Bloody good anime!

**May contain spoilers**

This is the original Japanese series of Sailor Moon, the first of four (I think) that were adapted and reduced to make the American dub version of the show. In this 46-episode series we are gradually introduced to the five sailor warriors, and their alter egos, and we follow their fight against the Dark Kingdom.

Though it follows the same storyline as the dub, there is a huge difference in the two because of all the extra episodes and scenes that were cut out of the dub. The dub was also more aimed at children while this series contains a lot more mature scenes, and the odd swear word, that were removed in America and other countries. Even the theme tune was changed to make it more childish! I think that changing it to suit a much younger audience was a bit of a mistake, I mean, Usagi is 14 and Mamoru is in his 20's and their relationship is an odd one (in this series, they even kiss when Usagi is drunk!).

I much prefer this series over the dub in many ways, although one thing I did like about the American version was the voice actors, though by now I've gotten used to the Japanese ones.

So it may be odd that everything seems to be focussed around Japan (apart from one random demon in London and the end being set around the North Pole), the art seems so outdated now, and the monsters are just hilarious at times, but it is a fantastic storyline and the characters and great. Unlike a lot of new cartoons there is a good build-up to events throughout the series.

The end of the series is wonderful, such a dramatic build-up of events that leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering how exactly it is going to be resolved.

Onto the next series and finding out what is in store for the Sailor warriors!

9/10