Is Galarian Slowpoke meant to look like Sailor Moon? If so, what will Galarian Slowbro and Slowking look like?

Galarian Slowpoke's moves

It has come to my attention that Galarian Slowpoke looks like Sailor Moon and now I can’t unsee it! What does this mean? Slowpoke is a Pokémon. One of the original 150 from the first games actually, but there is a new variant on this Pokémon that was announced in the past week and that is Galarian Slowpoke. This version of Slowpoke is native to the Galar region, which is where the new games Pokémon Sword and Shield take place. There was a new bit of DLC (Downloadable Content) announced last week and while that won’t be playable until the summer fans can get a sneak peak by catching a Galarian Slowpoke. This looks a lot like a normal Slowpoke except for the fact that it has some yellow on the top of it’s head and tail. Due to the way Slowpoke has round ears this makes it look as if it has blonde hair with two hair buns. These clearly resembles Sailor Moon’s famous Odango Atama or Meatball Head hair style!

Galarian Slowpoke as Sailor Moon by @sindorman

I first heard about this when I stumbled upon an image on Instagram that artist @sindorman made of Slowpoke as Sailor Moon. The artist also posted this image to his Twitter account. He mentions that he heard about this on Twitter but I didn’t see any particularly viral Tweet discussing this idea. I can only assume he saw this Tweet by @csmith03 which mentioned the idea. An earlier Tweet by @squirreIseok mentioned it as well but this didn’t have much visibility.

Who first noticed the similarity? I’m not certain but some time before Galarian Slowpoke was even conceived of this “Sailor Slowpoke” animation was made by YouTube user Mdbruin. This video appears to similarly be inspired by Slowpoke’s ears which are similar Usagi’s hair. You can watch the video embedded below.

It’s a bit funny that Slowpoke is known for being a sleepy, lazy Pokémon while Usagi is herself known for being lazy. For fun I called a Slowpoke Sailor Moon and gave her the moves Slack Off, Yawn, Rest and Confusion. They all seemed to fit. Unfortunately she was unable to learn Cosmic Power via TM and there’s no way to teach her Moonblast, a move learned only by leveling up or breeding in the game but not by Slowpoke. Perhaps Slowbro or Slowking will be able to learn these and other Sailor Moon themed moves when the expansions are released!

Galarian Slowpoke at Wedgehurst Station

Now comes the big question. Was this similarity deliberate? Not one usually prone to speculation I am inclined to say … maybe? One can not deny that Galarian Slowpoke’s yellow head looks like hair. The ears really do look like two buns on Slowpoke’s head. In Japan this hair style, especially in a blonde colour, makes one think of Sailor Moon. Slowpoke doesn’t look like Chun-Li or Princess Leia, but rather like Usagi or Sailor Moon! It may very well be the case that the similarity is intentional and that one or both of the evolutions of Galarian Slowpoke, that being Slowbro and Slowking, which we will see only when the DLC is released are planned to be some sort of magical girl inspired Pokémon. This could include a tiara, a bow, a skirt or something of the sort. Is there any precedent for this?

Ohmega Pokémon

While I think an obvious reference may be unlikely something more subtle is certainly possible. There have been a number of references to other pop culture characters and even real people throughout the series, including many to characters in Japan. To me Ledian always looked like a Power Ranger, something out of a Japanese Sentai series. In the latest game Falinks is a group of six small Pokémon who work together as one which is similar to a Sentai team. Tyranitar resembles Godzilla quite a bit. More than that Ohmega, a Pokémon which never made the final cut for the original games, is a mechanical giant lizard who closely resembles Mecha Godzilla. Kadabra and Alakazam are psychic type Pokémon who are bending spoons, inspired by real life scam artist Uri Geller. Kadabra’s Japanese name “Yungerer” is clearly a play on his name. Uri Geller sued over Kadabra’s name and likeness.

dynamax_galarian_slowpoke

Nintendo certainly doesn’t want to commit any copyright violation with Slowpoke or its evolutions, but a subtle reference isn’t something which is likely to cause any legal troubles. We will have to wait until later this year to see what Galarian Slowbro and Slowking will look like. The first DLC, coming this summer, will allow access to the Isle of Armor, where trainers will get the item which will evolve Galarian Slowpoke into Galarian Slowbro. The second DLC, to be released this fall, will allow access to the Crown Tundra where trainers will be able to get an item to evolve Galarian Slowpoke into Galarian Slowking. It’s likely that Game Freak will reveal what these Pokémon will look like prior to the DLC’s release. I’ll certainly be waiting patiently to see if an upcoming Nintendo Direct confirms my suspicions!

