Story

This is effectively a summary of the upcoming series' plot. While I've tried to make it as literal as possible, sometimes Japanese just doesn't translate into English well.

Stealing people's energy and trying to take over the world, the evil organization known as the "Dark Kingdom" is running rampant across the globe. Caught in the middle of all this is 2nd year Juuban Middle School student Tsukino Usagi,  who meets a stuffed cat doll named Luna by chance and who in turn gives her the magical ability to transform into "Sailor Moon"! It turns out that this clumsy, crybaby girl has no choice but to stand up and fight against the Dark Kingdom. Sailor Moon will meet with her fellow senshi, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, and together they will all fight. Soon Sailor Moon will learn of her past as the princess of the Moon world [note that they do not say Moon Kingdom], and will realize her true destiny and fate....

This graphic is on the top of the "Story" page. It says: "With this new Live Action version, Sailor Moon will be capturing people's attention even more than the comics and anime!"

While Tsukino Usagi is Sailor Moon, she is still an ordinary middle school student. She does things like study for exams, diet, fall in love, and have various worries about her daily life. Every day she goes to the "Karaoke Box" and sings with all her heart. [Oh god...] When she meets the stuffed doll Luna and is surprised by this incredible occurrence of a talking doll, Usagi's cheerful and busy life must take on new dimensions as she influences the world's destiny.

Appearing in front of Usagi are both the evil organization "Dark Kingdom" and the mysterious person who helps her out in times of crises, "Tuxedo Mask." The aim of the Dark Kingdom is an ancient jewel of unknown power referred to as the "Ginzuishou." 

Its Sailor Moon versus the Dark Kingdom and both will be taking the offensive and defensive positions in their attempt to recover the Ginzuishou! [I'm sorry, the original was an even worse Japanese pun.]

With this new Live Action version, Sailor Moon will be capturing people's attention even more than the comics and anime!

Press Information

This section contains quotes on the upcoming show. I think its far more interesting than the plot summary, for Naoko's comments alone.

Hail! Hail! The gang's all here!

CBC's workshop has combined with Toei's for this production- a live action version of "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" to begin this fall. The show's announcement garnered 120 members of the press from various newspapers, magazines, and journals. Over 1,100 people from across the nation auditioned for to become one of the five Pretty Guardians.

Sailor Moon's actress, Sawai Miyu-san (15 years old) has said innocently of her upcoming stardom, "Since I was very young I have longed to be able to play as Sailor Moon and now that its happened I'm incredibly happy! I hope to be able to make good on everyone's aspirations for me."

The following are apparently quotes from the press conference.

Who else but Naoko Takeuchi? You did recognize her, right?

Manga author and creator Naoko Takeuchi: The serialized version [manga version] of Sailor Moon ran from 1992 to 1996 and the ideas and images that it developed on people have never ceased nor floundered. It has gained a gigantic following over the years and the work has a mysterious power which simply draws people into its pages- the kind of fantastic story that you would never expect [from its appearance.] I am personally very grateful to Sailor Moon for allowing me to be known around the world [she literally says 'conquer the world'] and to find a wonderful husband, even though I once decided "This is enough, its over."

The fan letters, fan calls, and various insistent offers never stopped coming in from around the world. Wherever I went in the world on vacation I would find Sailor Moon goods and Sailor Moon cosplayers and I would see the delight on their faces. Considering how much children around the world, and even adults at times, wanted to see more of the work, I thought, "Alright! I always wanted to see a live action version made. This time we'll conquer the world with a live action version!" and so I told them 'lets make it live action.'

Girl's desires have no ends, it seems. Supporting this star and its peoples are girls. Even when they are big or small they are still girls. Listen, everyone, the source of a girl's power isn't dreams or love, its her desire! The girls whom I wanted from the audition were those who did their best to show their desires. Because if they were able to express their desires well, the live action version would be a huge success.

Yeah, its THAT GUY! WOO!

Producer for CBC Okazaki Takeshi: Making a big title such as Sailor Moon into a new live action form is quite a challenge! Because you are using real people, viewers may think that the characters are off from what they should be.

"When I grow up I want to be Sailor Moon!" "I prefer Sailor Mercury!" Since I consider these thoughts to be young girl's dreams, I hope that I am able to increase the amount of these dreams by just one more girl.

For this reason the TV show's heroine is a girl for whom you can be sympathetic to as she has normal goals. She wants to be cute, a good dresser, to fall in love, to do well on her tests. But when she transforms she becomes strong and cool... and she is confused by this!

In regard to the five senshi, at the auditions each character was chosen selectively. Because of this, each consecutive TV episode should shine brighter than the one before. Please watch them attentively with a gentle heart.

Hold the microphone a little more awkwardly, why don't you.

Supervisor: Tasaki Ryuuta: Until now the power of the imagination has been brought forth in constructing society, creating businesses, developing wealth, or performing the arts. But when you look at Japan now, you get this cold and pale feeling as though people have long ago begun awakening from their dreams. [We think he's saying something along the lines of what Miyazaki said when Spirited Away came out in Japan; that the girls of Japan are no longer the typical 'dreaming' girls of anime fantasies and are too cynical.] 

When you consider that these Pretty Guardians live in present Japan and are most susceptible to the power of dreams, you the feeling that there is a deeper meaning behind their reappearance at this time, and can begin to gain confidence. I want to see Tsukino Usagi's dream power used to its maximum potential. This is my current ambition.

Whew! Tiring. The third page listed there is the cast list and it hasn't changed since we translated it for you at the beginning of August. You can refresh your memory of it here.

As always, when more news comes out, you'll see it here.

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