Sailor Moon



Clumsy, lackadaisical, prone to crying, a piggish eater, and lacking in academics... A true friend, brave when it counts, strong, and absolutely determined to protect the people she loves... It's amazing to think that both sets of traits apply to the same girl: a girl who bears one of the most unusual and identifiable hairstyles around. She is the title character of this story, the reincarnation of the legendary princess of the moon from the distant past of the Silver Millennium. Her Japanese name ("Usagi Tsukino" literally means "Rabbit of the Moon") and odangoed hairstyle (which makes her look a bit like a rabbit) allude to that fact: as both are based on the ancient Chinese legend that rabbits came from the moon. Born into a typical Tokyo family (including a nagging little brother), perhaps Serena's most identifying trait at first was her ineptitude for school: frequent tardiness and bad grades. That all changed when she happened to rescue a poor black cat from the torment of some boys. That cat would come back...and talk to her, identifying her as Sailor Moon and giving her the magic brooch that would transform her into a champion against the forces of evil. As time passes, Serena eventually gains new friends and allies in the other Sailor Soldiers. Despite her negative traits, her unique ability to make friends and her desire to protect them give her that special something that qualifies her as leader of the Sailor Soldiers: a qualification she repeatedly proves in clutch battle after clutch battle. Eventually, she learns the truth about her past life: that she is Princess Serenity reborn. She also gains glimpses of her future: of creating a new era of tranquility in the distant future with her destined prince...and a precocious daughter. It just gives her all the more reason to fight against the dark forces.