Photo: YouTube/sailormoon-official
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Over 100 episodes from the best part of 'Sailor Moon' anime will be free to watch online

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By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

There’s a whole bunch of "Sailor Moon" anime out there, but when a lot of people think of the series, they’re primarily thinking of its first three segments. 1992’s anime starting point "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon" introduces “ordinary junior high school girl” Usagi Tsukino as she awakens to her powers and builds a team of Sailor Senshi, 1993’s "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon R" brought the youngest and oldest Sailors into the mix with Chibiusa and Pluto, and 1994’s "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S" completed the collection of heroines by adding Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn.

While they’re not without their supporters, the later "SuperS" and "Sailor Stars" arcs of the anime arguably feel like the franchise is losing steam, so it’s the run from plain "Sailor Moon" to "S" for which the fandom flame burns brightest, and as luck would have it those are also the same arcs which are going to be absolutely free to watch online over the next several months!

The reason for the burst of lunar generosity is the upcoming release of the paired "Sailor Moon Eternal" theatrical features. Part of the continuing "Sailor Moon Crystal" anime reboot, "Eternal" will cover the franchise’s "Dead Moon" arc, which was originally adapted into 1995’s "Sailor Moon SuperS," and so in order to get new viewers up to speed, and jog the memory of pre-existing fans, all 127 episodes that comprise "Sailor Moon," "R" and "S" will be free to watch on the sailormoon-official YouTube channel.

▼ Teaser for "Sailor Moon Eternal"

This does raise a question though: If "Eternal" is part of the "Crystal" continuity, why is it the classic ‘90s anime episodes that are going to be free to watch online? The answer might have something to do with "Eternal" bringing back character designer Kazuko Tadano, who designed the characters for the first "Sailor Moon" and "R" arcs. Given the lukewarm reception "Crystal" has received from viewers, plus the four-year gap since the last "Sailor Moon Crystal" TV episode aired, it’s looks like the producers are hoping to position "Eternal" as a new start with a nostalgic touch for the franchise, and under that logic a look back at the anime episodes that made the series such a hit in the first place seems appropriate.

The first episodes will become available on the sailormoon-official YouTube channel (found here) on April 24, with more being added in a staggered schedule for viewing through July 23. The first "Sailor Moon Eternal" is currently scheduled to debut in Japan on Sept 11, and while just about any movie release dates these days seem like they should be taken with a grain of salt (look at what just happened with "Evangelion"), at lest we can be sure of spending most of the summer with the Sailor Senshi.

Source: Livedoor News/Cinema Today via Jin

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Just bought an iPhone 6? Keep it safe and stylish with a Sailor Moon case

-- Brand-new line of Sailor Moon bikinis appears, has anime fans in Japan looking forward to summer

-- The Chibiusa Cafe, Tokyo’s newest Sailor Moon themed restaurant, reveals its awesome menu

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

5 Comments
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Excellent news. Sailor Moon actively promotes gay communism, making it one of the best anime of all time.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I remember this when I was in college. And I just listened to a live EP CD from the American punk supergroup Osaka Popstar that features covers, incl. BION the 'Sailor Moon' theme. Now we can watch the adventures of 'Meatball Head' again. Alllllright!!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I only watched a few episodes a couple years ago, but never really got into it. My son, on the other hand, went through puberty, and a lot of boxes of Kleenex, watching this show. Best let him know

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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