For a 1990s magical girl anime series and set of movies, Sailor Moon gave its viewers a variety of inclusive LGBTQ+ characters to fall in love with and be inspired by. Unfortunately for the United States, much of that queerness was censored in the DiC dub, for example, Michiru and Haruka being reframed as cousins, Zoisite being a girl, and the last season never even being adapted.
However, when Viz Media redubbed the original Sailor Moon series, these LGBTQ characters finally were depicted as Naoko Takeuchi intended. This inclusivity also extends to Sailor Moon Crystal, the reboot anime of Sailor Moon that follows the original manga more closely. Now, fans can enjoy what the anime offers in both subbed and dubbed form: gay, lesbian, bisexual, and even non-binary characters with magical powers and amazing personalities. While some queer characters are more apparent in the series, some are more vague and even theorized by fans.
Updated on March 27th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: The iconic magical girl series Sailor Moon is famous for its groundbreaking depiction of gender roles, gender identity, and sexuality. As such, the beloved franchise is home to many of anime's earliest LGBTQ+ characters, many of which are still praised today for their incredible representation. We've updated this list to meet CBR's current publication standard, offering more info on some of the series' most well-known queer characters.
10 Usagi Tsukino Is Canonically Bi Or Pansexual
Usagi Tsukino is the show's main female protagonist who leads her team of Sailor Guardians to fight villains that try to take over Tokyo. As the series' lead heroine, it's only natural that she's at the center of much of the romance in the story. Apart from her main love story with Mamoru, Usagi experiences plenty of other romantic encounters. In every adaptation, she's seen gawking at both male and female characters, and gender doesn't seem to matter much when it comes to her romantic feelings. Approximately half of her crushes in the show are not cisgender men as well, namely Haruka Tenoh and Seiya Kou.
Viewers also often see Usagi commenting about how pretty other girls are, eluding to possible attraction. In the end, Usagi chooses Mamoru Chiba, but marrying Mamoru does not erase her possible bisexuality or pansexuality. Thus, Usagi remains an LGBTQ+ icon at the heart of the Sailor Moon franchise.
9 Fish Eye Is Gay & Possibly Non-Binary Or Gender-Nonconforming
Fish Eye is a part of the Amazon Trio in the Dead Moon Circus, featured in the Dream arc of Sailor Moon. The other two members of the group — Tiger's Eye and Hawk's Eye — look for female victims, while Fish Eye exclusively looks for men as his. When hunting for a new victim, Fish Eye uses his charm and appeal to seduce various men into his traps. He often takes a more feminine form, dressing in hyper-femme attire while referring to himself as a woman.
Fish Eye's First Appearances
It's never really confirmed what Fish Eye's true gender identity is, though a few hints are dropped here and there. Though he uses he/him pronouns, Fish Eye seems to be most comfortable when presenting in a more feminine way. Given this, it's safe to say that Fish Eye is non-binary in some regard, or at least gender-nonconforming.
8 Haruka Tenoh Is A Non-Binary Lesbian
Haruka Tenoh, also known as Sailor Uranus, is considered a handsome boy by most of the main characters at first glance. Likewise, just about anyone who first meets her mistakes her for a cisgender male, due to how she normally presents herself. However, it's stated within the series that Haruka is actually "both man and woman", as indicated by her interchangeable masculine and feminine fashion sense. In addition, Haruka is also in a romantic relationship with Michiru Kaioh, who fights by her side as Sailor Neptune.
Sailor Uranus' First Appearance
While it is up to fans' to interpret what she means by "both man and woman," Haruka is non-binary concerning her presentation, gender identity, and pronoun usage. Fans speculate she could be intersex, while others state that she could be bigender or genderfluid. But regardless of her gender identity, Haruka remains an iconic LGBTQ+ characters within the series, and her relationship with Micihiru is a fan-favorite to this day.
7 Michiru Kaioh Is A Lesbian & Is In A Committed Relationship With Haruka
Michiru Kaioh, also known as Sailor Neptune, is the romantic partner of Haruka Tenoh and can often be seen by her side. These two are a dynamic duo as their civilian and Sailor Guardian identities, and it's clear from the start that they share a very special bond. Haruka and Michiru trust each other above all else, working together like a flawless, well-oiled machine. Throughout the series, characters often note how incredible they are together, and even Usagi and the main girls can't help but fawn over their rock solid relationship.
Sailor Neptune's First Appearance
Viewers get to see how much these two characters love each other by their sacrifices throughout the show, such as Sailor Uranus ending her own life once she sees Sailor Neptune killed by the talisman as it's taken out of her body. Another instance is in the final arc of the series, when the two join forces to deceive Sailor Galaxia in hopes of helping Sailor Moon. No matter what trial comes their way, Michiru and Haruka always face it all together. Their unshakeable love is nothing short of inspiring and has easily made them the fan-favorite couple.
