Netflix Silently Restores Controversial Anime with All Three Seasons

Sailor Moon: Crystal returned to Netflix on October 20th, and all three seasons of the series are now available to stream.

This version of the anime has been controversial among fans, but it isn’t the only Sailor Moon content on Netflix.

The platform also features the films Sailor Moon Eternal and Sailor Moon Cosmos, which continue the story in a different way. Fans often feel differently about these movies compared to Crystal. If you want to watch the original Sailor Moon series, you will need to look at other streaming services like Pluto TV, Prime Video, and Hulu.

Sailor Moon has been an important anime since it first aired. The show helped make the magical girl genre popular worldwide and was not afraid to show unique or bold stories. One of the most talked-about parts of the series came in the mid-1990s when Sailor Moon S introduced two new characters, Sailor Uranus (Haruka Tenoh) and Sailor Neptune (Michiru Kaiou).

In Japan, the show made it clear that they were in a romantic relationship, which was groundbreaking at the time.

When Sailor Moon was adapted for North American audiences, however, the romance between Haruka and Michiru was removed.

The English dub changed them to be cousins, which confused many viewers and created awkward scenes.

In the original Japanese version, Haruka and Michiru were seen as strong, confident, and elegant characters.

They were different from typical 90s portrayals of LGBT+ characters. Their relationship added depth to the story, especially alongside the main romance between Usagi and Mamoru. Fans quickly recognized Haruka and Michiru as unique and memorable characters.

Sailor Moon faced similar censorship issues as other 90s anime with queer themes. Despite the controversial edits in the English version, the series left a lasting impact. It played a key role in representing LGBT+ characters in anime, and Haruka and Michiru continue to be important icons in the franchise.

Netflix’s return of Sailor Moon: Crystal gives fans the chance to see these seasons again. Meanwhile, Sailor Moon Eternal and Cosmos offer more adventures for viewers. With so many streaming options, Sailor Moon fans today can explore the characters and stories in several different ways.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!