Galarian Slowpoke

Are you playing Pokémon Sword or Shield? If it wasn’t obvious I’ve been playing quite a bit. My friend code is SW-1634-7770-3416. Let me know in a comment if you add me so that I knew who I’m getting request from. My name will be Adam G. though my Pokémon trainer’s name is Blitzy. If you haven’t picked up the game yet you can support the site by buying it using the links below.

The English version of Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19, Time Warp – Sailor Pluto, is now available on Hulu

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - Sailor Pluto

The latest English dubbed episode of Sailor Moon Crystal to be added to Hulu and Neon Alley takes us to the future! Act 19, Time Warp – Sailor Pluto, has the gang following Chibiusa to the 30th Century Crystal Tokyo and getting their lives threatened by Sailor Pluto in the process. Who does she report to anyway? I sort of assumed her boss was Neo Queen Serenity, who probably wouldn’t appreciate her employee killing her past self, but I guess these rules exist for a reason! Fans of the Pokémon anime will recognise Sailor Pluto’s English voice, Veronica Taylor, as Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum. Yes that’s right I’ve found another reason to bring up Pokémon. Sailor Pluto’s adult female voice actually sounds more like Ash’s Mom, Delia Ketchum. Does that make King Endymion Professor Oak?

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - Diana

We get to see Diana the kitten this week very briefly, though we won’t hear her talk until the next episode. One thing we also see but don’t totally see if Usagi and Mamoru having sex! This was hinted at heavily in the manga but in Sailor Moon Crystal not a lot is left to interpretation.

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - The morning after

Next week is Act 20, Crystal Tokyo – King Endymion, has us actually hearing Diana’s voice, though we don’t yet know who will be voicing her. We’ll also see the purple version of Tuxedo Mask and get a bunch of backstory including who Chibiusa’s parents are! OMG who could it be?!

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19, Time Warp - Sailor Pluto

Watch the English dubbed version of Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19, Time Warp – Sailor Pluto, Friday March 18th at 9pm Eastern Time

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - Sailor Pluto

The next English dubbed episode of Sailor Moon Crystal will be available this Friday on Hulu and Neon Alley. Act 19, Time Warp – Sailor Pluto, will be available at 9pm Eastern Daylight Time. Daylight Savings Time is in effect so if you’re lucky enough to live in an area that doesn’t celebrate, Sailor Moon Crystal may be released at a different time than you had been expecting it! This week we go to the future and on the way meet Sailor Pluto who pretty much wants to kill Sailor Moon. Sailor Pluto will be voiced by Veronica Taylor. Anime fans may know her best as the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon! Also appearing in this episode is the adorable cat Diana, though I am not sure who will be performing her voice at this time and we won’t actually hear her speak until Act 20, unless there’s some unexpected ADR.

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - Diana

Fans of Usagi and Mamoru will be excited to see them have sex in this week’s episode! This was strongly hinted at in the manga but not at all subtle in Sailor Moon Crystal. We’ll see if the English dub tries to smooth over this sex scene or if they fully embrace it.

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19 - Usagi and Mamoru having sex

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 19, Time Warp - Sailor Pluto

A Pokémon/Sailor Moon Crossover? Is the Golden Crystal or Mamoru’s Star Seed in the Pokémon Moon logo?

Pokémon Sailor Moon Crossover?

