Sailor Moon redefined the magical girl genre in the 90s and in 2026, the franchise continues to captivate global audiences with its diverse cast of warriors fighting for love and justice across the solar system. Naoko Takeuchi created a vast world where destiny and friendship collide against terrifying cosmic threats. However, while Usagi Tsukino received incredible development, several supporting characters never reached their full potential.
As a result, Sailor Moon fans frequently debate which individuals deserved more screen time to explore their motivations and hidden backstories. These heroes and villains remain icons even with their unfinished business, contributing significantly to Sailor Moon’s legacy. Still, they deserved much more than creator Naoko Takeuchi could give them, falling victim to poor pacing or limited character arcs despite immense narrative potential.
Mamoru Chiba Deserved an Active Role Beyond Damsel In Distress
Throughout the Sailor Moon series, Mamoru Chiba often functions as a plot device rather than a fully realized hero. The narrative frequently places Tuxedo Mask in situations where villains kidnap or brainwash him for their own schemes. This recurring pattern deprives Mamoru of the heroic agency he clearly displays in the original manga. Many adaptations fail to explore the deep connection Mamoru Chiba shares with the Earth as Prince Endymion.
While Naoko Takeuchi may have originally intended for Mamoru to possess supernatural powers equal to the legendary Inner Guardians, the 90s Sailor Moon anime chose to simplify Tuxedo Mask’s role to a mysterious mentor who throws roses. Fans missed out on seeing Mamoru master his Psychometry or use the powerful Golden Crystal in active combat scenarios. A better arc would have focused on Mamoru leading his own team of knights against the Dark Kingdom.
Setsuna Meioh Required Development Beyond Her Space Time Door Duties
Sailor Pluto carries the heaviest burden of any Sailor Guardian within the entire Sailor Moon universe. The cosmic laws force Sailor Pluto to guard the Space-Time Door in total isolation for thousands of years. This eternal duty prevents Sailor Pluto from building meaningful relationships with her fellow guardians or living a normal life. As such, many fans feel like Sailor Moon treats Sailor Pluto more like a living tool than a person.
Most Sailor Moon episodes ignore the emotional toll that immortality and solitude take on Sailor Pluto’s psyche. Giving Sailor Pluto more adventures alongside the Outer Guardians would have balanced her tragic role in Sailor Moon. The narrative does briefly explore the mentorship Sailor Pluto provides for Chibiusa to expand her role, but these moments feel too short.
Minako Aino Deserved to Showcase Her Leadership as Sailor Venus
Minako Aino officially acted as the Sailor Guardians’ leader before Usagi Tsukino regained her memories. However, the Sailor Moon series often sidelines Sailor Venus’ strategic brilliance in favor of comic relief or idol-based subplots. Many fans wanted to see Minako reclaim her serious persona from her days as Sailor V more often. A stronger arc for Sailor Venus would emphasize her tactical mind and her secret history as the decoy princess.
The Sailor Moon franchise often forgets that Sailor Venus sacrificed her normal life long before the other girls, carrying a sense of duty that clashes with Usagi Tsukino’s more relaxed nature. Instead of sidelining her, writers should have explored the internal pressure Minako feels as the most experienced warrior on the team, highlighting her ability to lead the Inner Guardians through their darkest challenges.
Naru Osaka Vanished Despite Being Usagi’s Best Friend
Naru Osaka from Sailor Moon looking happyImage via Toei Animation
In Sailor Moon’s early seasons, Naru Osaka represents the heart of the civilian world. The story focuses on the deep friendship between Usagi Tsukino and Naru Osaka during the Dark Kingdom arc. Naru suffers significant trauma after losing Nephrite, yet she remains a loyal supporter of her best friend. As the supernatural stakes of the series increased however, Sailor Moon writers eventually pushed Naru into the background.
Usagi losing touch with Naru feels like a missed opportunity to ground the Sailor Moon narrative. Many fans believe Naru deserved a role similar to the civilian allies in other major shonen series. The show could have explored how Naru copes with the constant monster attacks in Tokyo without any magic powers. Keeping Naru involved in the later seasons would have highlighted the humanity Usagi fights to protect.
Queen Beryl Needed a Better Backstory to Explain Her Fall From Grace
Queen Beryl serves as the first major antagonist Usagi Tsukino faces in Sailor Moon. The narrative frequently presents Queen Beryl as a purely evil sorceress without exploring her human origins. During the Silver Millennium, Naoko Takeuchi hinted at a tragic love triangle involving Queen Beryl, Princess Serenity, and Prince Endymion. However, most Sailor Moon adaptations seem to ignore the heartbreak that initially led Queen Beryl to embrace the dark power of Queen Metaria.
