus grabs the chain around her waist and lifts it in both hands above her head, where it shines gold along its length. She twirls around and then whips it out with her right hand, her left hand pressed against her eye in the shape of a V. The glowing chain extends outward, cracking like a living whip at the enemy. ((this attack, personally, scares me the most when I see the results...that thing is DEADLY))
Rolling Heart Vibration
When Venus finally awakens, she performs this attack. She forms a heart shape with her hands by pressing her thumbs together and curling her fingers inward. She pulls them around in a circle, trailing sparks, then flings her hands out and up, emitting a beam of multicolored energy hearts. Very powerful attack.
Miscellaneous
Fearsome Deadly Tiara Destruction
In Act 20 when Nephrite gets ahold of Venus's tiara ((which holds the "Ginzuishou")), Venus points at it and it goes up in smoke. We learn that it's a fake. Which leads to...
What do I have behind my back?
Venus pulls out an orange pouch from behind her back! Outta nowhere! Woo! Inside it is a plethora of fake tiaras. Like she'd let the enemy find the real thing so easily!
Senshi Awakening
Simply because I think it's so cool. When Minako is unable to awaken her Senshi powers, yet have the opportunity for so long to do so (especially with her past memories intact), she loses her ability to transform. When Minako awakens, she stares down the youma as golden auroralike light emits from her. She then transforms and kicks youma ass.
items and images coming soon