Naoko Takeuchi Interview

Smile Magazine, December 1998


This interview appeared in the December 1998 issue of Smile Magazine, along with Chapter 34 of the Sailor Moon manga. Image are reproduced below the transcription.



Any true comicbook fan will go to any length to make it to the San Diego Comic Convention, the biggest comic convention in the States. So when the creator of Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi, showed up at San Diego Comic Con this past August, you can bet that Sailor Moon fans were out in full force. The Con lasted four days with Naoko making her rounds for the first two. Devoted followers came from all over to hear her panel and hopefully come away with an autograph. On day one, Naoko met her fans during her autograph session. The line was so long that it extended onto the show floor! On day two, Naoko faced cheering fans at a one-hour question and answer panel. Approximately 500 people were there and there would have been more if people weren't lining up for the autograph session scheduled right after. In her spare time, Naoko managed to hit the San Diego Zoo, shop local stores and walk the convention for Sailor Moon souvenirs. It was a great time for Naoko and the fans!

Question: How did you come up with the idea for Sailor Moon
Naoko: I was talking with my editors and trying to decide on the story, when I mentioned that I was a fan of sentai shows (live-action team shows like Power Rangers). I decided I wanted to do a team show with an all-female group

Question: Will Sailor Moon continue?
Naoko: The Sailor Moon manga ends at volume 18. That's it, there won't be any more.

Question: If you could be one of the Sailor Scouts, which one would you be and why?
Naoko: I'd be Sailor Moon, because when I created the character, she was the closest to my own personality.

Question: Will there be any Starlight movies or OAVs?
Naoko: I want them to do that too!

Question: Why is there no Sailor Earth?
Naoko: Instead of Sailor Earth, there's Tuxedo Mask.

Question: Why are Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars always fighting?
Naoko: Because they're such good friends. They're so close, they fight all the time.

Question: Does Sailor Moon think that Tuxedo Mask is the ideal man?
Naoko: Tuxedo Mask was made in my image of an ideal man, because I like men that I can't rely on.

Question: When Naoko was growing up did she always see herself as an artist or was there something else in her life she wanted to be?
Naoko: In Japan it is very common for boys and girls to want to be comic artists and I always wanted to be an artist since I was a girl.

Question: When they first discover Sailor Venus, why does she have the crescent moon on her forehead and not Sailor Moon? What is the purpose of her being thought of as the Moon Princess?
Naoko: That is one of the strategies they use to confuse the enemy.

Question: Who is Chibi Chibi Moon?
Naoko: In the very last manga, the last book, she is the future Sailor Moon.

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After answering all the questions that her fans had for her, Naoko turned the tables and asked the fans some questions of her own:
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Naoko: I am surprised to see so many Sailor Moon fans with merchandise. Where do you buy your t-shirts and products?
Crowd: Clothing stores, anime & comic stores and Toys R Us

Naoko: How do you know so much even though Sailor Moon has not been completely dubbed in English?
Crowd: Loud applause. Through the internet, clubs, comic books, and laser disks.

Naoko: Are there any girls that want to be comic artists?
Crowd: Applause.

Naoko: Other than Sailor Moon what is your favorite manga?
Crowd: Sakura. Ranma (lots of cheers), Magic Knight Rayearth, Dragon Ball Z.



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Interview and images reproduced without permission. © Smile Magazine, used without intent of infringement for non-profit, educational purposes in accordance with the "Fair Use" clause of US Title 17, Section 107.