Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2014

Growing up in the ’90s, there were few cartoons that more defined the way the rest of the world saw Japan than Sailor Moon. The titular character’s miniskirt-and-bow costume came to define Japanese schoolgirls in the global imagination, while the series’ action scenes, powerful female characters and eye-catching magical transformations introduced a whole generation of girls and boys to Japanese animation.

This July, in celebration of the franchise’s 20th anniversary, Sailor Moon is returning with an all-new animated series entitled Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, which is being promoted as closer in tone to the romantic atmosphere of the original Japanese comic book than the original series, which was adapted for an all-ages audience.

The Sailor Moon character designs have received a total revamp, with body proportions and costume details closer to the manga’s style, though still maintaining the basic looks of Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars et. al. that fans of the original anime know and love.

While the new series is again being produced by Toei Animation, the creative talent involved is completely new, bringing in director Munehisa Sakai (Suite Pretty Cure, One Piece Film Strong World) and a team with credits ranging from Naruto to Ultraman to provide a fresh perspective for a new generation. Even the original voices have been replaced, with only Sailor Moon’s original Japanese voice actress, Kotono Mitsuishi, returning. Quirky Japanese all-girl pop group Momoiro Clover Z will be providing vocals for the opening and closing themes.

In the biggest news for international fans, while the world had to wait years for later seasons of the original series in English, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal is forgoing traditional TV broadcast to be released free online via Niconico (Niconico Douga), Hulu and Crunchyroll, with subtitle options in up to 12 different languages depending on the streaming network.

Considering the cultural impact of the original Sailor Moon, expectations are high as fans hope Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal will be as big a phenomenon as its predecessor.— Brad Stephenson

Streaming online on Niconico (Niconico Douga), Hulu and Crunchyroll the first and third Saturday monthly, starting Jul 5.