Along with the re-release of the Sailor Moon Manga (which has been fully released into 12 volumes, I cover it here if you’re interested) was the re-release of 2 volumes that make up Naoko Takeuchi’s preceding series to Sailor Moon, Codename: Sailor V. For those who need a bit of background to this, Takeuchi began work on Sailor V before Sailor moon. This series was serialized in Kodansha’s magazine Run-Run, but a year after its development she began work on her Sailor Moon series as well. As her second series progressed she slowly faded this storyline and segued it in to feature her Sailor Moon manga, leaving Codename: Sailor V a short series of 16 installments. It features Minako Aino who’s character is unchanged from her character in Sailor Moon, the only difference is her change in costume. However, in this series she is in the forefront, introduced into the series as a peppy and easily excitable young teen. She dreams of being an idol and finding a boyfriend, the typical young teen attitude. You get to learn about her past as a Sailor Guardian before she is introduced later on in the Sailor Moon series, as well as learn about her struggles growing up and accepting responsibility along with finding her first love (this side-story is well worth reading if you’re a huge Sailor Moon fan, it has a big twist to it that fans of the series will not expect!).
If you read the manga you will soon realize how this manga has a very different tone to it when compared to the Sailor Moon franchise. It takes a very lighthearted look at being a teenager magical girl whereas Sailor Moon is filled more with emotional struggle. The only real struggle Sailor Venus has to deal with is her own clumsiness preventing her from making an idol debut; it’s kind of silly, it never delves very deep into her emotions. The manga has a very shoujo feel to it, so those looking for a dynamic deep story will not find it here. The manga feels a lot like the Sailor Moon anime, it’s repetitive with little character development in each chapter. The only mover in the story is Minako herself, her friends and family make no impact or lasting impression. You can argue Minako herself doesn’t leave much of an impression either, but she does show some development by the end of the final volume.
The most grabbing element of this manga is learning Sailor Venus’ origin. She goes through many of the same trials that Sailor Moon goes through, but she has to do it alone. Where Sailor Moon focuses on the importance of relationships with others this manga focuses on the importance of self development. By the time Sailor Venus makes an appearance in the Sailor Moon manga she is mature and mysterious, a kind of a rogue Sailor Guardian. Reading the manga for her back story helps those curious to see her transformation over time. Unfortunately the transformation is slow, and a small aspect of the story as it is filled with beating up baddies and attending idol concerts, essentially, a lot of needless settings that feel empty and unnecessary.
As I mentioned before the story has a love interest for Minako that has an exciting twist that blends Codename: Sailor V and the Sailor Moon stories together. Any fan of the series would be excited to learn this small story arc and it makes the manga worth picking up for this reason. You will have to be patient as it is at the end of series however. But despite how interesting this side plot’s inclusion is, it has no bearing on the Sailor Moon series at all. It is barely addressed as her character is not featured exclusively in the Sailor Moon manga. So even though that side plot is very interesting and worth exploring, it is not explored at all. What a let down! It’s good to know and quite surprising and interesting, but unaffectual towards the movement of the Sailor Moon series as a whole. Basically, great to know if you’re curious, but not necessary for those who are more interested in the Sailor Moon manga alone.
I would give this short manga series a 5.0 out of 10. It feels very much like a mere precursor to the Sailor Moon series which is far superior to Sailor V in pretty much every aspect. It’s nice to see how Naoko Takeuchi transitioned to something more interesting and exciting, but it’s unfortunate that this series had potential that was never realized. An overall let down, but still worth exploring if you’re looking for more in the Sailor Moon franchise.
Christina
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