Girl power

Sailor Moon has been with us for over 30 years, but the cartoon series is popular enough that brands are still producing themed merchandise – everything from high end, crystal-encrusted Jimmy Choos to Black Milk leggings and speciality stationary. As we approach the release of the final instalment of the Sailor Moon Crystal reboot, I can’t help but wonder: why are we still obsessed with fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight?

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon

• Yet there was something about Sailor Moon that caught the public’s imagination, and changed anime in Japan – and later the rest of the world – for good.
• Written by Naoko Takeuchi as a continuation of her series Code Name: V, Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon) ran from 1991-97.
• Sailor Moon takes stories about friendship and love and mixes them with a monster of the day format and colour-coded superheroes.

Girls comics

• Both shōjo (girls) and shōnen (boys) manga can include fast-paced, action-packed narratives, love stories, science fiction, high fantasy and suspense.
• Manga for girls and young women are more likely to be linked to fashion and will often include full body images of characters to illustrate the latest styles.
• For western and Anglophone viewers in the late 1990s, Sailor Moon provided a role model alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess for girls and young women, showing that being a princess didn’t preclude kicking arse.

Anniversary fancy goods

• These might be as simple as pre-cut cardboard toys that can be torn out and folded, or designer collaborations on bags, pencil cases and other accessories.
• Causing more of a stir was a collaboration with lingerie company Peach John, which saw sailor collar padded bras and matching panties released as part of Sailor Moon’s 20th anniversary.
• At that time, 20 was the legal age of adulthood in Japan (this has recently been lowered to 18).

Coming of age in Sailor Moon

• The characters are now at the age of shoe appreciation – as is her global audience of fans, similar to Sex and the City protagonists.
• While some questioned Sailor Moon’s suitability as a mascot for STI awareness, in many ways this is just another monster of the day to be vanquished.

A queer wonderland

• Sailor Moon Cosmos, the final two-part film, is due to be released on June 9 and June 30.
• These two films cover the final season of the 1990s anime, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars, and the equivalent manga.

• Film Festival best films created by youth filmmakers worldwide beginning on November 1st to celebrate KIDS FIRST!
• "There are so many different elements that go into making a film," said KIDS FIRST!
• "We at Planet Classroom believe that quality storytelling is the most powerful way that young people can share ideas that inspire positive change," said Cathy Rubin, Co-founder of the Planet Classroom Network.
• Content showcased for youth and by youth on the Planet Classroom Network is provided by 29 cultural organizations from around the world.