WhenSailor Moondebuted outside of Japan in the 1990s, it became far more than a magical girl anime and went on to break barriers, becoming a cultural gateway for countless fans. However, when it was first released in the West, the seriesunderwent significant changes to better fit the norms of Western television.Censorship played a major role in shaping what international fans saw, often altering or completely removing key aspects, scenes, or even entire story arcs. The result was a version of Sailor Moon that was recognizable in style, but at times, very different in spirit.
Cultural differences, broadcasting standards, and societal attitudes at the time influenced these changes.Some edits were made to soften mature content in order to make it more kid-friendly, while others reflect deeper discomfortswith topics including queerness, gender fluidity, and even death. Some of what had been lost in translation has since sparked debate, criticism, and ultimately a push for more faithful adaptations.
8Sailor Moon Says
Sailor Says Came at the End of Sailor Moon Episodes
One of the most memorable additions to the English dub was the inclusion of “Sailor Says” segments.These short PSAs were tacked onto the end of each episode during the original North American broadcast.These segments were made to teach moral lessons or promote good behavior, but they often felt disconnected from the tone and themes of the show itself. While they were clearly intended to meet educational requirements for children’s programming, they sometimes came across as patronizing or overly simplistic.
These segments typicallylasted only 30 seconds and reflected on the lessons learned in each episode.For example, some lessons taught the differences between internal and external beauty, while others emphasized the importance of believing in yourself. However, at times, these PSAs were poorly timed, following a serious or heartfelt moment with a cheerful, often corny life lesson.
7Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars' Relationship
In the original Japanese version, the dynamic betweenSailor Moon and Sailor Marswas much more complex than what English-speaking audiences were shown. While they often bickered and teased each other, there were also times when Rei would slap Usagi; however, all these scenes were censored. Although this seems like a justifiable change,many of their interactions were also layered with an underlying closeness that showed mutual respect and affection for one another.
The English dub flattened the relationship, emphasizing petty rivalry and making their connection come across as bitter and catty. Rei was portrayed as more antagonistic, andher sensitive or protective moments were often downplayed or even cut entirely.What remained was an exaggeration of two girls constantly at odds, erasing the depth that made their bond so powerful and compelling in the first place.
6Sailor Moon Stars Entirely Removed
An Entire Season Is Missing From the Original English Dub
Perhaps the most significant act of censorship came with the complete omission ofSailor Moon Stars, most often referred to asSailor Stars. Thefifth and final arc of the series was never aired during the anime’s initial run, leading to disappointment among many fans. This decision largely resulted from the fact that the company only acquired rights up toSailor Moon S; however, the more mature themes of the fifth season also played a major role. From gender-bending characters to romantic pursuits, American distributors considered the season far too controversial.
The absence of Stars meant that many fans missed out on pivotal character developmentsand the ultimate conclusion to Usagi’s journey. It introduced the Sailor Starlights, warrior pop idols who transformed from male to female during battles, raising questions about gender identitythat were far ahead of their time. With higher emotional stakes and a more serious tone, the arc challenged many of the standard norms of Western children’s programming.
5Sailor V’s Backstory Missing
Minako Aino’s Backstory Episode Was Entirely Taken Out
Minako Aino, better known asSailor Venus, has one of the most complex and intricate backstories, which was significantly downplayed in the original English production. In the Japanese series, an episode dedicated to Minako’s backstory didn’t receive an adaptation. Minako began her journey before the rest of the Sailor Guardians, and her adventures are also captured in the manga,Codename: Sailor V, where she is introduced as a confident and skilled heroine fighting crime on her own, adding to her credibility as an experienced warrior and a capable leader.
The prequel also explores her personal struggles, ambitions, and the loneliness that comes with her secret life. Sailor V is often portrayed as a cheerful and, at times, playful character in the main series, but her backstory would have added significant emotional depth to her character. Unfortunately,the English dub skipped the episode entirely, removing a critical piece of Minako’s narrative.
