When it comes to classic 90’s anime, Sailor Moon was one of the most popular shojo anime of the time– and not just in Japan. Due to the success of this anime, many believe that Sailor Moon helped pave the way for the future popularity and success of anime outside of Japan. This was such a beloved series that in 2014, when the latest version of Sailor Moon was released, Sailor Moon Crystal, many fans were ecstatic with the changes that were made, while others were not.
Like most anime, Sailor Moon is no exception to filler episodes. But what is interesting is that there are several filler episodes that are worth watching.
10 “Storm Of Love! Minako’s Grand Two-Timing Plan” Features A Classic Hero-Normal Life Clash (Episode 141)
As the original leader of the Sailor Senshi, Minako Aino (or otherwise known as Sailor Venus) has a penchant for getting into some messy situations with her disastrous inability to juggle her duties as a Sailor Senshi and her life as a teenage girl.
This episode is the epitome of Minako’s two sides clashing together as she attempts to date two men to determine who she likes the most. But what she doesn’t know is that they are both members of the Amazon Trio and are just using her for her dream mirror.
9 “A Night Just For Us: Usagi’s Pinch” Features Usagi Being Afraid To Be Alone (Episode 184)
This is a classic anime filler episode in which the protagonist is afraid of being alone, so a male character offers to stay with her. In this case, it’s Seiya Kou who offers to stay with Usagi Tsukino, even though he is very much in love with her and wants nothing more than to be by her side and protect her. Even if she has feelings for someone else.
Her friends, and fellow Sailor Senshi, are worried about leaving Seiya and Usagi alone and decide to stop by. Which is incredible foresight as the Sailor Animamates attack.
8 “The Scream of Dead Souls: The Mystery of Terror Camp” Is A Beloved Camping Episode (Episode 183)
The Sailor Senshi go camping hoping to find romance and love. Instead, they’re met with terror as a mysterious monster begins to destroy campsites. Rei Hino, who has a cousin nearby, goes to visit him, only to find his cabin destroyed similarly.
The Sailor Senshi jump to action when the monster appears, and a battle persists. But the monster was a Phage. After the phage has been turned back into a human, it turns out that it was Kengo, Rei’s cousin.
What’s interesting about this episode is that this is the first time a member of Rei’s family, other than her grandfather, makes an appearance!
7 “Love And Chased: Luna’s Worst Day Ever” Explores More Of Luna’s Story (Episode 31)
Even though this episode doesn’t revolve around the Sailor Senshi, it’s still an amazing watch as it focuses on Luna’s journey at the beginning of the anime to find the crystal holders and the Youma (monsters send by the Dark Kingdom to gather energy and kill the Sailor Senshi!).
During Luna’s search, all the cats in the local area despise her and she is constantly attacked. Until one cat saves and protects her. In the end, the cat that saves Luna is the Youma that Luna had been searching for!
6 “True Love Awakens! The Makaiju’s Secret” Was Part Of An Entire Filler Arc (Episode 59)
Not only is this episode filled with life lessons for both the Makaiju (the tree from which the villains, Ail and An, were born) and the viewers, it’s also a part of an entire filler arc, Sailor Moon R, that aired while waiting for the manga to be updated.
Sailor Moon fights for her friends and Mamoru and shows Ail and An that love cannot be bought or demanded, making this last episode is an epic ending to the Sailor Moon R arc.
5 “For Love and Justice! A Sailor Guardian Once Again” Shows The Importance Of Team Work (Episode 48)
As much as she enjoys being the only Sailor Senshi, Usagi isn’t able to cope by herself. Not only that, but none of the other guardians have their memories—not even Mamoru Chiba, her love interest!
While the girls audition for a play, trouble stirs in the form of An and Ail, who decide to release a Minotauron to steal the energy from humans. But when Sailor Moon’s energy is sapped by the creature, Luna has no choice but to awaken the other Sailor Senshi. Once their memories have been returned, the remaining guardians come together to destroy the Minotauron.
4 “Taiki Sings with Excellence: A Believing Heart Carried by a Song” Is Incredibly Heartwarming (Episode 185)
There are very few episodes with Taiki Kou as the main character, but when they do occur, they’re not to be missed. Even though he is dealing with the stress of being an idol for Three Lights, and hoping that their Princess hears their music, Taiki agrees to accompany Usagi to the hospital to help encourage Misa, a young girl in desperate need of surgery who loves Three Lights and listens to their music while drawing.
When Misa takes a turn for the worst, Usagi and Taiki go to the hospital, where Misa explains she wasn’t able to finish the drawing for Taiki before going into her surgery. When Taiki views the sketchbook, he notices Misa was drawing their Princess. Misa explains that when Three Lights would sing, she would see this woman who made her feel warm and comforted. At that, Taiki tells Misa she will be fine during her surgery. It’s an incredibly heartwarming episode.
3 “True Power Explodes: Ami’s Song Of The Heart” Focuses On Ami’s Story (Episode 151)
Due to her quiet and shy nature and her ability to achieve good grades, Ami Mizuno is often misunderstood by her peers. People rarely look beneath the surface to see the girl that’s hiding beneath.
This episode shows that there’s more to Ami than just the surface-level appearance that most see. When she hears a beautiful song on the radio, she feels the desire to compose song lyrics.
But when she meets the man who possibly produced the song and his dream of being remembered for his art, she grows insecure about writing and composing for fun. This episode is a great, in-depth look into Ami, or better known as, Sailor Mercury.
2 “Entrusting Dreams and Romance to the Stars: Taiki’s Transformation” Is A Drama Fueled Episode (Episode 177)
Romantic disagreements are often found in anime, as they can lead to drama-fueled situations that are highly entertaining. When Taiki rejects Ami’s notion of dreams and romance, saying that dreams and romance aren’t as important as science, this leads to hostility between the two.
When they’re invited to the astronomy teacher’s house later the next evening to view a comet, he replies that if the dreams and romance can stop the terrible weather, he’ll go to the viewing.
Unfortunately, the teacher is attacked and turned into a phage, he attacks Ami. Hearing her screams, Taiki makes it to the house and assists her, along with Usagi, who was on the way to the house to view the comet. With their combined efforts, they’re able to transform the teacher back.
During that time, the weather cleared up and the group can see the comet clearly with the professor’s telescope. Upon seeing it, Taiki has a change of heart and tells Ami he understands what she meant about dreams and romance, and uses the most of it.
1 “A New Transformation: Usagi Powers Up” Explores Inner Power (Episode 51)
More often than not, many heroes accept their powers and never doubt their abilities—they embrace them wholeheartedly. But what happens when someone begins to doubt their powers and why they were chosen?
When the Sailor Senshin are attacked, Usagi’s powers malfunction, leaving her vulnerable and in danger. When Luna and Usagi are transported through a portal, Luna explains the reason Usagi’s powers have been malfunctioning—because she isn’t committed to being a Sailor Senshin anymore. But when Queen Serenity repairs Usagi’s broach and gives her a new item, the Cutie Moon Rod, she realizes she has the power and strength to save herself and her friends.