The release of Sailor Moon S Set 1 (S3) limited edition box set marks the latest addition to VIZ Media’s re-release of the 90s classic anime, Sailor Moon.
Now available uncut and remastered with an all-new English dub and additional features, Sailor Moon S is arguably the most interesting of the Sailor Moon seasons not only for its plot turns, but for the addition of characters Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune—some of the most groundbreaking characters in animation when it comes to LGBT+ representation.
The box set includes:
- Limited edition chipboard case (holds Parts 1 and 2 and a 96 page booklet)
- Season 3 Part 1 (episodes 90-108) on Blu-ray and DVD
- Limited edition art booklet
The Disks
As mentioned previously, Season 3 is the season of Sailor Moon where Shit. Gets. Real. After defeating the Black Moon Clan, life has returned to normal for the Sailor Scouts. But a new threat has emerged: the Death Busters, a group that’s plotting to bring about the destruction of the world through an event called the Silence. Two new Sailor Guardians have appeared and are reluctant to work with Usagi and friends, determined to stop the Death Busters in their own way. However, with so much at stake, now more than ever it’s important for all the Sailor Guardians to work together—which, after watching the previous seasons, is saying a lot.
©Naoko Takeuchi/PNP, Toei Animation
The Blu-ray and DVD combo pack comes with a total of 6 disks: three Blu-ray and three DVDs, containing the same episodes. The designs of the disks physically are similar, the colors coordinating with the Guardian printed on the disk. (However, they’re easy to identify Blu-ray from DVD because the Blu-ray base colors are darker.) Disk one is pink, featuring Sailor Moon; disk 2 is blue for Sailor Uranus; and disk 3 is green for Sailor Neptune. Overall, an attractive set of disks that match the designs of the disks in the other seasons previously released.
As for when the disks are in play, VIZ’s remastering process has been under criticism ever since they started rereleasing Sailor Moon on Blu-ray. Issues with image clarity as well as the oversaturation and recoloring (destroying the lovely pastels the 90s are so well-known for) have been a problem on every season released, and sadly Sailor Moon S has not escaped the flawed transition to Blu-ray. Up close, frames look a little pixelated, especially within the large block of color.
However, the good news is that it’s much better handled in this season that the previous ones, and more of the original image is preserved. From a distance or on a smaller screen, it’s not too noticeable—at least not enough to be distracting—but for those who want a viewing experience as authentic and clear to the original anime as possible, it might be an issue. The blown-out graphics aren’t as noticeable on the DVDs.
The disks also include special features such as an official character art gallery, cast interviews, the opening and ending songs, and original trailers. These features are included on the first disk of each format.
The Booklet
The limited edition 96-page booklet acts as a companion to the full season of Sailor Moon S, but doesn’t offer limited edition information. As someone who enjoys learning about the animation creation process, I go gaga over concept sketches, production notes, etc. which sadly, the book doesn’t offer.
What the booklet does offer is quick synopsis of the series so far, descriptions of each episode, character guide, relationship tree, and official character art, and song lyrics (in Japanese and English) for the opening and closing credits.
At a whopping $79.99 retail price, Sailor Moon S is definitely a pricey gift to a loved one (or oneself). But for those who loyal to the series and have already been collecting the box sets, in its shiny yellow case, Sailor Moon S Set 1 (S3) is a wonderful addition to the collection.
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