Could it be that the upcoming Pokémon games Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon include a Sailor Moon Crossover? Zack Compton, who created this image and left it on our Facebook page, seems to think so. The Japanese Pocket Monsters Moon logo includes a small gold coloured gem which looks suspiciously like a True Star Seed. The picture above shows Galaxia with (spoiler!) Tuxedo Mask’s Star Seed which happens to closely resemble the Golden Crystal from Sailor Moon SuperS and the Dream arc of the manga. Though the similarity is a bit of a stretch the game also has Moon in the title so why not? Check out the games official Japanese logo below. The “Confirmed” comment is a reference to a trend in the Pokémon fandom to confirm remakes throughout the years.

Japanese Pokémon Moon logo

Here is Sailor Chibi Moon with the Golden Crystal, quite similar to the gem from the image and of course nearly identical to Tuxedo Mask’s Star Seed. There are minor differences with Star Seeds being partially transparent with a shiny star inside and the Golden Crystal being a fairly uniform colour.

Sailor Moon SuperS episode 165 - Sailor Chibi Moon and The Golden Crystal

The Pokémon/Sailor Moon crossovers don’t end there! As I’ve previously mentioned Makoto’s father, as seen in Act 17, looks just like Brock from Pokémon! This may largely be due to the fact that he’s closing his eyes in the photo. Who does that? Maybe Makoto’s father is French Stewart.

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Makoto's father was Brock from Pokémon

Brock from Pokémon

Source: Zack Compton on our Facebook Page

The English version of Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17, Secret – Sailor Jupiter, is now available on Hulu

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Makoto kissing Asanuma

The latest English dubbed episode of Sailor Moon Crystal is now available on Hulu and Neon Alley. Act 17, Secret – Sailor Jupiter, is all about Makoto and her secrets. It focuses on her relationship with Ittou Asanuma, a boy who is himself infatuated with Mamoru. The villain this week is Petz of the Specter Sisters.

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Petz

We get a bit of backstory about Makoto’s parents who died in a plane crash. They are seen in a photo and Makoto’s mother looks just like Brock from Pokémon. The timeline doesn’t really make sense if this were a real thing, plus there are no Pokémon in the world of Sailor Moon, but it’s fun to think about these things!

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Makoto's father was Brock from Pokémon

Brock from Pokémon

Next week is Act 18 – Invasion – Sailor Venus. In this episode we will see the Shitennou once more!

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17, Secret - Sailor Jupiter

Watch English dubbed version of Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17, Secret – Sailor Jupiter, Friday March 4th at 9pm EST

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Makoto kissing Asanuma

The next English dubbed episode of Sailor Moon Crystal will be available on Hulu and Neon Alley this Friday night at 9pm Eastern Time, 8pm Central Time and 6pm Pacific Time! If you’re from Newfoundland you’ll just have to do the math as usual. Act 17, Secret – Sailor Jupiter, is all about Makoto. She befriends Ittou Asanuma, who would much rather get a kiss from Mamoru!

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17 - Makoto's father was Brock from Pokémon

This episode features some back story on Makoto’s past in which we learn that her father is Brock from Pokémon! Funny her mother look nothing like either Officer Jenny or Nurse Joy. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Artemis in this English version of Sailor Moon Crystal, also provides the voice of Brock in Pokémon Origins! This means that if for whatever reason future episodes of Sailor Moon Crystal deviate widely from the manga and include a spoken scene from Makoto’s father, he can not only look like but also sound like Brock in the English version! Here’s a picture of Brock I drew decades ago when I was trying to make a Pokémon site. Apologies for all of the broken links. It was 1999.

Brock from Pokémon

Sailor Moon Crystal Act 17, Secret - Sailor Jupiter

Sailor Moon Crystal to air in Portugal starting May 2nd. Listen to a preview now!

Sailor Moon Crystal to air in Portugal on May 2nd

The first country to air a dubbed version of Sailor Moon Crystal will be Portugal! The Portugese dub of the series will begin airing this Saturday May 2nd at 8:30pm local time on BIGGS. This will be the equivalent of 3:30pm Eastern Time, 12:30pm Pacific Time. Check out this link to watch a commercial for the series which features clips from the new Portugese dub courtesy of the Sailor Moon Portugal Facebook Page. There isn’t much talking in this commercial but you can hear Sailor Moon using her “Moon Tiara Boomerang” attack and saying her famous “In the name of the Moon I will punish you” line. You can also hear a clip of Usagi’s classmate Yumiko.

