LiveJournal FeedSailor Moon is one of my favorite anime series, being one of the first I ever saw. Back then all I saw was the dubbed version, but I eventually was able to acquire the subbed versions when the Season 1 and 2 uncut sets came out. It only helped me come to love the show even more. The show spans five "seasons", like so:
| Season 1 | Sailor Moon | Episodes 1-46 |
| Season 2 | Sailor Moon R (released as Sailor Moon in the US) | Episodes 47-88 |
| Season 3 | Sailor Moon S | Episodes 89-127 |
| Season 4 | Sailor Moon SuperS | Episodes 128-166 |
| Season 5 | Sailor Moon Stars | Episodes 167-200 |
So all together there are 200 episodes to the show, as well as three movies, Sailor Moon R: The Movie, Sailor Moon S: The Movie, and Sailor Moon SuperS: the Movie and several specials.
While I really love the show, even I must admit that trying to rewatch the series can be something of a daunting task. After all, just watching the 200 main episodes, skipping the movies and specials, would still take over 83 hours! One reason being that the show has a lot of filler episodes, i.e. episodes that don't advance the story or really show any character growth. This is particularly noticeable in the first four seasons.
So I decided to make a "Episodes To See" guide for Sailor Moon, showing which episodes are the must see episodes for important character development and/or story advancement. This guide actually has two sets of episodes. The episodes listed are the ones to see for character development, first uses of new attacks/weapons, and story advancement. Those colored in red italics are skippable if you don't need to see the new attacks/weapons.
Using this guide, you can cut the viewing down to 147 episodes for a slightly more manageable viewing. Or if you skip the red italic ones, you'll have 96 episodes which is certainly more manageable than 200. ;-) I've included notes on the important things that happen during the episodes, while also trying to avoid major spoilers (unless the title of the episode spoils it anyway). As for the specials and movies, they are all skippable for character and story development, however I do highly recommend the R movie as being purely awesome and I think it does clarify quite well what keeps Usagi going and what her power really comes from.
Season 1 | |
| 1 | Duh, start of the show; introduces Sailor Moon, bad guys, Luna, Tuxedo Mask |
| 3 | Luna Pen first used, Sailor Moon controls Moon Tiara mid-flight |
| 5 | Moon Tiara Stardust attack first used; Luna actually accepted into the family |
| 8 | Mercury appears |
| 9 | Mercury's computer and VR goggles first used |
| 10 | Mars appears |
| 11 | First use of the three way combo attack |
| 13 | Jadeite dies, next enemy appears |
| 14 | Nephrite's name revealed to viewers, Zoisite appears |
| 17 | First use of the communication devices |
| 19 | Tuxedo Mask transformation and ID revealed to viewers; Sailor Moon learns Sanjoin's real identity |
| 22 | Kunzite Appears; Sailor Moon's first kiss |
| 23 | Naru protects Nephrite from Sailor Scouts, Nephrite protects Naru from Zoisite's spy |
| 24 | Naru/Nephrite conclusion, Last appearance of Nephrite |
| 25 | Jupiter Appears, Crescent Moon wand appears, Moon Healing Escalation, fist appearance of Queen Metalia |
| 26 | Star Locket appears |
| 31 | Last Rainbow crystal retrieved (and the fun of hearing Zoisite screaming like a little girl) |
| 33 | Sailor Venus appears |
| 34 | Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon discover each others identity, Moon Princess revealed |
| 35 | End of Zoisite, Kunzite takes over |
| 36 | Tuxedo Mask returns working for the enemy |
| 42 | Venus's past |
| 44 | Past of the Sailor Warriors revealed; end of Kunzite |
| 45 | Sailor Warriors go to Dark Kingdom, Sailor Scouts killed |
| 46 | Final battle: Sailor Moon/Princess Serenity vs Queen Beryl |
Season 2 (Sailor Moon R) | |
| 47 | Usagi regains memory of being Sailor Moon; Ali and En appear |
| 48 | Usagi realizes Mamaru doesn't remember her; Other scouts regain their memory |
| 49 | Moonlight Knight appears |
| 50 | Sailor Moon's Tiara no longer works |
| 51 | Sailor Moon power up with Moon Scepter |
| 52 | Venus power up |
| 53 | Mercury power up |
| 54 | Mars power up |
| 55 | Jupiter power up |
| 58 | Mamoru and Usagi captured for Doom Tree |
