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EspañolPRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON
[1] (often abbreviated to 'PGSM') is a tokusatsu television series in the ''Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon'' metaseries originally created by Naoko Takeuchi. It is produced by Toei, the same company that produces the ''Super Sentai'' and the ''Kamen Rider'' series.
PGSM came out exclusively in Japan. It ran from October 4, 2003 to September 25, 2004, and was a retelling of ''Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon's first major story arc, albeit with considerable plot divergences.
The theme music is called "Kirari
★ Sailor Dream!" and was performed by J-pop singer Sae. The lyrics were written by Takeuchi.
The series lasted 49 episodes (called "Acts"), and also included two separate made-for-DVD specials, for a total of 51 acts.
Production
The broadcast originated from the Tokyo Broadcasting System. Another 28 television stations in Japan retransmitted the series, though some of them were weeks behind the TBS schedule because they started airing the series late.
There are several radio programs called ''"DJ Moon"'' based on the show that originated from Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting radio and were broadcast on other radio networks in Japan. The shows were a combination of a radio drama and promotional tool for the TV series, often foreshadowing upcoming events. These shows were later sold on CD.
The live action broadcast's ratings were not as high as those of the original show. The show had a high start, but then the ratings slid. They picked up in January 2004 and then again at the end of the series.
In addition to the broadcast television show, there was also a stage musical performance by characters on the show. Some footage from the filming of the stage show was used in the television broadcast. There was also an instructional video released.
Plot
A great evil, consisting of Queen Beryl, her four generals, and an amorphous evil power named Queen Metaria attempt to steal energy so that Beryl can take over the world.
Standing in their way are the Sailor Senshi, five high-school-aged girls: perky Usagi Tsukino, genius Ami Mizuno, paranormally gifted shrine maiden Rei Hino, tomboyish Makoto Kino, and J-pop idol Minako Aino; two beings that appear to be sentient stuffed cats (Luna and Artemis); and Tuxedo Mask, a jewel thief in search of a Silver Crystal.
Later in the series, Metaria and Sailor Moon each get too powerful to be reigned in, and the conflict shifts to attempting to postpone the inevitable destruction of the planet Earth. (It looks like Earth is plunged into darkness and not actually destroyed ''per se'', but the effect is the same.)
Changes to story
| Act 14 January 10, 2004 - 4.0%[2] |
| Act 15 January 17, 2004 - 3.2% |
| Act 16 January 24, 2004 - 3.2% |
| Act 17 January 31, 2004 - 4.7%[3] |
| Act 18 February 07, 2004 - 3.8% |
Queen Beryl is one of the most consistent characters from series to series.
Although Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon is a retelling of the first manga story arc, there are many differences that set it apart from the manga and anime. The story lines are more character-based and driven, focusing on the girls' civilian lives and their connection to the past more than on action sequences. While the first few episodes seemed directly based on anime and manga story lines, by the time Sailor Jupiter had arrived the show was starting to spin off in its own direction. Additionally, Usagi and Rei's relationship is closer in spirit to the manga; while they have their disagreements, it never gets to the heated level that it does in the anime.
One of the largest changes was to the character of Minako Aino, who, rather than being an ordinary girl among the other Senshi, is a famous pop idol. When introduced, she is fighting crime under the alias "Sailor V" (as in the other versions), and makes subtle reference to this double life in her music. Her most popular song, "C'est La Vie" (French for "That's Life!"), is a Japanese pun. In Japanese, the pronunciation of "Sailor V" (セーラーＶ ) is nearly identical to the Japanese pronunciation of "C'est La Vie." The song has an and uplifting tone, while the real phrase is a reminder that life can be harsh. ''For more information, see Minako Aino - In the live-action series.''
In addition to plot-line changes, some updating has been done to minor elements of the series, making them more in line with modern culture. For example, in the original anime and manga, there were scenes involving Ami and a cassette tape. In the new version, the tape is replaced by a MiniDisc. Instead of a transformation pen and communicators, each Senshi is given a magical camera phone and bracelets. Also, their secret hideout is not hidden in a video arcade, but rather in a magic karaoke room.
With the new adaptation of the show, certain characters were modified to give it freshness and originality. New aspects and forms include Sailor Luna, Dark Sailor Mercury, and Princess Sailor Moon. A new antagonist is also introduced: Mio Kuroki.
Mio Kuroki
'Mio Kuroki' (''Kuroki Mio''), played by Alisa Yuriko Durbrow, is a strange and manipulative girl who joins Usagi's class at school. She is a fellow pop idol and thus has a rivalry with Minako Aino. She pretends to be Usagi's friend while doing all in her power to cause her sadness. Because of her forgiving nature, however, Usagi continually gives Mio extra chances. Mio soon becomes very envious of Usagi's closeness to Mamoru and fakes fainting in front of his motorcycle in order to kidnap him and take him to Queen Beryl. There, Mio taunts Mamoru, telling him that Beryl will kill him if he does not join the Dark Kingdom and become Beryl's lover.
