For this entry I am going to talk about the differences in the Japanese and American ‘Sailor Moon’ theme song.
Obviously we will start with the Japanese version. In the Japanese version, the theme song is actually called “Moonlight Densetsu” which translates to “Moonlight Legend”. So this version I am posting right now is the English translation of the original Japanese song. The video I have provided for you is the first season opening of the show with the original Japanese lyrics:
Click here to view the embedded video.
I’m sorry, I’m not honest
I can say it in my dreams
My thoughts are about to short circuit
I want to be with you right now
The moonlight makes me want to cry
I can’t even call, it’s midnight
But I’m so innocent, what should I do
My heart’s a kaleidoscope
We are lead by the light of the moon
We meet by chance again and again
The countless shining stars above us foretell love’s whereabouts
Born on the same Earth
A miracle romance
So, reading the lyrics, the song doesn’t explain a whole lot about what this show is going to be about. It’s pretty subtle and if you are a big fan of Sailor Moon, you can see in certain parts of the song that there are some hints of what the shows basic premise will be like. Overall, I think this song is really beautiful and I love that it sings about inner conflict and feeling lost, yet having the opportunity to meet with someone again and how basically we are all human beings.
Now, let’s take a look at the American opening and lyrics.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Fighting evil by moonlight
winning love by daylight
Never running from a real fight!
She is the one named Sailor Moon!
She will never turn her back on a friend
She is always there to defend
She is the one on whom we can depend
She is the one named Sailor….
Sailor Venus!
Sailor Mercury!
Sailor Mars!
Sailor Jupiter!
With secret powers
All so new to her
She is the one named Sailor Moon
Fighting evil by moonlight
Winning love by daylight
With her Sailor Scouts to help fight
She is the one named Sailor Moon
She is the one named Sailor Moon
She is the one . . . Sailor Moon!
Wait… Who is this song about? What’s her name?
As you can see and hear, the American version of the song and the opening animations alone have changed a lot from the original version. Obviously the biggest change we hear is that the American lyrics are much, much more straight forward. They really throw in our faces that Sailor Moon is our protagonist and even introduce the supporting characters, when in the first episode, the supporting characters are not even there, we don’t even get to find out their names until later episodes. The song alone sounds a lot more like a rock and roll song with the addition of an electric guitar solo in the middle of it. (WHHHHYYYYY???)
As far as what the eyes see, they use the ‘Star War’s opening with the words flying backgrounds that is not included in the Japanese version (and really those words seem so unnecessary.) Then sprinkled about in the opening, they started showing actual clips from the show with a very colorful 90′s background. They show all of the characters that will be introduced in season one as well, which to me takes away the magic of the unveiling of the different cast members and yes, I understand that in the Japanese opening they show Sailor Mercury and Mars but with no real implication of who they are or what “element” they will be based off of. Sailor Moon is an incredibly repetitive show, but when they throw in episodes of introducing new characters or new major enemies, it makes up for it’s repetitiveness.
Another thing that the American version does is it takes away is the excitement for the transformation sequence by showing it in the theme song. In the first episode, when Sailor Moon first transforms, it’s kind of a huge deal! Then after that, you really don’t wanna see the transformation sequence anymore because they’re gonna start using it in every episode. With the American version, I will now be somewhat forced to watch that transformation sequence again and again and again. The transformation sequence is what makes the “Magical Girl” genre (in my opinion). Below I have embedded a video of Sailor Moon’s first transformation sequence that she ever did and yes, that is a talking cat. The video underneath that is the American version.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
(I will most likely further discuss the transformation sequence at another time.)
Lastly, my other issue is that not only do they show Sailor Moon’s most powerful weapon in this season (the Crescent Moon Rod) but they also show her DEFEATING the main antagonist of the show! This opening song is FILLED with spoilers!
Overall, I’m sure it’s obvious which one I prefer, but remember, I am more than happy to admit that I am bias. The Japanese ‘Sailor Moon’ is what I was raised on, that’s not to say I didn’t watch the American version! I was happy to! I know that there are a lot of other girls who were raised on this show and hold the American version near and dear to their heart and that is great! I’m not trying to start some sort of war on which version is better, you have your opinions and I have mine.