Basic Info

There are three live-actor versions of Sailor Moon that I am aware of.

Firstly, there was a demonstration tape produced by Saban as a concept for adapting the original Japanese Sailor Moon cartoon into an American show. They proposed combining live actors with American-style animation. Saban was perhaps best known at the time for their Americanization of 'Power Rangers' and their Sailor Moon concept was along similar lines: American actors for the 'normal teenager' scenes and (in this case) animation for the 'super-hero action' scenes. The project did not go ahead.

The second live-actor version of Sailor Moon is the stage musical version. Since 'Sailor Moon Musical' is somewhat hard to say in Japanese this version is often called 'Sera-Myu'. The song 'La Soldier' became quite popular and you might have heard it if you have collected some import Sailor Moon music. As far as I know, this version has only ever been staged in Japan.

The third live-actor version of Sailor Moon is a Japanese TV drama. It is basically a direct adaptation from the original popular Sailor Moon cartoon & comic book story, but with actors instead of animation. This version began airing on Japanese TV in 2003 and was 49 episodes long (plus DVD specials). All the information below refers to this version.

	Character Played By Sailormoon - Tsukino Usagi Sawai Miyuu Sailormercury - Mizuno Ami Hama Chisaki Sailormars - Hino Rei Kitagawa Keiko Sailorjupiter - Kino Makoto Azama Miyuu Sailorvenus - Aino Minako Komatsu Ayaka Tuxedo Mask - Chiba Mamoru    Shibue Jouji Luna Han Keiko (voice)  Oosaka Naru Kawabe Chieko Jedyte Masuo Jun Tsukino Shingo Takeshi Naoki Tsukino Ikuko Moriwaka Kaori Sakurada Haruna Ooduka Chieko Sailor Senshi action scenes Komaki Youko, "G-Rockets", Nakazawa Tomomi Han Keiko was also the voice of Luna in the Japanese animated Sailor Moon series. Opening Theme "Sparkly Sailor Dream" Lyrics - Takeuchi Naoko Composer - Haneba Hitoshi Editor - Kyouda Seiichi Singer - Koeda Auxillary Theme "C'est la vie~The part of me that loves" Lyrics - Iwazato Yuuho Composer - Hirama Akihiko Singer - Komatsu Ayaka (SailorVenus) Music Co-Ordinator - Oojima Michiru Columbia Music Entertainment Inc. Sparkly Sailor Dream Hitomi wa itsumo jueru... jueru Bodii ni matou labendaa Ikite yuku koto wa try a chance Kokoni aru kara tsuyoi yume Gangan kechirashite yukou raibaru darakeno mahiru Egao yori kuchibiru yori ai biimu ga kimewaza Watashi ni nare kirarito sailor daiamonzu Yoakeni umareru tabi au Watashi daraka kanauyo starlight prayers Makeup shiyouyo kirameki wa muneni Sailor senshi sore wa moonlight heart A person is always a jewel. To wear on my body a lovely charm. To continue living is to try a chance. Because I'm here it's a strong dream. Gan! Gan! Let's kick our way through this rival infested daylight. Rather than smile, or a kiss, let's beat them with a love beam move! Turn into me, shiny Sailor Diamonds, At dawn a new journey is born. It's me, so it'll come true, starlight prayers. Le'ts Make up, This sparkle is my heart, Sailor guardians, it's a moonlight heart
Sailormoon - Tsukino Usagi
Sailormercury - Mizuno Ami
Sailormars - Hino Rei
Sailorjupiter - Kino Makoto
Sailorvenus - Aino Minako

Description & Commentary

The live TV drama version of Sailor Moon features five young Japanese actresses portraying the five 'inner planet' Sailor Senshi or 'Sailor Guardians'. In normal schoolgirl mode they all have black hair but in Sailor Senshi mode they have coloured hair just as in the animated series. Oddly, Sailor Mercury's blue hair seems the most natural. In the live-drama, Luna is a plush toy cat that comes to life. The 'live' Luna is done with computer graphics in most scenes, but as a puppet in some short scenes. The special effects are unfortunately not so great. Luna gives Usagi several items in the first episode including a cell phone, a wand, a locket and a lipstick holder. The locket and lipstick are used to transform into Sailor Moon. The cell phone can be used to contact Luna and it also has a built-in camera which is used to activate the disguise power (Usagi can transform into whoever she took a picture of). The wand is used for the Moon Healing Activation power to exorcise youma (monsters) that have possessed people. Sailor Moon can also use her tiara attack. The storyline follows the original Dark Kingdom story arc so Beryl and her four minions, Jadeite, Kunzite, Zoicite and Nephrite, are the featured villians. Beryl's looks match the anime version very well. The plot is closer to the manga version in that the lost memories of the four generals are an important part of the story. The monstrous youma are portrayed both by computer graphics and by actors in foam monster suits.