Sailor Moon isn’t just a magical girl anime; it’s a reminder of why I fell in love with anime in the first place. Season 1 of Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon is whimsical, yes, with all the sparkle and transformation sequences you’d expect, but it’s also unexpectedly profound. Beneath the glitter and dramatic poses is a story about courage, emotional growth, and the quiet, powerful strength found in connection.
Whether you’re watching it for the very first time or returning to it as a comforting rewatch like I am, this season draws you in with its sincerity, its humour, and most of all, its bonds. Bonds between friends. Bonds between lovers. Bonds between those who were never meant to be enemies, yet find themselves on opposite sides. This rewatch gave me the chance to see just how much heart lives in this story, and reminded me why Sailor Moon still holds such a special place in the anime world, and in mine.
Post read time: 14–23 minutes
About Sailor Moon:
- Full Genre List: Adventure, Magical Girl, Romance, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Key Themes: Friendship, Love, Responsibility, Good vs Evil, Growth and Maturation, Bonds between characters
- Type: Series
- Number of episodes: 46
- Duration to watch the entirety of the anime: ± 19 hours
- Age Restriction: PG
- Trigger Warnings: Mild violence, occasional suggestive content and innuendos, emotional distress, character loss, and moments of intense conflict
- Release Date: 1992
- Animation Studio: Toei Animation
- English Dub: Yes
- Source: Manga
- Kanji: 美少女戦士セーラームーン
- Alternative Title: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
- Average Rating: 8.5/10
- Watch it here on Hulu, WeTV
- Official Hashtags: #SailorMoon #PrettySoldierSailorMoon #BishoujoSenshiSailorMoon
Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy, overly emotional middle school girl who just wants to nap, eat, and avoid homework. Everything changes when she meets Luna, a talking cat who turns her world upside down by revealing that Usagi is destined to become Sailor Moon, a magical guardian meant to protect Earth. Slowly, she finds her fellow Sailor Guardians. Each Guardian brings her own unique strength, backstory, and emotional baggage, and together they unite to take on the Dark Kingdom in an effort to save the world. All while keeping up their schoolwork.
My Thoughts on Sailor Moon:
When I first watched Sailor Moon, I honestly thought it would be something light, maybe a little childish, even just something cute to pass the time. But coming back to it now, with older eyes, I see just how layered and emotionally grounded the story really is.
This rewatch wasn’t random; it was intentional. I wanted to slow down and take in all the little things I missed the first time: the quiet moments between battles, the way certain lines linger, the foreshadowing tucked into simple conversations, and the emotional weight behind scenes I once brushed off. There’s so much more beneath the surface. The banter, the growth, the moments of heartbreak and healing, they all land differently now.
Watching it again has reminded me that sometimes the most magical stories are the ones that know how to hurt a little and still leave you feeling hopeful.
Story and Themes That Stood Out
Season 1 is, at its heart, a coming-of-age story wrapped in the shimmer of transformation pens and sparkly magic. While it leans into the classic “monster of the week” format, there’s always emotional progression beneath the surface. Even the sillier battles reveal something: a personal insecurity, a moment of growth, or a deeper connection forming between the girls.
That said, I won’t lie, the structure does get a bit repetitive when binge-watching. The rhythm becomes noticeable. But the variety introduced through the Dark Kingdom’s four generals helps keep things feeling fresh. Each one, Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Kunzite, brings a distinct strategy and personality, which gives each arc its own flavour and steadily raises the stakes as the season progresses.
The biggest theme that stood out to me this time? The power of bonds. This rewatch really highlighted how intentional the show is about connection, not just the easy, heartwarming friendships, but the complicated, evolving ones, too. Like Usagi and Rei’s fiery back-and-forth, or the teasing banter that slowly deepens between Usagi and Mamoru. Even some of the villain dynamics carry surprising emotional weight.
These relationships don’t just exist to move the plot forward; they breathe. They shift, they ache, and they feel earned. Whether it’s the slow trust-building among the Guardians or the quiet tension between love and duty, the show always remembers that these emotional ties matter just as much as the magic.
Beyond that, themes of responsibility, self-sacrifice, and identity are woven in gently but consistently. I found myself thinking a lot about how these girls are forced to grow up, how they’re asked to carry heavy burdens far earlier than they should have to. It’s sad, but never hopeless. The show handles it all with such quiet care.
The finale, especially, brings these themes home with surprising emotional weight. Seeing how far the girls have come, what they’re willing to do for one another, it’s powerful. It’s bittersweet. And it stays with you.
