Sailor Moon Eternal

Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie[lower-alpha 1] is a 2021 Japanese two-part anime film based on the Dream arc of the Sailor Moon manga by Naoko Takeuchi, that serves as a direct continuation and a "fourth season" for the Sailor Moon Crystal anime series. The two-part film is directed by Chiaki Kon, written by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, chief supervised by Naoko Takeuchi, and produced by both Toei Animation and Studio Deen. The first film was released on January 8, 2021. The second film is set to be released on February 11, 2021.[3]

Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie
Japanese theatrical release poster
Japanese劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal (エターナル)」
HepburnGekijōban Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn Etāneru
LiterallyPretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie
Directed byChiaki Kon
Written byKazuyuki Fudeyasu
Based onSailor Moon
by Naoko Takeuchi
Starring
Music byYasuharu Takanashi
Production
companies
Distributed byToei Company, Ltd.
Release date
  • January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08) (Part 1)
  • February 11, 2021 (2021-02-11) (Part 2)
Running time
  • 160 minutes (total, 80 minutes per film)[1][2]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

The two-part film is the first in franchise to screen in Japanese theaters in 26 years, the previous work being Sailor Moon SuperS: The 9 Sailor Soldiers Unite! Miracle of the Black Dream Hole!, released in 1995.[4]

Premise

Part 1

A solar eclipse suddenly happens in the month of April. As the moon covers the sun, Usagi and Chibiusa meet a Pegasus named Helios, who's looking for two "chosen maidens" to help break the seal of the Golden Crystal. He appears in Chibiusa's dream, seeking her help. Meanwhile, a mysterious group called the Dead Moon Circus appears in Juban. Their goal is to scatter nightmare incarnations called Lemures across the world, obtain the Legendary Silver Crystal, rule the Earth and Moon, and eventually the universe. Chibiusa, who was called a "young maiden" by Helios, begins developing feelings for him. Mamoru distances himself from Usagi, fearing that being near her will put her in danger.

Part 2

The ten Sailor Guardians have gathered for the final battle. However, the Queen of the Dead Moon, Nehelenia, attacks with the power of her "nightmares". Helios uses his last ounce of strength to save the Earth. Usagi is drawn into the Nehelenia's nightmare, but is encouraged by the strong heart of Tuxedo Mask. Joining forces with her fellow Super Sailor Guardians, she transforms into "Eternal Sailor Moon". Finally, all "Eternalized" Sailor Guardians have gathered.

[5]

Voice cast
See also: List of Sailor Moon characters
Character Japanese voice cast
Usagi Tsukino/Super Sailor Moon Kotono Mitsuishi
Luna Ryō Hirohashi
Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask Kenji Nojima
Ami Mizuno/Super Sailor Mercury Hisako Kanemoto
Rei Hino/Super Sailor Mars Rina Satō
Makoto Kino/Super Sailor Jupiter Ami Koshimizu
Minako Aino/Super Sailor Venus Shizuka Itō
Artemis Taishi Murata[6]
Chibiusa/Super Sailor Chibi Moon Misato Fukuen
Diana Shoko Nakagawa
Setsuna Meioh/Super Sailor Pluto Ai Maeda[6]
Haruka Tenoh/Super Sailor Uranus Junko Minagawa[6]
Michiru Kaioh/Super Sailor Neptune Sayaka Ohara[6]
Hotaru Tomoe/Super Sailor Saturn Yukiyo Fujii[6]
Pegasus/Helios Yoshitsugu Matsuoka[7]
Queen Nehelenia Nanao[8]
Zirconia Naomi Watanabe[9]
Fish Eye Shouta Aoi[10]
Tiger's Eye Satoshi Hino[10]
Hawk's Eye Toshiyuki Toyonaga[10]
CereCere/Sailor Ceres Reina Ueda[11]
PallaPalla/Sailor Pallas Sumire Morohoshi[11]
JunJun/Sailor Juno Yuko Hara[11]
VesVes/Sailor Vesta Rie Takahashi[11]

Production

Development

On January 25, 2017, it was announced on the official Sailor Moon 25th anniversary website that the Sailor Moon Crystal anime would continue.[12] Later, on June 30th of the same year, it was revealed that the fourth season known as the Dead Moon arc, based on Dream arc of the manga, was to be adapted as two-part theatrical anime film project. Additionally, Chiaki Kon, who was a series director for the third season of the anime, returned as a main director for the films.[13][14]

On June 30, 2018, it was announced that the film's production had begun, and Kazuko Tadano, who handled the character designs for the first two seasons of the 1990s Sailor Moon anime series and Sailor Moon R: The Movie, was chosen as a character designer for the film. Tadano had commented:

"I never dreamed that I'd be able to participate in this work that I had been involved with 25 years ago. I'm very happy to be involved as character designer once again for this work, which is beloved around the world. I feel anxious, because this is my first time working as a character designer for the latter part of the series, which makes me wanna work even harder. Please continue to support Sailor Moon!"

[15][16] At the time of production, the film's original name was Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: The Movie -Dead Moon arc- (劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンCrystal (クリスタル)」 ＜デッド・ムーン編＞, Gekijōban Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn Kurisutaru Dēddō Mūn Hen).

