50 Best Anime Shows Of All Time Ranked - Looper
From seminal shows that inspired generations of fans and creators to the modern-day classics that stand as a shining example of the medium, here are the 50 ...
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The characters in "Sailor Moon" stood apart from similar shows because they came with "real personalities, real issues, and overcame these with strength, like warriors," says <anchor>Complex</anchor>. "Why is this important? After 'Sailor Moon,' other shows followed suit, and so was born an age of dope, female, warrior anime." Sure, there's some filler (with 200 episodes, there's bound to be), but the influence of "Sailor Moon" cannot be denied, and not just when it comes to magical girl stories. The fashion of the show also had a big impact, and it was also an early example of LGBTQ+ representation in anime: While their relationship was edited out in the American version, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune are together in the original show.
10 Reasons "Sailor Moon" Is One of the Greatest Anime Cartoons Ever
10 Reasons "Sailor Moon" Is One of the Greatest Anime Cartoons Ever

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# 10 Reasons "Sailor Moon" Is One of the Greatest Anime Cartoons Ever

If you watched this show, you know why it's the absolute best.

![ ](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/v1714568427/sanity/user_large.jpg)

By [Angel Elliott](/author/angel-elliott)

December 29, 2014

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_Image via Complex Original_

For true fans, the Americanized version of **_Sailor Moon_** was just the tip of the iceberg. It was adapted for an international audience by DiC Entertainment via Bandai, and brought to the U.S. in 1992 by Cartoon Network. Originally a shoujo manga series called _Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon_, the series was created by legendary manga artist **Naoko Takeuchi**. The U.S. version opened up an entire world of Japanese manga and anime to a new audience. For that reason alone _Sailor Moon’s_ greatness can’t be underscored.

_Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon’s_ 18 volumes have sold over 1 million copies worldwide. But what sets it apart from other “magical girl” series like _Magical Princess Minky Momo_ and _Magical Idol Pastel Yumi_ is that the Sailor Soldiers were always kicking ass and saving the planet while we waited to see what evil monster Queen Beryl of the Negaverse conjured to retrieve the magical Legendary Silver Crystal from the Sailor Soldiers—Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter. Was Darien Shields, otherwise known as Tuxedo Mask, going to help? Would he ever discover that Serena was his long-lost bae from the Moon Kingdom? Would Luna and Serena have another come-to-Jesus moment? So much suspense! So much intrigue!

Visually stunning, and widely critically acclaimed, _Sailor Moon_ changed everything for manga and anime fans in America. It was, and still is, the archetype. So, to celebrate the anniversary of its original run back in 1991, here are the **10 Reasons Why _Sailor Moon_ Is the Greatest Ever** _​._

_Angel Elliott is a freelance writer for Complex. Follow her on Twitter at [@angelelliott](https://twitter.com/angelelliott)._

## It introduced many in the U.S. to the wonderful world of anime.

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Image via Complex Original

Of course we had _Digimon_, _Dragon Ball Z_, _Pokémon_, and _Yu-Gi-Oh_, but _Sailor Moon_ was really the one that took the U.S. and UK by storm. Mention _Sailor Moon_, and for many you’ll see nostalgic looks of ‘90s childhood glory pass over their face. Two hundred episodes, a decade of live-action adaptations and musicals, and a reboot later, _Sailor Moon_ continues to dominate the world as one of the most influential anime series of all time.

## Sailor Moon was the anti-Disney princess.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009210.jpg)

Image via Complex Original

No shade, Disney, but when _Sailor Moon_ came on the scene in the United States, Disney’s princess movie-making was at an all-time high (think Princess Belle, Princess Jasmine, and Princess Ariel, although Ariel pre-dates _SM_ a bit.) These ladies were gorgeous, had perfect singing voices, perfect morals, were without personality flaws, and their biggest problem was they had to fight to date the man they wanted. Enter Sailor Moon, a.k.a Usagi, a.k.a Serena. She wasn’t the perfect fighting warrior from the jump, no, she was a reluctant hero—more concerned with boys, eating everything in site, and playing video games at the arcade. She had terrible grades and was a ubiquitous crybaby, but she had a heart of gold. She had to overcome all these flaws to become Princess Serenity and discover her destiny. She was more appealing and relatable than any Disney princess ever was.

## Naoko Takeuchi's animation is unparalleled.

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Image via Complex Original

For every story arc, _Sailor Moon_ creator and artist Naoko Takeuchi seems to animate the series better. Gorgeous, vibrant colors, long, clean lines, audacious transformation sequences, _Sailor Moon_ was, and is visually stunning. Rebooted in 2014 by Viz Media, _Sailor Moon Crystal’s_ new animation is closer to the manga, and features a more grown-up looking Sailor Moon, without losing the dream-like, magical quality of the original.