The Heart of the Show: Characters I’ll Remember
At the centre of Sailor Moon’s charm is its cast, and more importantly, the way they change each other.
Usagi surprised me the most on this rewatch. I’ll be honest: I used to find her frustrating. She cried too much, avoided responsibility, and didn’t exactly scream “hero.” But watching her again, with a softer heart, I found her so endearing. Usagi doesn’t fit the typical mould of a magical girl lead, and that’s her greatest strength. She’s messy, emotional, overly dramatic but she’s also kind, empathetic, and loyal in a way that hits so much deeper the second time around. She doesn’t start off strong; she becomes strong. And the best part is that she never loses the softer parts of herself along the way. Her growth isn’t just about levelling up her powers or learning to lead in battle; it’s emotional. She learns to trust others. She starts showing up not just because she has to, but because she chooses to. That slow, believable development made me appreciate her more than I ever expected.
Among the other Sailor Guardians, Ami and Rei stood out the most to me this season. Ami (Sailor Mercury) is the quiet anchor, thoughtful, intelligent, and gently supportive. She doesn’t seek the spotlight, but her presence grounds the group. Her moments of vulnerability are subtle but powerful, and I found myself really cherishing them.
Rei (Sailor Mars), though… wow. She went from someone I was just curious about to my absolute favourite. Her independence, fire, and refusal to sugar-coat anything brought such a needed edge to the group dynamic. Her relationship with Usagi is full of friction, but beneath all the teasing and clashing, there’s deep trust and respect. It’s raw, it’s messy, and it’s real. That’s exactly what makes it work.
And then there’s Mamoru and Usagi. Their dynamic is a ride. Early on, they’re constantly tossing petty insults and sarcastic jabs, classic anime-style bickering, but this time around, I noticed how natural it all felt. The tension. The slow warmth. The way their banter gradually softens without ever losing its playful bite.
Personally, I preferred their interactions as Usagi and Mamoru over Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. Their civilian selves feel more grounded, more vulnerable. There’s a sincerity in those quiet, human moments that really stuck with me.
As for the villains, Queen Beryl and the Shitennou, they left a strong impression. Even if the episodic format didn’t allow for all the development I would’ve liked, I appreciated that their dynamics weren’t just “evil teamwork.” There were rivalries, regrets, and romantic tension layered in, especially with Nephrite. His arc genuinely surprised me with how emotionally heavy it became. Naru and Nephrite’s story still lingers in my chest.
The character work in this season isn’t flawless, but it’s earnest. Everyone feels like they belong in this world. Even when they make mistakes or don’t get enough screen time, they matter. And more than a few of them stayed with me long after the final credits rolled.
From Transformation Sequences to Vintage Aesthetic
There’s no denying it, Sailor Moon is 90s-coded to its core. And I absolutely love that about it. From the fashion choices to the chunky computers, flip phones, and those beautifully wide-eyed character designs, the series is a total time capsule, in the best possible way. You can tell it was made in 1992, but somehow, it doesn’t feel old. At least not to me. Maybe it’s because I grew up on anime from that era (Hellsing, Black Cat, Angelic Layer, Negima, you know, the good stuff) but something about the aesthetic just feels timeless. It’s charming rather than dated. Like flipping through a glittery scrapbook of memories that still sparkle.
And those transformation sequences? Still iconic. I get a little rush of joy every time Sailor Moon’s henshin kicks in, the swirling ribbons, the glowing light, the triumphant music swell. It’s dramatic and sparkly and just the right kind of over-the-top. That’s what makes it work. It’s pure magic, every time. I also didn’t expect Tuxedo Mask to get two transformation sequences of his own; that was such a fun surprise! It’s rare for a male character in a magical girl series to get that kind of spotlight, and it really stood out in the best way.
The action scenes might be simpler than what we’re used to in today’s high-budget productions, but they still hit when it counts. The way the battles are framed, the rising emotional stakes, and the dramatic flair in the big moments, it’s not flashy for the sake of it. It’s expressive. You can feel the animators trying to make each fight mean something, even within the limits of the time.
Honestly, this whole vintage aesthetic adds to the emotional resonance for me. The warm colour palettes, the occasional still-frame drama shots, the layered background art, it all wraps the story in this soft, slightly grainy glow that just feels right. And it’s not just nostalgia. Even if you’re watching Sailor Moon for the first time today, I think the aesthetic still holds up, not because it’s trendy, but because it commits so confidently to its own style.
