After a hiatus of nearly five years, the beloved Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Nogizaka46 Version musical has graced the stage once again, much to the delight of fans. The latest generation of Nogizaka46 members, known as the Fifth Generation, has stepped into the spotlight, sharing their excitement for the musical's triumphant return alongside a fresh unveiling of revamped costumes.

Reported by the Japanese entertainment outlet Natalie, the official live-action Sailor Moon musical kicked off its latest run on April 12, 2024, at the IMM THEATER in Tokyo, Japan. The previous staging of this anime-inspired spectacle took place back in November 2019 in Shanghai, China. As tradition dictates, the iconic roles of the Sailor Guardians are portrayed by the current lineup of Nogizaka46, a renowned Japanese female idol group comprising 11 talented members.

The Sailor Moon musical extravaganza introduces two ensembles of performers known as Team Star and Team Moon. For the ongoing run from April 12 to 29, the spotlight shines on Team Moon, featuring Nagi Inoue as Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon, Aya Ogawa as Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury, Hina Okamoto as Rei Hino/Sailor Mars, Mao Ioki as Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter, Teresa Ikeda as Minako Aino/Sailor Venus, alongside Tenju Mitsuki as Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask, and Rinko Matsubara as Queen Beryl.

Reflecting on their roles, Nagi Inoue expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity, aspiring to embody the spirit of Usagi Tsukino and Sailor Moon to the fullest. Aya Ogawa, echoing similar sentiments, conveyed her enthusiasm for portraying Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury, aiming to showcase the multifaceted charm of her character and the empowering message of girl power inherent in Sailor Moon.

Hina Okamoto reminisced about the initial challenges of rehearsals, from mastering scripts and choreography to adapting to the intricacies of stage performance. Yet, through dedication and inspiration drawn from her fellow cast members, Okamoto found joy and fulfillment in her stage journey, rediscovering the thrill of live performance.

Mao Ioki and Teresa Ikeda shared their joy in embodying their respective characters, finding fulfillment in the opportunity to explore different facets of themselves through Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus. Despite initial apprehensions, both actresses embraced their roles wholeheartedly, buoyed by the support of their peers and the infectious energy of the production.

As the Sailor Moon anime franchise continues to captivate audiences worldwide through various streaming platforms and adaptations, the legacy of Naoko Takeuchi's iconic manga lives on, resonating with fans old and new alike. And with each spirited performance on stage, the magic of Sailor Moon thrives, inspiring generations with its timeless message of friendship, courage, and love.

Source: Natalie  The Hollywood Reporter

Sailor Moon

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

A group of schoolgirls discover they are incarnations of super-powered alien princesses, and use their abilities to defend the earth.

Release DateSeptember 11, 1995

CastStephanie Sheh , Kotono Mitsuishi , Kate Higgins , Aya Hisakawa , Cristina Valenzuela , Michie Tomizawa , Emi Shinohara , Amanda Céline Miller , Cherami Leigh , Rica Fukami

Main GenreAnime

Seasons5

CreatorNaoko Takeuchi

Main CharactersSusan Roman, Jill Frappier, Katie Griffin

Production CompanyToei Agency, Toei Animation, Toei Company

Number of Episodes200