NARU OSAKA:

ANIME
First Appearance: episode 001
Seiyuu: Shino Kakinuma

Naru Osaka was Usagi's best friend who first appeared in episode 001 of the anime. She and Usagi attended Juuban Junior High (and later Juuban High School) together. She only appeared in the first four seasons, and disappeared altogether in the Stars season. Naru was a very sweet, kind girl who was always supportive of her friend Usagi. She loved trendy things, and was sometimes a little boy-crazy. She did not know Usagi's identity as Sailor Moon, although she may have had suspicions. When Naru first appeared in episode 001, her mother's jewelry store, Jewelry Osa-P, became the scene for one of Jadeite's energy-stealing plots. Naru seemed to frequently attract the attention of various villains throughout the series, and was attacked many times. Although no real explanation of this attraction was given, Nephrite did note in episode 019 that the girl seemed to have a tremendous amount of energy.

Romance with Nephrite: Later, Naru began to develop feelings for a millionaire named Masato Sanjoin, who was actually Nephrite. In episode 019, Nephrite pretended to be Tuxedo Kamen and attempted to lure Sailor Moon into a trap by preying on her strong feelings for Tuxedo Kamen. Naru showed up and recognized Masato Sanjoin. After she revealed her deep love for him, he began to suspect that she may be Sailor Moon. After draining her energy, he realized that she was not the young superheroine, but because she has an enormous amount of energy, she became his primary target. Furthermore, he suspected that she might know the true identity of Sailor Moon, because Sailor Moon knew Naru's name. Nephrite preyed on her feelings and manipulated her to acheive his goals. In episode 024, he went to her apartment and revealed to her his true name. He also said, "You are a wonderful girl. Thanks to you, I have learned what love is for the first time. In the evil organization I have been a part of, there is no love. We betray each other and kill each other for our own gain. I thought that was normal, but your love opened my eyes." Zoisite overheard the conversation, and sent the three youma Grape, Suzuran, and Housenka to kidnap Naru in order to hold her hotage in exchange for the Kurozuishou. Nephrite found them and rescued Naru, who bandaged his wounds. The two talked and laughed together, and Nephrite's feeligns for Naru obviously grew much stronger. Later, the youma found them again and mortally wounded Nephrite. Luckily, the Sailor Senshi destroyed the youma before they could do any more damage, but it was too late for Nephrite. He died in Naru's arms. After his death, she became extremely depressed until she found love again with Umino.

Romance with Umino: After Nephrite's death, Naru's classmate Umino helped Usagi in her efforts to cheer up Naru. By episode 028, he realized that he was developing a crush on Naru. In episode 032, Umino dressed up as "Tuxedo Umino Kamen" in an attempt to woo Naru, and although she initially said that she didn't have "that special feeling" for him, she appreciated his efforts and said he was "cool." The two ultimately developed a close relationship which they maintained throughout the anime.

Did You Know?

In the anime, Naru states that she is an only child in episode 014, although she has a younger sister in the manga.
In episode 018, Naru reveals that she is a member of the Juuban Junior High tennis club.

MANGA

Naru Osaka appears in Act 01, Volume 01 of the manga. She does not have as large a role in the manga as she does in the anime, and never develops relationships with either Nephrite or Umino. She is Usagi's best friend, and Usagi thinks very highly of her, telling her that she is a princess and that she is smart (she made an 85 on the quiz in Act 01). Her mother owns a jewelry store called Jewelry Osa-P that is the scene of one of Jadeite's energy-stealing schemes in Act 01. Naru is very trendy and popular. She makes fewer and fewer appearances as the series progresses. Later, in ChibiUsa's Picture Diary #4, Volume 17, we learn that Naru has a younger sister in elementary school named Naruru Osaka. Naruru is only Naru's sister in the manga; in the anime, Naru states that she is an only child in episode 014.

PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON

In Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Naru Osaka is played by Chieko Kawabe. She first appears in Act 01, helping Usagi get out of cleaning desks for being late. Naru's mother, Mayumi Osaka, owns a jewelry store, and Naru and Usagi go to a fashion show where Mayumi's jewelry collection is being shown. Mayumi becomes possessed by a youma, but Naru is quickly knocked unconscious by Jadeite. Sailor Moon eventually saves Naru and her mother from the youma and Jadeite. Eventually, Naru discovers Usagi's true identity as Sailor Moon.

EXTRA INFO/GALLERIES

Shino Kakinuma - Naru's Anime Seiyuu

Chieko Kawabe - Naru's PGSM Actress

Naru Osaka - Manga Gallery

Naruru Osaka - Naru's Sister