The Sounds That Made the Magic Work
Let’s be honest, Moonlight Densetsu is one of those openings. You know the kind. The second the melody starts, it’s like someone’s opened a window straight into your anime-loving soul. It’s sweet, a little wistful, filled with gentle hope and honestly? It earns every bit of its iconic status. I still catch myself humming it long after an episode ends. It captures the tone of Sailor Moon so perfectly, romantic, mysterious, light enough to sparkle, but grounded with something deeper underneath. It’s a vibe, and it’s so right.
As for the rest of the soundtrack, it might not be as grand or orchestral as some modern anime scores, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s consistent, emotionally in tune, and completely locked into the rhythm of the story. It’s not there to show off, it’s there to support. And in that sense, it’s kind of brilliant.
One of the things I appreciated more on this rewatch was just how well the music knows when to sit back and when to rise. Whether it’s a quiet moment between friends, a comedic beat, a burst of transformation magic, or a painful reveal in the middle of battle, the sound cues land. They know their role, and they play it beautifully. Some of my favourite emotional scenes wouldn’t have hit nearly as hard without the music carrying them. It’s subtle, sometimes even minimalist, but that restraint is what gives the big moments so much weight. It lets the feelings bloom naturally.
I also noticed something I hadn’t fully appreciated before: how the soundtrack subtly shifts depending on the current villain or arc. There’s a distinct mood when Zoisite is on screen, different from when Nephrite takes the stage. It’s never jarring, just layered. Enough to signal tone, intention, and emotional stakes without spelling everything out. Basically, the sound design in Sailor Moon Season 1 doesn’t just set the mood; it holds it. Sometimes it even deepens it. And for a series that leans so heavily on emotional beats and magical atmosphere, that makes all the difference.
Tears, Laughter, Goosebumps – All of It
There were more emotional gut-punches in this rewatch than I was ready for. I remembered the sparkle, the fun, the transformations, but I forgot how many scenes quietly sneak up on you and just hit right. Sometimes it was something small: a passing comment, a half-remembered glance, or a moment of vulnerability that lingered just long enough to break your heart. Other times, it was something bigger, a sacrifice that came too soon, a betrayal that cut deep, or a love story that bloomed just long enough to hurt.
Sailor Moon isn’t afraid to hit you where it hurts and then remind you why it matters. The emotional peaks of this season aren’t constant, but when they come, they land. The finale especially left me teary-eyed. It’s powerful, bittersweet, and full of love. Watching these girls risk everything, not just for the world, but for each other, was incredibly moving. That kind of loyalty? That kind of love? It stays with you.
Even the humour hit differently this time. Like when Motoki casually and unknowingly roasted Mamoru for dating Rei, I actually laughed out loud. Or that infamous moment where Tuxedo Mask kisses an unconscious Sailor Moon and it’s meant to be romantic, but now I’m sitting here like: “Um, sir??”. That scene definitely deserves a deeper dive.
And then there’s Naru and Nephrite. Their arc wrecked me all over again. It’s not just a villain romance subplot; it’s tragic, raw, and far more complex than I remembered. It made me stop. It made me feel. Even the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments carried weight. Like Sailor Mercury’s sweet, fleeting romance. Or the quiet loneliness that lingers beneath Makoto (Sailor Jupiter’s) bold confidence. And yes, I have thoughts about her basically saying, “So what if he has a girlfriend? Shoot your shot.” This rewatch didn’t just entertain me, it inspired me. It stirred something creative in me that I hadn’t felt in a long time. And that’s where my upcoming content series was born: Motivation with Tuxedo Mask, launching January 2026.
The fact that a rewatch of a 90s magical girl anime lit that spark in me? That says more than any star rating ever could.
So, Was Sailor Moon Worth Re-watching?
Absolutely, without hesitation. Season 1 of Sailor Moon shines brightest in its characterisation, emotional depth, and the way it allows relationships to grow and shift in such believable, heartfelt ways. Yes, the “monster of the week” structure can wear a little thin at times, and sure, there are subplots that could’ve used more breathing room. But honestly, those are small things when I look at what the season achieves as a whole.
Emotionally and thematically, it delivers far more than I ever expected from something so often labelled as just a “magical girl” anime. If this is your first time stepping into the Sailor Moon universe, this season is the perfect place to begin; it lays the emotional and narrative foundation for everything that follows. And if you’re returning to it after years, like I did, you might find that it resonates even more now. There’s nostalgia here, yes, but also real hope, joy, and a quiet kind of emotional weight that lingers long after the final episode.
