Yearly Archives: 2014

Barbara Radecki, the voice of Sailor Neptune, to appear at Unplugged Expo in Toronto September 27th and 28th

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Barbara Radecki, the voice of Sailor Neptune, at Unplugged Expo

Barbara Radecki, who voiced Sailor Neptune in the Cloverway dub of Sailor Moon S, will be making an appearance at Unplugged Expo 3 this September 27th and 28th at the Chestnut Conference Centre in downtown Toronto. Barbara Radecki also provided the voice of Serena’s mother in both the DiC dubbed first two seasons and the Cloverway dubbed S and SuperS seasons and one of the Doom and Gloom Girls in the episode Day of Destiny.

Ikuko Mama - Serena's Mom

Last year’s Unplugged Expo had a huge gathering of Sailor Moon voice actors to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show. I had a fantastic time at Unplugged Expo 2. For more on that check out the first and second panels that were recorded at that convention.

Sailor Neptune

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Schedule of Sailor Moon related events at Anime North 2014 May 23rd to the 25th

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Anime North program cover

The Anime North web site has posted it’s schedule for this coming weekend’s convention. Here’s a run down of the Sailor Moon related events which will be taking place at the convention which will feature as guests Linda Ballantyne, the voice of Sailor Moon, Katie Griffin, the voice of Sailor Mars, Susan Roman, the voice of Sailor Jupiter, Toby Proctor, the voice of Tuxedo Mask and John Stocker, voice director for the movies and later seasons of the anime.

Friday May 23rd:

5pm – Sailor Moon Merchandise and Media panel. This panel is run by Emily of the Moon Chase blog. I’ve been to this panel at other conventions in the past. It will be a run down of the current state of Sailor Moon as far as merchandise and rights goes. With a lot of new merchandise coming out and Viz getting the rights to the old and new anime this panel should prove interesting.

7pm – Sailor Moon voice actor autograph session.

9pm – Sailor Moon Resurgent. This panel will have the Sailor Moon voice actors sharing stories.

Saturday May 24th:

1pm – Sailor Moon voice actor autograph session.

3pm – Sailor Moon voice actors. This is the Saturday Sailor Moon voice actor panel featuring the convention’s guests.

4pm – Sailor Moon. I don’t have any details about this panel. It seems to be a fan panel to discuss the show.

Sunday May 25th:

2pm – Sailor Moon voice actor autograph session.

4pm – Sailor Moon voice actors. This is the Sunday Sailor Moon voice actor panel featuring the convention’s guests.

Watch Sailor Moon episodes 1 to 4 for free on Hulu

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Sailor Moon on Hulu

Following Friday’s announcement of Viz’s acquisition of the rights to the series, the first four episodes of Sailor Moon are now available to view with subtitles for free on Hulu and Neon Alley, including episode 2 which has never been dubbed. Viz will be releasing two new episodes every Monday from now on. Though the episodes can be viewed for free they will include commercials which can’t be skipped. Hate commercials? That’s too bad. Hulu’s pay service Hulu Plus is truly terrible as it will not remove commercials.

The episodes are completely uncensored with English subtitles. The current episode previews are kept though they have been moved from before the credits until after the credits. Next episode previews are included in their normal spot at the end of the episode. Commercial bumpers are the only thing missing from these episodes.

Sailor Moon episode 01 Screenshot - Japanese DVD

Japanese DVD
Sailor Moon episode 01 Screenshot - Hulu

Hulu

The quality of the release is quite good. Since it is streaming it is not perfect but the quality is comparable to the Japanese DVD releases, the current best quality release there is, as can be seen with these example screen grabs.

Sailor Moon episode 2 screenshot - Japanese DVD

Japanese DVD
Sailor Moon episode 2 screenshot - Hulu

Hulu

The Hulu service is not available in all countries. As a Canadian I needed to use a proxy service to view the episodes. I use Unblock-US, a pay service, though others exist. I was not able to access the Neon Alley site directly even from a proxy. Though no legal Canadian option is available at this time Viz is trying to find a way to bring the show to Canadian. This includes talking to YTV about the possibility of airing it on TV. Once the DVD and Blu-Ray releases are out later this year, Canadians will be able to enjoy those.

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Viz Media to release all 200 episodes of Sailor Moon subbed and with a new dub on DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming starting May 19th

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Viz Media

After years of waiting the original Sailor Moon anime series has been licensed for distribution by Viz! The original Sailor Moon series will be released by them on DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming both dubbed and subbed. Viz has also acquired the rights to the new Sailor Moon anime Sailor Moon Crystal! This was announced on Friday, May 16th, at Anime Central.