## _Sailor Moon_ was a no-frenemies zone.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009214.jpg)

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Yes, as hokey as this sounds, this is one of the reasons why _Sailor Moon_ is the greatest ever. Today’s popularity of reality shows featuring scantily clad women with fake breasts and butts flying everywhere as they fight has definitely reached a fever pitch—the more ratchet, the better. A central theme of _Sailor Moon_ though was _friendship_. Yes, Serena and Raye might have had the occasional spat, but it was the power of their friendship that helped them fight villains and ultimately conquer evil. Some of these reality show ladies could learn a thing or two from this dynamic. Their friendship and bond was at the forefront of the series and that’s pretty dope.

## _Sailor Moon_ created the Magical Girl Warrior genre.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009215.jpg)

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The Magical Girl or mahou shoujo genre was created in response to the popular American sitcom _Bewitched_. Pioneered by Toei Animation, the mangas and animes featured main heroines whose job was to look cute and super feminine (whatever that means), have magical power, and use them to combat all sorts of mishaps and fluffy complications like, how do I go on a date with both the guys I like? My nail broke, oh no!

But then, along came _Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon_. Usagi and her Sailor Senshi were using their powers to fight for love and justice, kick ass, and save their planets from the evils of the Negaverse. Oh, and go on those dates, too. They had real personalities, real issues, and overcame these with strength, like warriors. Why is this important? After _Sailor Moon_, other shows followed suit, and so was born an age of dope, female, warrior anime.

## Usagi and Mamoru knew true love.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009218.jpg)

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Before there was Bey and Jay, Kim and ‘Ye, Steebie and Joseline, there was Usagi and Mamoru. Even though Mamoru was considerably older (Usagi is 14, Mamoru is a senior in high school) than Usagi, and, due to a magic-induced amnesia, didn’t remember his moon boo-thang, their epic romance couldn’t be denied. In their first life, before coming to earth, Princess Serenity of the Moon and Prince Endymion of Earth were star-crossed lovers from dueling kingdoms. They’d eventually rediscover each other and rule Crystal Tokyo of the future together. A big reason why many of us tuned in every day was to see what plot twist would unfold and how much closer these star-crossed lovers would come to a P.G. kiss. And the greatest thing about their romance? It lives on in perpetuity.

## _Sailor Moon_ ripped the runway on the regular.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009217.jpg)

Image via Complex Original

Unlike most generic cartoon outfits, _Sailor Moon_ and her Sailor Senshi rocked everything from thigh high boots with leather shorts to mini, body-con dresses to Chanel-inspired ball gowns. Manga artist Naoko Takeuchi made sure every accessory was in stunning detail. From jewel encrusted sneakers to high-waist denim jeans with crop tops, she made Usagi and her gal-pals look damn good.

## Gotta love that _Sailor_ score.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009216.jpg)

Image via Complex Original

Whether it was the Japanese or American version of _Sailor Moon_, award-winning Japanese composer [Takanori Arisawa](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ziKab8smA) composed some beautiful and sweeping background musical scores for the series. From the creepy, dark Negaverse theme music, to the chime-laden, magical music that played when [Sailor Moon transformed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsX0VHMw_Z8), the Spanish guitar-playing when Tuxedo Mask’s rose would come cutting across the screen, or the powerful base-driven background music for Sailor Jupiter's transformation, this music was more than catchy— [it was epic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrOBqCu-0gU).

## We learned more than a few things from those PSAs.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009219.jpg)

Image via Complex Original

Today's cartoon characters bang, curse, fart, and fight. It really makes us miss those old [_Sailor Moon_ PSAs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm57VRUlyUM). In the American version, after every episode a PSA would come on, giving kids generic advice like, “Believe in yourself,” “Friendship first,” and “Don’t fight your friends.” Even though we often fast-forwarded through those joints, the occasional one would catch us slippin’, and we like to think we actually learned a thing or two.

## It was a trailblazing LGBT cartoon.

![Not Available Interstitial](https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/q_auto,c_fill,ar_1.78,w_3840,f_auto,g_auto/v1723887251/sanity-new/not-available-interstitial-133009220.jpg)

Image via Complex Original

Although DiC scrubbed out the gay and lesbian relationships in the American and Canadian versions for whatever reason, older fans of the series knew that Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune were lovers. In the American version they were, ahem, "best friends." But you couldn’t ignore Sailor Uranus' fashionable Ellen Degeneres-esque stylings, and of course, we can’t forget how hard Haruka flirted with Usagi. Another LGBT relationship was that of Zoisite. In the American series, this ultra-hard-nosed evil villain of the Negaverse was a woman, but in the original Japanese version, Zoisite was a super-fab man in a relationship with a fellow male villain, Kunzite. And we can’t forget about the Star Fighters who were male but transformed into females. Seiya (one of the star fighters), had an unrequited love for Sailor Moon, no matter what gender he/she assumed. The _Sailor Moon_ anime was trailblazing in showing these types of relationships, at least where westerners are concerned.

[Sailor Moon](/tag/sailor_moon) [Sailor Moon](/tag/sailor_moon)

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