Manga? Japanese for 'comic book,' the word manga has become synonomous to Sailormoon fans with the swirly and romantic drawings of creator Naoko Takeuchi. The Sailormoon manga was the original story, created, written, and draw by Naoko.
Most people would agree that the Chagallic and soft drawings of the Sailormoon Mangas are more visually appealing than the sketchy and faded anime screenclips. The manga (when it is in color -- the cover and occasional inset are usually, but most of the book is in black and white) is rich, and the pictures combine smooth transitions with cute drawings. Naoko Takeuchi's Sailormoon mangas are exquisite, and many fans have scanned in images and uploaded them to the net, for your viewing pleasure. There are links to picture galleries and other explanations of the manga/anime differences at the bottom of this page.
If your love of Sailormoon has been combined with the lured of the beautiful artwork in the mangas, you may be wondering where you can get one of these comic books. Well, if you live in large city, check out your local China Town. It might not be around very long, though, because of it's ending in Japan. If you can't find it locally, try ordering it over the Internet. I personally like The Place, which charges 6.75$ per book, and I forget the shipping (the flux in cost from the original 390 yen (approx 4$) is likely due to the cost of shipping it from Japan. To my knowledge, you are not being ripped off. You may also sort through my other merchandise links, many of which I have not yet bought from.
As you begin to look at your comic books, you will notice something rather disturbing. THEY ARE IN JAPANESE! Well, really: what did you expect? They are from Japan. ^_^ If you cannot read Japanese (I would recommend getting a good dictionary and a simple grammar book and trying to battle them out for yourself anyway-- the comic books generally use the letter-like charactors opposed to the pictographs. It is a mental challenge, pretty fun, and you really are learning something), and don't get the story just by looking at the pictures, don't dispair. Quite a few people have been translating them, and putting their versions on-line. But, since the new English version mangas have been liscenced, they have been forced to de-publish their work. Many are still willing to give their translations out, but you have to ask. Also check out mailing lists, and don't be afraid to ask around. Otherwise, there are summaries all over the place. The English mangas, which are now on shelves, are another option. I personally think they have lost a lot in the translation, but be your own judge.
As of 8/17/97, all of these links are working! Yea!
Even though our beloved Sailormoon has come to an end, Naoko still deserves our support. I would love to post any pictures anyone has of her, and if she has an official web site, I'd like to know.
Visit the Naoko Takeuchi Support Campaign or
Write Naoko snail fan mail:
Naoko Takeuchi-sensei
Editorial Dept. of Amie Kodansha, Inc
2-12-21 Otawa Bunkyo-ko Tokyo Japan
Zip Code 112-01
Would you like to learn more about the soldiers and their attacks and transforms from the manga? Then go to Attacks and Transforms from the Manga page.
I made this page, Naoko made Sailormoon. Please feel free to link to it, and I would gladly link to your page (if it is not manga related, from my main links page). Mail me Okay, which character from what recent fake but beautiful movie said 'I hope you don't screw like you type.' Hm? Tell me and you get a prize!!! Yippee! Well, goodnite to all you shimmery chickees and cool cats down there in never never wonderland. Sweet dreams. Rice Krispies.
Saturnchild's Manga Page: https://members.tripod.com/~saturnchild/sailormoon-manga.html.
