SAILOR MOON'S NEW PHOTO RELEASE REVEALS CAST IN FULL COSTUME FOR SHOW DEBUT

Nearly five years since the last stage performance, the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Nogizaka46 Version musical has returned for another run of shows. The members of the Fifth Generation of Nogizaka46 have now shared their thoughts on the musical's grand return, accompanied by a fresh round of photo releases displaying the cast's redesigned costumes.

According to the Japanese entertainment website Natalie, the official live-action Sailor Moon musical resumed activities on April 12, 2024, at IMM THEATER in Tokyo, Japan. The last time the anime-inspired stage show performed was in November 2019 in Shanghai, China. As with previous shows, the live-action Sailor Moon actors are played by the latest generation of Nogizaka46, a popular Japanese female idol group comprised of of 11 members.

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The Sailor Moon musical production features two sets of performers to play the Pretty Guardians dubbed Team Star and Team Moon. The current run (April 12-29) features the actors of Team Moon: Nagi Inoue as Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon; Aya Ogawa as Ami Mizuno/ Sailor Mercury; Hina Okamoto as Rei Hino/Sailor Mars; Mao Ioki as Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter; and Teresa Ikeda as Minako Aino/Sailor Venus. Additional actors include Tenju Mitsuki as Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask and Rinko Matsubara as Queen Beryl.

"I'm really happy to have had this opportunity as a 5th generation member of Nogizaka46," Inoue said. "I want to live my life to the fullest as Usagi Tsukino and Sailor Moon in the world of Sailor Moon, surrounded by the wonderful cast members. Thank you!" Ogawa also expressed her gratitude for participating in a "historical musical," stating, "I wanted to convey the charm of Ami Mizuno, who is intelligent, fragile, pretty, and strong, and Sailor Mercury, and to convey to the audience what I felt after watching Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Girls are the best!"

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Okamoto shared her early difficulties in rehearsing for the show, such as memorizing the script and choreography while being introduced to numerous stage terms. "Once I was able to internalize the script, rehearsals became a lot of fun. Acting became more and more fun," she said. "I was inspired many times by the performances of my co-stars, and every time I hit a wall, I discovered new things every day. I once again realized the joy and enjoyment of being on stage."

Ioki talked about the joy she's experiencing from portraying a different side of herself through Sailor Jupiter. "It's fun watching everyone's suites and plays, and I'm also enjoying being able to become a different Mako-chan from myself, and I'm a little sad when I think that it will end someday. Well, now it's time for the real thing (lol)." Ikeda expressed a similar sentiment: "Sailor Venus is a bright, sparkling idol who is the exact opposite of me. At first, I was worried about whether I would be able to become Minako-chan. During this time, she received the support of many people and was able to celebrate her performance."