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Opponents who mistake the cheerful and bubbly nature of Sailor Moon’s Sailor Guardians for weakness often pay the price for their assumptions. Time and again, the Sailor Guardians prove that happiness and kindness aren’t weaknesses but, in fact, sources of strength. However, for at least one of the Guardians, this vivacious demeanor conceals a serious and sometimes dark past, hiding a deep-seated pain that fuels her heroic spirit. Sailor Moon might have inspired some a few dark Magical Girl anime, but the original has its fair share of grim moments.
While Sailor Moon may be the face of the Sailor Guardians, her success relies heavily on the support of her teammates. Interestingly, Sailor Moon wasn't the first Sailor Guardian created by Naoko Takeuchi. That distinction belongs to Minako Aino, aka Sailor Venus, who starred in Codename: Sailor V – the prequel to the Sailor Moon series. As Sailor V, she reveals that life as a Sailor Guardian wasn't always as bright and happy as it seems throughout most of Sailor Moon.
Who Is Sailor Moon's Sailor Venus?
The Original Sailor Guardian Toughed It Out On Her Own
Codename: Sailor V may be one of the first series in manga or anime to mix two classic genres. Minako Aino, better known to fans as Sailor Venus, emerged from Naoko Takeuchi’s interest in both the Magical Girl and Tokusatsu Super Sentai genres. The Magical Girl genre focuses on young women granted magical powers to fight evil and protect the world, while Tokusatsu Super Sentai heroes are masked vigilantes who — often with or without special powers — risk life and limb to combat evil where it may lurk. Both genres are known for their dramatic, eye-catching fight scenes that showcase stylized martial arts action, blending strength with poetic motion.
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Codename: Sailor V ran from 1991 to 1997, preceding the Sailor Moon series, which debuted in 1992. In Codename: Sailor V, Naoko Takeuchi merged magical girl and superhero elements to create Minako Aino, a lovable but scatterbrained protagonist. While Aino is often preoccupied with finding her "Prince Charming," as Sailor V, she transforms into a fearless warrior dedicated to protecting the weak and vulnerable. Notably, as the only sailor Guardian at the time, Sailor V's responsibilities as a champion of justice are more extensive and complex than those she completes with her future Sailor Guardian teammates.
As Sailor Moon fans know and understand, Sailor Guardians gain their powers and abilities suddenly and without warning. The same is true with Sailor V. She was informed of her new role by Artemis, an official of the Moon Kingdom whose duty was to locate the reincarnated Sailor Guardians on Earth. Awakened before other Moon Kingdom officials, such as Luna — whose first find was Sailor Moon’s reincarnation — Artemis's initial find was Sailor V's reincarnation, making her the first of the reawakened Sailor Guardians. Until the other Sailor Guardians were found, Sailor V alone stood between humanity’s survival on Earth and its potential destruction.
How Sailor Venus' Past Impacted Her Present
One interesting aspect of Sailor Moon is how each Guardian comes into her powers. For Aino, with Artemis presenting it as an offer she couldn’t refuse -the process was almost a matter of destiny. As the first Guardian to reawaken, facing the forces of evil alone meant Aino had little choice in the matter. Moreover, as a 13-year-old, she lacked the life experience, emotional resilience, and maturity to simply walk away, and return to her everyday life or negotiate limits on her role as Earth’s protector. She was thrust into heroism before she had the chance to question it, shouldering responsibilities that far exceeded what most young teenagers could handle.
Unless a person is born with them and knows they are gifted, suddenly getting superpowers doesn’t mean their prior life is completely forgotten. On the contrary, who they were before their powerup significantly influences who they become as a superhero. For Aino, her pre-Sailor V life was marked by a deep desire for love and connection. After her reawakening, she believed she found that with Ace, falling deeply in love with him. Convinced he was the only one who truly understood her, Aino envisioned spending the rest of her life with him.
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However, this all shattered when she learned that his allegiance was with her sworn enemy the Dark Agency. Not only did the betrayal shatter her heart but also seriously impacted her ability to trust others. To make matters worse, even after finding out about his identity, Aino still retained feeling for him. But as the only Sailor Guardian on the scene at the time, she wasn’t allowed to the opportunity to process her emotions. Instead, she was forced to confront and defeat the one person who she previously believed was her soulmate, exacerbating her emotional turmoil.
Anyone who’s had their heart broken can sympathize with Sailor V and understand the darkness hidden behind her perpetual cheerfulness. Her bubbly demeanor may serve as a cover and protection for her alter ego. After all, who would suspect such a vivacious teen of being a fierce warrior who regularly takes names and kicks butt? In reality, it’s a smokescreen for an accidental hero who found—and lost—her true love because she was part of Sailor Moon’s Sailor Guardians.
Sailor Moon
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.
Created by Naoko Takeuchi
First Film Sailor Moon R
Latest Film Sailor Moon Cosmos
Latest TV Show Sailor Moon Crystal
First Episode Air Date March 7, 1992
Cast Kotono Mitsuishi , Aya Hisakawa , Michie Tomizawa , Emi Shinohara , Rika Fukami , Tôru Furuya , Keiko Han , Megumi Ogata , Kae Araki , Masako Katsuki
Character(s) Sailor Moon , Sailor Mercury , Sailor Mars , Sailor Jupiter , Sailor Venus , Sailor Chibi Moon , Tuxedo Mask , Sailor Uranus , Sailor Neptune , Sailor Pluto
English (US) ·