The Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon musicals, nicknamed Sera Myu, ran from the summer of 1993 until the winter of 2005 with over 500 individual performances, which were hugely popular and beloved by the audience.

So here we are, in September of 2013, and I couldn’t forget about the Sera Myu, so I decided to bring it back for all of the staff and fans who loved it so much.

This current Sera Myu is very special to me.

Every time when I see the sailor soldiers on stage performing in front of me, in an instant, it’s as if they have really come to life. The actresses have managed to recreate the world of Sailor Moon on stage, and although their efforts remain unseen, the energy that the staff has put into this performance is what makes this musical shine. They’ve really nailed it, and have transmitted the message of my original work perfectly.

I can feel the strength and beauty of the Sera Myu stage right before my eyes.

Please enjoy.

This special musical is dedicated to you all.

It’s great to be back working on this series, because it brings me back to the time when I was just first starting out with this kind of work, and I feel like I’ve reached my dreams by revising this work. I don’t know if it holds any significance, but it seems like I’ve come back to this series by fate. Because of this, I’m all fired up to do a great job with this show once again. This time my mission has been to create a truly fantastic musical experience, in which I’ve taken no short cuts, to make the highest quality viewing experience as possible, just like I did with my staff and cast last time around. Just like last time I’m giving this musical my all, and making the staff and cast go along with my demands. I just hope I’m left with some survivors by the end of this. (laughs) I think I’ve put everyone under a tremendous strain this time around to get the results I wanted.

Back when we made the first Sera Myu, we were pioneers in creating anime to musical format creations. I wanted those who are long time Sera Myu fans, as well as audience members who are enjoying this for the first time to both have a great time with this series, and so with an all new staff and cast we’ve done a lot of team work to make this possible.

I’m sorry I can’t be here to greet you all in person, but I hope you’ll enjoy these new Sailor Moon musicals. This one will be the 1000th performance I’ve been involved in. And just under the 200th one I’ve directed personally. I hope you’re all very excited for this one!!

Producer, Director: Takuya Hiramitsu

Part of the Theater Group “Yen”. Producer. Director.
Beginning in 1983 was a member of the comedy group　”Monster　Land”。　Was also producer and director with that group. 20 years ago when the “Sailor Moon” musicals first began, he had been working in various anime to musical productions. He had also done extensive work in the anime industry as well.
His most famous works include musicals for “Hunter x Hunter”, the rock musical “Bleach”, and work with Morning Musume. Other works include “Edo Women”, “Faust”, “Richard the Third”, “Macbeth”, “Othello”, and others.

This time the cast is all women, which is a special challenge when you’re a composer. I was involved in composition for the “Prince of Tennis” musical, which featured all men actors, but this time the challenge is to compose music that is designed to accomodate the vocal range for women. Further complicating the task at hand is to compose music for the male roles, which in this musical are also portrayed by women. This is the world of “La Reconquista”.

Although this style of musical is well established in Japan, we had to hire specialists to help us out. Our female cast has done a great job specializing in taking on male roles, so for this new series of musicals I think they’ve done a great job. I hope you’ll enjoy this new musical, which is a nice tie -in to modern Japanese theater culture.

Music by Toshihiko Sahashi

Graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1986.
In 1988 he won CBS’s “New Artist Audition 1988″‘s Christine Reed award. For five years he worked in the Tokyo Disneyland Park shows (Castle Show, Starlight Fantasy performances), directing all the music. In 1994 He also directed the Asia Opening Event music as well.
For four years, between 1991 and 1994, he directed the music for the NHK musical show, and came back for a special orchestration in 1999.
Also does the music for NHK’s “Everyone Sings”
Currently composes music for film, television drama, and rock shows.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I can’t really remember too much, but when I was little I received a Moon Stick that I used to play with a lot.

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
I can be pretty silly, but I think when it comes down to it, I’m pretty strong! Maybe. Other than that, I love sleeping and playing games, and I’m kind of clutzy and kind of a crybaby…maybe I’ve said too much.

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
I think everyone feels that way at some point or anther. Especially when you’re with someone, you wonder, were we together like this before~ At least, that’s what I think.

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Born October 30th. Chiba Native.
Magazine model. Has appeared in several commercials, but this is her debut performance for this type of entertainment work.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
When I was in kindergarten, I used to love the original Sailor Moon of course, but I also loved Sera Myu! I used to play with my friends, saying “The Phantom Silver Crystal…” as if I were Sailor Moon. I remember my mom looking very concerned. (laughs)

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
I think what I have most in common with Ami is that we’re both easily misunderstood. I can be a little thickheaded at times, but I can also be very playful! So I think when someone meets me for the first time…I can be a challenge!

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
Back when I was in elementary school, there was an older kid I used to see sometimes walking home. I was only in kindergarten, and the boy I liked was a 5th grader. Even though we were both so young, I had a big crush on this guy! So of course whenever I saw him, I used to think to myself, “I must have known him from a past life!”