| 59 | End of Doom Tree arc |
| 60 | Chibi-Usa appears |
| 61 | Mamoru dumps Usagi |
| 62 | New Sailor Scout transformation pens and communicators; Mercury power up and new transformation (mild change, adds Star) |
| 63 | Mars power up and new transformation |
| 64 | First attempted use of Time Key; Puu appears |
| 65 | Venus and Jupiter power ups and new transformations |
| 68 | All Sailor Scouts & Tuxedo Mask vs all Phantom Sisters and Reubeus |
| 69 | Mamoru let's Usagi think he has a new girlfriend |
| 70 | First use of Moon Crystal Power to "refresh" and heal someone; Koan saved |
| 71 | Berthier saved; new opening sequence featuring Crystal Tokyo, new bad guys and some future folks |
| 72 | Sailor Planet Power used for first time; Chibi-Usa discovers scouts identity; Petz and Calaveras saved |
| 73 | Reubeus captures Sailor Scouts after Chibi-Usa steals Silver Crystal |
| 74 | Reubeus defeated; First appearance of Prince Dimande |
| 75 | Puu revealed to be Sailor Pluto, first appearance of Saphir |
| 76 | Esmeraude begins her attack (fairly optional) |
| 77 | Usagi and Mamoru reunited |
| 81 | Chibi-Usa's releases her power as an attack |
| 82 | Sailor Scouts go with Chibi-Usa to the future |
| 83 | King Endymion appears; Chibi-Usa's true identity revealed; Dimande captures Sailor Moon |
| 84 | Chibi-Usa captured |
| 85 | Black Lady appears |
| 86 | Dimande defeated |
| 87 | Chibi-Usa saved; Wise Man defeated |
Season 3 (Sailor Moon S) | |
| 89 | New enemies appear and unleash Daimohns in search of pure hearts; Sailor Moon's broach broken and her transformation undone; new scouts appear (unnamed); new opening sequence; Rei's pure heart targeted |
| 90 | Name of enemy, Death Busters, revealed; Sailor Moon gets new transformation (Moon Cosmic Power Makeup) and Moon Spiral Heart Rod; first use of Moon Spiral Heart Attack |
| 91 | Haruka Tenoh and Michiru appear; new sailor soldiers' names revealed; new ending theme and sequence |
| 92 | Haruka and Michiru discuss their mission (pretty much confirming what audience probably already knows as to who they are :-P ) |
| 96 | Mako's pure heart targeted ( mild character development) |
| 97 | Ami's pure heart targeted ( good Ami character development) |
| 100 | A school friend figures out that Mina is Sailor Venus, but doesn't share (or ever appear again) |
| 101 | Usagi's birthday; Usagi's pure heart targeted; Kaorinite gets her transformation brooch and recognizes it as Sailor Moon's; Tuxedo Mask captured (yet again) |
| 102 | Continues from 101; Usagi figures out that Haruka and Michiru are Uranus and Neptune; Usagi's pure heart stolen again; first time Venus pretends to be Sailor Moon using transformation pen; first (and only) use of Love Me Moon Chain; combo of Burning Mandala and Supreme Thunder; Kaorinite defeated |
| 103 | Introduction of Witches 5; new Daimohn creation sequence; witches get pure hearts with gun, while Daimohn acts as "bodyguard"; Chibiusa returns as "apprentice" Sailor Chibi-Moon; first use of Pink Sugar Heart Attack |
| 104 | First time we see Sailor Chibi-Moon's transformation sequence |
| 105 | Appearance of the talismans and holy grail revealed |
| 106 | Back story of Haruka and Michiru; first view of Uranus and Neptune's transformation sequences |
| 109 | Minako's pure heart targeted and she steals it herself LOL; from title, obviously, everyone's ID is revealed to each other and to Eugeal, though Sailor Moon's surprise is kinda silly |
| 110 | Mimet plots against Eugeal; Setsuna (unrecognized as Pluto, as usual); Uranus and Neptune die; two talismans revealed |
| 111 | Continuation of 110; Pluto transformation sequence; Third talisman revealed; cameo by Hotaru as Holy grail revealed; Sailor Moon gets Crisis Makeup second transformation; Eugeal defeated |
| 112 | Hotaru "formerly" introduced and revealed as Messiah of Silence; new pure heart capture method and Daimohn creation sequence; first use of Rainbow Moon Heartache attack; Hotaru revealed to have healing abilities; first appearance of Hotaru's father (the nutty Professor) |
| 113 | Outer scouts explain some of past to Mamoru; Kaorinite returns but not quite the same |
| 115 | Hotaru unleashes a powerful attach to protect herself from a Daimohn; Haruka warns the scouts to keep Chibiusa away from Hotaru; Uranus untransformation :-) |
