
Not only were these heroines and villains granted super powers — they were also given a haute wardrobe!
Have you ever wondered where manga artists come up with all the characters, plot lines, and costumes that appear in their stories? Sure, there are manga material websites for budding new artists now, but that wasn’t necessarily the case 25 years ago when Naoko Takeuchi was drawing what would become her best-selling comic, Sailor Moon.
When it came to a number of major character and villain designs, Takeuchi turned to the 1992 designs of luxury fashion brands she admired like Chanel and Dior for inspiration.
Here are some of the outfits that the internet has been able to trace back to haute couture:
▼ Princess Serenity – Dior
▼ Catzi (Negamoon Sister) – Mugler
▼ Dark Lady – Yves Saint Laurent
▼ Hotaru/Sailor Saturn – Mugler
▼ Setsuna/Sailor Pluto – Chanel
▼ Calaveras – Christian Lacroix
Luckily for cosplayers, this means that you can put together any one of these characters without having to thread a needle — as long as you have the cash and the patience to hunt these vintage pieces down!
Source: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette
Feature/insert images: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette






Brand-new Sailor Moon anime movies bring back original ‘90s anime character designer【Video】
Free Sailor Moon condoms to be given out by Japanese government
Uniqlo’s new line of Sailor Moon T-shirts to go on sale soon, and we can’t wait to buy them
New character designs revealed for Sailor Moon Crystal, including Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn
Sailor Moon and J-pop mega-star Ayumi Hamasaki team up for collaboration, pre-defeat scalpers
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Design-your-own-Pokémon-T-shirt service launches at Uniqlo, dozens of species to work with【Pics】
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Hang out at home with the giant life-sized Rilakkuma bear!
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Fish and chips shop in Japan is highly rated by foreigners, but will it impress a Japanese local?
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Sailor Moon creator illustrates new marriage registration form in Japan, can be ordered now
Fly-through video of Sailor Moon Museum exhibit shows what’s waiting for fans in Tokyo【Video】
Sailor Moon on ice! Skater Evgenia Medvedeva appears in costume for first official ice show【Pics】
Sailor Moon Wedding Dress Collection lets you dress like Usagi, Tuxedo Mask as you say I do【Pics】