Was Sailor Moon Really Feminist Role Model?

Feminism is a hot topic in today's age, with female characters being examined more critically than ever before. It's hard not to look back to the era of flower power and question just how feminist these characters really were, and how they would hold up to the strong female role models of today.
This video was done as part of the now-defunct spinoff channel, Geek Galaxy, but since it shut down we thought we would post it here.
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#SailorMoon
#SailorMoonCrystal
#Feminism

[@noisykrickett7758]

The thing I like so much about Sailor Moon is that she’s 14 when she starts the series. She acts like a 14 year old girls and has to grow and change. She also relies on the power of her heart, her love for others, and that is the true source of her power and the magic of the Silver Crystal. There isn’t anything inherently inferior about feminine qualities like emotionality, sensitivity, intuition, and I love that the show and manga go out of their way to show that.

[@theresahall8206]

And it doesn't hurt there aren't many show with leading females at all. Even the power rangers have never had a female leader. One time they almost did but they managed to put the boy in charge again.

[@melody10234]

THIS

[@thechallenger752]

Theresa Hall Alien Rangers are lead by Delphine, I think, and Jen is pretty much the leader of the Time Force team.

[@theresahall8206]

@@thechallenger752 the red ranger is the leader and the aliens were shown only a few episodes so it was hard to remember them

[@PixelBoye6546]

Preach 👌

[@serenitymoon825]

Sailor Jupiter specifically taught me that it's okay to be a tall tomboy with a sensitive girly side

[@MacchiMC]

PREACH

[@swordpegasus4032]

I am 17 I love sailor Mars because she's very talented and passionate and I am a tomboysh because I love sports and anime and am shy and reserved and my girly side because I love art and singing sometimes and even though I wasn't born in the 90s I love Sailor Moon because of the animation and the characters are so awesome my mom also loves sailor moon.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

What I love about Sailor Moon is that IN SPITE of the fact that she's a crybaby, she is still willing to fight and help people. She may not be like Captain Marvel or Wonder Woman, but she's an inspiration to her friends. Besides that, the creator of Sailor Moon created her manga from something her boss said: "A female superhero. Maybe a schoolgirl at that, who is a crybaby, and yet saves the day?" I think having Usagi as this flawed underdog makes her all the more relatable.

[@Lisaakk]

Her emotions are her superpower, that's why her zodiac sign is Cancer and she's the Moon goddess

[@HelenFire420]

Sailor Moon was definitely ahead of it’s time. It set a standard for same sex relationships and gender non conforming characters in modern media in general. Not to mention that it wasn’t just done to get woke points, it was done because the author just wanted to do it. This series had tastefully written LGBTQ+ characters and themes before it was cool or expected.

[@Y2Kikii]

I grew up with Sailor Moon when it was at its peak in the so called "flower power" era you mention. I think it was an important show in highlighting how diverse girl's personalities were. In a lot of kids shows were most of the main characters where boys you usually only had one girl character or was super girly, the token girl. Maybe a second girl to be the "tomboy". Nothing else... Sailor Moon showed there were many "types" of girls than just those two : The stereotypical girly girl who's a big of an airhead, the smart hard working one, the strong one but with a soft side, the passionate one and many many more. It was great in that it helped little girls and children of other genders see themselves in media. Everyone who's watched SM can at least very closely related to one, two or more Senshi. Mine where Sailor Moon herself ;) Ami, Hotaru, and Michiru.

[@goobyglob4099]

I like sailor moon because she’s relatable because she’s low key the failure sibling

[@StarDreamsStudios]

Neil Brown I thought she was relatable. 🤷🏽‍♀️ she reminded me of myself to be honest. I had very similar personality traits almost exact actually. Except for all the crying she did.

