New Sailor Moon Video Transforms the Shojo Classic Into a 1950s Film Noir Flick (2024)

Not many anime fans are likely to associate the iconic Sailor Moon franchise with the gritty, old-school vibes of 1950s film noir. However, a newly released Sailor Moon fan video challenges viewers to ponder what it might be like if the Sailor Scouts became the stars of a noir-esque crime drama.

On X (formerly Twitter), a Sailor Moon-centric news account called @moonkittynet recently showcased a live-action, A.I.-generated video that merges Sailor Moon with a classic film noir feel -- albeit presented in color rather than black and white. A smooth-voiced '50s-style narrator describes the Sailor Moon universe as "a world cloaked in shadows where the stars whisper secrets and the moon holds mysteries untold." Thereafter, the first five Sailor Scouts -- along with Tuxedo Mask -- are introduced as heroes who must "thwart the wicked schemes" of the villainous Queen Beryl in order to "restore peace to the cosmos." Artemis and Luna, Serena's famous feline companions, also make appearances.

Sailor Moon's New 1950s-Style Concept Trailer Sharply Divides Fans

This genre-bending version of creator Naoko Takeuchi's beloved shojo masterpiece has prompted mixed reactions from Sailor Moon fans. While some greatly enjoyed the alternate take, other responses voiced objections to the video's usage of A.I. The use of artificial intelligence is an extremely controversial topic in the anime community, with many criticisms levied on the grounds that these programs are stealing jobs -- as well as copyright-protected works -- from human artists. Consequently, its recreational usage is frequently discouraged within the wider fan base. A.I. is also commonly criticized for practical aesthetic reasons. One X user accused @moonkittynet's video of having an "uncanny" quality -- a critique often cited against A.I. presentations that use human models.

Other X users argued that the video lacks an "Asian-inspired" aesthetic, which is often sought after in franchises developed by Asian creators. One viewer accused many A.I. algorithms of being overtly Euro-centric in design, which in this context likely means opting for largely light-skinned human models, with most of the Sailor Scouts in @moonkittynet's video appearing to be Caucasian. Notably, one X user outright accuses the A.I. program of directly using the face of prominent American actor Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumania, Detective Pikachu). The frequent misappropriation of human faces and voices is another reason why A.I. is often criticized by anime fans.

Naoko Takeuchi's original Sailor Moon manga series, which ran from 1991-1997, is available in English from Kodansha USA. The iconic 1991 anime adaptation is available to stream on Hulu and Crunchyroll, while Sailor Moon Crystal, Toei Animation's 2018 reboot series, is available to stream on Netflix.

Sailor Moon

A tale of magic, friendship, and destiny unfolds as a clumsy teenage girl named Usagi Tsukino discovers her true identity as Sailor Moon, a guardian destined to protect Earth from dark forces. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians—each with their own unique powers and personalities—Usagi battles various enemies sent by the evil Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom. As they uncover secrets from their past lives and the legendary Silver Millennium, the team must unite to defend the world and find the elusive Silver Crystal.

Franchise

Sailor Moon

Author

Naoko Takeuchi

Artist

Naoko Takeuchi

Release Date

February 17, 1992

Genre

Magical Girl

Volumes

29

Source: X (formerly Twitter)