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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Is Tokyo’s ultra-expensive Satsuki sweet bean bread worth it?【Taste test】
Mr. Sato gets his heart broken by a 2019 Akihabara Junk Shop Lucky Bag
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 strangest kanji ever 【Weird Top Five】
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
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
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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】