![]() Pluto is based on the former ninth planet-turned-dwarf planet (*internally screams*) and the god of the underworld. Sailor Pluto, Setsuna Meioh, is the Guardian of the Time-Space Door, and keeps to herself. As said before, Rei and Minako are best friends, referencing Mars and Venus’ affair with each other. Minako’s status as a soldier of love and beauty references heavily to Venus’ domains. She was the first Sailor Scout to awaken, referencing how Venus was the first of the Dii Consentes to be born. Minako is beautiful, all-loving, and strives to become a pop idol. Sailor Venus, Minako Ainu, is named after the Roman love goddess, and the second planet in our system. This alludes to Jupiter’s habit of sleeping with other women behind his wife Juno’s back. Makoto can’t quite get over her ex-boyfriend, comparing other men to her beloved ‘senpai’. Jupiter’s grandmother Terra (or Gaia) is the definitive Mother Earth figure. Her use of plants is a reference to how the Japanese word for Jupiter (木星) translates to “wood planet”. Her height may reference Jupiter’s status as the largest planet. Both the most masculine and feminine of the Sailor Scouts, Makoto is a physical powerhouse, but enjoys cooking and gardening. Sailor Jupiter, Makoto Kino, is named after the Roman sky god, being very strong and has lightning-based powers. They may reference Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn, who fly around the world and observe much, referencing Rei’s psychic abilities. Rei is accompanied by two crows, Phobos and Deimos, named after Mars’ moons, and mythical sons. Her close friendship to Sailor Venus references the affair Mars had with love goddess Venus. Fiery and passionate, Rei is titled as the Soldier of War. She has pyrokinesis and enhanced psychic powers, allowing her to sense danger. Sailor Mars, Rei Hino, is named after the Roman war god and the red planet. Ami is the first Sailor Scout to join Sailor Moon’s team, referencing how Mercury is the first planet in the solar system. Ami is the brains of the Sailor Scouts, referencing Mercury’s intelligence and knack for tactics. Her strongest spell “Mercury Aqua Rhapsody” appears as a lyre, an instrument Mercury invented to appease his brother Apollo. ![]() This relates to how Mercury wields a caduceus, incorrectly associated with the US healthcare system. Ami strives to become a doctor like her mother. Sailor Mercury, Ami Mizumi, is named after the Roman messenger god. Each scout draws their power from their respective planets, but take inspiration from the Greco-Roman deities they are named after. The other Sailor Scouts are named after our neighbourly planets. Their daughter Diana is named after Artemis’ Roman counterpart. Artemis, Luna’s husband, is named after the Greek goddess of the hunt and the Moon. Sailor Moon’s cat sidekick Luna takes her name from Selene’s Roman counterpart. The Emperor’s advances may have inspired the villain Prince Demand of the Black Moon, who obsessively loved Princess Serenity. Kaguya is revealed to be a princess from the Moon, returning there in the end. She grows up into a beautiful woman and sought by many men, including the Emperor himself. ![]() A bamboo cutter and his wife discover a young girl within a bamboo shoot and adopt her. Usagi may draw influence from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a traditional Japanese folktale, adapted into Studio Ghibli’s film The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Well, that would explain why Tuxedo Mask is so good at throwing roses at people. Chang’e is similar, becoming immortal and living on the Moon, separated from her husband Hou Yi, an archery god. The repeating tale of a moon goddess and her mortal lover are repeated throughout history. So entranced by his beauty, Selene would visit a sleeping Endymion every night to be with him. Serenity is based on Selene, the Greek Titan of the Moon, who fell in love with the mortal Endymion. Endymion would reincarnate into Usagi’s boyfriend Mamoru Chiba, aka Tuxedo Mask. She fell in love with Prince Endymion of Earth, a forbidden romance that would doom the kingdom. Usagi is the reincarnation of Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. In Chinese mythology, the rabbit is a companion to Chang’e, the Moon goddess. In Japan, it is pounding the ingredients to make rice cakes. The rabbit is seen as pounding an elixir of immortal life with a mortar and pestle. In Asian myths, dark markings on the Moon resemble a rabbit or hare. Her name is a pun on “moon rabbit” (月のうさぎ – Tsuki no usagi), a direct reference to the legend of the rabbit on the Moon. She draws a lot of influence from both Asian and Greek mythology related to the Moon. Let’s start with our heroine, Sailor Moon herself, named Usagi Tsukino, or Serena in the original American dub of the 1990s anime. A lot of Greco-Roman and Japanese mythology influenced Sailor Moon. ![]() In this article, we’ll take a closer look at our favourite magical girl, exploring the stories behind the names and characters. ![]()
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