Techinically, Kino Makoto's first public manga appearance was not in the popular shoujo series Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon. She actually made her appearance in Sailor V, volume 15 (the last issue). Minako was on her way to Tokyo to start her new life and begin her search for the missing princess (and the other senshi). Little did she know that she was sharing the former intention with that girl behind her (who looks awfully familiar, of course). For more information, check out Glimpses, a section from my dear cousin Rae's The Beam of the Love Senshi.
Makoto first entered the scene in the shoujo series Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon as a girl who was walking alone in the streets of Tokyo as she suspected a storm brewing up in the skies. This happened in act 5, The Masquerade Ball, but Sailorjupiter appeared in act 6. She met Usagi for the first time while Usagi was too peroccupied to notice a careering car nearing towards her. A tall girl with kawaii rose earrings saved her just in time and told her to be more careful next time. Usagi later finds out that this tall girl goes in the same school. Kino Makoto is a second year student as well and hails from section 6. The school principal even approaches her and made a fuss of her uniform and hair. Mako-chan (who was head taller than the principal) answered coolly that there were no available uniforms that would fit her and that her hair was naturally wavy. Usagi again becomes peroccupied at the sight of Mako-chan's yummy-looking bento (as it was lunchtime), and didn't notice a runaway baseball flying towards her. Mako-chan saves her from getting hit for the second time. Mako-chan tossess the ball back to the ball players--well, that's where she meant it to land (in their spot, I mean) but her throw landed farther beyond the player's reach. So by that, Usagi confirmed in her mind that she really is strong and that she can kill Umino with one blow. They immediately became friends as Mako-chan offered her some of her bento. Mako-chan asked Usagi if she knew of any supermarkets with good bargains, but Usagi answered with The Crown Game Center (?--perhaps she was too busy stuffing herself with Mako-chan's food). Meanwhile, after some introductions at the Crown Game Center, the girls' (Ami, Mako, Usagi) discussion moves on to that mysterious wedding shop in a nearby corner that was said to be haunted by the Ghost Bride.
Later on, Mako-chan was confronted by Motoki who was actually possessed by the Ghost Bride (Nephrite's doings) and deceived her into thinking that he really had feelings for her whilst taking some energy from her. The Sailor Senshi came to her rescue (the team wwas consisted by only three senshi then) and she snaps back to reality. Angered that she was tricked, she fights back and it was then when she was discovered to be a Sailor Senshi, too. She killed Nephrite immediately with her Supreme Thunder attack...
She remembered the old days when she had some serious affections for this guy, but the guy never returned her feelings (yep, Motoki Furuhata reminded her of that guy). She was deeply hurt, so she tried to run away from the pain and ended up in Minato-ku. But it was all probably fate, for the sailor senshi inside of her awakened as she followed the voice inside of her to move away.
Makoto's DepressionIn this episode (volume 13), we discover the truth about Mako-chan's parents and just how caring she is. She always wished that she could make enough food for everybody to make them happy so that she could be happy, too.
Here, Makoto admitted that she thought that school didn't really suit her--because it seemed that there was always some divine intervention when she's about to study, like having the sudden feeling of hunger, or that she suddenly wants to cook and tend her plants. She's satisfied with this kind of life. But well, we all know she's not the type to give up easily; she believes in her capabilities and she knows she'll make it to Senior High.
Tidbits
A few of those basic facts: Makoto Kino is a young fun-loving girl of 16 (she was only 14 when she first appeared). Her favorite flower is Sasanquas and she loves the color pink. She has a motherly nature, and always wants her friends to be happy and safe. Actually, her gentleness and motherly nature could be seen in her face whenever she tends to her plants. It's obvious that she enjoys caring for something, making it grow, fully content with the knowledge that she had supported it all the while. She dreams of opening up a bakery or a flower shop one day, and also of becoming a bride.
This guy, Asanuma, was a close friend of hers (there's his picture on the right). He was never introduced in the anime, which is a pity, really. Asanuma goes to Moto Azabu school, and he admires Mamoru Chiba very much (and thought that he [Mamoru] should have Rei Hino for his girlfriend! He didn't know about Usagi 'til later). He knows that Mako-chan is Sailorjupiter, since he accidentally got into this mess when the inner senshi bumped into trouble with the Dark Moon Family.
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Asanuma |
Original blueprints?
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Naoko Takuechi once shared her original ideas for her beloved sailor senshi.You see that picture of a sailor senshi wearing a frilly fuku (looking life a fish ^_-)? That's actually Sailorjupiter in her sailor senshi get-up. This was Naoko's original plan (neither of the inner senshi were wearing similar fukus), and IMHO, I'm glad she didn't go on with it (you should've seen Mars'! Also, Mercury's outfit was the nicest). The headset was a nice touch, and we can see that the awesome boots stayed.Mako-chan was supposed to enter the series three years older than the rest (17) and a heavy smoker at that. Her name was not supposed to be Makoto Kino.Naoko also made a concept-painting of the inner senshi each paired with the infamous generals--the gallant Nephrite being her partner. This piece of art was included in the first portfolio of manga pictures. Unfortunately for us, the concept was never further developed as the first season ended...soon, the series ended as well, but still no sign of the generals. So our lovesick li'l Mako remained single for those sixteen years of fiction life she lived under Takeuchi's pencil. |
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