Television

SAILOR MOON Is Coming to YouTube for Free in Japan

by Sarah Grace Hart
Apr 22 2020 • 12:24 PM

Have you been missing Sailor Moon in your life? Well, get ready to transform and right wrongs and triumph over evil. Via io9, The Sailor Moon Official YouTube Channel will be releasing the first three original Sailor Moon TV anime series from the 1990s for free in Japan beginning Friday, April 24. 

Sailor Moon anime

Toei Animation

Sailor Moon, also known as Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon in Japan, is a 1992 Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation using Super Sentai motifs. It is based on the manga of the same title written by Naoko Takeuchi; the manga was published from 1991 to 1997. Sailor Moon has become immensely popular since its release in 1992, spreading into pop culture past the fandoms of anime and manga. 

As a part of the lead-up to the Sailor Moon Eternal movie that will hopefully be released in Japanese theaters on September 11, the three anime series that will be included in the free streaming are: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (46 episodes/1992-1993), Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R (43 episodes/1993-1994), and Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S (38 episodes/1994-1995.)

The streaming will be available in several chunks, so while it’s not completely bingeable, it’s pretty close! The schedule is below so you can plan your watching accordingly:

Streaming schedule: 

  • April 24-30, 2020: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (1st to 10th episodes) 
  • May 1-7: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (11th to 20th episodes) 
  • May 8-14: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (21st to 30th episodes) 
  • May 15-21: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (31st to 40th episodes) 
  • May 22-28: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (41st to 46th episodes) / “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R” (1st to 4th episodes) 
  • May 29 – June 4: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R” (5th to 14th episodes) 
  • June 5-11: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R” (15th to 24th episodes) 
  • June 12-18: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R” (25th to 34th episodes) 
  • June 19-25: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R” (35th to 43rd episodes) / “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S” (1st episode)
  • June 26 – July 2: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S” (2nd to 11th episodes)
  • July 3-9: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S” (12th to 21st episodes) 
  • July 10-16: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S” (22nd to 31st episodes)
  • July 17-23: “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon S” (32nd to 38th episodes)

This promotional project will hopefully not only feed fans their nostalgia for the franchise but also help them get excited for the new Sailor Moon film!

Featured Image: Toei Animation
Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the episodes will be on YouTube in Japan only.