| 119 | Professor Tomoe references Nephlite's old catch line of "the stars know all" :-P; Pluto reveals more about the enemy and the outer scouts goal; Hotaru revealed to be Sailor Saturn and outer scouts attempt to kill her; first use of combined outer scout attack; first mention of Pharaoh 90 |
| 120 | Mugen Academy first mentioned; first appearance of Telulu; end of Mimet; some of Hotaru and Professor Tomoe's past revealed |
| 121 | Continues where 120 left off; new method of collecting pure hearts, this time in mass; Kaorinite transformation sequence; end of Telulu; Hotaru begs Chibiusa to save her |
| 122 | Continues where 121 left off; Next of Witches 5, Byruit; Haruka and Michiru find Hotaru while Mugen academy; |
| 123 | Last of Witches 5 Cyprin; Kaorinite captures Chibiusa and her pure heart is eaten by Messiah of Silence; Mistress Nine awakened |
| 124 | Sailor Moon captured; Professor revealed to be a Daimohn; first use of Sailor Soldier barrier power; Sailor Pluto dies; Sailor Neptune and Uranus use their Talismans for first time |
| 125 | Uranus and Neptune captured; Tomoe returns to himself; Grail destroyed; Sailor Saturn awakens; Pharaoh 90 defeated |
| 126 | Ending of 125 shown again; Michiru and Haruka take baby Hotaru and give back to hospitalized Tomoe (who has forgotten everything that happened in last few years); Sailor Pluto's spirit returns to explain things to Chibiusa; Uranus and Neptune demand a fight with Sailor Moon apparently because of her idealism, but really to reveal true Messiah |
Season 4 (Sailor Moon SuperS) | |
| 128 | Start of Sailor Moon SuperS, new opening and ending visuals; first appearances of Pegasus, Dead Moon Circus, Amazon Trio (use Remless), and Zirconia (hunting beautiful dreams), Sailor Moon regains Super Sailor Moon transformation thanks to Pegasus along with new weapon |
| 129 | First showing of Chibi Moon's transformation this season |
| 130 | Pegasus reforms broaches to allow Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon to do Moon-Crisis Make Up for Super transformations (first use of new double transform sequence); gives Usagi the Kaleido-Moonscope and Chibi-Moon the Crystal Carillon; Used for new double attack of Twinkle Yell and Moon Gorgeous Meditation (MGM used but unnamed in first two episodes, now gets full sequence) |
| 131 | Naru attacked (you know it was coming LOL) and the hilarity of Tiger's Eye getting turned down for Umino is fun to watch, but otherwise skippable |
| 132 | A classmate of Mamoru named Saori discovers who Sailor Moon is, but still skippable since it is never brought up again LOL |
| 133 | First anime appearance of Diana, Luna and Artemis' daughter of the future |
| 135 | A Remless discovers Pegasus in Chibi-usa's dreams, but doesn't get to share the secret with anyone :-P; Pegasus gives Chibiusa an Stallion Rave (unnamed until episode 163) that lets her talk to him whenever she wants (and is alone) |
| 136 | Rei's dream targeted, otherwise skippable |
| 141 | Minako's dream targeted (by Tigers-Eye AND Hawks-Eye), first (and only) use of Sailor Venus' "Furious Random Crescent Beam Shots", Venus reclaims her own mirror (much like she did her heart crystal); new ending theme and animation |
| 143 | First appearance of other scouts in super form for thanks to Pegasus, but don't appear again for awhile |
| 144 | Shingo's last appearance in the series, otherwise skippable |
| 147 | First use of Super Supreme Thunder |
| 148 | Mamoru targeted, first appearance of Amazoness Quartet (unidentified), first mention of Queen Nehelenia (sort of appears, in voice), origin and true forms of Amazon Trio revealed, first mention of Golden Crystal |
| 149 | Continues from 148; Fisheye figures out Usagi is Sailor Moon and that Pegasus is inside Chibiusa; Usagi targeted; last appearance of Amazon Trio |
| 150 | First time anyone in town appears to notice the Dead Moon Circus; Amazoness Quartet "formally" introduced (brats), Queen Nehelenia fully seen; revealed that mirror needed will be golden; start of that stupid chant thing; new way of gathering mirrors (bouncing ball through back) and Remless now eat mirrors |
| 151 | No more episode previews for this season; first use of Mercury Crystal Power Make Up and Mercury Aqua Rhapsody |
| 152 | First use of Mars Crystal Power Make Up and Mars Flame Sniper |