On June 30, 2019, more staff has been revealed: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu wrote the scripts, original creator & mangaka Naoko Takeuchi chief supervised the films' production, Studio Deen co-animated and produced the films with Toei Animation,[17] and the name for the two-part film was decided as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie (劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal (エターナル)」, Gekijōban Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn Etāneru).[18]

Casting

Most of the main voice actors from Sailor Moon Crystal had returned for the two-part film, but, for unknown reasons, Taishi Murata took over Yohei Oobayashi's role as Artemis.[6] On April 2020, it was announced that Yoshitsugu Matsuoka will voice Pegasus/Helios for the film. On August 2020, it was announced that Shouta Aoi, Satoshi Hino, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga were to voice the Amazon Trio: Fish Eye, Tiger's Eye, and Hawk's Eye. The following week, Reina Ueda, Sumire Morohoshi, Yūko Hara, and Rie Takahashi were cast as the Amazoness Quartet: CereCere, PallaPalla, JunJun, and VesVes.[10][11] On September 2020, it was announced that the Japanese comedian, fashion designer and actress Naomi Watanabe was cast as Zirconia. The following month, Japanese model and actress Nanao was cast as Queen Nehelenia.[9][8]

Music
See also: List of Sailor Moon soundtracks

Yasuharu Takanashi returned to compose the music for the two-part film. The theme song for the two-part film is titled "Moon Color Chainon" (月色Chainon, Tsukiiro Chainon), performed by Momoiro Clover Z and the five voice actresses for the Inner Sailor Guardians. The song's lyrics were written by Naoko Takeuchi (under the name of "Sumire Shirobara"), composed by Akiko Kosaka, and arranged by Gesshoku Kaigi.[19][20][21] The ending theme for the first film will be Watashi-tachi ni Naritakute (私たちになりたくて, Wanting to Be Together with You), performed by Yoko Ishida, and the ending theme for the second film will be "Rashiku" Ikimasho (“らしく” いきましょ, "I'll Go As Myself"), performed by Anza.[22] The eleven-track character song collection album, titled Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie Character Song Collection: Eternal Collection, is set to release on February 10, 2021, and the eleventh track, titled "Moon Effect", performed by the voice actresses for all ten Sailor Guardians, will be used as an insert song for the second film.[23]

Release

The first film was slated to release in Japanese theaters on September 11, 2020,[24] but was postponed and released on January 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the second film will be released on February 11, 2021.[3]

Reception

The first film debuted ninth place out of top ten from weekend box office, and also ranked sixth in Filmarks' first-day satisfaction ranking with an approval rating of 3.46 based on 242 reviews.[25][26]

Notes
  1. Released in Japan as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie (劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal (エターナル)」, Gekijōban Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn Etāneru)

References
  1. "劇場版 美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal 前編". eiga.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  2. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」≪後編≫". tohotheater.jp (in Japanese). 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  3. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (2020-06-18). "1st Sailor Moon Eternal Film Delayed to January 8 With 2nd Film Scheduled for February 11". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  4. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」公式サイト" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  5. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」 Story". Sailor Moon Movie. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  6. 劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」《前編》予告映像60秒／/Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie Trailer (in Japanese). 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2020-10-15 – via Youtube.
  7. Mateo, Alex (2020-04-23). "Sailor Moon Eternal Film Reveals Cast, Teaser Video, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  8. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」ネヘレニアのキャストが決定！". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  9. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」 ジルコニアのキャストが発表!". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  10. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2020-08-04). "Sailor Moon Eternal Films Casts Amazon Trio Characters". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  12. Loo, Egan (2017-01-25). "Sailor Moon Crystal Anime Gets Sequel". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  13. "「美少女戦士セーラームーン Crystal」第 4 期＜デッド・ムーン編＞". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  14. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (2017-06-30). "Sailor Moon Crystal Anime's 4th Season Revealed as 2-Part Film Project". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  15. "「美少女戦士セーラームーンCrystal」 劇場版アニメのキャラクターデザイナーが決定！". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  16. "Sailor Moon Crystal Films Bring Back Original Sailor Moon Character Designer Kazuko Tadano". Anime News Network. 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  17. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 12, 2019). "Studio DEEN to Co-Produce Sailor Moon Eternal 2-Part Anime Film Project With Toei". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  18. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
  19. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」テーマソング「月色Chainon」". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  20. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2020-10-04). "Momoiro Clover Z, Main Cast Performs Sailor Moon Eternal Anime Films' Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  21. Komatsu, Mikakazu (2020-10-04). "Momoiro Clover Z Performs Sailor Moon Eternal Films' Theme Song with The Five Main VAs". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  22. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」テーマソング「月色Chainon」". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  23. "劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」 キャラクターソング集 Eternal Collection". Sailor Moon Official (in Japanese). 2020-12-28. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  24. Komatsu, Mikikazu (October 21, 2019). "Sailor Moon Eternal Film's 1st Part Hits Japanese Theaters September 11, 2020". Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  25. Komatsu, Mikikazu (2021-01-12). "Japan Box Office: Sailor Moon Eternal Part 1 Makes Its 9th Place Debut". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  26. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2021-01-12). "Gintama The Final Ends Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's 12-Weekend Reign at Box Office (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
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