Mio is revealed to be created from a part of Queen Beryl herself, apparently to do harm to Usagi. After kidnapping Mamoru, her main role is to keep an eye on him for Beryl. The only power of her own she demonstrates is that of teleportation, of both herself and others.
Toward the end of the series, Mio is apparently killed by Endymion/Metaria; she is somehow resurrected, however, as the main villain of the "Special Act". Once again, she kidnaps Mamoru, this time wanting to marry him so they can rule a new Dark Kingdom as King and Queen. She is confronted and attacked by the ''Shitennou'', forcing her to transform into a plant-like monster that makes quick work of her former allies. Ultimately, her final form is destroyed by the Senshi's combined powers, channeled through the ''Moon Stick'' in the ''Sailor Planet'' attack.
After her revival for the Special Act, she seems to gain new powers. She can repair objects, cause them to appear out of thin air, and create monsters from flames. She can also summon legions of ''perriots'', or clowns, to serve her and gather energy, even creating replicas of the ''Shitennou''. Mio is also able to brainwash others and transform into a plant-like monster. At one point she interrupts a television broadcast to announce that she is taking over.
Special items
A number of magical items, unique to the live action series, were introduced over the course of the story. These include:
★ 'Jewelery Star Bracelet' - A transformation item; each of the Guardian Senshi has her own. These bracelets allow them to transform into Sailor Senshi. When Sailor Mercury was turned into Dark Sailor Mercury, her bracelet also changed in appearance and was known as the 'Dark Jewelery Star Bracelet'. They vanished when the Silver Crystal was destroyed.
★ 'Heart Moon Necklace' - Sailor Moon's transformation device which she uses in conjunction with a tube of lipstick to transform. This turns into a brooch when she is Sailor Moon. It vanished when the Silver Crystal was destroyed.
★ 'Sailor Star Tambo' - An attack item resembling a tambourine; each of the Guardian Senshi has her own. Together with Sailor Moon, these items enable the Senshi to use the "Moonlight Attractive Attack" and the "Sailor Planet Attack." Not all of them need be present to use these combined attacks. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury are shown using theirs for named attacks--"Jupiter Thunderbolt" and "Mercury Aqua Storm"--which are unique to the live-action series. They can also be used for an unnamed attack that launches star shapes. In the final episode and the Special Act, the Tambos are turned into weapons--a Mercury Sword, Jupiter Spear, and Mars and Venus Daggers.
★ 'Princess Sword/Princess Harp' - Princess Sailor Moon conjures this sword to fend off attacks and perform a powerful blow in the form of a star. It also turns into a harp, that she uses to play for her sorrow, and sometimes to heal people and other living things, including plants.
★ 'Decoy Silver Crystal' - A crystal which Sailor Venus wore in a tiara in her hair during the early part of the series, when she was impersonating the Princess. She had many, in fact, and could cause them to explode at will. In particular, in Act 20, Nephrite fell victim when a fake Silver Crystal exploded in his hands.
★ 'Teletia-S' - A magical cellphone given to each of the Senshi. They can be used to contact more than one person at once, and are the PGSM version of Sailor Moon's transforming pen. Each Senshi can use her phone to take a picture of a person (or even a mannequin) and, later, turn her own clothes into the selected outfit. Human Luna also carries one, which she uses to turn into Sailor Luna. Luna's cellphone is called 'Lunatia-L'.
★ 'Crown Passport' - The girls use karaoke passes, conjured by Luna, to enter their secret base (also conjured by Luna) in 'Crown Karaoke'. The cards purport to be year-long passes to use the karaoke booths so that the Sailor Senshi can get into the base for free. When he first sees them, however, Motoki asks "We give one-year passes?" but then shrugs it off.
★ 'Moonlight Stick' - A type of weapon used by Sailor Moon and Sailor Luna. They are similar in appearance to the Moon Stick that appears in the manga and anime series, but the crescents attached to them are made of crystal rather than gold. Sailor Moon uses hers for most attacks, and Sailor Luna uses hers in her only one. Luna also changes her stick into other objects on occasion, including a paper fan, golden fan, and net.
★ 'Spirit of the Senshi' - A sword that only appears in the Special act. It is capable of restoring the Senshi's lost powers by restoring their henshin items, however they vanish again after one use. It is also good for combat.