| 154 | First use of Venus Crystal Power Make Up and Jupiter Crystal Power Make Up; first use of Venus Love and Beauty Shock and Jupiter Oak Evolution |
| 155 | First time this season when everyone transforms in a single episode with the new Crystal Power Make Up sequences; otherwise skippable |
| 156 | Interesting in that a mirror is "dirty" after someone betrays their own dreams, otherwise skippable |
| 157 | Pegasus leaves Chibiusa after she pushes to know more about him, but comes back so still skippable; first combined use of Flame Sniper and Aqua Rhapsody |
| 158 | Pegasus tells Chibiusa about the Golden Crystal, his world of Elysian, the truth of his existence, his true name, and true form; Chibiusa's first kiss :) |
| 159 | Cute/sweet Pegasus and Chibiusa stuff, but otherwise skippable |
| 160 | Amazoness Quartet and Sailor Scouts work together without realizing it; identities not revealed but still worth watching for more characterization of the Amazoness Quartet and lead up to next episode (despite the name, no Naru) |
| 161 | Dead Moon starts full scale attack on the town to capture Pegasus and Scouts figure out the enemy headquarters (took 'em long enough, gesh); identities revealed (also about time) |
| 162 | Continuation of 162; Pegasus tells scouts origins of Dead Moon, about Nehelenia, the Golden Crystal and the truth about himself; Chibi Moon captured |
| 163 | Nehelenia tells Chibi Moon of her past and her ties to the Moon Kingdom of the past |
| 164-166 | Keep watching, last three episodes, grand finale, etc :-P |
Season 5 (Sailor Moon Stars) - only available via fansub download or fansub DVD (please avoid the bootlegs on DVD) | |
| 167-172 | These are all key story episodes for concluding the Nehelenia story and leading into Stars; girls finally move up to high school, Outer Senshi return with super forms; new opening them and animation (note that stars is the ONLY series not to use Moonlight Densetsu for the opening); First use of Moon Eternal Make Up; Kaleido-Moonscope changes to Eternal Tier (unnamed); this set of episodes also is one of the only times Venus is noted to be the leader of the scouts in the anime |
| 173 | Mamoru leaves to study abroad; Chibiusa back in the future; Arrival of Three Lights (Seiya, Yaten, Taiki); First appearance of Galaxia (voice from earlier; unnamed); new enemy after a true Star Seed (similar to heart crystals but diamond shaped and come out of flowers on body :-P); first appearance of Sailor Iron Mouse/Nezu (Anima-mates); new Eternal transformation sequence (back to the usual long thing); new monsters called Phages (all named Sailor something) with defeat call of "beautiful"; first appearance of Sailor Starlights (Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Maker, Sailor Star Healer); first use of Star Serious Laser; first use of Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss (named) with new sequence |
| 174 | First appearance of enemy base (Galaxy TV); Galaxia named; Three Lights transfers to girls' high school; first use of Star Gentle Uterus (yes, you are allowed to laugh at every use) |
| 175 | First use of Star Sensitive Inferno; otherwise skippable |
| 176 | Sailor Star Fighter identity revealed to audience |
| 177 | Sailor Star Maker identity revealed to audience (in case you didn't figure it out yourself already LOL) and hey, more Uterus! :P (Starlights start using "stage on" in intro or may be next episode) |
| 178 | Sailor Star Healer identity revealed to audience; Luna gets to know Yaten better |
| 179 | Haruka and Michiru return; revealed Starlights are looking the girl they are looking for their princess; first time audience learns that Mamoru has not contacted her at all; added sound effects to Starlights |
| 180 | First identifiable, though unnamed, appearance of Sailor Aluminum Siren and Sailor Lead Crow (they appear in shadow in the last episode); Uranus and Neptune attack Starlights as intruders from outside solar system |
| 181 | Sailor Iron Mouse targets Seiya and sees him transform into Sailor Star Fighter; final appearance of Sailor Iron Mouse; Galaxia introduces self; Seiya suspects Usagi is Sailor Moon |
