Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, book 1) by Naoko Takeuchi
Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sailor Moon Volume 1
Usagi Tsukino is a normal girl until she meets up with Luna, a talking cat, who tells her that she is Sailor Moon. As Sailor Moon, Usagi must fight evils and enforce justice, in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. She meets other girls destined to be Sailor Senshi (Sailor Scouts), and together, they fight the forces of evil!
This new edition of Sailor Moon will feature:
- An entirely new, incredibly accurate translation!
- Japanese-style, right-to-left reading!
- New cover art never before seen in the U.S.!
- The original Japanese character names!
- Detailed translation notes!This version of Sailor Moon will be completely true to original. Join us as Sailor Moon returns to the U.S. for the first time in years!
Review:
When I was just a little one I remember rushing home after school to catch the latest adventures of Sailor Moon. It was the only cartoon targeted for girls. Despite my love of TNMT, Batman the Animated series, Gargoyles, and so on I was only too eager to have a girly show. Years later I tried watching the anime . . . and it didn't work out so well. News of the anime reboot came out and I tried yet again! It was a fail, and I knew why now. I had enough anime viewing experience to easily realize why years ago I couldn't make it through the Sailor Moon anime. Fillers. Too much, everywhere. And I’m one of those OCD types that has to watch them all. In order. No skipping. Plus, it hit me how many of the characters were annoying. The fondness for the show as a child, who didn't quite understand how formulaic and repetitive each episode was. (Though the character did annoy me then as well.) That fondness has always stayed with me and I’ve always wished that I could jump in on the series and finally meet all the new characters that I never got to see (it was pulled of of none cable TV in the middle of season 2). Somehow it escaped my attention that this series is only 18 volumes, or now 12. That’s worth a go!
After finishing volume 1 there is a formula to the bad guys, however each chapter is exciting because a new guardian (AKA senshi/Sailor Senshi/Sailor Scout) is found and introduced. At the end readers, and the rest of the guardians, have not met SailorV. Sure it can be said that the story is rushed, but I thought the pacing wasn't bad. Though at times the story was choppy. But let's be honest this is one of Naoko Takeuchi earlier serialized works, so it's not 100% polished. But this is targeted at younger audiences making it easy to put 1 and 2 together.
The art is lovely. To be honest 90s style manga is really hit or miss for me. Depending on who the creator is it can look horrid, and at times it looks simply lovely. Naoko Takeuchi's style has always been gorgeous, especially all the color art in this reprint. The anime never captured the beauty of Takeuchi's art style. (Here's hoping the reboot will.) Even if the storyline may stutter the art doesn't. The action scenes are well done, and I can completely see why this helped to make "girl manga" with action popular. Thank you. Also, I know no one is going to die at this point. But the danger seems more real. With villains talking about getting the guardians’ heads and so on.
Tuxedo Mask (AKA Tuxedo Kamen) is way cooler here. Also, no stupid rose tossing powers. Thank you! He has a bigger role in the overall story in just this one volume. Which in turn makes him a much more attractive love interest. Now for Usagi (AKA Serena). In the anime for me Usagi went from being cute and quirky, to me fantasizing about offing her. Yeah, she was that annoying. In the manga she outright says she likes eating, sleeping, she get's low grades, and she's a "crybaby". But she comes of much more likeable and child like. Cute even. Even in this first volume you can see some growth. It feels so nice that I like Sailor Moon! Plus, I love that she wears a mask, sometimes. The other guardians present in this volume have a fun introductory so that we know them and their basic personalities. This is volume 1 so I'm not too worried that they haven't had much more depth.
This is the start of the "Dark Kingdom" arc and for this reprint spans to Volume 3. Overall this is for younger kids at this point. Sure each chapter introduces a new "monster of the week", but it's not as stifling as the anime and I think adults will definitely like this version more. Got my hands on the rest of the series and I'm very curious as to how the manga is going to develop. If you're a Sailor Moon fan you'll want to read these. If you're like me and just couldn't make it through the anime, but always wanted to experience the universe this is your chance! Some readers may not be able to handle the "sugary" feeling of this adolescent targeted manga. But if you're a cartoon junky and love the adult or children's kind I think you're clear. If you’re reading it for it’s “classic” status take a chance, and maybe even try going as far as volume 2 if this one didn’t impress you.
(In my future reviews of later volumes I will not be making anymore comparisons to the anime. In this review I just wanted to help other readers who may have not liked the anime, but might try the manga!)
Sexual Content: Clean kiddies. There's some close intimate moments with Tuxedo Mask and Usagi, but nothing else.
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.
| Previous book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Sailor Moon Volume 1 | Sailor Moon Volume 1 | Sailor Moon Volume 1 |
No comments:
Post a Comment