The classic anime property making a full-scale comeback
with Plus Licens as agent in the Nordic countries and Central and Eastern Europe

Sailor Moon © Naoko Takeuchi /PNP, Toei Animation

One of the most famous anime properties of all time, a true classic and a pioneer in the definite breakthrough of Japanese anime throughout Europe in the first half of 1990s. Plus Licens is proud to once again represent the legendary Sailor Moon, making a full-scale comeback with a brand new styleguide! "We're happy to once again work with this Japanese classic," says Maria Ornryd, Category Head Media at Plus Licens HQ. "Sailor Moon was the very first Japanese property in Plus Licens' portfolio back in the mid-1990s and we are proud to again work with the series, for merchandising and publishing – excluding the original manga – as well as television and DVD rights throughout our territories. We're confident that the new styleguide, fully reflecting the timeless qualities of Sailor Moon, will appeal to the audience that already knows the property as well as help gaining new generations of fans." Says Kanji Kazahaya, Managing Director of Toei Animation Europe: "We are thrilled to conclude this deal and to have Plus Licens again as the licensing partner for Sailor Moon. We are looking forward the re-launch of the classic Japanese animated series in these key territories."

Based on an 18-volume manga from 1991-97 by Naoko Takeuchi, the Sailor Moon anime series was produced in 200 episodes by Toei Animation in co-operation with TV Asahi. The series first launched on Japanese television in 1992 in Japan and was successfully on air for five years. In Plus Licens' territories, the series was seen on Swedish TV 4 (1996-2001) and Kanal 5 (2002-04); Finnish MTV Subtv (fall 2002); Polish Polsat (1997-98) and Polsat 2 (1999-2000); Russian 2x2 (1996), Kanal 31 (1998) and TNT (2000-02); and Hungarian RTL (1998, 2001). Primarily aimed at girls 4-14, Sailor Moon also has a strong appeal to boys and adult cartoon fans and was a major hit in several territories, not least in Poland.

Sailor Moon is one of the biggest merchandising successes in the history of Toei Animation, with more than 3.800 items licensed only in Japan 1992-97. Previous partners in Plus Licens territories included Semic Egmont for an anime-based comic book in Sweden (1996-97, 1999-2001), TM Semic for an anime-based comic book in Poland (1997-99), and JPF for the original manga in Poland (1997-99). BRIO/PlayMix distributed the toys in Sweden and ScanBox and TV 4 Vision distributed the series on video.

The complete Sailor Moon storyline consists of five story arcs: Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, Sailor Moon Super S and Sailor Moon Sailor Stars. The story begins as 14-year-old Usagi Tsukino saves a cat with a crescent moon on its forehead. The mystical cat, Luna, provides Usagi with the ability to transform into Sailor Moon, a soldier of justice in a sailor suit. The cat is actually a messenger from Queen Serenity, the rightful ruler of a former great civilization on the moon which was destroyed by the Dark Kingdom. Queen Serenity managed to send her daughter Princess Serenity and the sailor soldiers to a future existence on Earth, where they lead ordinary lives without any memories of their former existence.

As the story continues, Sailor Moon faces the Dark Kingdom, consisting of Queen Metallia, Queen Beryl and the four generals Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Kunzite. Sailor Moon must protect the world and the mysterious Moon Princess from the evil group. Her ally in the struggle becomes the mysterious Tuxedo Kamen and four other Sailor Senshi: Ami Mizuno (Sailor Mercury), Rei Hino (Sailor Mars), Makoto Kino (Sailor Jupiter) and Minako Aino (Sailor Venus). Their main mission is to find the seven Rainbow Heart Crystals and also to identify the mysterious Moon Princess in her earthly existence.