What matters most is how this story makes you feel. Rewatching it reminded me that growing up can be messy. That strength isn’t always about charging forward without fear; sometimes, it’s crying first, then choosing to stand up anyway. It reminded me that the people we fight beside, and fight for, shape who we become. And that nostalgia isn’t just about remembering; it’s about reconnecting. With characters, with stories, with parts of myself I hadn’t realised I’d missed.
This season made me laugh. It made me cry. And it left me quietly hopeful. That’s not just worth rewatching. It’s worth remembering.
In Summary, Sailor Moon season 1 Can Be Described As:
Sailor Moon Season 1 is a heartfelt and nostalgic magical girl adventure that balances dazzling transformation sequences with grounded storytelling. At its core, it’s a coming-of-age tale about growing pains and magical responsibilities, where friendships are tested, strengthened, and deepened through conflict and compassion. While the season leans into a familiar “monster-of-the-week” format, it’s the evolving relationships, especially Usagi’s journey from a reluctant, crybaby teenager to a courageous and selfless leader, that give the story its lasting emotional impact.
It captures the poignant clash between adolescence and destiny, reminding us that true strength isn’t about being flawless. It’s about choosing to stand up — even when you’re scared, even when you’re hurting, and even when all you really want is a nap and a snack.
Favourite Character: Rei Hino (Sailor Mars)
Rei really surprised me this time around. When she first joined the group, I was intrigued by her sharp energy and how immediately different she felt from the others. But by the end of the season? She wasn’t just standing out, she had completely won me over. What I love about Rei is that she’s unapologetically herself. She’s intense, stubborn, often fiery to the point of friction, but that’s part of what makes her dynamic with Usagi so compelling. They clash, yes, but there’s also deep trust underneath it. Their relationship isn’t sugar-coated or overly sentimental. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s real. And that honesty made their connection feel more meaningful than I remembered. Rei brings this balance to the team that’s really special. She’s spiritual but grounded, elegant but bold, disciplined but deeply emotional. And while she pushes people away with her tough exterior, you slowly start to see the softness underneath, how much she actually cares, even when she doesn’t say it out loud. She doesn’t just play the role of the “serious one.” She’s layered, and that complexity made her my favourite this season without question. I connected with her more than I ever expected to.
Favourite Couple of the season: Naru and Nephrite
Their story caught me completely off guard emotionally. It was unexpected and deeply moving. The contrast between their worlds, the tension of Nephrite’s conflict, and Naru’s genuine love made their arc feel quietly devastating in a way I didn’t anticipate. Naru and Nephrite’s relationship was never meant to be the central love story, but somehow, it became one of the most emotionally affecting arcs in the entire season. There’s this quiet tragedy woven into every part of their connection. Nephrite begins with manipulation, yes, but something shifts. He softens. He hesitates. He feels. And through it all, Naru never wavers. Her love is simple, sincere, and so heartbreakingly pure. They weren’t the couple I thought I’d be writing about in this section, but they’re absolutely the ones I’ll remember most.
Would I recommend Sailor Moon? Yes, I would absolutely recommend Sailor Moon Season 1, especially to anyone who appreciates character-driven stories, classic shoujo aesthetics, or emotional growth wrapped in magical sparkle. It’s more than just a foundational magical girl anime; it’s a timeless exploration of friendship, love, and the trials of growing up. The emotional payoff is genuine, the character arcs are rewarding, and despite its age, the series still feels relevant and powerful. Whether you’re new to anime or returning as a nostalgic fan, Sailor Moon offers a story that’s both comforting and inspiring, with just the right balance of light-hearted fun and meaningful depth.
What did you think of Sailor Moon Season 1?
What was your first impression of Sailor Moon? Which bond hit you hardest, friendship, romance, or something in between? Do you prefer Usagi and Mamoru before or after they learn who they really are?
My Rating: 8/10
A classic with heart and sparkle. Still emotionally relevant and resonant, even if its format occasionally shows its age. Drop your answer below or share your favourite rewatch moment!
Date Re-Watched & Completed: 18-21 August 2025
Coming Soon on the Blog:
- Why does Queen Serenity name her daughter Serenity… and why does Usagi name hers the same?
- Why Minako Aino reminds me of Lucy Heartfilia (and what that says about team leaders in shoujo stories)
- Motivation with Tuxedo Mask (Starting Jan 2026!)
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