Last week, long-time Sailor Moon fans and cosplayers hit downtown Los Angeles’ Ace Hotel for the premiere of Sailor Moon R – The Movie. For the first time in North America, Sailor Moon graced the big screen, so fans showed up in droves to catch a glimpse.
Watching anime on the big screen with other fans is the best experience because the audience shares the same love for the characters and the stories. The event was like a mini Comic-Con with one focus: love of the life of Usagi and the Sailor Scouts. We cheered and sighed at all the same moments and afterwards we were treated to a panel featuring the voice cast from the the anime series.
Though the film was originally released 20 years ago, this time it will be presented uncut in theaters across the United States, featuring the renowned English language cast that fans are already familiar with from the Viz Media-distributed Sailor Moon series. Stephanie Sheh reprises her memorable role of Usagi Tsukino a.k.a. Sailor Moon along with her Tuxedo Mask, actor Robbie Daymond as Mamoru Chiba. Newcomer Ben Diskin voices the film’s villain, Fiore.
The story of Sailor Moon R – The Movie gives more insight into Mamoru’s backstory, the loss of his parents, and his close relationship with a long-forgotten boyhood friend named Fiore. Years later, Fiore has been searching the galaxy for a flower worthy of Mamoru but the mysterious flower he finds has a dark side. As the flower’s powerful presence takes over, Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians have to band together to stop the impending destruction and save Mamoru.
Anime lovers have loved Sailor Moon for generations and on January 20th, audiences will be able to catch the film’s big-screen debut at more than 300 theaters across the country. Both English language dubbed and Japanese audio with English subtitled showings will be offered at screenings to be held in New York, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, and more.
Anyone who attends a showing will get an exclusive Sailor Guardian character art board as a gift with ticket purchase (while supplies last), and those who attend the English language showings will also get to see an exclusive interview and introduction by the English voice cast.
Check out photos from the premiere in our gallery below.
Will you be gathering your own crew of Sailor Guardians and heading to a screening? Let us know in the comments and show us your best Sailor Moon cosplay by tagging @Nerdist and @justjenn on twitter!
