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What is Sera Myu?
FAQ | TermsSera Myu (Sailor Moon musicals) are live staged musical productions based on the Sailor Moon series. Since the first Sailor Moon musical in Summer 1993, there have been 29 productions with over 800 performances throughout Japan. Plot aspects are often derived from the anime and manga version of Sailor Moon, but entirely new plots are devised quite frequently.
What does "Sera Myu" mean?
Sera Myu is an abbreviation of the phrase "Sailor Moon Musical." In Japanese, "Sailor Moon Musical" is pronounced "Sera Muun Myujikaru," so the katakana characters of "Sera" and the first character of "Myujukaru" were taken to form the abbreviation "Sera Myu." It is important, however, to realize that "Sera Myu" is an entirely fan-created term. Officially, the musicals are still referred to as "Sailor Moon Musicals."What are "Stages"?
Stages are groupings of the various musicals. The producers of the musicals divided them into three official stages: the first began in Summer 1993 and ended in Winter 1998 when Anza Ooyama graduated, the second lasted from Summer 1998 to Winter 2004, and the third and final staged lasted from Summer 2004 to the last musical in Winter 2005. Western fans often break the musicals into a different set of stages based on the actresses who played Sailor Moon. According to Western fans, there are four stages: the first is Anza Ooyama from Summer 1993 to Winter 1998, the second is Fumino Hara from Summer 1998 to Summer 1999, the third is Miyuki Kanbe from Winter 2000 to Spring 2001, and the fourth is Marina Kuroki from Summer 2001 until Winter 2005.Why do they wear such gaudy outfits?
The costumes worn by the Sera Myu performers are quite gaudy and flashy. Many fans wonder why they wear such outlandish costumes, but we must remember that they are for stage productions. The costumes need to be very flashy so that audience members can recognize their favorite characters from very far away (while the cast members are on stage).
Curtain Call - The staff's final appearance, when they take their bows. They may come out one-by-one or in small groups.
Fan Kan - "Fan Kan" is an abbreviation for Fan Kansha, a fan appreciation event. Fan Kans are released on videos which are sold only at the musical performances and cannot be bought through stores. Of course, it is sometimes very difficult to find original copies of these videos.
Graduation - A "graduation" is when a performer leaves the musicals.
Guide Video - A guide video is video that shows behind-the-scenes footage about making the musical. It may include rehearsal footage, Fan Kan footage, photo shoot footage, and interviews with the cast. Guide videos are not made for every musical, and they are only sold at the musicals, so it is sometimes very difficult to find original copies of these videos.
Kateiban - Kateiban literally means "revision." Many musicals have a Kateiban or "revision" version which is performed in the next season (usually in the winter) and makes changes in the storyline, cast, and music which are meant to improve the musical. In the kateiban, scenes may be changed or expanded, and "graduating" cast members may have larger roles.
Omake - Omake is bonus footage that appears on a video, including things such as rehearsal footage.
Senshuuraku - Senshuuraku is the final day of a performance
Service Number - A Service Number is an extra song performance that can change with every show. In the musicals, the Service Numbers are performed after the curtain call, but in the Fan Kan events, they are performed right in the middle of the event.