[@kittyyy_art]

@@StarDreamsStudios same but tbh I do cry a lot aaa

[@Viciousotk1]

Usagi was a role model for me, and i am a man. All the superheros back then were just flawless, like superman, he-man, the power rangers, thukdercats. Was easy to have them as a model but hard to relate because i wasnt perfect at all. Then we have sailor moon that was a crybaby that in the first episode after getting her superpowers, she just started crying because she got Hurt and got scared. And someone had to save her. As a kid of her same age, this was more relatable to me. I didnt wanted to fight either. But yeah, she WAS a crybaby and a clutz, and her friends sometimes made fun of her. But they love her anyway and accepted her how she was. And you know what? By the end, she not only becomes the unquestionable leader of the group, she sabes the wolrd and all her self, WHILE being herself, a scared crybaby that doesnt want to fight. The show is telling yoy "yes, you can be your self, is nothing wrong with that. But you can be strong too " For me was a really, really important lesson. Sailor moon wasnt ahead of his time, is ahead of this time too. Modern Empowerment means you cant be weak, you cant be sensitive. You have to be a machine, that works or hurts, whatever is programmed. I like the Empowerment of sailor moon, you can be a girly crybaby, but, you can also be strong when is needed, and even a superhero.

[@bonajma]

I wouldn’t say a scared crybaby because we see in the end she becomes the brave by overcoming her fears. Although I agree with u that she remains a crybaby til the end.

[@nicholase82]

I like the old feminist heros of the past better than the ones we have now. They may have been a Bit stereo typical, but they were different from each other. Today they all want the same thing and usually have any weakness removed which makes boring.

[@buster3041]

Old female "role models" were just as synonymous with each other as today's females are. Just different eras.

[@kathrynnorthcutt4828]

usagi's greatest strength is her love and compassion for others. when she tries to save mamoru by appealing to his humanity and emotions rather than through brute force alone she isn't demonstrating a strength that women have that men don't, she's demonstrating a strength that all people possess and should exercise more

[@lilmissgeekgirlmusic9137]

So he’s basically saying that the real feminism is the friends we made along the way?

[@ETPlayground]

I mean, yeah that's basically feminism. It's for all folks.

[@KaioMichiru22]

Yes, it was, also pro LGBT. SM teach us that a girl can be a heroine and a romantic, it's amazing and ahead of its time. Usagi is a 14 YO when the show starts!!!!

[@RosieSievers]

Sailor Moon and its reboot Crystal is my all time favourite anime, all of the main characters are great role models for people who grew up with the original 90s anime and people who have seen the Crystal series, who are the new generations of fans. Every character in the series gave great development such as Usagi learning to be a better person and being the protector of her planet as well as the bonds she shares with her friends and my two favourite characters Chibiusa and Hotaru aka Chibi Moon and Saturn went all against the odds and their friendship was endearing in the Death Busters arc, the recent third season of Crystal definitely showed this ^^ Great video Deepcut ^^

[@properjellydontbeproper3652]

It wasn't really black or white. She wasn't really a girly failure nor was she supposed to be a feminist. To me anyways she was just ......relatable. A special kind of category for some people out there. Kind of going with the flow but when things go bad stepping up to the plate but also being scared & complaining lol. It was just .....real-ish vibes.

[@properjellydontbeproper3652]

Being the kind of girl that actually likes girly hobbies. Doesn't need to prove she's strong. But demands respect. A normal equal life if there could be one.

[@sprinklesplash810]

Finally someone who says women can be strong and traditional feminine!

[@TwinkleStar707]

Thank you for this analysis! It’s completely true, but a lot of people forget feminism is about the freedom of choice. Girls are allowed to be more traditionally feminine, if that’s their choice and nobody forced them into that path. To paint that as bad or weak just takes activism and 360s it back into sexism.

[@libbymadden5385]

So well put ! I have been trying to put my finger on the reason why sailor moon is empowering for women / girls despite initial appearances, and you explained it perfectly . It’s a total girl power sisterhood cartoon. I dig it.

[@tet7497]

I love her femininity and the fact she had her weaknesses and strength. Its ok to be a female and have weaknesses. Its ok to rely on others and others rely on you . This is life ! A true balanced relationship is give and take . Both people have strength at times when the other can't. This isn't about male or female but vulnerability . She believes in friendship , GIRL POWER and she grows. I feel she never expected Tuxedo Mask to save her and in the end she always killed the eneny with moon prism power . They worked together and he let her definitely lead the way and only stepped in when she was vulnerable.