DVD specials
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Special Act
A sequel to the series, set four years later, that portrays the wedding of Mamoru and Usagi (which, in the anime, is first shown in the Dark Moon arc of ''Sailor Moon R''). Before their nuptials they must do battle with Mio Kuroki who has been resurrected and claims to be the new queen of the Dark Kingdom. She kidnaps Mamoru and Usagi and forces Mamoru to marry her. However, the ''Shitennou'' are revived and help their master to defeat Mio's youma, Sword and Shield. Meanwhile, the Sailor Senshi, minus Sailor Mars who is bedridden with injuries from battling Mio while in her civilian state, use the Moon Sword provided by Queen Serenity to restore their power, enabling them to transform and defeat Mio. The story ends with Usagi and Mamoru's wedding. This act is an hour long, twice as long as all the other acts.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Act Zero
The last special made for the series, ironically, is a prequel of sorts that leads directly to the first episode. In it we see how Minako Aino met Artemis and became Sailor V on Christmas. She must use her newfound powers to foil a stage magician of jewel thief called Q.T. Kenko and his Killer Girl assistants. Meanwhile Usagi and her friends decide to dress in their own homemade sailor fuku in order to scare the thieves away from the jewelry store owned by Naru Osaka's mother, (Usagi as Sailor Rabbit, Naru as Sailor N, and their other friends, Kanami and Momoko as sailors K and M) only for Usagi to get kidnapped by Kenko. The actors who portray the ''Shitennou'' are featured the inexperienced police officers group self-dubbed the "Police Shittenou" for comic relief: Captain Shiroi (Kunzite), Officer Akai (Nephrite), Officer Kuroi (Zoicite), and female Officer Hanako (Jadeite). The story ends with Luna coming to Earth, feeling the burn of hitting the atmosphere, in order to give Usagi her powers.
Mini-episodes
Act Zero also comes with two mini-episodes. Each one is approximately five minutes long and tells a quick short story. ''Hina Afterward'' shows what happened to the character of Hina after breaking off her engagement with Mamoru Chiba. ''Tuxedo Mask's Secret Birth'' shows the origin of the Tuxedo Mask persona. It includes a joke-henshin sequence in which, rather than transforming magically, he pulls his clothes on with dramatic flair.
Super Dance Lesson
A quick video hosted by Luna, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon, that instructed the viewer how to perform the dances from different songs from PGSM. The dances included were for the songs "Romance" and "Here We Go! -Shinjiru Chikara-" Also demonstrated were "C'est La Vie~ The Loving Part Inside me" and "Kirari
★ Sailor Dream!" although no formal instructions were given on how to dance to them.
Kirari Super Live!
This is DVD footage of the live-stage show of the same name. Kirari Super Live featured the actors and actresses from the show singing and dancing to the various songs from the show. The cast of the Seramyu musical of 2004 was purportedly part of the audience.
Episode list
| TV episodes[4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Act # | Episode title | Air date |
| Direct-to-video | ||
| Act title | Release date | |
Cast
★ Miyū Sawai as Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon / Princess Serenity / Princess Sailor Moon, Queen Serenity
★ Chisaki Hama as Ami Mizuno / Sailor Mercury / Dark Mercury
★ Keiko Kitagawa as Rei Hino / Sailor Mars
★ Myū Azama as Makoto Kino / Sailor Jupiter
★ Ayaka Komatsu as Minako Aino / Sailor V / Sailor Venus
★ Rina Koike as Luna Tsukino / Sailor Luna
★
★ Keiko Han as Luna (voice, cat form)
★ Kappei Yamaguchi as Artemis (voice)
★ Jyōji Shibue as Mamoru Chiba / Tuxedo Kamen / Prince Endymion
★ Aya Sugimoto as Queen Beryl / Queen Metaria (voice)
★ Jun Masuo as Jadeite
★ Hiroyuki Matsumoto as Nephrite
★ Yoshihito Endō as Zoisite
★ Akira Kubodera as Kunzite
★ Alisa Durbrow as Mio Kuroki
★ Chieko Kawabe as Naru Osaka
★ Masaya Kikawada as Motoki Furuhata
★ Kaori Moriwaka as Ikuko Tsukino
★ Naoki Takeshi as Shingo Tsukino
Trivia
★ Many of these actors also appear in the Kamen Rider series, including Jyouji Shibue (Mamoru), as Kamen Rider Ibuki, and Masaya Kikawada (Motoki), as Kamen Rider Ichigo in large roles. Hiroyuki Matsumoto (Nephrite) and Yoshihito Endou (Zoisite) also appear, as well as Tomohisa Yuge (the fake Tuxedo Mask from PGSM Act 9), who portrayed Kamen Rider Zolda and Kamen Rider TheBee, and Satoshi Ichijo (Yuuto from Act 32), who played Kamen Rider Gai.
★ The cloaked youma which appeared starting in ep. 37 are redesigned 'Golem Hei' from the Super Sentai series Zyuranger (which were adapted to the Putty Patrol in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).
★ The Queen song "I Was Born to Love You" was used in Act 29 during a volleyball scene.
Notes and references
1. The word ''senshi'' has been officially translated in the other Sailor Moon series titles as "soldier," and is occasionally written that way in English letters on merchandise. In the live-action series, however, it is translated "guardian," and is printed as such during the show's opening sequence.
2. (Near death of a main character)
3. (Introduction of a new character)
4. Adapted from http://www.sailormoon.ws/archives/040205.html
See also
★ Sailor Moon musicals
External links
★ Fly Me to the Sailormoon The Official Toei site
★ Sailormoon Channel Official Bandai site
★ HICBC Official HICBC Sailor Moon site
★ Genvid News updates and forums
★ Sailor Dream Product and show information
★ Three-Lights.net Magazine scans of actresses and show
★
★ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Review at japanhero.com
★ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon review at anime news network
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