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Kodansha USA Publishing, a subsidiary of Kodansha, announced today the exciting return of Naoko Takeuchi's SAILOR MOON, one of the most significant names in comics and manga, to US publishing. Brand new deluxe editions of the acclaimed series will be released by Kodansha USA's Kodansha Comics imprint in September 2011. Out of print for six years, SAILOR MOON re-launches along with Takeuchi's two-volume prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, in print in the US for the first time-making this one of the most highly anticipated manga releases in years.

The SAILOR MOON manga, which originated in Japan in 1992 and debuted in the US in 1997, follows Usagi Tsukino, a young girl who transforms into super heroine Sailor Moon to combat evil and fight for love and justice in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. The first successful shojo (girls') manga release in the US, SAILOR MOON changed the book landscape and helped establish the foundation for the manga craze; in particular drawing attention to the popularity of comics among female readers.

Prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, the first of Takeuchi's "magical girl" manga, will make its highly anticipated debut in the US alongside the SAILOR MOON re-launch. In CODENAME: SAILOR V, teenager Minako Aino fights as Sailor V against the villains of the Dark Agency before she discovers Sailor Moon.

The Kodansha USA editions of SAILOR MOON will be published on a bi-monthly schedule and follow the 2003 Japanese re-release format of the classic series. The original 18 volumes have been condensed into 12 volumes covering the main storyline, and two volumes dedicated to short stories. Each volume has gorgeous new cover art, retouched interior art and dialogue along with extensive bonus material from Takeuchi, and detailed translation notes.

One of the most recognized manga and anime properties in the world, SAILOR MOON took American pop culture by storm, with mentions in music ("One Week" by Barenaked Ladies), bestselling books (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot) and more. In Japan, over 15 million copies have been sold and the series has generated everything from animated features to live action musicals, a live action television series and countless merchandise.

"I'm very excited to reintroduce Ms. Takeuchi's work to her American fans," said Yoshio Irie, president and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing. Irie is also the former chief editor of Nakayosi magazine in which the SAILOR MOON manga was serialized. "As we continue to build the Kodansha Comics manga list, a title like SAILOR MOON is the jewel in our crown. As the former chief editor of the work in Japan, I'm especially thrilled to finally release the prequel, CODENAME: SAILOR V, to the many fans who have been asking for it at long last."

It makes me wonder if the anime may be brought back to the US as well? I think I remember discussing the possibility of a redub in a thread here long ago. Yes, the DiC version sucks (although I still kinda like it ) so it would be awesome to see a straight-forward dub instead of a watered-down adaptation.

Well, that really depends on whether the manga will sell well. Considering Sailor Moon's recent comeback in Europe (it got phenomenal ratings in Italy where it was re-aired), it's not such a far-fetched possibility anymore.

I'd love to have a whole collection and would be especially excited to have Sailor V in print too.

I am only missing the Short Stories and Codename: Sailor V.

It makes me wonder if the anime may be brought back to the US as well? I think I remember discussing the possibility of a redub in a thread here long ago. Yes, the DiC version sucks (although I still kinda like it ) so it would be awesome to see a straight-forward dub instead of a watered-down adaptation.

I am also excited for the hopes that a re-dub that extends to the last season comes along.

Well, that really depends on whether the manga will sell well. Considering Sailor Moon's recent comeback in Europe (it got phenomenal ratings in Italy where it was re-aired), it's not such a far-fetched possibility anymore.

I have all 12 of the Japanese version of this re-touched Sailor Moon they must be talking about, the one called "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon".

I absolutely love her new art style she used for the covers and interior touch-ups. It's so beautiful and, well, better in so many ways. I am annoyed by weird changes like Moon Frisbee turned to Moon Tiara Boomerang while still using a Frisbee shape (the TV show nicely made it transform to an actual boomerang) and the "Mercury" part of Mercury Aqua Mist when no one else uses their name in their first attacks...I complain to much. Naoko Takeuchi's inconsistency just annoys me.

Anyway, I will only really be excited if they translate it as perfectly as they can, and leave every single inch of the art intact.

You can read it online at various manga scanlation sites. Manga Readers should have it. I read it already. pretty damn good.

Don't bet on it any time. As long as Toei continues to be a dick and has firm hold over it, it's not going anywhere. The success of the manga won't matter or change that fact.

Usually when a finish series gets re-release in a kazenban format, sometimes the author Would add/edit few changes and such. The Dragonball manga did a similar thing like the ending.

I knew about the T-shirts but not about the plushies!! Thanks for posting.

Btw, have you picked up the first volume of the Sailor Moon and Sailor V manga yet?

No prob. Since they were at a specialty store they might be a little harder to find. I hope Hot Topic gets more stuff! I miss the days when they had the purses, figures, stickers, etc.

I've been extremely busy this past week (being a live-in babysitter for a while) and haven't had time to even look yet. My best bet will probably be a book store, right? Maybe I'll have time to go browsing today.

Since they were at a specialty store they might be a little harder to find.

I hope Hot Topic gets more stuff! I miss the days when they had the purses, figures, stickers, etc. My best bet will probably be a book store, right? Maybe I'll have time to go browsing today.

Could you please tell me the name of that anime store and where it's located?

Yep. The manga is selling really well from what I'm hearing. Hopefully, that will result in more merchandise (and even in a new DVD release).

I went to Barnes and Noble in Frederick (Maryland, USA) and they had Sailor Moon (only 1 copy) and Sailor V (3 copies). So I ended up getting both. I have never read them before, only watched the US version of the show, so I am excited for that.

Thanks for telling me about the shirts being sold in the stores. I knew they were being sold on-line.

Glad to hear it's selling well! I'd love to see a big comeback.