[@tet7497]

Saw

[@youraverageskinnylegend9512]

I know it may sound annoying but... CAN HALEY MAKE ANOTHER VILLAINOUS EPISODE! I AM DYING TO KNOW MORE INFORMATION AND CONSPIRACY ABOUT VILLAINOUS!🙏😭❤️

[@marissalibre]

I thought flower power was in like... the 60s lol maybe you mean girl power? Because the 90s were very girl power lol

[@marisafaith9975]

Maybe she's just good at home economics 🤷🏾‍♀️ Everyone has their own subject.

[@Lisaakk]

The thing is, as a moonie, I love Sailor Moon and the problem is the male workers ruined it. The maker was a woman and it was made for female empowerment and things like that. But in the show, they added panty shots and sexualized the characters (especially the villains), they should've just stuck with the female directors tbh. But overall, it's a great anime especially for girls to watch since we know how animes do female characters most of the time.

[@Cloverfr]

I agree, the only thing I am going to give them is that AT LEAST the panty shots weren't overly gross, like how today in anime they make that so sexual, at least back then it look like an accident a girl can have with their skirt.

[@Lisaakk]

@@Cloverfr I agree

[@vismayas1052]

I never thought of them as panty shots, since their attire resembles what figure skaters wear (we also see the it’s more like a one piece suit with a skirt during the transformations)

[@Viciousotk1]

The best characters in 90s anime are usually female. Sakura, lina inverse, usagi...

[@KeyOfTheTwilight]

Sailor Moon really has been a huge influence in my life. And yeah, it really has taught me how important it is to learn how to be a better person through many life experiences and that femininity is not "weak" and "stereotypical" for a woman, but something that we need to learn from alongside with masculinity. I say we need a balance between the two in order to become a better person which is what this series is saying. And why I say that is because I think feminism today seems like they deem femininity as something to look down on all while also seeing people in touch with their femininity as weak or something. Which I believe is not a good thing at all. Like. How can you learn anything when all you do is judge people and everything instead of understanding them?

[@Yoshiaki48CIV]

That’s why modern feminism, especially in the US, will fail. They are the most eager advocators to think ideas according to the gender, how can they succeed?

[@hay7758]

Feminism isn't saying femininity is something to look down on, its patriarchy that makes people see femininity as lesser than.

[@Yoshiaki48CIV]

@@hay7758 It would be so theoretically, but I feel like they sometimes follow the existing norms unquestioning. You know, feminism is profound question than some people think.

[@Cloverfr]

@@hay7758 I do agree a lot with feminism, but I do agree with OP. I'm gonna give you an example, go hear "Cinderella" from Tata Young, it's made to be a "feminist" song, now, look out for the video "Cinderella" from The Take. Sometimes new feminist believe that in order to be a "strong women" they have to reject feminity, and so feminity is look down on. I think that is a problem that should be address within the movement.

[@Knightmessenger]

Sailor Moon is a better feminist character than the "strong Disney women" like new Mulan or purple hair space karen Holdo

[@BabyShenanigans]

Thank you!! I love how Usagi grows and changes throughout the series. :)

[@RyanzRyanz313]

I think she could take tuxedo mask. She chose to give up physically trying to fight. Not fighting all together. But everyone has their own opinions 🙂 loved the video. Mars was always my main lady.

[@minakohiashi8882]

Wait..... she has a brother? What happened to him?

[@starlaphantom2642]

Minako Hiashi nothing, he’s in the first episode.

[@minakohiashi8882]

That's what i mean. Where he go? I don't remember him and i can remember Rei Hino's pervy grandfather

[@starlaphantom2642]

Minako Hiashi You can see him in the background in some episodes. To be honest he only gets one major episode and it dose nothing to his character. Also I’m pretty sure the reason why you don’t see him is because the writers forgot she had a brother

[@starlaphantom2642]

He was in episode 5 season 1 of the Japanese sub

[@TheKawaiifan]

what Starla said. everyone kinda forgot that he, and really all of her family members, even existed

[@Surfing1709]

She could teach the powerful ones on that planet what it really means when u fight for love and justice! She loves all people and she cares about their story. The reason why she posseses the strongest star seed is so selflessness and she fights for her friends. She never gives up. Cause only she wants is to use her power to live peacefully. She knew that when she would have used the sword the would have had darkened. Herself