6 Zoisite Is Gay & Gender-Nonconforming In The '90s Anime Adaptation
In the case of Zoisite, a henchman of Queen Beryl and Queen Metalia in Sailor Moon's first arc, his manga counterpart isn't portrayed as LGBTQ+ in any way. Likewise, in Sailor Moon Crystal, Zoisite appears to be a cishetero man. In this version of the story, he's considered one of the Princes of Heaven, a knight for Prince Endymion, and meant to be with one of the inner Sailor Guardians.
Zoisite's First Appearance
However, in the '90s anime, Zoisite is shown to be in a romantic relationship with Kunzite, and the two seem to be very much in love. Apart from this, Zoisite is also known for disguising himself in feminine-presenting attire, often posing as a woman when targetting unsuspecting victims, much like Fish Eye. There's nothing indicating that he's trans or non-binary, but at the very least, Zoisite is definitely gender-nonconforming. Either way, he's one of many LGBTQ+ characters featured in the '90s adaptation of the series.
5 Kunzite Is Gay & In Love With Zoisite In The '90s Sailor Moon Anime
In the 90s anime, Kunzite was almost always seen at the side of Zoisite in the presence of Queen Beryl. There was even a point where one of them stated they would rather die in each other's arms than be parted, seeing the latter as a far worse fate. Throughout Sailor Moon's first arc, it's clear that Kunzite is madly in love with Zoisite. He even vows to avenge his beloved partner after his death, and his attacks on Sailor Moon and the rest of the Sailor Guardians become much more ruthless and hate-fueled as a result.
Kunzite's First Appearance
Like Zoisite, in the original manga and Sailor Moon Crystal, Kunzite is yet another knight for Prince Endymion and meant to be with one of the Sailor Guardians instead. Given this fact, Kunzite's queer identity in the '90s Sailor Moon actually isn't canon. However, fans still love the representation, and Kunzite and Zoisite's romance remains a favorite among Moonies still today.
4 Fiore's Obsession with Mamoru Has Led Many Fans To Believe He Is Gay
Fiore is an anime-only character and the main antagonist in Sailor Moon R: The Movie. He has a strong history with Mamoru Chiba, which has driven him to near-obsession. An alien from a far-off planet, Fiore comes to Earth as a young child. Here, he meets and befriends Mamoru, who happens to be the first friend he ever made. Mamoru gives him a red rose as a gift, which leads Fiore to search for the perfect flower to give to Mamoru in return. This promise drives him to obsessively search the universe, where he goes to any lengths necessary to find what he's looking for.
Fiore's First and Only Appearance
While Fiore never officially comes out as gay in the film, most fans view him as LGBTQ+ nonetheless. This is due to his strong love and desire for Mamoru, which many believe goes far beyond mere platonic feelings.
3 Seiya Kou Is Most Likely Non-Binary & A Lesbian
Seiya Kou, also known as Sailor Star Fighter, finds herself on planet Earth trying to find Princess Kakyuu after their planet is destroyed. In her human disguise, she presents as a male, singing a part of the boy band, The Three Lights. Upon her arrival, she takes an immediate interest in Usagi, and they become close as the last arc of the show progresses. By the series' end, Seiya has admitted that she's fallen completely for Usagi, despite her commitment to Mamoru.
Seiya Kou First Appearances
The topic of Seiya's gender has always been a heated discussion among Sailor Moon fans. While she has both a female and male form in the '90s anime, Seiya is always female in the manga and merely disguises herself as a man. Overall, the general consensus seems to be that she and the other Starlights are non-binary and are often counted among the popular LGBTQ+ characters within the series.
2 Taiki Kou Is Non-Binary & Thought To Be Queer
Taiki Kou, also known as Sailor Star Maker, faithfully tags alongside her leader, Sailor Star Fighter — also known as Seiya Kou. In her human disguise, just as Seiya, she presents as male, letting everyone know that she is a guy. She also sings as part of the boy band, The Three Lights. Much like her beloved leader, Taiki's gender identity is a highly debated topic throughout the fandom, with most believing her to be non-binary in some fashion.
Sailor Star Fighter First Appearances
Unfortunately for Taiki, she never gets a true love interest in the series, as most of the story centers on Seiya's growing feelings for Usagi. Still, that doesn't mean she doesn't see any sort of romance. Fans have picked up on a hinted attraction between Taiki and Ami Mizuno, otherwise known as Sailor Mercury. Though this relationship isn't canon, it confirms in most fans' minds that Taiki is at least queer, if not a lesbian.
1 Yaten Kou Is Non-binary & Possibly Asexual Or Queer
Yaten Kou, also known as Sailor Star Healer, is the third member of the Sailor Starlights and fights alongside Taiki and Seiya as their partner. Just like the other two, she presents as male, states that she is a guy when among regular Earth humans, and performs as part of The Three Lights. Likewise, Yaten's gender has also been called into question, with many believing her to be non-binary, much like her fellow Starlights.
Sailor Star Healer First Appearances
Similar to Taiki, Yaten was never given a true love interest in the show either. In fact, Yaten never really showed an interest in men or women alike, apart from friendship. This has led some fans to see her as asexual. However, just as many believe she could be queer or lesbian, and many tend to ship her with Minako Aino, aka Sailor Venus. The two formed a strong bond in the last arc of the series, though it never became anything more than friendship.