Sailor Moon’s voice in this dub is provided by Raquel Ferreira whose previous anime credits included the voices of Ash Ketchum and Jessie of Team Rocket in Pokémon. She is also a singer who has appeared on Dancing with the Stars. Tuxedo Mask will be voiced by Rogério Jacques who also provides the voice of Nephrite. The voice of Sailor Mars and Luna will be provided by Cristina Cavalinhosas. Fernanda Figueiredo, who was the voice of Sailor Moon in the Portuguese dub of the original Sailor Moon anime, will be voicing Sailor Moon’s mother Queen Serenity.

The dub will be done by 112 Studios who have done many other Anime dubs such as Beyblade, Bakugan and Inuyasha.

Source: Sailor Moon Portugal

Shoko Nakagawa to voice Diana in Sailor Moon Crystal

Shoko Nakagawa, the voice of Diana in Sailor Moon Crystal

The new voice of Diana for Sailor Moon Crystal will be Shoko Nakagawa. This announcement was made on the Sailor Moon Official Site which included an image of Diana which is included above. Shoko Nakagawa is a media personality best known as the presenter of Pokémon Sunday, a variety show about all things Pokémon. She is also an actress and singer, having performed a great number of anime series opening and ending themes including many for the Pokémon anime and movies.

Diana is the future daughter of Luna and Artemis who lives in Crystal Tokyo. She is Chibiusa’s good friend, much in the same way that Luna and Artemis are Usagi and Minako’s companions. While Diana did not appear until Sailor Moon SuperS, the 4th season of the original anime, she appears much earlier in the manga. Diana’s first manga appearance is at the end of Act 19, Time Warp – Sailor Pluto, which is this coming Saturday’s episode which will be available on April 4th. Diana appears only briefly at the end of this chapter of the manga, vocalising little more than a simple meow. We will likely not have Shoko Nakagawa saying much until Act 20, Crystal Tokyo – King Endymion, which will be available April 18th.

The cast of the new Viz English dub of Sailor Moon R was announced at Katsucon this weekend

Viz Media

This weekend is Katsucon in National Harbor Maryland. On Friday, February 13th, Viz hosted a Sailor Moon panel in which the dub cast for Sailor Moon R was announced. The panel was hosted by Charlene Ingram and included Cherami Leigh, the voice of Sailor Venus, Amanda Miller, the voice Sailor Jupiter, Cristina Vee, the voice of Sailor Mars and Robbie Daymond, the voice of Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Moon episode 47 - Ail and An

The new actors who will be joining the show for Sailor Moon R are Johanna Luis as the alien An also known as Natsumi Ginga, Brian Beacock as the Alien Ail also known as Seijirou Ginga, Sandy Fox as Chibiusa and Veronica Taylor as Sailor Pluto. Veronica Taylor is likely the best known of these voice actors for providing the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon.

Sailor Moon R episode 75 - Sailor Pluto

You can watch the panel on Ustream below:

The first season of Viz’s new Sailor Moon dub is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray in two half season sets. Buy them from Amazon using the links below to support the site:

Source: The Fandom Post

Animeniacs shirt featuring Ash, Goku and Sailor Moon for sale at Pop Up Tee

Animeniacs shirt feturing Ash Ketchum, Goku and Sailor Moon

From now until Saturday you can pick up this Animeniacs shirt featuring Ash Ketchum from Pokémon, Goku from Dragonball and Sailor Moon in an homage to the Animaniacs logo. The shirt is $12.99 and will be sold until 2pm Eastern Time on Saturday May 11th at Pop Up Tee.

Animaniacs logo

The artist, Ratigan Designs, also has other shirts in the Animeniacs series for sale. For more by this artist check out Ratigan Designs on Facebook or RedBubble.