[@enbykenz]

please don't say transgendered that's very cringe-y. someone might be transgender, no ed

[@dtbvenus1221]

It shows how she grows and becomes stronger and more independent

[@yachiyotsukino3238]

honestly the only aspect of the 90s anime i hated it´s how bad they treated mamoru, okay he isn´t the best character on the manga but he´s wayyyy better than the anime version. in the manga he´s way nicer to usagi and he´s way more than a typical handsome guy. in the manga he´s very intuitive, caring and responsible also he sees himself as a support to the sailor senshi not only usagi. i even argue that he´s one of the more mold breaking character of the series. He´s a man who shows very feminine qualities and the manga never treats him as undesirable for that, actually pretty much the contrary LOL. I´m sad that our poor boy mamoru never got a sailor costume of his own, he would rock that skirt

[@futabanarugonzalez3399]

Persona 5 Royal made a Sailor Moon reference

[@dzrmgkva]

Pretty fresh view on an old franchise Thanks for your video

[@michaelmcqueen5529]

I think also what needs to be mentioned here is that sailor moon is ultimately a coming of age story it’s about Usagi growing into her own, and by being true to herself and her friends she evolves into a strong women

[@crimsonhawk5188]

honestly i dont understand feminism because where i live, i havnt watched any 80 or 90s show in a long time (old graphics hurt my eyes) so i doubt ill go back and watch them even more so since the creator herself says it was her intention for sailor moon to be a feminist icon but westerns... yeahhh... always blowing stuff out of proportions lol nothing new, as kid i watched sailor moon and dbz together and i loved them both BUT unfortunately i have to agree with some people on this vid.. at the time serena was a....ugh relatable character she was bad at math like me, she went to school etc. but i guess i didnt learn anything from the show all i watched it for back then was for the action back then... but i guess i did learn one thing... you cant run or fight in high heels in real life lmao.

[@DarkFireElement94]

Sailor Moon is the type of character that I looked up to since childhood, because those Barbie dolls that I used to play were nothing similar to Sailor Moon and that's when my life would change for the better.

[@wiiink]

Sailor Moon 100% is a character I can see little girls looking up to. Usagi being a crybaby, uncoordinated, dumb, selfish, gluttonous, constantly late, and a coward makes her not only relateable since she's not perfect, but an outlier when it comes to most other perfect anime protagonists that can do no wrong. A lot of surface-level "feminist" media these days try to make their protagonists perfect with absolutely no flaws and it makes them feel plastic. Usagi may not be able to fight like the rest of her friends other than the finishing move, but she does care about people, even ones she barely knows. Watching the show as an adult I loved seeing how all of the sailors had their own personalities and showed strength in different ways, and the show also had a heck ton of lgbtq+ rep which is pretty neat too, especially for the time

[@jorgehernandez4098]

As a Gay boy Sailor Moon is still a great female role model to me.

[@moongoddess141414]

I am not a femenist and I was going into this video with a pretty sour attitude at first. But I love how you explained this, that she can be a feminist icon without being crazy. This is exactly what I wish many other crazy feminists (not all of them obviously most are very level headed and actually want good for the world) would realize.

[@deepcut7788]

I'm glad you felt that way. I was the guy who made the video and I felt nervous making the video because I know the term 'feminist' could be a very divisive one. For me, I can't watch most of the modern feminist stuff because it's pretty garbage, but a lot of the 90s icons like Sailor Moon and Buffy that were able to feature women without reducing its narrative to its gender have a special place in my heart.

[@AMK650]

It bugs me more that she doesn't really try becomming better at anything. When she is not sailor moon the only thing she is is nice. Even when said she wants to bekomme a wife and housewife she dose not try to get better at things she needs for that. She does not try to get better at cooking, cleaning up or anithing. And when she fails at her first try she just crys and is find with just her friends oder her boyfriend doing it for her. She has just no ambition. It's like she is just waiting for things to come to her.

[@akanesaotome5924]

She is 14 at the time. Just think about it, You can say you want to be a businessman or firefighter when you grow up, but do you really know what to do, and what you need? She just liked idea of 'happy ending' with a man of her dreams. Like many girls and boys that age, thats why so many stories and movies ends on wedding. At the same time, she was shock about Chibiusa begin her daughter from the future, and even dislike her at first.

