In spite of all the different anime, manga, musicals, live action TV dramas, and even novelizations that retell the same story, it’s probably safe to say that Sailor Moon Crystai is probably the most divisive adaptation within the Sailor Moon franchise.

But regardless of which side of the fence you sit on in this never-ending debate, I think we can all agree that it’s been way too long since the story left off a full three and a half years ago.

Fortunately, that wait is almost over.

Today we’re going to see what the cast and crew behind the Sailor Moon: Eternal movie have to say about the upcoming release and see what we can uncover! You may want to grab some popcorn, because it’s going to be a long ride ahead!

Fortunately for those of us who have been starved for information, the latest issue of the Pretty Guardian Fanclub newsletter came with a quick little Q & A between Luna and Usagi (a cute FAQ device Sailor Moon has been using for years) along with a few passages from the cast and crew working on the Sailor Moon Eternal movie.

The Q & A is rather simple and bare bones in that it provides the reader with a little reminder on what the Sailor Moon manga’s Dream story arc is about, but it does provide some interesting hints as to what the movie will focus on and how the story will be split up.

Usagi: The release date for the Sailor Moon Eternal movie has finally been announced. It’ll hit theaters right after the Olympics finish up. Luna: Hopefully everyone won’t get too wrapped up in the games and fall behind on their work!

Nothing particularly new here, but then they go on to provide a little more information on the story, likely for the fans that grew up only with the anime.

Usagi: So what happens in Act 4 of the manga, anyway? Luna: You’ve already forgot? You’ve got the memory of a goldfish, Usagi. It’s the story of a group calling itself the Dead Moon Circus that had been locked away inside a mirror breaking free during a solar eclipse. Usagi: Oh, yeah, that! ChibiUsa and I switch bodies and a lot of other weird stuff happens. And when I couldn’t go back home, I got to stay over at Mamo-chan’s place… Luna: Well I guess you remember that part, at least. Anyway, ChibiUsa plays a big part in the story, about as big as her part in the Black Moon arc. Since the movie will be following along the manga’s storyline, there connection between ChibiUsa and Helios will be a big part of it.

I hate to be pedantic, but technically Usagi also spent the night at Mamoru’s place several times in the manga at this point. But hey, who’s counting?

Usagi: I saw the imagery released with the earlier announcement and it looks like Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako are also going to be in it. But what about Haruka, Michiru, and the other Outer Senshi? Luna: Well, this is just the first half of the story, so… I guess which half Hotaru’s reawakening appears in will be a bit part of the overall story. Usagi: Hmm, I’m really curious. I guess we could just ask the director and screenwriter about it? Luna: You need to wait until the movie comes out, Usagi! But I think everyone has a lot to look forward to when it comes to which stories [from the manga] will be featured.

There goes Usagi, breaking the fourth wall again. But they do raise an interesting point here regarding how the movie will be broken up. Honestly, I can’t think of a good “halfway” point in the Dream manga, so I’m curious how they plan on pacing the story.

Usagi: Aww, now I’m too excited thinking about the movie to sleep! Luna: I wouldn’t worry too much about that, Usagi. You’ll just make it up through one of your afternoon naps. Anyway, the movie will be opening up to audiences across Japan on September 11, 2020. I hope to see you there! Usagi: In the name of the Moon, I’ll punish you!

Next up we have some comments from movie director Chiaki Kon, , screenwriter Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, , and long-time Sailor Moon alumni and animation director Kazuko Tadano.

Chiaki Kon: I think we all, including myself, have been long time fans of Sailor Moon and I’m incredibly honored to continue my work from [Sailor Moon Crystal] season 3 on into season 4 (the Sailor Moon Eternal movie). I really hope to bring all the fine detail in the manga to the big screen. Kazuyuki Fudeyasu: A long time ago, a young girl once taught me that a star burns brightly in the hearts of us all. It is with great joy that I’ve been offered the chance to write Usagi’s story and I can’t wait to see it come to life on the big screen. My only hope is that the happiness I’ve been granted in this role is somehow conveyed to all of you who see it. I hope a star burns in the hearts of all you as well! Kazuko Tadano: The first visual I worked on for this, and which was ultimately used for the movie’s announcement, as done in reference to a beautiful pose done by Ms. Takeuchi. It’s incredibly difficult work to bring the adorable features presented in both the 90s anime and the manga together into one work and I went through several mis-starts. I felt worried every time a new character was announced, but I’m always comforted to see all the lovely messages posted online [about the designs]. This is my second time working on the Sailor Moon series, but there are so many characters that are new to me that I feel like I’m starting fresh. I’ll do my best, and thanks for cheering me on!

Finally, we have some brief thoughts from Kotono Mitsuishi and Misato Fukuen, voices of Usagi and ChibiUsa respectively.

Kotono Mitsuishi: I’m really glad to have the opportunity to get all the cast together and see each other once again. You can really tell the love that the anime team has put into this movie. I’m looking forward to seeing the Sailor Soldiers running around up on the big screen once again! Misato Fukuen: It continues! And as a movie! I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I first heard about it. Plus, since this will be the Dead Moon arc, that means that an character important to ChibiUsa will make an appearance. I’m really looking forward to playing out her character as she deals with her first flitterings of love and starting to mature into an adult. I hope you’re also excited to see the beautiful, adorable, and strong Sailor Soldiers [as they come to the big screen]!

Admittedly the information could be charitably described as “sparse” at best, but I think it does a good job of getting across what we can look forward to and what they intend to focus on. It’s clear from the multiple mentions that the relationship between ChibiUsa and Helios will be an important part of the story.

I may be reading too much into it, but the lack of committing to Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, and Setsuna seems to suggest to me that part one will focus almost exclusively on the Inner Senshi. That could just be me, though.

So what do you think? What parts of the Dream manga would you consider are absolutely indispensable to the telling of the story and which ones do you think will get glossed over? Will you see the movie in theaters? Let me know down below!

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