Soon an animation was done on the Sailormoon story, which was also a success, and it was translated into many other languages. The anime first appeared in Japan on March 7, 1992 and it spanned across 5 seasons: Sailormoon, Sailormoon R, Sailormoon Super, Sailormoon SuperS, and Sailormoon Sailorstars. Each had its own plot but featured Sailormoon and her fellow crimefighters for justice. Sailormoon had its last episode on February 8, 1997.

The idea also spawned several musicals, with a different continuation than the comic or anime. Still going on today, they're like a mix of both.

Sailormoon is basically about a 14-year old girl named Tsukino Usagi who is very unwilling at first, but grows more responsible and very strong-willed as the story progresses. She transforms using her several compacts to Sailormoon, fighting evil, with the help of her talking pet cat Luna (over time, it's apparent Usagi grows more independent, and therefore doesn't need as much help from Luna). She also gets additional help from the elusive Tuxedo Kamen, then from other sailor soldiers as the story progresses. Her voice was done by Mitsuishi Kotono, although during episodes 44-50 her voice was done by Araki Kae, who later did the voice of Chibiusa. Chibichibi's voice was done by Mitsuishi Kotono as well.

In addition, Sailormoon spawned heaves of merchandise. (Official, and unofficial, by the way ^_-) So many, even Naoko couldn't keep track of everything that was made. Not just toys, but other stuff like housewares and foods.

Sailormoon was dubbed here in North America also, by a company named DiC. The DiC version of Sailormoon was aimed at the same age group, but because of the change in American and Japanese cultures, a host of vulgarities had to be censored out. Japanese culture, as well. DiC only dubbed the first two seasons, however.

Around 1999 it was announced that the three Sailormoon movies-- Sailormoon R, S, and SuperS-- would be brought over to America. They were both dubbed and subbed by Pioneer; the subs came out first, and are more expensive, while the dubs came out later.

In 2000, Cloverway, a division of Toei here in America, picked up the series. This was due to the immense success the three movies had. They dubbed the Sailormoon S and Sailormoon SuperS series, which currently plays on Cartoon Network. Many fans like this better than the old dub, because it's more true to the original.

Sailor Moon was and still is big in both the US and Canada, bigger in Canada, although the fever has died down somewhat. In Canada, a company named Irwin made a whole bunch of toys for fans to enjoy.

If you haven't seen an episode of Sailormoon yet, (which I doubt), I strongly urge you to. Sailor Moon currently plays at 4:00 every weekday on Toonami, an anime block programming on Cartoon Network.

Sailormoon celebrated its 10th birthday in 2001.