4Violence and Nudity Were Censored
Sailor Moon Edited Episodes To Be More Child-Appropriate
To make Sailor Moon more appropriate for younger Western audiences,a significant amount of the original violence and nudity was cut out or heavily toned down.Scenes depicting blood, death, or intense emotional distress were often cut or softened, especially in bloody scenes where the color was altered from red to green. Even transformation sequences, which included stylized nudity as a form of empowerment and magical rebirth, were censored or edited to appear more modest. While there was never any full nudity in the original Japanese version, the English version went as far as completely erasing characters' outlines.
Death scenes, including the dramatic fates of the Sailor Guardians at the end of Season One, were rewritten to imply their survival, stripping the scene of its powerful impact.The changes removed themes of morality, self-sacrifice, and resilience, which were key aspects of the original narrative. While the intention was to protect young viewers, the result was a diluted version that underestimated the series' capacity to explore more complex themes.
3Fish Eye Changed From Male To Female
Fish Eye’s Gender Identity Was Completely Taken Away
In the original Japanese version ofSailor Moon SuperS, Fish Eyeis a male character who presents himself with traditionally feminine traits and often disguises himself as a woman. He is a flirtatious character, swooning over other men, and his overall gender-nonconforming identity was groundbreaking for its time. However, when the series was dubbed for English speakers,Fish Eye was changed to a cis female character entirely to avoid depicting queer-coded behavior on screen.
By rewriting his character as a woman, the dub reinforced rigid gender binaries and missed an opportunity to normalize LGBTQ+ representation.
This change erased a rare and meaningful example of gender diversity in ‘90s animation. Fish Eye’s original portrayal challenged gender norms and subtly introduced young viewers to the idea that identity and presentation exist on a spectrum. By rewriting his character as a woman, the dub reinforced rigid gender binaries and missed an opportunity to normalize LGBTQ+ representation. What could have been an early progressive moment in Western animationunfortunately became another instance of queer erasure.
2Erasure of Japanese Culture
The West Changed Everything From Names to Foods
One of the most notable forms of censorship in the original English dub was theerasure of Japanese culture to make the show more relatable to Western audiences.This began with renaming the characters,transforming Usagi into Serena, Mamoru into Darien, and Minako into Mina, to name a few. The goal was to localize the series for children unfamiliar with Japanese names, and while Sailor Moon wasn’t the only anime to change Japanese names into easily digestible Western names, it doesn’t diminish the fact that it stripped the series of its cultural identity.
Beyond names, there were visual elements of Japanese culture that were also removed or altered. Kanji on signs and buildings were blurred or replaced with generic English words. References to Japanese holidays, foods like onigiri, school customs, and social etiquette were changed or omitted entirely. While these changes aimed to make the show more accessible,the cultural erasure underminedSailor Moon’sroots and denied young viewers the chance to experience aspects of another culture through storytelling.
1LGBTQ+ Relationships
Sailor Moon Was Groundbreaking, but It Was Heavily Censored
By now, it has been established thatSailor Moonwas groundbreaking in its original run for including openly queer characters and relationships.Haruka Tenou, also known as Sailor Uranus, and Michiru Kaioh, also known as Sailor Neptune, were depicted as a romantic couple whose love for each other was subtle yet deeply moving. Their romance was not treated as a novelty or played for laughs; instead, it was portrayed as a normal, loving relationship. However, when the show was dubbed, their bond was rewritten as a familial one, transforming the lovers into cousins to avoid acknowledging their romantic connection.
The change was not only confusing but also sent a message about the acceptability of non-heterosexual romance. This was also seen through Zoisite and Kunzite, another notable same-sex couple from the original series who faced erasure. In the sub, Zoisite was changed from male to female to present the couple as heterosexual,which undermined one of the series’ earliest LGBTQ+ storylines.While later adaptations restored these relationships, the original censorship remains a clear example of how early dubbing erased key representations inSailor Moon.
