What's So Complicated:
Sailor Moon has lived four lives - firstly, as a Manga, then the 90s anime, the 2000s live action,
and finally in the rebooted anime Sailor Moon Crystal. And that's not counting the various different dubs, either! Add in movies which may-or-may-not be canon, and the series' habit of giving seasons names, rather than numbers, and many people will find it difficult to know where to start. Instead, this post shows what order to watch each season/arc in, where the movies fit in, and where to watch it. |
ABOUT THE DUBS:
In the 90s, several different companies dubbed different parts of Sailor Moon into English, Spanish, and other localisations. These dubs have more issues than we care to think about (we'll have a blog post about that soon!) so -
We strongly encourage you NOT to watch the 90s dubs.
In the late 2010s, VIS re-dubbed the entire series in English, including the movies, and left it uncut. This resulted in some of the best quality translations, as the dubs is visually identical to the original Japanese. They are also the ones dubbing Crystal in the same manner.
VIS Dubs and Subs are the ones you should be watching.
You can officially watch the VIZ dub free on VIZ.COM (US only), or buy it on Amazon.
Unofficially, you can find all the dubs and subs on https://sailormoontv.com/
We strongly encourage you NOT to watch the 90s dubs.
In the late 2010s, VIS re-dubbed the entire series in English, including the movies, and left it uncut. This resulted in some of the best quality translations, as the dubs is visually identical to the original Japanese. They are also the ones dubbing Crystal in the same manner.
VIS Dubs and Subs are the ones you should be watching.
You can officially watch the VIZ dub free on VIZ.COM (US only), or buy it on Amazon.
Unofficially, you can find all the dubs and subs on https://sailormoontv.com/
What Series Should I Start With?
If you'd like to go in publication order, go Manga, then 90s anime, then Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (the live action series,) and finally Crystal.
However, each series is entirely self-contained
you don't need to see the others to understand the plot at all,
so you can really start anywhere you like!
To narrow it down, here are the advantages and disadvantages of each one:
However, each series is entirely self-contained
you don't need to see the others to understand the plot at all,
so you can really start anywhere you like!
To narrow it down, here are the advantages and disadvantages of each one:
MANGA:
Starting with the Manga means you get the best perspective on why the tv adaptions are all so different. You get to see the evolution of the characters as Naoko originally intended them. It's completed and concluded. However, certain aspects have not aged well - particularly the romance - and some translations are quite rough around the edges.
90s ANIME:
This is the series most people are familiar with, and thus is what you'll be able to talk about with fellow fans, and find merchandise for. It's a completed, concluded series with tons of episodes to binge! There's more development of the inner scouts' personalities and friendships than other adaptions. Sadly, it's plagued with bad dubs, and the older animation style can put some people off. There's also the fact that most seasons have names (we've ordered them below,) rather than numbers, which is confusing to new viewers.
PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON / PGSM (Live Action TV Show.)
If you want a series that's on youtube, has real people, and sometimes feels like Japan's version of Wizards of Waverly Place, PGSM is for you! It's very different from the others (but we can't explain without spoilers!) and is generally the least well-known, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a go! Of course, there's no official dub, and the old school CGI is out in full force, which can come off as either hilariously campy or just plain bad at times.
SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL (Reboot Anime)
This adaption is the closest to the manga. It has significantly less filler episodes than the other shows, and arguably has more villain development, and has a less controversial take on the romance. The dub is practically perfect, at least compared to previous versions. However, it's overall shorter, incomplete, and there have been many issues with the animation, which changes in the third season.
Starting with the Manga means you get the best perspective on why the tv adaptions are all so different. You get to see the evolution of the characters as Naoko originally intended them. It's completed and concluded. However, certain aspects have not aged well - particularly the romance - and some translations are quite rough around the edges.
90s ANIME:
This is the series most people are familiar with, and thus is what you'll be able to talk about with fellow fans, and find merchandise for. It's a completed, concluded series with tons of episodes to binge! There's more development of the inner scouts' personalities and friendships than other adaptions. Sadly, it's plagued with bad dubs, and the older animation style can put some people off. There's also the fact that most seasons have names (we've ordered them below,) rather than numbers, which is confusing to new viewers.
PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON / PGSM (Live Action TV Show.)
If you want a series that's on youtube, has real people, and sometimes feels like Japan's version of Wizards of Waverly Place, PGSM is for you! It's very different from the others (but we can't explain without spoilers!) and is generally the least well-known, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a go! Of course, there's no official dub, and the old school CGI is out in full force, which can come off as either hilariously campy or just plain bad at times.
SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL (Reboot Anime)
This adaption is the closest to the manga. It has significantly less filler episodes than the other shows, and arguably has more villain development, and has a less controversial take on the romance. The dub is practically perfect, at least compared to previous versions. However, it's overall shorter, incomplete, and there have been many issues with the animation, which changes in the third season.
Order of Seasons, Movies, & Arcs
Manga & 90s Anime
About:
If you wish to watch the movies, we'd recommend doing so immediately after watching the respective season.
Otherwise, just skip them until after you've seen the whole show.
Most of the movies were released in the middle of the series, and often appear to take place on alternative timelines, sometimes even going against established canon, and their events often do not relate to or affect their respective seasons.
Otherwise, just skip them until after you've seen the whole show.
Most of the movies were released in the middle of the series, and often appear to take place on alternative timelines, sometimes even going against established canon, and their events often do not relate to or affect their respective seasons.
In Order:
- Sailor Moon / Season 1 - the Dark Kingdom Arc
- Sailor Moon R / Season 2 - the Black Moon Arc
- Sailor Moon R: The Movie
- Sailor Moon S / Season 3 - Mugen/Infinity Arc
- Sailor Moon S: The Movie
- Sailor Moon SuperS / Season 4 - Yume/Dream Arc
- Sailor Moon Super S: The Movie
- Sailor Moon Sailor Stars / Season 5 - Stars Arc
Crystal Viewing Order
About:
Season 3 of Crystal has a unique name compared to the previous incarnations. Otherwise, they use the Manga arc titles instead of the anime series titles.
Currently, no movies has been released.
Currently, no movies has been released.
In Order:
- Sailor Moon Crystal Season 1 Dark Kingdom
- Sailor Moon Crystal Season 2 Black Moon
- Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 Death Busters / Infinity
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Viewing Order
About & Order:
Unlike the other series, this one is simple - there's only one season and no arc names!
So just search for season 1, episode 1, and don't worry about anything else.
So just search for season 1, episode 1, and don't worry about anything else.
But WAIT! There’s MORE?!
Believe it or not, there are several other Sailor Moon adaptions and spin-offs, such as the Musicals and Sailor V manga. However, they’re best enjoyed when you’ve got context, so we recommend skipping them until you’ve got some experience under your belt!