To celebrate the release of Sailor Moon Eternal on Netflix last week, we asked you on Friday to vote for your favorite Sailor Guardian from the series. Well the results are in, and the winner with 18.3% of the vote is none other than Hotaru Tomoe, aka Sailor Saturn, the Guardian of Destruction, whose Silence Glaive grants her the awesome power to destroy the world. The central character of the ‘Infinity’ arc, Hotaru’s tragic and traumatic history, as well as her close relationship with Chibiusa, means she’s the one Guardian fans want nothing but the best for.
Tied for second place with 12.7% each were Hotaru’s adoptive mother Setsuna Meiou (Sailor Pluto), and Makoto Kino (Sailor Jupiter). The Guardian of Space-Time, Setsuna’s lonely and withdrawn nature, as well as her striking appearance — tall, tanned with long green hair, and armed with the Garnet Rod — has clearly struck a chord with fans. Makoto, the fourth Guardian introduced in the series, is a wonderful study in contrasts, a tough and tall girl who wants to prove she can still make a perfect housewife; the big sister of the Inner Senshi despite being the least experienced of the group; whose lightning and plant-based powers derive from both her Roman and Japanese (Mokusei, “wood star”) namesakes.
Finally, tied in third place with 11.3% each were Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)’s first two allies, Ami Mizuno (Sailor Mercury) and Rei Hino (Sailor Mars), respectively the Guardians of Water and Wisdom, and Fire and Passion. Rei was noticeably less hotheaded and volatile in the manga than her anime counterpart, but regardless she and Ami provide unique contrasts to Usagi, perfectly embodying the qualities of their planets in East Asian culture. Ami herself is the only Guardian to have starred in her own short film, Ami’s First Love, and was reportedly popular with male Japanese fans because of her computer skills.
Want to make the case for the other Guardians? Feel free to submit your defense in the comments, and check back on Friday for our next Reader Poll!