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Born June 14th.
Winner of JUNON Girls Contest Grand Prix
Recent works include “Tale of Girls” at the Nishihara Theater Festival 2013, and others.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I love Makoto, so when I was little I used to ask my mother to “make my hair into Mako-chan’s!” all the time. My friends and I used to play Sailor Moon too, but because Venus was the most popular with my group, I always could be my beloved Jupiter!!

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
I’ve been described as “mysterious”, and for that reason everyone around me has always said “You’re like Rei-chan!”. I like to hang around shrines, and when I was little I used to imitate Rei-chan casting spells as a shamaness. Maybe from a young age I was destined to one day portray Rei.

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
I remember when I was around 4 years old, I remember telling my mom that I was “waiting for the baby inside of her bsassypants678 to come out to play with me”. If rebirth is real, then I think me and my sister were meant to be together. (Sorry to say it) I love my sister (laughs)

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Born February 7th.　Tokyo Native.
After debuting as a model in “Nico Puchi”, she appeared in the film “Confession”, as well as in various commercials. From 2010 – 2013 she became an exclusive model for “Nikora” magazine which continues today. This is her first musical performance.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
When I was in elementary school I used to play Sailor Moon, and painted my nails with nail polish too. The pens I used to use were really oily and hard to remove, I remember. I used to spend lots of time on my nails back then.

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
When it comes to being tall, we’re the same in that aspect, plus, I’m pretty girly in spite of my appearance, I love cosmetics. I also really want a romantic love, and I believe somewhere that’s someone I’ll fall in love with…so we’re very similar in those ways.

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
For family. For fun. For happiness. We’ve here to share everything as a family, so I think that’s why we’re reborn together. Because my family exists, I’m here, so there’s no way I wasn’t reborn to be with them, I think.

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Born January 19th. Shiga Native.
After winning a vocal audition at the Grand Prix level, lately she has been modelling for “Cawaii” magazine. Her latest works include TV EX’s “Kamen Rider Kiva”, TV NHK’s “English Conversation For Today Forward”, commercials for Japan Cola “Sprite”, Splash Automotives, and others.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
when I was little I loved it, and I　have a lot of memories of playing Sailor Moon with my sister. We used to make our own battle costumes and play with the transformation items! (By the way, I used to dress up as Rei!) I used to watch it on TV and mimic it at home.

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
When I’m happy, I’m like my sister – I can be pretty hilarious! I love to put a smile on someone’s face by making jokes or pulling pranks. Maybe it’s because I always find everything funny? Or maybe because I am around others who know how to use their heads (laughs) I’m the type who gets really calm and collected when it comes down to it, so I think that’s the part of me that’s most like Minako.

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
The people I think I was reborn to be together with are my best friends. These girls are like my alter-egos, and I’m so happy when I’m together with them, I don’t think I could live life without them! I was really shy until they helped me gain confidence! It was through this series that I really felt for the first time how important friendship is!

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Born August 4th. Tokyo Native.
Performance works include TV NHK’s “Goldfish Club”, stage work for “Super Youth Chorus Comedy Sing、”Fall Girl”、”Golden Daybreak” and others.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I used to read “Sailor Moon” back when it was serialized in “Nakayoshi” magazine!!! Back then, me and my friends used to play as Sailor Moon, and we used to make dolls, as well as collect the Sailor Moon world series! Even now when I go to karaoke, I love to sing “Moonlight Densetsu”. I was so glad that I got to meet Naoko Takeuchi! When I was little I just loved her work, so it was a wonderful experience. (^^)

Q2: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
Past life…hmm. I’ve had people to say to me, “You seem like you were European” or “You could have been a Knight from the Middle Ages”　in a past life. (laughs) When I had my past lives read to me, it went all the way back to the “Heian” period. I was human back then. If I could do it all over again now, I would still want to be my parent’s child!

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Born August 14th. Fukuoka Native.
Debuted as a model in 1997 as a Japan finalist in the elite Model Look search. In 2002, she joined the Takarazuka Revue troupe, with a debut role in “Prague Spring / Lucky Star!”. She portrayed mainly male roles. In 2010 she performed in “Roget / Rock On!!” in her final performance. In 2011 she resumed her modeling career, and appeared on stage and in TV commercials. Her latest works include “Cantarella”, “Tiger & Bunny the Live!” and others.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I remember when I was little that I thought Sailor Moon R was really impressive when I first saw it. I remember that when everyone joined powers to defeat the bad guy I cried. I still sing the songs from the show with my mother when we go to karaoke.

Q2: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
I think in a previous life I was lazy. I’m pretty much idle most of the time, and I keep everything I need within easy reach. For some reason all the people around me just end up taking care of me. I’m always so grateful to everyone!

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Born April 18th.　Shizuoka Native.
Debuted April 2011 in “Kokoro” (played the part of Rin). Did promotional work for Miss Flash 2012 Grand Prix. Won the “Fanta Land Award” for her her role as “Kusakabe Abe” in the movie “Jin Jin” during the “Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival”.