A deeper exploration of her past would have made Queen Beryl a much more compelling villain for the Sailor Moon franchise. Viewers would have liked to see the moment Queen Beryl chose vengeance over her duty as a priestess on Earth. As the absence of a fleshed-out backstory leaves Queen Beryl feeling like a generic threat rather than a complex figure, modern Sailor Moon retellings could benefit from focusing more on Queen Beryl’s internal conflict before her corruption.
Sailor Moon’s Amazoness Quartet Had Immense Potential
CereCere, PallaPalla, JunJun, and VesVes appear as minor villains during Sailor Moon’s Dream arc. These four girls eventually reveal themselves as the Sailor Quartet, the destined protectors of Sailor Chibi Moon in the future. However, the Sailor Moon anime often ignores this connection to the future of the Silver Millennium, with fans rarely seeing the Amazoness Quartet train alongside Chibiusa to become a formidable team of warriors.
Giving the Amazoness Quartet a redemption arc in the present day would have strengthened Sailor Moon’s legacy. These characters possess distinct personalities and elemental powers that offer fresh perspectives to the Sailor Guardian team. The Sailor Moon SuperS season relegated the Amazoness Quartet to simple henchmen for Queen Nehelenia for far too long. A better story for the Amazoness Quartet involves the girls reclaiming their memories of the 30th Century.
The Sailor Starlights Needed More Screen Time to Explore Their Mission and Origins
Sailor Moon Cosmos’ Starlights, Fighter, Maker, and Healer, standing together.Image via Toei Animation
Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Maker, and Sailor Star Healer arrive late in the final season of Sailor Moon. These warriors represent a different solar system and search for their lost princess across the galaxy. While viewers wanted to see more of the culture and history behind these unique Sailor Guardians from Kinmoku, the Sailor Moon Sailor Stars anime spends a lot of time on their idol careers instead of their home world.
The Sailor Starlights often feel like temporary guest stars rather than integral parts of the Sailor Moon lore. A better arc for the Sailor Starlights would have been exploring their previous battles against the devastating Sailor Galaxia. Giving them more agency would have made their eventual reunion with Princess Kakyuu more impactful.
Hotaru Tomoe Deserved a Life Without Constant Destruction & Rebirth
Hotaru Tomoe undergoes the most traumatic experiences of any character in the Sailor Moon franchise. The young girl suffers through demonic possession, scientific experimentation, and multiple deaths before reaching adulthood, the Sailor Moon narrative constantly forcing Sailor Saturn to sacrifice herself to save the world. This cycle of suffering prevents Hotaru Tomoe from ever finding a sense of peace or normalcy within the story.
Fans wanted to see Hotaru develop her personality outside of her role as the Messiah of Silence. The Sailor Moon series rarely shows Hotaru Tomoe enjoying her childhood or building a bond with Chibiusa. A stronger arc for Sailor Saturn would involve her mastering her powers of destruction without dying in the process. Hotaru Tomoe deserved a narrative that allowed her to be a hero and a happy child simultaneously.
Michiru Kaioh’s Individual Artistic Life Deserved More Focus
In Sailor Moon, Michiru Kaioh often appears exclusively as Haruka Tenoh’s romantic partner. While their relationship remains a high point for the franchise, Michiru Kaioh possesses a fascinating life as a world-class violinist. However, the Sailor Moon anime frequently prioritizes Sailor Neptune’s combat skills and romantic relationship over her personal ambitions and artistic struggles.
A better arc for Michiru would explore how she balances her duty as a guardian with her passion for music. The narrative could have used Michiru’s artistic talents to provide a unique perspective on the Sailor Moon world. All in all, Sailor Neptune remains an icon, but this change would have helped define her as an individual outside of her partnership.
Chibiusa’s Transition to a Mature Sailor Guardian Should’ve Been Faster
Chibiusa remains one of Sailor Moon’s most polarizing characters due to her early behavior. The ’90s Sailor Moon anime extended her bratty phase for several seasons, making her interactions with Usagi repetitive. Many viewers felt frustrated by Chibiusa’s slow growth as a future queen and a warrior. Chibiusa possesses a lot of heart, but the writing often masked her potential behind childish tantrums.
The Sailor Moon series finally showcases her maturity during the Dream arc, but this change comes very late. A better arc for Sailor Chibi Moon would focus on her earning her place as a legendary hero. Chibiusa deserved more episodes where she demonstrated her leadership skills without relying on her parents for help.
Release Date
1992 – 1997
Network
tv asahi
Directors
Takao Yoshizawa, Harume Kosaka, Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Kotono Mitsuishi
Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon (voice)
Aya Hisakawa
Ami Mizuno / Sailor Mercury (voice)
