Sailor V Chapter 1 * Note: This text is translated from the French edition of Sailor V. I'm nowhere near fluent, so please consider this a rough translation. See www.geocities.com/castleinthesky/sailorv/ for more information. Sailor V Volume 1 Inside Leaf: Playful and pretty, talented in gym but hopeless in math, Minako is just like lots of other schoolgirls her age... but! After Artemis, a cat able to speak, reveals to her her mysterious powers, Minako becomes Sailor V, the masked fighter for justice. But the life of righting wrongs is far from easy; and when love is mixed in, it seems impossible! pg 3: Japanese Text: Kodo Nemu Wa Sera V ("Code Name Sailor V") pg 5: Teacher: Okay, next! Mina: Yes! Me! Me! Minako Aino! Mina: Here I go! Mina: Yahoo! pg 6: "Chapter 1. The Birth of Sailor V" pg 8: Here it is! The Venus manga is finally out! Everyone's been waiting with great curiosity so thanks for your patience. I'm very very happy with what's been done in this volume. I owe all this to the warm messages that I've received for Venus. The publication in Nakayoshi [a girl's comics magazine in Japan] was done at the same time as Sailor Moon. I didn't have enough time and it was horrible! But I would be foolish to regret it... I really love drawing Venus (but I love Sailor Moon too, don't worry...) pg 9: Mina: All right, I can do it! Mina: Half-roll and somersault! A work of art! Mina: What... a cat?! pg 10: Mina: Aah! Mina: Get out of the way! Cat: Miaow!! Mina: What are you doing right in the middle of things?! You want to get run over?! Teacher: What are you playing at Aino?! I asked you to do a simple back turn! pg 11: Narration: Hi, I'm Minako Aino. I'm in Year 6 [French system]. [She's in middle school year 1 in the Japanese system, which is grade 7 in most North American school systems.] Mina: Darn, if that cat wasn't there, it would have been perfect. girl: Minako, you made an impression again. How come you're so happy today? Narration: She's Hikaru. We're in the same class. We're childhood friends. Mina: Today's a special day. Mina: I'm going to give this letter... letter: For Higashi Mina: ...to my love... pg 12: Mina: Mine! teacher: Okay Aino! Next person! Mina: I'm in the volleyball club. Mina: Next to the volleyball club, there's always another club. Mina: For example: Mina: Boys basketball! Him, he's Higashi. Since he arrived, he became our favourite. He's in Year 5. pg 13: girls: Hey kids! Quiet down! You'll distract Higashi! Mina: He's gaurded so no one can approach him. Mina: I'm sure to have a chance during basketball club, and I'm going to give him this note. Mina: Higashi, I... Mina: Huh? Him again? girl: Hey look, a cat! girl: He's cute! Mina: Aah... Higashi... Mina: He's leaving! You're in my way again, rotten cat! voices: Bye! See you tomorrow! pg 14: sign: night classes sign: 6th [year], Class B Hikaru: Minako, finish that quick! The teacher's coming! Mina: Oh, I'm not done! teacher: Aino! Eating again! teacher: You'd do better if you prepared for math during your food breaks! Look at this! Mina: But I'm hungry when I get here! I can't wait until after class! Mina: I'm very athletic. Mina: I have an iron constitution and a monstrous appetite. Mina: I also sleep a lot. Teacher: How about intelligence, do you have that? cat: I have a bad feeling about this. pg 15: Elle n'est pas ni sérieuse ni fiable. ça m'inquiète pour la suite... cat: She's neither serious nor reliable. I'm worried... voice: Yes, but it's definately her, Artemis. cat (Artemis): Okay, I understand... Boss. teacher: Here are your latest results. They're terrible! Especially in math! teacher: So, before you leave today, the 4th and 5th years are going to help you. Try to help me correct this! Mina: Ah! It's Higashi! Mina: It's true that he also helps out at night classes. Mina: Wahoo! Mina: To get help from Higashi, it's my chance! This is great!! Higashi: So, shall we? Mina: Yipee! pg 16: Higashi: Your long hair suits you well. Mina: What?! It's actually the first time anyone's told me that... Higashi: But it would be better... Higashi: ... with a nice red ribbon. girl: Higashi, can you explain this to me? Mina: Higashi and Haneda seem to know each other well... Mina: Are they going out? Mina: ... but I've heard that Higashi is a real playboy. pg 17: Mina: No! That's