Sailor Moon season 1 promotional image

The streaming subbed episodes will be released every Monday starting with the first four episodes which will be released on Neon Alley and Hulu with two new episode being released every Monday after that.

Luna using a computer

In addition to this subtitled release a whole new dub is being produced. This new release will be retaining all original names and story arcs, be completely unedited, and include all 200 episodes, including Sailor Stars which has never previously been released in North America and the 7 episodes from the first two seasons which were never dubbed. Viz has also acquired the rights to the three Sailor Moon movies and the specials. The new dub will be released streaming in late 2014. Details about the cast of the new dub will be announced at Anime Expo in Los Angeles the weekend of July 3rd to the 6th. This will likely be taking place on Sailor Moon Day, which is being held July 5th. Anime Expo will be having as guests a number of voice actors from the original dub of the Sailor Moon anime, including Linda Ballantyne, Sailor Moon, Katie Griffin, Sailor Mars, Stephanie Morgenstern, Sailor Venus, Karen Bernstein, Sailor Mercury, Susan Roman, Sailor Jupiter, Toby Proctor, Tuxedo Mask, Mary Long, Molly, Ron Rubin, Artemis and John Stocker, voice director. Though fans would love to see their favourite voice actors reprise their role there has been no indication one way or another that this will be the case.

These new releases will also be on DVD and Blu-Ray. The subtitled digital download releases will begin in Summer 2014 with season 1 part 1. The dub will be released with the DVD and Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack releases at a later date. The video is mentioned to be the remastered version from Japan, though details on this remastering process are not currently known. The DVD releases currently available in Japan are standard definition releases. The first season and movies are in 480p, progressive scan, though Sailor Moon R, S, SuperS and SailorStars have only ever been released on interlaced 480i DVDs in Japan to date. Based on comments made in an Anime News Network interview it would appear that the work has been done using post processing rather that going back to the original film source. The last DVDs released domestically from ADV were pretty much completely terrible, so we can certainly expect this version to be a vast improvement.

The following trailer accompanies this announcement:

Tracey Hoyt, the voice of Rini, to perform an improv show in Toronto May 22nd to June 1st

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Tracey Hoyt, the voice of Rini/Sailor Chibi Moon

Tracey Hoyt, the actress who provided the original English voice of Rini and Sailor Chibi Moon in the first two seasons of Sailor Moon and the movies, will be performing at the Pentimento Gallery in Toronto from May 22nd to June 1st. This performance won’t be related to her time on Sailor Moon, but instead will be an improv show “Face Value” which is described as follows:

Improv artist Tracey Hoyt embodies and explores a selection of unforgettable Leslieville characters, inspired in ‘real time’ by the striking photography of Kate Ashby.

Check out the Crows Theatre web site for more information and tickets. This would be a good show to check out for out of town fans who are in Toronto that weekend for Anime North!

Chibiusa kissing her father

Tracey Hoyt also runs a voice acting class. Check out the Pirate Voice web site for more info on that. Thanks to Amanda on our Facebook page for the scoop.

Sailor Moon 20th Anniversary Memorial Tribute Album Vinyl Records to be released June 25th

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Sailor Moon Memorial Tribute Album vinyl edition - Moonlight Densetsu and Tuxedo Mirage

The Sailor Moon 20th Anniversary Memorial Tribute Album is getting a release on vinyl! There will be five different records released with two songs on each. Collect all five to get the full album.

Sailor Mercury - Sailor Moon Memorial Tribute Album vinyl edition - Sailor Star Song and Heart Moving

Each record features cover art of a different Sailor Guardian. The record with Sailor Moon on the cover contains Moonlight Densetsu and Tuxedo Mirage, both performed by Momoiro Clover Z. The one with Sailor Mercury on the cover contains the Sailor Star Song by Mitsuko Horie and Heart Moving by Shoko Nakagawa. Sailor Mars is found on the jacket of the record containing La Soldier by Tommy Heavenly6 and Ai No Senshi by Mariko Goto and Avu-chan. The record with Sailor Jupiter on the cover contains Princess Moon by Haruka Fukuhara and “Rashiku” Ikimasho by Haruko Momoi. Finally the record featuring Sailor Venus on the cover contains Otome No Policy by Etsuko Yakushimaru and Kaze Mo Sora Mo Kitto by Makoto Kawamoto. The bonus track from the CD, the French version of Moonlight Densetsu, does not have a vinyl release as it is not part of the core album.

Sailor Mars - Sailor Moon Memorial Tribute Album vinyl edition - La Soldier and Ai No Senshi

The records can be purchased individually or as a set from HMV. Since the links on that page don’t seem to work click directly on the product name to buy the box set featuring all five or the individual record featuring Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter or Sailor Venus. The box set costs 8100 yen, about $80 US and the individual records each cost 1620 yen, about $16 US.

