Some pretty big news today concerning the, what looks to be, return of Sailor Moon!

Almost immediately after the announcement that the rights to Sailor Moon have been released and that the show would once again be airing in Italy and Japan a press release was released announcing a brand new Sailor Moon mobile phone website for users in Japan.

The website offers Sailor Moon mobile phone ring tones (currently the Japanese theme, HEART MOVING and Sailor Star Song) as well as animated downloads and soon (not yet online) all 200 episodes of the anime for download to handsets.

If you have a phone that's web capable, you can check out the site at it's address: http://www.smoon.jp.

Some things worth mentioning is that in the footer of the page the PNP can be seen, showing that Naoko is still involved in the franchise and that there hasn't been any major change in ownership. It's also interesting to see that the Japanese logo for the series simply says "Sailor Moon". There is no mention of "Pretty Soldier", "Pretty Guardian", etc.

Possible re-branding of the series? It's possible (though by no means confirmed).

Exciting times!

Also in Sailor Moon news:

Sailor Moon was mentioned on the Australian TV show Good News Week. You can see a clip of it here.

This week's Moon Sticks is online.

There's a new Site of the Month at Deep Submerge Directory.

There's some great new galleries at Star Dusting featuring the Outers.

Here's a cute Sailor Saturn comic strip.

A very cool fan of the Sailor Moon Musicals has made a new Sailor Moon Maxi 2009 Medly Remix!!! Highly recommended if you're a fan of the musicals!

My affiliate, Kirari-PGSM.net has just turned 4! It's a great live action Sailor Moon site! Make sure to check it out if you haven't already! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Likewise, UsagiandMamoruUniverse.com has just turn 8 years old!! Make sure to check out the site's new layout and 8 years worth of content!

The third episode of the English Sailor Moon Sailor Stars dub is due out any day now. Prepare yourself with the episode preview!

Have you seen this interview yet? It took place last week and features the Japanese voice actress of Sailor Moon. Most of it's just small talk though it mentions that besides Sailor Moon, her favourite characters are Sailor Uranus and Neptune because she feels the characters appeal to the adults who watch the show.

In site news, I've just added Sailor Moon television Air Times onto the right side navigation to make it easier for everyone to find out when Sailor Moon is returning and airing in their country. If your country isn't there yet, that means that there has yet to be any information it airing yet. If and when such info is announced I will of course add it.

Exciting!

Labels: Fan Dubs, Naoko Takeuchi, Sailor Moon Anime, Sailor Moon Live Action, Sailor Moon Mobile, Sailor Moon Music, Sailor Moon Musicals, Sailor Moon News, Sailor Moon Roundup, site

Posted By: Brad # Friday, August 07, 2009

Comments:

Awesome moonie news! It's all very exciting :D!

# posted by

chibi : 07 August, 2009 19:49

Finally! Hopefully this means some kind of return to the States? Be it on TV, online, whatever.

# posted by

Unknown : 08 August, 2009 00:02

Exciting indeed, but again, just becuase Japan and Italy gets to air the show doesn't mean we "moonies" can start a worldwide party. I say we should put our exceptions down a bit, keep reading our news and keep waiting. Getting excited for something we Americans don't get is kinda (keyword's kinda) silly if you ask me.

# posted by

esahC : 08 August, 2009 05:05

esahC... again this is the kind of news that we've been waiting for! The rights have been lifted so there's a very high chance of the show returning to the USA.

Also, only about 50% of MKNET readers are actually from the US. Quite a few readers from Canada, Australia, Italy, New Zealand and a LOT from Germany.

When it comes to Sailor Moon, when it pops up anywhere in the world it's a sign that it'll soon start appearing elsewhere. :D

# posted by

Brad : 08 August, 2009 13:09

Yeah. In Italy and Japan. In America? Unless a miracle happens, it not going to be a one-two-three snap thing. And when where the rights lifted?

And yes, I bet we're all happy, but, "When it comes to Sailor Moon, when it pops up anywhere in the world it's a sign that it'll soon start appearing elsewhere."? Er, I still think the exceptions of that happening are 100 to 1. Again, just becuase 2 countries got the rights doesn't mean the rest of the world will soon follow. That's like saying the Looney Tunes will come back to TV all over the world becuase China is airing them. It won't.

Unless we get news about more countries getting the show, the possibility of the show coming back (in America) is pretty low. I mean, being positive about it is good and all, but there's being optimistic and there's being in denial.

# posted by

esahC : 09 August, 2009 04:05

Rights were frozen: FACT
Rights have now been released: FACT
Reason Sailor Moon disappeared in the US; Rights were frozen: FACT
Reasons for Sailor Moon not to return to US now?: NONE

# posted by

Brad : 09 August, 2009 10:05

Again, WHEN did the rights get released?

But fine, have it your way. If you're thinking the rights being released will being sudden fast results for our Sailor Moon, fine. Just don't exaggerate your anger to people like me when we don't hear anything for the next few months, okay?

And if I'm wrong, then I hope lightning strikes me...

# posted by

esahC : 10 August, 2009 12:53

Ummm... the fact that Sailor Moon is airing again in Japan and Italy is proof that the rights get released. There's also a new Sailor Moon book being published in Italy as well.

If the rights were still locked and frozen, none of this would be happening.

I understand the importance of having a level head but come on man.

# posted by

Brad : 10 August, 2009 13:53

This comment has been removed by the author.

# posted by

Unknown : 10 August, 2009 16:02

Hey! I've been watching you're site for a while now (2-3 years) and finally decided to comment and show myself...sorry xD Anyways...the link for the site isn't working.... This is all veeery exciting...Even if it isn't in NA I'm still oh so excited to see that SOMETHING is happening. Finally...^__^

# posted by

Unknown : 10 August, 2009 16:03

Thanks for visiting the site for so long! Great to meet you!

The mobile site only works for Japanese mobile phone users so anyone trying to access it from a web browser or another country will just get a broken link.

# posted by

Brad : 10 August, 2009 16:48

Um... yay passionate arguments over whether Sailor Moon shall return?

Thanks for the update, Brad! I'm excited too - and you know what? Even if Christmas isn't coming tomorrow I'll still enjoy waiting for it. ^_^ I'm not easily dissapointed when their isn't a set day that I'm waiting for.

# posted by

NenoC : 11 August, 2009 04:36

High Five + Hug!

# posted by

Brad : 11 August, 2009 08:43

Friday, August 07, 2009

Sailor Moon and Animo