not true! Higashi doesn't have a girlfriend! It's just a rumour! Mina: I won't give up, nothing will stop me! It's decided, he'll be my first boyfriend. Mina: Courage Minako! boy 1: Yeah right! If she continues like that she'll only succeed in making him run away! Mina: What are you saying?! boys: Aaaah... boy 1: She's not a girl boy 1: ouch! boy 2: I'd like to see her crying just one time! Mina: Baahh... I never cry! pg 18: teacher: Okay, that's all for tonight. sign: Night Classes Mina: If Higashi has left already, I won't be able to give him my letter. Mina: What? You're here? How did you get in? Mina: Go away. There's nothing for you to do here. Mina: Huh... what does he want? Mina: Fine... never mind that, where's Higashi? Mina: Here's not here anymore?! pg 19: Mina: Where's he gone now? Mina: See, it's your fault! Hikaru: Minako! Still? Did you give him your letter? Mina: Umm... I think he left already... Hikaru: Don't tell me you got scared off by his clique... Hikaru: Don't get discouraged. He's sure to be alone for a moment sometime. girls: Here Higashi, a present for you. Higashi: Thanks. Higashi: Say, girls. Would you like to walk with us? girls: What? For real, we can? Cool! pg 20: Mina: Up and over... Mom: Minako! You climbed over the wall again! Mom: Look at the state of your uniform. When are you going to start acting like a young lady?! Mina: Uhh... I'm going to take a bath. Mina: Is Haneda really the type that Higashi likes? Mina: Oh, I want to be more beautiful! voice: You will be... cat: ...little by little... cat: ... because you were born under the protection of the goddess of beauty. pg 21: cat: Pleased to meet you, Minako... cat: My name is Artemis. Mina: Ah! Mina: Aaaahh! pg 22: Mina: I don't believe it! Mina: A cat that talks and knows me! Is this a joke or what?! Mina: If I see you again, I'll kill you! What now?! Artemis: Apparently, you have good reflexes... Artemis: ... and you don't let yourself get fooled. Artemis: Artemis: And your impulsiveness doesn't block your judgement. pg 23: Artemis: Minako, you have the potential to transform yourself into a magnificent young woman. Artemis: You're a premier woman amongst women. You've been chosen. Mina: Hold on! Mina: You are a cat! Mina: And you speak?! Right, that's enough! Where's the speaker? Mina: Premier woman amongst women? Choosen? What do you want from me? Where are you from? Mina: Eh! Artemis: I'm not lying. I'll prove it to you. Artemis: Look at yourself in this mirror. pg 24: Mina: A crescent moon? pg 25: Mina: But, where am I? Mina: Space? Mina: The Earth? Artemis: You see, we're in space. Artemis: And that, that's the Earth, the planet you have to protect. Artemis: yes, and... Artemis: That other planet, so bright, is Venus, you birth planet. Artemis: Her size, weight and internal makeup are very similar to that of Earth. These two planets resemble each other like two peas in a pod. pg 26: Mina: And the thing floating over there? Artemis: That's Magellan, the house of Mazeran. Artemis: It's the space station of Aphrodite. It's your house. Mina: My house?! Mina: Mine?! voice: Minako voice: Under the protection of Venus, you were born to fight. voice: It's your mission. You alone can accept this charge. Destiny has choosen you, Minako. pg 27: voice: if, if that's good Minako. Artemis: Venus! voice: Venus... Mina: Where am I? Mina: Oh boy! What a strange dream! Mina: I don't even remember going to bed. letter: for Higashi Mina: My letter! I forgot! I absolutely have to give it to him today! pg 28: kids: Hello. Hello. girl: Get lost, kids. Mina: The whole clique is there. This makes it difficult... Higashi: Ha ha ha! All the girls are... Higashi: ... my slaves! phone: Narcissus, you still have to gather more slaves. woman: They will serve us to control the city... and the whole country! Higashi: I understand, Frolight. Have confidence in me. pg 29: Artemis: Boss! Did you sense that?! Boss: Yes! It's time! Hikaru (flashback): Minako, Higashi always eats alone in the garden behind the school. It's your chance! Mina: Thanks Hikaru! I can finally make my confession! Mina: Will he notice me? My red ribbon? Artemis: I advise you to avoid that boy, Minako! pg 30: Mina: Huh? Who said that? I've had enough with this little game! Mina: What should I do about you? Artemis: