SAILOR MOON Returns!
The week’s big news in the world of comics and graphic novels is the announced return of Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon, a much-beloved shojo (or girls) comic, one of the key titles that ushered in manga boom beginning around 2000. Alongside other now out-of -print series like Tokyo Mew Mew and Marmalade Boy, Sailor Moon proved the importance of female fans to a skeptical (and yes, startled) comics industry.
Originally published in 1997 by Tokyopop (known then as Mixx), Sailor Moon is remembered by many librarians for its terrible binding, poor printing and paper quality; the volumes flew off the shelves until they fell apart. Kodansha Comics is resurrecting the series with a brand new translation and a deluxe edition (although what makes it “deluxe” is not yet clear). The series will be released bi-monthly starting in September 2011 and will combine the original 18 volumes into 12 plus one more of side stories.
Even though its been out of print for over six years (and was difficult to get even when it was in print), Sailor Moon is a title that my readers, young and old, still request. Many adult fans embraced the anime series during it’s 1995 airing in Canada and the US. Despite some unwelcome changes in the characters and relationships in the dubbing, the charm of this traditional magical girl series highlights what was missing for many comics readers here in the US: it was squarely aimed at girls. The enthusiasm continues to trickle down to younger fans, whose interest is further fueled by the series’ unavailability.
This new release will also be accompanied by the first-time US publication of the prequel series Codename: Sailor V, focusing on the adventures of Sailor Venus. With other manga series still going strong at over fifty volumes, the twelve volumes plus a side collection should be well worth the investment.
Since the publication has just been announced, vendors are not showing it on their catalogs yet.
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:27 pm
This and Dragon Ball Z made up my early childhood. I watched both series before they became big in America.
You can read my experiences at: http://www.mangatherapy.com/post/4017014098/sailor-moon-returns
I heard there are some concerns about the translation, but I think Kodansha won’t drop the ball on that.
I’m curious whether the resurgence of the manga can lead to a renewed interest in the anime and possibly lead to an uncut redub version of the series for older fans. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I’d love to see a new (and redubbed) version of the anime here in the U.S., as I’m sure many fans would. Licensing is always a tricky issue, but we can cross our fingers that these new manga editions create a new demand.
In terms of the translation, the hesitation might be mainly because Kodansha USA has done little to wow fans, especially in that all they’ve released thus far has been reprints of Akira (which were no different from the preceding Dark Horse editions). Their website is, shall we say, lacking, and does not particularly inspire confidence. Still, with the announcement of this release, they’re taking a step in the right direction.
March 24th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
While I don’t think my library will be purchasing the new release, I will definitely look forward to taking this trip down memory lane. Sailor Moon was the highlight of my day once upon a time (though that might say more about my day than the quality of the material…)
April 30th, 2011 at 9:29 am
This will be a huge hit with my 5th and 6th grader girls. You think the binding will be more durable this time round?