Sailor Moon Stuff

Famitsu Coverage Part 1 (of 2) (translation)

Please check this link out because they have fabulous photos of the live event.  It is a thorough coverage of the entire event.

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201207/06017684.html

(I did not translate the photo captions)

Please credit me if you repost the translation because it took me a long time.  Yay Sailor Moon!!

* = something I’m not 100% sure on

Also,  translated as fast as possible so sorry for the awkwardness. I’m a native English speaker, I swear! 

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July 6, 2012 in Tokyo Roppongi.  Reporting live from Nico Farre where the 20th anniversary event for “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon” is being held and streaming live through NicoNico. 

The event started with the anime’s early opening sequence - of course, it was “Moonlight Densetsu.”  It was not just this reporter that couldn’t help but cry “How nostalgic!”

After the opening was screened, these people appeared on stage: Mitsuishi Kotono who played Tsukino Usagi/Sailor Moon, Furuya Toru who played Chiba Mamoru/ Tuxedo Kamen, and lead editor for Sailor Moon manga creator Takeuchi Naoko, Kodansha’s Osano Fumio.   As Mitsuishi and Furuya appeared on stage, they simultaneously aired famous scenes from the anime on the screen).   

Osano explained that “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon” started 20 years ago after Toei Animation (then, Toei Douga) had become interested in Takeuchi’s manga “Code Name Sailor V” and recommended, “maybe you could expand this work.”  Originally, Takeuchi was supposed to serialize another work but, since the plans were changed so quickly, they began “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon.”  

At the time, “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon” was rare in that the anime and manga began at roughly the same time.  Regarding that point, “This is impossible, irresponsible, I think I’ll just die” said Osano Fumio.  The anime began broadcasting on March 7, 1992 but they only decided to have the anime around September of 1991.  Since it was only a short 6 months before airing, it must have been extremely tough.  

Mitsuishi reminisces about her audition for what would be her first starring role.  She told us about an episode:  ”At the time, they didn’t have the animation finished yet so the series director Sato Junichi showed me the ‘In the name of the moon, I punish you!’ action himself.”  Also, she had loved the voices in transformation scenes ever since she was little.  She gathered up all of those feelings for the transformation sequence when she acted out those lines. 

On the other hand, Furuya did not have an audition but was given the role of Chiba Mamoru/Tuxedo Kamen and entrusted to “stay on your toes on set as a veteran.”  When he saw the picture for Tuxedo Kamen, he thought “Whoa, what the heck is this” “Is he a magician?” “Are they just leaving his name at that!” However, he also said “there was a rival work and when I heard they were really attracted to the mask and cloak, I felt happy.”*  Also, the post-recording was a bit like a harem-scene and he felt, “Ah this is delicious” and such.

And this is how the anime “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon” began.  However, Osano explained a secret fact that he could not speak of until now.  Although the show received good ratings from viewers, merchandise sales were actually weak and they were on the verge of being cancelled. However, at the end of the year the Moon Stick sold ridiculously well and they were saved at the last minute.  

At this moment, idol group Momoiro Clover Z (nick name Momoclo) came on live from their position at the entertainment event Japan Expo, currently held in France.  Calling their performance “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon Anniversary Stage featuring Momoiro Clover Z,” they appeared on stage in cosplay.  They performed “Moonlight Densetsu.”

Also, a big surprise announcement came from Momoclo’s members regarding the “Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon” 20th anniversary!  In summer 2013, a new anime will start, it will be broadcast simultaneously throughout the world, and Momoclo will be singing the new animation theme song.  

—-(to be continued)