Toonami, the beloved late-night anime block, is once again shaking up its programming schedule. Fans of retro anime are in for a treat as Sailor Moon, the most iconic magical girl series, returns to the lineup. Starting January 25, 2025, Sailor Moon will air during Toonami’s Saturday night block at 3 a.m., providing an opportunity to relive the adventures of Usagi Tsukino and her friends, while introducing a new generation to their moonlit battles against evil.
Sailor Moon is a classic anime series that has captured hearts worldwide since its debut in March 1992. Adapted from Naoko Takeuchi’s manga, Sailor Moon follows the story of Usagi Tsukino, an ordinary teenage girl who transforms into the titular heroine to fight evil by moonlight. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians, Usagi battles powerful enemies, discovers hidden truths about her past life, and learns valuable lessons about friendship, love, and inner strength. The series revolutionized the magical girl genre with its blend of action, romance, and humor while featuring a diverse cast of characters.
Sailor Moon Returns to Toonami
Fighting Evil By Moonlight in a New Timeslot
The announcement of Sailor Moon’s return to Toonami is no surprise. Though it’s been years since the show last aired on the late-night block, Sailor Moon’s return highlights Toonami’s commitment to celebrating older anime in addition to its robust schedule of new and original anime. The decision to slot Sailor Moon at 3 a.m. may seem unconventional, but it ensures the series will have a dedicated audience tuning in during Toonami’s late-night block. This is especially true for viewers who missed episodes when Sailor Moon aired originally, due to the erratic scheduling and censorship.
Toonami cut this charming episode where Sailor Moon meets classic monsters like Frankenstein's monster, vampires, werewolves, and ghosts.
Sailor Moon and Toonami share a long history. The series first premiered on Toonami in the late 1990s, alongside other anime classics like Dragon Ball Z and YuYu Hakusho. Its vibrant, hand-drawn animation, earworm theme song, and empowering message quickly resonated with viewers, solidifying its place as one of Toonami’s foundational shows. The series’ success resulted in worldwide interest in anime and helped usher in a new era. For many fans, Sailor Moon was their introduction to not only the magical girl genre but anime in general. Its return serves as a heartfelt reminder of the series’ enduring appeal.
Toonami and Sailor Moon Remain Enduring Classics
The Programming Continues to Shake Up Its Schedule
Sailor Moon is enjoying a global renaissance, fueled by new content, high-profile collaborations, and cultural references. Luxury fashion brand Jimmy Choo released two collections inspired by the show, featuring shoes and handbags. Meanwhile, rapper Megan Thee Stallion has embraced Sailor Moon-inspired fashion, proudly showcasing her love for the series in photoshoots and wardrobe choices. Beyond the fashion world, Sailor Moon has made waves on stage, with a new musical adaptation capturing audiences’ attention. Even reality TV has felt the series’ influence, as drag performer Plastique Tiara wowed fans with a stunning Sailor Moon cosplay on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
While Sailor Moon continues to shine, Toonami has also been making changes to its programming lineup. The return of the magical girl series comes on the heels of the recent cancelation of Toonami Rewind, a Friday night throwback block that had previously featured Sailor Moon alongside other classic shows. Despite this, Toonami remains committed to balancing nostalgia with contemporary hits. Its current lineup includes a mix of beloved retro titles, modern series, and new original content from beloved creators, ensuring there’s something for every type of anime viewer.
Sailor Moon is a magical girl franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. It began as a manga in 1991 and was adapted into an anime series in 1992. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school girl who transforms into Sailor Moon to protect Earth from evil forces. The franchise spans five original anime seasons, films, musicals, video games, and a reboot series, Sailor Moon Crystal. Its global impact has made it a cultural icon and one of the most successful shōjo franchises in history.
Sailor Moon is a magical girl franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. It began as a manga in 1991 and was adapted into an anime series in 1992. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school girl who transforms into Sailor Moon to protect Earth from evil forces. The franchise spans five original anime seasons, films, musicals, video games, and a reboot series, Sailor Moon Crystal. Its global impact has made it a cultural icon and one of the most successful shōjo franchises in history.
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