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1st Sailor Moon Eternal Film Delayed to January 8 With 2nd Film Scheduled for February 11
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Toei Animation revealed on Thursday that it is delaying the first film in its Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon Eternal (Pretty Guardians Sailor Moon Eternal The MOVIE) two-part anime film project to January 8, 2021. Additionally, Toei Animation announced that the second film will open on February 11, 2021. The films' website cited the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Japan for the delays.
The first film was originally scheduled to open in Japan on September 11.
The film marks 25 years since the franchise last had a work that screened in theaters in Japan.
Original manga creator Naoko Takeuchi is credited with the original work and with supervision. Chiaki Kon is returning from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III to direct the two films. Kazuko Tadano, the character designer for the original Sailor Moon anime, is designing the characters. Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure TV anime all five parts, Land of the Lustrous, PriPara) is penning the scripts. Toei is distributing the film. Studio DEEN is co-producing the film alongside Toei Animation.
The returning cast includes:
- Kotono Mitsuishi as Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon
- Hisako Kanemoto as Ami Mizuno / Sailor Mercury
- Rina Satō as Rei Hino / Sailor Mars
- Ami Koshimizu as Makoto Kino / Sailor Jupiter
- Shizuka Itou as Minako Aino / Sailor Venus
- Misato Fukuen as Chibi-Usa / Sailor Chibi Moon
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Sword Art Online's Kirito, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma's Sōma, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Inosuke) is playing Pegasus / Helios in the movie.
The two-part film project will take the place of a fourth season for Sailor Moon Crystal. The films will cover the "Dead Moon" arc of Takeuchi's original manga.
The third Sailor Moon Crystal season, which featured a new staff and focused on the Death Busters arc (also called the Infinity arc), premiered in April 2016. Crunchyroll, Niconico, and Hulu streamed the season. The three services and others streamed the first two Sailor Moon Crystal seasons overseas as they debuted online in Japan.
Viz Media licensed all three seasons for release in North America. The company released the first season of Sailor Moon Crystal on DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Disc combo pack in August 2016, the second season in February 2017, and the third season in December 2017.
Sources: Sailor Moon franchise's YouTube channel, Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web
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