Minako?! You really don't remember me? Mina: Oh! Higashi is with Haneda! Haneda: Since you're so popular, I didn't dare to approach you. Handea: You see, Higashi, I really like you... Higashi: Me too, Haneda. I like you a lot. I've always thought that you're the one I need. Higashi: I especially like... pg 31: Higashi: ...the cute red ribbon you wear in your hair. I love it. Higashi (flashback): "It would be better with a cute red ribbon". Mina: You knew they liked each other, those two? Mina: It really annoys me... Mina: Why do all the guys like the pretty, shy girls? Artemis: Minako! pg 32: Higashi: And there, you will now be my slave. Higashi: This school, then the whole town, will be mine... Haneda: Aaah! Noo! Mina: What's that strange light? Mina: Higashi?! But...?! Higashi: You saw me, eh? Higashi: Then you will have to become one of my slaves too! pg 33: Artemis: Minako! Catch! Boss (voice): Minako! Can you hear me? Mina: What?! Boss (voice): I'm called the Boss. I don't have time to explain right now, but this guy is an enemy! Boss: You alone can beat him! Boss: Transform and save the girls! pg 34: Mina: An enemy?! Transform?! Mina: Fight?! Hold on a minute! Mina: What?! Mina: I can't move! I'm going to pass out! Artemis: Minako! The pen! Hold it up... Artemis: Transform! Artemis: You have to say "Moon Power! Transform me!" Mina: Mo... pg 35: Mina: Moon Power! Transform me! Mina: What's happening? Mina: I feel freed! I sense a force throughout my body! Mina: Anger has seized me! Higashi: Who are you?! Sailor V: My code name is Sailor V! pg 36: Sailor V: I fight for justice! Sailor V: I'm Sailor Venus! Get ready! Higashi: Darn! Capture her! Sailor V: Try it! pg 37: Sailor V: Higashi! Wake up! Artemis: Minako, he's not human, he's an enemy! Fight him! Higashi: ???? I'll get you! Artemis: Minako, if you don't kill him, you'll be the one who's killed! Artemis: Open your mirror and hold it out! Artemis: It reflects the true nature of things. Look at the face of your enemy! Sailor V: Moon... pg 38: Sailor V: Ray! Artemis: Minako... pg 39: Artemis: Boss, did I do the right thing? Boss (voice): Artemis, now you are Minako's partner. pg 40: Boss: She's troubled, and it's up to you to help her now. Mina: Mmm? Mina: You? Mina: You tickled me!! You're still here? Artemis: I'm Artemis. pg 41: Artemis: You can call me that. Artemis: Glad to see you again. Mina: Artemis? Artemis: Yep. Would you like to open the window? Artemis: The moon is superb this evening... Artemis: ... and she has helpful effects. Artemis: If you expose the mirror to moonlight, it will get recharged. Artemis: Good night Minako. Have sweet dreams. pg 42: Mina: There! It really is better with a ribbon... Artemis: Good morning, Minako. Mina: Good morning, Artemis. Artemis: Be serious in class... Artemis: ... you'll need to learn many things from me too. Mina: Okay, I understand. pg 43: Hikaru: Hi Minako! Look, look! Hikaru: It's a new singer! He's cute isn't he! He has everything... Do you want to go to his concert together? Hikaru: Minako? Mina: He's... Mina: ... cute! Mina: After all, it's true... There are still lots of handsome guys in the world, aren't there? Mina: Ok, let's go! I'm going to collect the magazines, and cheer at his concerts! Narration (Artemis): And yes, that's how Minako got her energy back, thanks to pop idols... Narration: The enemies certainly are tough, but Sailor V will keep vigil! pg 44: The Book of Venus At the same time that I was writing these stories, the details for the stage musical of Sailor Moon were being worked out. They had to do the casting, and I was working a lot on Sailor V. For the role of Tuxedo Mask, I thought that Higashi of the boys band "Shonentai" was ideal. He corresponded perfectly to the image that I had. Finally, since I was thinking so much about him, I used his name for Venus's first love. I happened to see Higashi on TV: he was in an ad for a brand of curry, dressed in a tuxedo! I really had the impression that I was looking at Mamoru and I was very surprised. (He looked a little like a vampire...) In "Lun-Lun" [a.k.a. Run-Run or Ran-Ran, a girl's comics magazine in Japan], the Venus stories were published as part of the "Sailor Moon Suite", but in fact, chronologically, they come before [before Sailor Moon]. -- end of chapter 1 --