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In 1991, the landscape of shojo manga was revolutionized with the introduction of Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon series. Now, over thirty years later, a prominent Japanese railway company has decided to celebrate Sailor Moon‘s enduring legacy by showcasing a unique piece of artwork depicting the iconic protagonist.
According to the official Sailor Moon website, Seibu Railways is marking its 100th year of operation during Japan’s “Showa Era” (1926-2026). As part of this centennial celebration, the company has named Sailor Moon as one of its honorary anime mascots.
On March 24 (JST), Seibu Railways revealed a special train, its exterior adorned with covers from various Kodansha manga publications such as Weekly Shonen Magazine and Nakayoshi, the original home of Sailor Moon. The first chapter of Sailor Moon was featured in the February 1992 issue of Nakayoshi, prominently displayed on the cover, as shown in the official images available.
On March 24, (JST), Seibu Railways unveiled a special train, the exterior of which is adorned with covers from various Kodansha manga publications, including Weekly Shonen Magazine and Sailor Moon’s home publication, Nakayoshi. Sailor Moon’s first installment was initially published in the February 1992 issue of Nakayoshi, which highlights the work on its front cover, as seen in the official images below.
Sailor Moon’s First Manga Cover Revived on Train for 70-Year-Old Magazine
Beloved by millions of fans around the globe, Sailor Moon‘s status as anime’s #1 magical girl is difficult to argue against. Popularized heavily through Toei Animation’s ’90s series adaptation, the franchise revolves around Usagi Tsukino, a teenage “crybaby” who discovers that she is the reincarnation of a princess who served as one of Earth’s guardians.
By tapping into the power of her former self, Usagi gains the ability to transform into her superpowered alter-ego, Sailor Moon. She later teams up with four other Sailor Guardians, several of whom channel their powers from elemental forces. Together, the girls work together to fight crime and thwart the schemes of agents from the Dark Kingdom.
Over the last 30 years, Sailor Moon has evolved into a global multimedia phenomenon. For millennial viewers in North America, the original ’90s series was a generational staple that, in many cases, served as an introductory work to the anime medium as a whole. In addition to the manga and anime series, the Sailor Scouts have appeared in numerous stage musicals, video games and even a live-action tokusatsu-style TV series. As of 2023, the Sailor Moon manga series has sold over 46 million copies worldwide.
Decades after the manga’s conclusion, Sailor Moon‘s legacy continues to live on through modern interpretations of Takeuchi’s source material. In 2019, an immersive theater show titled Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo was released in Japan. After a lengthy five-year hiatus, the show is due to return with a fresh round of performances starting next month. Shinagawa Tokyo‘s upcoming run is currently slated for April 2026-July 2026.
Additionally, Universal Studios Hollywood is also preparing for the U.S. debut of a Sailor Moon experience, previously only available at the park’s Japanese location. Starting April 23, the CG anime film Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Palace Chapter Deluxe will premiere as part of Universal’s Fan Fest Nights — an after-hours event dedicated to popular sci-fi, anime and video game IPs. The screening period is scheduled to run until May 16, 2026.
Seibu Railways confirmed that its Sailor Moon-themed “Showa” train will remain in operation until late October 2026. It is currently operating on several major lines which run through the Tokyo metropolitan area, including the Ikebukuro line, the Shinjuku line, the Sayama Line and the Seibu Chichibu line.
Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon manga is available in English from Kodansha USA.
- Author
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Naoko Takeuchi
- Artist
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Naoko Takeuchi
- Release Date
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February 17, 1992
- Genre
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Magical Girl
- Volumes
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29