| 182 | Start of intros before opening again (blech); first appearance of Chibi Chibi (pulls a Chibiusa, except she becomes Usagi's little sister instead of cousin LOL); Sailor Aluminum Siren/Reiko Aya new Star Seed collector with Sailor Lead Crow/Akane Karasuma finding targets; Usagi has now sent 30 letters to Mamoru; Setsuna reappears; shout out to Robo Cop |
| 184 | skippable but extremely funny with almost everyone spending the night at Usagi's house (only Setsuna is missing) and end up having to deal with a phage :-D |
| 185 | First view of what the Starlights' princess looks like, otherwise skippable |
| 187 | Aluminum Siren sees Usagi transform and tries to get her Star Seed; Chibi Chibi transforms after touching Tier; first use of Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss (longest attack sequence yet) |
| 188 | First appearance of Tin Nyanko (unnamed); Aluminum Siren reveals Sailor Moon's identity to Three Lights; everyone's identity pretty much revealed to each other :-P First use of "Galactic Tsunami" LOL; last appearance of Aluminum Siren |
| 189 | Aftermath of revelations |
| 190 | Seiya tells Usagi about their past and why they came to Earth |
| 191 | Chibi finds an small incense burner; Three Lights and scouts reach an understanding |
| 193 | Sailor Iron Crow finds Aluminum Siren's diary and targets Usagi; Yaten and Taiki target Chibi Chibi; Princess Kakyuu (Fireball) appears (duh); last episode for Iron Crow |
| 194 | Princess Kakyuu (Fireball) tells the scouts of the Sailor Wars, Sailor Soldiers, and Galaxia; real face of Galaxia seen; new Star Fighter transformation |
| 195 | Girls finally learn that Usagi hasn't heard from Mamoru since he left; Galaxia comes to Earth; Princess Kakyuu Star Seed captured; final episode for Tin Nyanko |
| 196-200 | suffice to say, watch all five cause it is the lengthy final battle against Galaxia with plenty of fun revelations, betrayals, and heart breaking scenes :-P (oh, and have tissues on hand) |
I hope this episode guide is as helpful for others as it has been for me. It was certainly a fun way to revisit one of my favorite series, though it took me several months to get all of the episodes rewatched so I could make the guide. Of all of the seasons, it is hard to say which is my favorite. I enjoy all of them, though I was disappointed by how far from the manga the anime goes, especially in the R, S, and Super S arcs (and possibly Stars from what I've read online, since I've yet to obtain copies of the rare English Stars manga releases).
Eventually I plan to do another Sailor Moon post that will detail the differences between the anime and manga versions of the show, but its still very much a work in progress due to work and school constraints. Keep an eye out for it though! I may also do a similar guide for Cardcaptor Sakura, though I think such a guide will be much harder for me to make. CCS has some "filler" episodes, but they never really feel like fillers to me. :P
February 9, 2009 at 4:12 PM
February 9, 2009 at 5:07 PM
April 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
I do have one issue with your list, however. You designate the entirety of the Doom Tree Arc to be skippable; I assume this is due to it not being featured in the manga. If someone new to the series were to skip the arc a lot of things simply wouldn't make sense. For example, how did Sailor Moon and the others get their memories back? Just starting with the episode where Chibi-usa appears would be quite confusing to a newcomer.
I'm not trying to be insulting, just stating the facts. I really do appreciate the effort that was put into making this list. :)
October 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
October 4, 2009 at 1:36 AM
October 31, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Thanks a ton!
January 31, 2010 at 8:37 PM
The only thing that might make it better would be if it included brief notes on all the filler episodes so you can see if there is <i>anything</i> that might interest you about a particular episode you are considering skipping.
February 19, 2010 at 2:35 AM
June 19, 2010 at 6:48 AM
August 6, 2010 at 12:31 PM
April 7, 2011 at 10:12 PM
May 14, 2011 at 8:00 PM
I love the manga and wanted to check out the anime but was to lazy and your list is helping me a lot
you're awesome
June 13, 2011 at 9:20 AM
September 12, 2011 at 2:25 AM
Merry Christmas ;)
December 21, 2011 at 8:04 AM
December 21, 2011 at 8:52 AM
April 7, 2012 at 6:22 PM
April 7, 2012 at 10:07 PM