Owing to health reasons, the original actress for Kunzite, Komatsu Misaki, has been replaced by Mayu Iseki for this performance of “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -La Reconquista-“.

Thank you for your understanding.

– Production Committee for musical “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon”

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
When I was in elementary school, we used to play Sailor Moon, yell out the catch phrases, and put our bodies into the poses. I was totally into Sailor Moon! Back then there was a kid who loved Queen　Beryl,　and　wouldn’t　you　know　it,　she　ended　up　becoming　a　juvenile　delinquent　after　elementary school.

Q2: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
Would I be more like a cheetah or bird? I like having a long drive into work, and I used to have a motorcycle, but now I just use a bicycle. I like the feeling of transporting myself. So I think in a past life, I must have been some kind of fast animal. Would be nice if I could go 100 km per hour!

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Born July 12th. Tochigi Native。
Debut stage performance in 2004 with “Savannah’s Law”.　Later, she became a core member of the theater troupe.　In middle school after becoming known for her good lucks, she began working as a male-role actress in “Good Looking Woman” and other popular shows. She did over 12 months worth of performances with that show. Since 2008 she’s been a part of the “Korobuchika” troupe.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
When I was little, all girls wanted to be Sailor Moon, but I thought it would be cool if I could have been Chiba. Lately being involved in Sailor Moon has been like a dream come true. Even though I’m playing the role of a villain, which I didn’t think about as a possibility, even though that’s really awesome too. When I look back at old photos of myself, in some of them I’m doing a Sailor Moon pose. I guess in my own way, I’ve transformed into my own kind of Sailor Moon.

Q2: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
In certain situations, I’m like a grasshopper. But I wish I were more like a ninja. I think throwing shuriken would be fun. But in the groups I was in, I wasn’t so great at it. For now, when I decide I’m going to do something, I just jump right into it.

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Born December 10th, Tokyo native
After being scouted, debuted in the magazine “Men’s Spider” to model in men’s clothing. After that, she appeared in “KERA” and “Gothic & Lolita Bible” doing male modeling, but lately she is expanding her talents into other areas. I’m a hardworking like a farmer in that regard. Maybe in a past life I was a grasshopper on a farm ~

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
When I was in middle school I saw Sailor Moon for the first time, and wanted to become more like the characters, so I said to myself, “I’m going to study really hard” and cried when I got lower grades. After that, I guess you could say I haven’t studied as much as I could have…

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Born May 24th. Saga Native.　Graduate of Fukuoka Girls’ College. Debuted in 2012 in the “Super Eccentric Sisters”. A year later, She appears in March of 2012 in “SET”. Before then, she had a small role in February in “Time”. She has also been on TV’s “The Lonely Gourmet 3”.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I used to want to be cute like Usagi, so I did my best to try and look like her. And because I loved “Moonlight Densetsu”, even today I still sing that song.

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Born July 24th.　Gunma Native.
Member of the Acrobatics and Dance company “G-Rockets”. Performances include “Rock Opera Mozart”, “Croquette on Stage”, and others. Her stage performances have included concert work, and “Graphitti Live Tour”, “Japan Day” and others. Beginning in November, she is scheduled to appear in the G-Rockets “G-Cirque” performances.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
I didn’t get to see Sailor Moon while it was still on TV, but I know all about the plot (laughs) Mercury is my favorite! And we’ve become friends in no time! (laughs)

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Born July 11th. Gunma Native.
Member of the Japan Action Enterprise since 2011. Stage works “Tiger & Bunny The Live” and others. She is also in the process of making some TV appearances. Currently also working with other Japan Action Enterprise productions.

Q1: Please share with us one of your most memorable experiences related to “Sailor Moon”.
Back when I was a kid I used to love Sailor Moon, and I used to try and dress up like her – actually, I had really long hair that I would often wear in two pigtails so my hair would look like Sailor Moon’s. I’ve always been the Princess-type so I’m so excited I get to act as a form of Sailor Moon. My sister is more like Mercury, very studious, and she had a short hair cut too – me and my friends were always jealous of her. (laughs)

Q2: What things do you and the character you portray have most in common?
Just as Serenity said to the Princess, I “want to send my cute little girl on a journey”, but to protect her as well. I also want to become a strong, loving mother like that some day. And I think sometimes I can be elegant too. She’s a really perfect mom.

Q3: Do you ever feel like “you are here because of your past life destiny” or “you were reborn to be together” in your own life?
When I think back on the scenes where the guardians help one another, I think that the reason we’re all here is to give each other compassion. And the reason we’re here together is to feel happiness. I hope it becomes more and more like that in the future…that would be great.

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Born August 6th. Chiba Native.
In 2003 she performed as in the role of “Young Nara” in the blockbuster hit “The Lion King” with the Shiki Theater company, which played for two years. Her specialties include classical ballet, jazz dance, drum playing, and more. She has appeared in TV, magazine ads, and dramas. Her recent work includes the movie “Angel’s Fang”, and TV’s “Love Medicine 25 Hours”. Beginning in December she will be in the musical “The Count of Monte Cristo.”