The Sailor Moon/Godzilla Connection Part III

Part 3: Coming Full Circle

"You're always going to be tearing away at yourself until you come to terms with who you are. Until you come full circle." - Colonel Samuel Trautman

At the peak of their success, Sailor Moon and Godzilla ended up with a few bumps in the road. For Sailor Moon, after the original dub of season 4 (aka Sailor Moon SuperS) and dubbing the 3 Sailor Moon movies, the English distributors let their licenses expire, thus preventing not only the dubbing of the other specials, including Ami's First Love, but most disturbing of all, but also the 5 and final season, Sailor Stars, among other things. No one back then will never know how an original English dub of Sailor Stars would sound like (although there were fandubs being made in response to this). Not even the S.O.S., the Save Our Sailors Campaign, which was instrumental for getting the rest of season 2, seasons 3 and 4 and the 3 movies dubbed, couldn't get it done this time. Afterwards, the S.O.S. campaign ended, just like Sailor Moon's time in the West at the time.

As for Godzilla, after Final Wars in 2004, at the peak of its 50th anniversary, the King of the Monsters went into hibernation once more, giving Toho some time to think about its franchise's immediate future.

For years, both Sailor Moon and Godzilla were dwelling in the crossroads, fearing that they would be ignored forever, since most of the fans have since moved on to other things like those in the Arrowverse, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, My Little Pony, and anything related to Pro-Wrestling (that is, if the dastardly MEEKMAHON didn't ruin it for us all). But like the old saying goes, wherever there's darkness, they will always be light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

FUNimation logo from 2016 onward.

It all began with a company known as FUNimation. Stationed in Texas (currently in Flower Mound) and founded by Gen Fukunaga, FUNimation was once the biggest names in distributing anime. Once a small company, FUNi grew into popularity after acquiring the rights to dub Dragon Ball Z after its time with Saban and Ocean Group when they dubbed it. And since then, they became a juggernaut when it comes to distributing anime and taking their dubs very seriously. Aside from DBZ, they also did dubs of my favorite animes like Baki the Grappler, Kiddy Grade, Blue Gender, Negima and some of the Lupin the 3rd movies and specials among other things. During that period, FUNimation did an online survey, stating what anime they will do next. One of those animes was Sailor Moon, which means doing all the movies, specials and all 5 seasons with, all uncut including the elusive 5th and final season, Sailor Stars. We have waited years for the day Sailor Moon gets redubbed. So much so, I use to do a video series on how FUNimation should redub Sailor Moon, which includes suggestion of voice actors, including Laura Bailey, who would've made a great Usagi (combining the silliness of Sana Kurata from Kodocha and the gentle nature of Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket) and have a serious tone for Haruka (deep, gorgeous voice, just like Lust from Fullmetal Alchemist, Alv from Kiddy Grade and Rayne from BloodRayne). Unfortunately, I have lost all my videos for that when I cleaned my computer of all those viruses, but that's another story. Anyway, we have waited and waited and waited and then, our prayers were answered, sort of.

VIZ Media logo 2018 onward.

On May 16, 2014, Sailor Moon got its distributor, but it wasn't FUNimation. The rights to dub Sailor Moon were now in the hands of the second known distributor of anime and manga, VIZ Media, which did dubs of animes like Ranma 1 1/2, Bleach, Naruto, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Zatch Bell!, Zoids, Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge and the 3 Fatal Fury movies, among other things. This redub, along with Sailor Stars being dubbed for the first time, stays true to the original Japanese version, and completely uncut, no episodes skipped and no cousins angle with Haruka and Michiru. The voice acting isn't perfect, but I got the upmost respect to most of the voices, including those who did previous works in other anime and in gaming like those of Kate Higgins, Robbie Daymond, Michelle Ruff, Patrick Seitz, Veronica Taylor, Lauren Landa and Cherami Leigh (who guest-starred with Chuck Norris twice in Walker: Texas Ranger, for crying out loud). Around at the same time, Toei, on July 5, 2014, after so much delays, released Sailor Moon Crystal, a reimagining of the anime itself, but stays true to the original manga, no filler episodes whatsoever. Aside from redubbing the original, VIZ Media did a full dub of Sailor Moon Crystal itself. I know Stefan isn't crazy about the voice actors and the dub itself, but I will do a follow up blog about this and why the VIZ Media cast is a mixed bag. As for FUNimation, aside from sleeper hits like My Hero Academia, they have since been disgraced, not only denying the fact that they wanted to bring Sailor Moon back to the West (and been denying it ever since), but also due to the infighting amongst the voice actors regarding one voice actor, the voice of Edward Elric himself, Vic Mignogna. But that sad tale is for another time.

As for Godzilla, prior to his 3rd hiatus around its 50th Anniversary, especially with the release of Final Wars, something happened that was a bit long overdue, especially being a fan of the King of the Monsters himself. For years, all the Western Hemisphere ever saw was the 1956 recut of the original Japanese version starring Raymond Burr. But all that changed, starting on May 7, 2004, with a limited release coast-to-coast, of the original uncut Japanese version of Gojira itself by the art-house distributor, Rialto Pictures. It was a game changer, especially for all G-Fans in the West, who never saw the first movie in its original form. 2 years later, Classic Media released the original Gojira, along with the Americanized Godzilla: King of the Monsters on DVD, so those who have a DVD player can watch the original version at home and the original uncut version has been in circulation ever since, thanks the Criterion Collection. 

Godzilla (2014) Movie Poster. Unlike the 1998 version, this Godzilla lived up to the Japanese version and then some.

Then, by 2014, and the height of its 60th Anniversary, Godzilla went Hollywood, yet again. Only this time, done by Legendary Pictures, in association with Warner Bros. And unlike the 1998 version, this version of Godzilla lived up to what its Japanese counterpart has established, atomic breath and loud roar and all. Not only Godzilla was badder than ever in this new age, but he also created a world that is almost as similar to their Japanese counterparts, with the inclusion of Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah, a Monsterverse, if you will. And there is one other good thing that came out of this, a reimagining of Godzilla epic fight with King Kong with Godzilla vs. Kong, which was a follow-up to Kong's reintroduction with Kong: Skull Island in 2017. 

Shin Godzilla Movie Poster in 2016.

Meanwhile, back in Japan, Godzilla returns for a newer reboot called Shin Godzilla in 2016, which was inspired by the nuclear disaster at Fukushima after the tragic Earthquake/Tsunami disaster in March 2011. Everything else Godzilla-related after Shin Godzilla was done anime style, but I will let you see that for yourself.

In spite of all their shortcomings, a few bumps in the road, not to mention some divided fanbases, one thing is for sure, Sailor Moon and Godzilla are forever linked in the confines of history. No matter how hard you knock them down, they will always come back up. And as long as they are strong, devoted, not to mention respectable fans out there, the legend of the Pretty Suited Sailor Soldier of Love and Justice and the King of the Monsters will never truly die. And as a fan of both franchises, I mean it from the bottom of my heart, and I will forever be grateful. Now you imagine Ronin Warriors get involved in such stories like this. But that story, is for another time.

"Tsuki ni Kawatte, Oshioki yo! (In the Name of the Moon, I'll Punish You!)"

(Godzilla vs. Destoroyah Ending Theme)

(2014 Godzilla Roar)

#RespectVoiceActors