[@AMK650]

@@akanesaotome5924 But I had some kind of hobby that was in my interest field. She does nothing. I did dancing, swimming, read books. But she Hase no interests besides being pretty and she doesn't even try to get more jewelery or plays with make up.

[@DragonLandlord]

I never understood how this girl becomes the queen of the world.

[@TanukiPunk]

Actually, she joins a manga club in high school, implying a desire to become a cartoonist. In her letters as Neo Queen Serenity, she does include chibi cartoons and they're really good

[@AMK650]

@@TanukiPunk that seem more like a gimmick than anything else. And even if not it is still sad that she only got some interest in high school. Look at all her friend. They all have something in their normel life they a passionate about.

[@decimatorentertainmentstud8523]

This anime is not the first magical girl anime but it is the most famous of them.

[@artemsmirnov1134]

From all sailor senshi only Mina Aino is a feminist role model because she's crazy one.

[@Andrewgtv05]

Glad you agree she is a good Feminist Role Model. Really goes to show that people need too watch more then one episode to know this.

[@lovelessbeloved6197]

One word for this video.... *Breathes in....* Beautiful

[@jani8918]

Hey! Is it 100% Netflix will give The Dragon Prince season 4 for us? I tryed to read after it but I don't found a andwer what is says its 100%. Sorry for my english I'm learning it:D I hope you can understand what I am asking for. And I know not this the video theme but i really want an answer

[@CartoonUniverse]

As of now there is no announcement about TDP being renewed for season 4.

[@jani8918]

@@CartoonUniverse Thank you! But It's very sad:( Is there any chance to continue it?

[@StefanHayden]

great video!

[@toddbeaton1512]

sailor moon is so amazing i got sailor venus tattoo

[@enthomorf]

The big irony is that my father´s friend that LOVES Sailor Moon say with big conviction that Sailor Moon has christian symbolisms.

[@mepmaniac9000]

She needed Tuxedo mask wayyyy too much for my liking when I rewatched it, before I found it romantic but GIRL YOU DONT NEED HIM WHEN YOU HAVE ACTUAL POWERS! I love my babies since it’s my childhood pero she’s not as headstrong as I thought she was

[@mashuproductions3223]

yea but, we can at least apperciate she never let down on her friends

[@mepmaniac9000]

Sailor Mashu Moon Yes you’re right

[@mashuproductions3223]

@@mepmaniac9000 Yea she was strong when she really needed That's why she is the one on who we can depend she is the one named sailor moon

[@cchase1282]

i mean tuxedo mask barely did anything, there have even been memes about it

[@VirtuosoI]

Sailor moon is great and I love it. But how I remember it is that Usagi just cries a lot when the big bads come her way. Get saved by a great distraction..no I mean a dude that throws roses. Then use her deus ex machina wands cause she doesn't exactly have powers and even if she did they would be kind useless like the other sailor guardians abilities which wouldn't be a problem if the villians aren't so much more powerful that the previous ones which calls for usagi to constantly upgrade her compact but it doesn't make much of a difference aside from a new hero outfit every season.

[@cchase1282]

she does cry a lot but she still faces them and there have been times when she took a hit for people and times she has physically engaged in fighting

[@artu2rocastle-yb6hj]

I don't think that was his intention or that he intended to be, I think it focuses on trying to do the right thing.

[@iluvzchocolate1]

Sailor moon taught me to be myself and never give up.

[@ADerpyReality]

That sounds like a scout thing!

[@rainbowheart5622]

Please make a break your video is so detailed

[@fandomgirl_2.568]

I am a very emotional cry baby like usagi 😂 and I really Identify with her being emotional but also caring so much about other people. Ply I suck at math. Sailor moon survives with in the hearts of millions

[@jamiekosch2562]

but the seeing with tuxsistudomask you can viwe as her saveing him from evil and salormoon merrysis tuxsiscdomask

[@INFERNO95]

American wise it was ahead of it time. Japan wise it was normal to have a anime or Manga whit a female lead. This is no way a disrespect toward this franchise cause make no mistake. SM was big in the 90s whit video games, toys etc... It even had a roll in creating Evangelion. Masato character is base off the lead character from SM. It just that Japan treat there female characters better then American treat there female characters.

