Yes, there was the English dub that we all know and love...or is that know and love...to hate, I don't know anymore...

And then there was the other dub, which is still the correct term to use, because "to dub" is to make a copy of something. The dub that I am talking about is the Japanese dub, and by that I mean the transition from the original manga to the original anime.

"Now wait Artemis," you say. "The dubs are the releases of the series outside Japan." That's what most purists will tell you. However, several times, I have ran across instances where it's inferred that Naoko Takeuchi was displeased with how her characters were translated into the anime. From the SOS page:

"Without having to create the manga, Naoko would have more time to have more input in an anime series. In the past she has been unhappy with the way her characters and stories have been translated to the screen so this would be an opportunity to have a greater impact on the production--if she should wish to."

This was from an article about the possibilities of a future Sailormoon series, which appears to be in the negotiation phase with an un-named editing company.

Therefore, the real purists will settle for the anime original, but some of them like to go directly to the manga, which I would think would be a remarkable experience.

As for whether Sailormoon will have a new series, here are the details, again from SOS (so start tossing bags of salt over your shoulder):

More Japanese Sailormoon?

The companies which licensed "Sailormoon" in Japan have been working together to have more episodes of the anime produced. These companies have been in contact with Kodansha which (as the company with the initial rights to the property) has the best position to negotiate for more episodes with the owner & creator, Naoko Takeuchi.

These negotiations were finally made public by Naoko in August of this year.

At "Comic Market 54" (Japan's largest doujinshi convention) held in Tokyo on August 16, 1998, Naoko and Yoshihiro Togashi distributed a "paper" which discussed the different projects they were working on. (This was just 2 days after her appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con which does confirm Stu Levy's claims that Naoko needed to leave the convention early.) Such a "paper" is normally inserted to compliment a doujinshi. It is the artist's way to formally greet and communicate with their fans.

Naoko and Yoshihiro did not have a doujinshi (a self-published comic book) ready in time so together they created only a "paper" instead. The "paper" was written mostly in a dialogue format (with Naoko doing most of the talking)!

In this "paper" Naoko, without revealing the participating companies, discussed the possibility of more episodes. Naoko said that she didn't mind coming to an agreement providing that "they" (Kodansha):

Return all of her original artwork.
Publish the "settei shiryou shuu" (a book that describes all of the details, characters and additional information about a story).
Forward her all of the telephone cards, fan letters and gifts from fans.
Assign a good editor to her.

(Naoko not identifying Kodansha serves several purposes --the most important being is that she might be able to go to another publisher. She is, in a manner, giving notice of what she would like from any future publisher.)

Naoko's public demands are noteworthy and illuminating of an artist's relationship with their publisher.

Her request for a "settei shiryou shuu" is because Kodansha (like most companies would) has refused to publish one because they rightly expect that it would not sell many copies. Such informational books usually sell less copies than books with actual stories. However, such a problem has not impeded publishers in the past from printing a "data" book anyway in order to keep a prized talent with their company.

Naoko's request for access to her fans also demonstrates the normal lack of regard companies have towards such relations. (The Save Our Sailors Campaign will be taking part in an exercise concerning this area. Please visit our page soon for more details.)

One of our Japanese contributors, Maka Fushigi, has posted just a few of the details of Naoko's "paper" in English besides her more extensive Japanese coverage.

As far as we know, Naoko need not return to creating manga--it would be at her option. The negotiations only concern the writing and the production of more anime episodes--which she must give permission for.

Without having to create the manga, Naoko would have more time to have more input in an anime series. In the past she has been unhappy with the way her characters and stories have been translated to the screen so this would be an opportunity to have a greater impact on the production--if she should wish to.

With the "Sailormoon" saga concluded at the 200th episode, the next series could deal with the past (known to English fans as "The Silver Millennium"), the future ("Crystal Tokyo"), Sailor V or (and we just report these things) Chibi-Usa.

Meanwhile, the publishing company Shuu Ei Sha announced that Naoko has written an essay which will start appearing in their monthly comic book "Young You." This magazine is geared for older teenage girls. It is neither "Shoujo" for young girls nor a "Ladies Comic" for 20 years old and up. Indeed, its covers promise a "Love Comic."

The title of the essay will be, "Takeuchi Naoko Hime no Shakai Fukki Punch!!" which translates to, Princess Naoko Takeuchi's Return To Work Punch!! (The word "punch" is sometimes used in Japan to denote that much amusing humor will ensue.)

Usage of the word "Hime/Princess" refers to how Naoko and her boyfriend, Yoshihiro Togashi call one another. In their doujinshi, they refer to one another as "Hime/Princess" or "Ouji/Prince." Even the title of the essay refers to the title of their doujinshi.

The essay (which will appear monthly) starts in the December issue of the magazine which goes on sale November 7 in Japan. In a preview of the essay, "Young You" (in their November issue of October 7) teased, "That popular manga-ka will appear for the first time!! Why 'Princess?' Is it because 'Prince' will appear?"

Maka Fushigi & "Mocchan" in Japan, our Bi-Coastal Correspondent, and one of our Industry Contacts contributed to this report.

So, we are waiting again for new material. If these reports are true, it would appear that Naoko Takeuchi is very interested in doing more episodes, and this time, she seems to be angling for direct input on any anime product that makes it to TV. This is not new. Gene Roddenberry assumed a direct control over Star Trek The Next Generation when it was released directly into syndication in 1987. Such an approach makes it easy for the author to make sure that his, or in this case, her vision is as undilluted as possible, and this is a good thing.

Like the rest of the SM fan-dom, I will be watching to see what happens.

Artemis

(comments welcome - please email me at [email protected] and I will post your comments here as well.)