The Journey of Sailor Moon Censorship: Insights into Changes and Consistencies

Sailor Moon, the iconic anime and manga series, has undergone numerous changes over the years. These changes encompass censoring of various elements, often introduced to make the content more age-appropriate, and sometimes to address cultural sensitivities. This article delves into the extent of these changes, with a focus on censorship and the differences between the manga and anime versions of Sailor Moon.

The Evolution of Censorship in Sailor Moon

Over its long-running legacy, Sailor Moon has faced significant alterations to its original storyline and visuals. One of the most notable changes involves the partial nudity that was present in the original transformation scenes. These scenes, which included characters like Sailor Moon and Mini Moon, were transformed to be more suitable for younger audiences, ensuring the content adhered to age-restrictive guidelines.

Transformation and Clothing Changes

Significantly, the once fully nude or nearly nude transformation scenes are now more clothed, especially in the anime series. Characters like Sailor Moon and Mini Moon now undergo transformation sequences that cover more of their bodies. While the core elements of the transformations remain, the visual elements have been altered to make them more family-friendly. This change has been a topic of discussion among fans, with some appreciating the restriction for younger viewers and others lamenting the loss of the original, more mature visuals.

Age-Appropriate Storylines

The storyline itself has also seen some alterations to make the narratives more suitable for a younger audience. For instance, the marriage of Sailor Moon, who is a 14-year-old character, to Tuxedo Mask, a 26-year-old man, was removed from the animated series in many countries. This change was made to prevent younger viewers from being exposed to mature content. Similarly, overly graphic scenes were toned down, such as the removal of upskirt shots that were present in the original manga.

Changes in Death and Violence Scenes

Another notable change is the way deaths are portrayed throughout the series. Originally, the deaths of the Sailor Scouts were depicted in a more somber and realistic manner. However, these scenes were modified to be more lighthearted, often with zappy attacks or comedic elements to make the scenes less disturbing. Additionally, instances of domestic abuse and violence, such as scenes where Sailor Moon was subjected to physical abuse, were heavily censored or removed altogether.

Character Relational Changes

The relational dynamics between characters have also seen their fair share of changes. For example, the lesbian relationship between Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune was toned down in the dub versions. Initially, they were depicted as loving partners, but in later versions, they were portrayed as best friends, or even as cousins, to cater to more conservative audiences. Similarly, Sailor Jupiter’s unhealthy relationship with others was watered down to make the story more palatable.

Writer’s Perspective

The original creator and writer of Sailor Moon has commented on the changes made to the storyline, often expressing dissatisfaction with the editorial changes. The writer has mentioned how the anime and editors imposed restrictions that prevented them from achieving their original creative vision, particularly in more violent or graphic sequences. These changes were made to ensure the series was suitable for a broader audience, but they also resulted in a loss of the series’ originality and artistic integrity.

Retroactive Examples of Censorship

There are many other examples of censorship that have occurred in later versions of Sailor Moon. For instance, the relationships between certain characters were changed to be more conservative, such as converting a romantic relationship to a platonic one. Additionally, the visual designs of certain characters were altered to appear less intimidating and more child-friendly, as seen in the changes to Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. These changes were made to ensure the series was more accessible to a wider audience, including younger children.

Specific Visual and Narrative Changes

It is also worth noting that the secret identity of Sailor V was significantly changed to conform to more socially acceptable norms. The original storyline involved a more polygamous relationship with underage girls, which was deemed inappropriate for a broader audience. Similarly, the scenes where Sailor V and Tuxedo Mask had a secret identity were heavily altered or removed.

Impact of Censorship

The impact of these changes is significant. While censorship is a vital practice to protect young viewers from adult content, it can also lead to a dilution of the original artistic vision. Fans often debate the merits of these changes, with some appreciating the family-friendly approach and others longing for the original, more mature storyline and visual elements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sailor Moon has undergone extensive changes over the years, with a focus on censorship to make the content more suitable for younger audiences. These changes range from visual alterations to the storyline itself, significantly impacting the overall experience of the series. Fans and creators alike continue to reflect on these changes, appreciating the complexity and nuances of this beloved series' evolution.