A crybaby schoolgirl, a talking cat and a brooch that turns her into a hero.
Sailor Moon is the rare magical girl show that turned one heroine into a whole team. We think it still hits because its hero is allowed to be scared, lazy and brave in the same episode.
The premise - A crybaby with a secret job
Usagi Tsukino is fourteen, late for school, bad at tests and quick to cry. Then she saves a black cat named Luna, who has a crescent moon on her forehead and can talk.
Luna gives her a brooch, and Usagi becomes Sailor Moon, a warrior sent to stop the monsters of the Dark Kingdom, who drain people of their energy.
Why it still works - A hero who needs her friends
Usagi does not win alone. Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako join her one by one as Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus, and the friendships matter as much as the fights.
Naoko Takeuchi was drawing the manga for Nakayoshi magazine at the same time, and Toei Animation started the TV series in March 1992.
The verdict - The magical girl show that crossed the ocean
An English dub reached North American TV in 1995, with Usagi renamed Serena, and a new, uncut English dub followed in 2014.
Start with the first season of 46 episodes. Queen Beryl and her generals make great villains, and Tuxedo Mask always arrives with a rose.
Where to watch
Sailor Moon was listed on Hulu in the USA when we last checked, in November 2026. Catalogues change by country and by month, so check the service where you are.
In the shop
Sailor Moon in the Anime Guide · Sailor Moon merchandise
Source: the Anime Crush Anime Guide.
