shopping guide

An in-depth guide to shopping for Sailormoon merchandise that includes looking out for authenticity, high quality screenshots of authentic products, and where to buy official and legitimate merchandise.

Anime
BSSM Original Picture Collections (Artbooks)
Manga
Models
Trading Cards

anime

Sailormoon Anime is 200 episodes long. It is most sought out in the USA where only the dub and edited version was shown. The anime was never completely finished in the USA either. Many have yet to see the last season, commonly known as Stars.

Authenticity The only thing I would recommend for the authenticity of anime is to buy from official stores. The last season known as Sailor Stars, was never published in English, nor can they be played in US region DVDs. There are various places online that offers Sailor Star episodes be warned if you planned to buy them online that they are not burned/ripped off of a site or fan-subbed/dubbed. Seasons 1-4 have been licensed and sold in the USA, although that license has now run out.

Where to Buy?
» Amazon uncut official Japanese (with English subbed) DVDs
» Sakura Media English dubbed DVDs

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bssm original picture collections (artbooks)

There are five artbooks created by Takeuchi Naoko, each one paralleling that certain year's published manga. They are full color books, which include Naoko's comments on each piece. They are out of print and perhaps one of the most sought out collection for any Sailormoon fan.

Authenticity Be sure to check for authenticity before you buy artbooks, especially because they are rare and collector items. The artbooks have also been re-printed in Chinese and other Asian languages, so if you're looking for the original Japanese print look closely. The cover of the artbooks should say Pretty Soldier Sailormoon in a metallic, shiny emboss. The binding part should also be in shiny emboss. Asian books read from right to left so make sure about that too. When you open up the artbook, there should be one blank page. The next page is a see-through tissue page, which is covered in a flowery pattern and says again Pretty Soldier Sailormoon. Reprints DO NOT have the see-through tissue page or shiny, metallic emboss on the title. The back of the artbooks should have the date which the artbook was published. When you take off the jacket of the artbook there should be a hardcover base with a somewhat metallic color on it (each artbook has a different metallic colored base). On the front it should say Sailormoon and the back should say Naoko Takeuchi.

Where to Buy?
» Animebookstore reprinted Chinese versions
» JPqueen reprinted Japanese versions
» Kikiwai reprinted Japanese versions

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manga

There are 18 volumes of the manga created by Takeuchi Naoko. In 1999, the manga was published in English, and followed the 18 volume rule. Recently, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of BSSM the manga has been reprinted into 12 volumes. These are the basics of Sailormoon...a must read.

Authenticity There are an abundance of these comics in every version flying around, so there really is not a huge issue on authenticity. However, if you are looking for first prints...the first 18 volume editions came with pull out full colored mini posters. The new 12 volume editions come with stickers and two color pages right after the front cover on each volume (only on first prints).

Where to Buy?
» Amazon English version (out of print)
» Amazon.jp reprinted Japanese version
» JPqueen old and reprinted Japanese version
» Kikiwai reprinted Japanese version
» Sasuga Japanese Bookstore reprinted Japanese version

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models

Resin and plastic models are easy to come by, especially at anime conventions and online. Most are not distributed by the official company, but by random small model making companies.

Authenticity Not much can be said about the authenticity of models. Most are created by small companies whom make a limited supply of each of their models. It varies by each private company the number of models they make and what kind of models are made.

Where to Buy?
» Anime Castle

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trading cards

One of the more expensive trading card series that have circulated. The Amada trading cards feature the anime Sailormoon from beginning of the series to the end for a total collection of 767 cards, which include prisms and foils.

Authenticity It's very difficult to determine whether or not you have an authentic card unless you actually have it in your hand and examine it. All Amada cards are colorfully printed, and do not have any random marks on them. Most cards are also hard backed...they are not flimsy.

Where to Buy?
» Best place I have found is at Ebay.

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