[@zainmudassir2964]

Maybe?

[@vincenegra2612]

Sailor Moon Says:

[@rhesaarada1489]

Hi

[@milkdromeda1531]

You know another series that does female characters justice? Precure.

[@melih1816]

I love sailor moon but it contains so many unfeministic and PROBLEMATIC scenes. I hope little girls dont see her as a rolemodel tbh

[@jesserivera2043]

Drop the 'ed' at the end of the word transgender and you got yourself a 10 out of 10 video. All of your other points stick, though

[@Sheepasheepasu]

Yay hi

[@rockmanmix6242]

Not sure But I can't agree with the future neo empire Do they really think democracy would let someone rule over them? Plus 1000 years of piece, thats only a dream as there's always conflict

[@rockmanmix6242]

@Paulo Kogos I just don't agree with that future, its too easy

[@SLS87]

So a man explains why being feminine somehow doesn't make you a feminist based on 1 episode seriously its called character development

[@cchase1282]

i think you need to watch the rest of the video

[@Soogelle]

Watch the whole video weirdo

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

I am not a fan of Sailor Moon because of how she acts like she needs her man to be there every time. She’s proven that she is easily heart broken and would kill herself when the man dies. Perhaps the ending was the time when she shows she has no tendency to kill herself even after knowing Mamoru was dead. I hated the manga the most that they both always kiss every time before her power up fighting! 😂

[@clawdwil]

She didn't fight all men from the world therefore they are not feminists as today feminists

[@MultiDryder]

I think sailor moon is what feminists should have strived for instead of the overworked girl boss stereotype although now that feminists are aware alot of women are angry and dont want to be girl bosses now are striving to made women bimbos instead of girl bosses another part that sailor is not a bimbo although ditsy but not dumb Basically sailor moon had all women the right balance of both and also back in 90s feminists wanted equal opportunity not equality of outcome and not hating men and saying masculinity is toxic

[@xob-lin1446]

i feel like this generation trys to make it seem like sailor moon was a feminist show...when the reality was - it absolutely was not. Ita was simply a show about magical girls...not feminists

[@PixelBoye6546]

I- thank you, finally someone else understands-

[@StarDreamsStudios]

Sailor Moon was very girl power though which probably why people think feminism.

[@cchase1282]

@@StarDreamsStudios isn’t girl power a part of feminism tho? and the girls have definitely stood up to sexism a few times in the series

[@crimsonhawk5188]

so true the creator herself even said in a interview it was not her intention for the series to have anything to do with feminism but when it released outside japan... yeah this happened.

[@jamiekosch2562]

its like ive saydid for qiek some time dos not marter if your humen or a youtuber or vtuber as long as you be your self thers times wen thersis may like you and times wen thay do not like you but you can not make them difrent for your self thay hav to make thay on ther won with ther freewill be it a viwer a fan or anye tther tep how witchsis your cainhall this has ben omage or you can say moonlightnight thas right me a pegitsis and my wite rsoesis i hav ben nowk to say in the name fo the moon we will ponsih you pegsit lets rider moonlightsaber

[@aurahoneydew9607]

Of course not. Because she's a good character. Let's not ruin a good thing with tribalism.

[@mutemidorianimations8745]

I literately couldn't watch this show because of the crying ....it's too much

[@kencoleman5007]

I find it laughable when people act like anyone not 4rd (or better yet 4th wave) feminist (or those equivalents in an ever more subjective definition of feminism) is horribly misogynist. It's like OMG, .. This guy reminds me of those cis guys who compete over who can be more woke and social politically polarizing while getting so lost in self righteous speeches that they end up seeing 10 minutes of speaking out their ass as some divine mini-dissertation. This guy really should get an award for being just so woke. Really, I know an engraver who usually works on youth sports participation trophies, but could probably etch one out. It could be a gold plated figurine, holding a gold plated placard, wearing a gold plated pu$$y hat, while standing on a gold plated soap box attached to a rectangle of imported Italian marble.