For most kids who grew up in the '90s, the original made available on streaming platforms. But, even then, many of these fans still understand that most of the changes that DiC made were problematic in that they unnecessarily attempted to make the series ostensibly more appropriate or understandable for Western audiences.

Truth be told, most of these '90s kids who are now grown up only prefer DiC's Sailor Moon because of nostalgia. That or what they like is more subjective, such as that era's voice actresses. However, there's at least one stylistic choice that DiC made, which, on the surface, may seem like it was one of the many instances where the animation studio tried to Westernize Sailor Moon. And while that might be partly the case, it's actually an effective form of foreshadowing that also fits well with other elements of the overall series.

Changing Sailor Moon's Name from Usagi to Serena Actually Serves a Purpose

Serena Clearly Derives from Serenity

In the original manga, Sailor Moon's civilian name is Usagi, which clearly derives from Japan. However, DiC changed Usagi to Serena, a name with Latin origins, which is used primarily in the Western World, more predominantly in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking cultures. At first, the change feels like Serena was chosen to be more Western sounding as opposed to Usagi, but when taking into the fact that Usagi is the reincarnation of Princess Serenity, Serena is clearly a foreshadowing of this realization that comes later on in season 1.

Apart from looking like a shortened version of Serenity, Serena means the same thing. Serena comes from the Latin word "serenus," which can be translated as "clear, calm" or "serene." Meanwhile, Serenity is defined as "calm, peaceful, and untroubled." So, while Serena is a Western name, it has a direct correlation to her previous identity as Princess Serenity. The change is significantly more meaningful. DiC kept Usagi's Japanese last name so that Serena's whole name was Serena Tsukino. If DiC's decision to change Usagi's name was only to Westernize her, they would have given her a Western-sounding last name, too.

Sailor Moon Originally Presents Sailor Venus in the Same Way

Sailor V Serves as a Shortened Version of Sailor Venus

Using names as a form of foreshadowing isn't just proprietary to DiC. The original Sailor Moon manga actually utilized the same literary technique through names. From the very beginning, there was always an elusive superhero named Sailor V that the Sailor Scouts, especially Usagi, referenced many times. Usagi's interest in Sailor V, especially the video games that starred her character, initially became its own form of foreshadowing to her eventually becoming Sailor Moon. This is especially the case when Usagi wishes that she could be as cool as Sailor V since she becomes arguably much cooler.

Although those new to Sailor Moon at the time undoubtedly connected the dots before Sailor Venus actually showed up late in season 1, the fact that the series went out of its way to not refer to Sailor V as Sailor Venus just made the decision all the more obvious once Usagi finally realized the two heroes were one and the same. This creative decision is even more pronounced when taking the connection between the names Serena and Princess Serenity into consideration. In fact, V is clearly short for Venus, much like how Serena is the shortened version of Serenity.

Sailor Moon Also Foreshadows The Meaning of Tuxedo Mask's Identity

There's a Reason Why Mamoru Wears a Tuxedo, Mask and Throws Roses

Names aside, Sailor Moon created other compelling correlations between the previous and current lives of the reincarnated characters. Mamoru's Tuxedo Mask alter ego is a perfect example. In their previous lives, Mamoru, whose name was Endymion at that time, once danced with then Princess Serenity during a celebration that was thrown in her honor. Endymion wore a tuxedo for the ball but also disguised himself in a mask, since his people of Earth were about to go to war against Serenity's kingdom. Endymion even threw a rose at Beryl when she attempts to kill Princess Serenity in the final battle.

Together, these moments show how Mamoru's past life directly influenced why he would subconsciously dress up in a tuxedo and mask and weaponize roses in the present day. It may have been random in the earlier episodes of season 1, but the flashback where Usagi and her friends learned the truth about their past transformed this randomness into effective foreshadowing, just like Serena's name in DiC's dub of Sailor Moon.