Sailor Jupiter - Sailor Moon Memorial Tribute Album vinyl edition - Princess Moon and "Rashiku" Ikimasho

Source: Sailor Moon Collectibles

Sailor Venus - Sailor Moon Memorial Tribute Album vinyl edition - Otome No Policy and Kaze Mo Sora Mo Kitto

Many designs of Sailor Moon space shirts for sale until Thursday at Pop Up Tee

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ChibiSpace shirt at Pop Up Tee

From now until 2pm EST on Thursday May 15th there are eight Sailor Moon shirts available at Pop Up Tee. Most of these feature one of the Sailor Guardians in front of a space background. The shirts are ChibiSpace, MarsSpace, MercurySpace, Sailor Mirror, Sailor Team, SailorSpace, VenusSpace and JupiterSpace.

MarsSpace shirt at Pop Up Tee

All shirts are designed by Ed Woody. Check out his Facebook Page for more of his work and his RedBubble store to see more Sailor Moon products.

MercurySpace shirt at Pop Up Tee

Keep reading to see the rest of the designs.

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Keiko Han, Toru Furuya and Toshi Furukawa to appear at Animazement in North Carolina May 23rd to the 25th

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Keiko Han, the voice of Luna in Sailor Moon

A bunch of Japanese Sailor Moon voice actors will be appearing at Animazement May 23rd to the 25th at the Raleigh Convention Center in North Carolina. The convention will feature Keiko Han, the voice of Luna and Queen Beryl, Toru Furuya, the voice of Tuxedo Mask, and Toshi Furukawa, the voice of Hawk’s Eye.

Toru Furuya, the voice of Tuxedo Mask

Toru Furuya was originally mentioned as reprising his role of Tuxedo Mask in the new Sailor Moon anime Sailor Moon Crystal which will begin airing July 5th. Though his former costar Kotono Mitsuishi is confirmed as playing Usagi in the series we have not gotten that same confirmation from Toru Furuya. Let’s hope that someone asks about his involvement in the series at the convention.

Toshi Furukawa, the voice of Hawk's Eye from Sailor Moon

Sailor Uranus and Neptune S. H. Figuarts as well as Sailor Mars and Jupiter Figuarts Zero figures revealed

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Sailor Uranus S. H. Figuarts Sailor Neptune S. H. Figuarts

This Saturday and Sunday in Akihabara Japan is the Tamashii Nations Summer Collection 2014 event. At this event they’ve revealed the Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune S. H. Figuarts figures as well as Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter in the Figuarts Zero line!

Sailor Mars Figuarts ZERO Sailor Jupiter Figuarts ZERO

The figures shown are all prototypes so they have no colour, except for a bit of colour in the eyes of the S. H. Figuarts figures. The S. H. Figuarts line are small very posable figures with many swappable parts such as extra faces and hands. The Figuarts ZERO line are of larger more expensive statues that feature a single pose for that character.

Sailor Saturn S. H. Figuarts

Also on display were all of the previous Figuarts items including a colour version of S. H. Figuarts Sailor Saturn which was displayed a while ago on the official site. Sailor Saturn is now available for pre-order in Japan from sites like JList, CD Japan and YesAsia for an August release.

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Linda Ballantyne, Katie Griffin, Susan Roman, Toby Proctor and John Stocker to appear at Anime North in Toronto May 23rd to the 25th

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Sailor Moon 20th Anniversary Cast Reunion Panel at Fan Expo 2013 featuring Susan Roman, Katie Griffin, Linda Ballantyne, Toby Proctor and John Stocker

In just a couple of weeks, May 23rd to the 25th 2014, a bunch of voice actors from the English dub of Sailor Moon will be appearing at Anime North in Toronto. The convention will play host to Linda Ballantyne, the voice of Sailor Moon, Katie Griffin, the voice of Sailor Mars, Susan Roman, the voice of Sailor Jupiter, Toby Proctor, the voice of Tuxedo Mask and John Stocker, voice director for the movies and later seasons of the series.

Linda Ballantyne (Sailor Moon) Toby Proctor (Tuxedo Mask) Katie Griffin (Sailor Mars) Adam Gardner (Sailor Moon News web master) Susan Roman (Sailor Jupiter) and John Stocker (voice director)

Last year at Anime North I was able to record the Memories of the 80s and Sailor Moon Voice Actor Q&A panels. Also be sure to check out the interviews I did with John Stocker, Katie Griffin, Susan Roman, Linda Ballantyne and Toby Proctor.