Will we see more of the pretty sailor-suited soldiers?

Last updated: 9/20/02

This one has been batted around the Internet for quite some time. In 1999, SOS posted on their website that Takeuchi Naoko was circulating a paper at a convention in Japan looking to make more Sailormoon manga. Since then, whispers of more manga have yet to cease. However, Takeuchi herself has said little about making more. Though the sixth artbook, the Materials Collection, did feature a new manga "Parallel Moon," this was just a bonus story that could not possibly fit in the actual timeline. With no direct confirmation or denial, the rumor mill of more manga has been spinning non-stop.

Recently, Takeuchi did say something about the manga in an October 2002 update to the official website dealing with the release of the series DVDs in Japan, the shinsouban release of the original manga (shinsouban is a reprint of older manga), and her response to the many letters she's gotten dealing with the Sailormoon manga (Translation courtesy of The Manga of Takeuchi Naoko):

"And thank you very much for all the mail saying, "Do a new Sailor Moon series!"! I might not be able to do the serial anymore, but I'd certainly love to see the Sailor Team active on television. It might take time, but I'd love to be able to report some fresh news to all of you someday. I'll keep at it! I've got it! If you have ideas for what would be a good new story for a new Sailor Moon, do let me know."

As you can see, Takeuchi says she can't continue the manga series anymore, most likely meaning that she is far too busy with her new manga series, Toki*Meka and Love Witch, to also add a new Sailormoon manga to her workload. She does seem excited about more anime, but as she says here, there are also no plans for a new series yet. However, for those who are interested, the original manga series will be reprinted in 2003 in shinsouban format, which is a reprint format and will be larger than the original tankobans, hence there will only be 11 of them. Takeuchi said in November 2002 on the official site that she will be drawing new artwork for the shinsouban covers, so collectors will want to keep their eyes peeled in the coming year. The official site also includes a nice picture of Usagi, though it is slightly ecchi if you are easily offended.