After recently hitting its thirty-year anniversary on March 7th, Sailor Moon continues to captivate and inspire viewers to be their bravest selves.
Bravery comes in several forms. Arguably, one of the main forms of bravery in Sailor Moon is presented through the sheer fact that teenagers are fighting against the forces of evil, which is certainly no easy feat. However, bravery takes more than courage to fight. In Sailor Moon, bravery comes in the courage to constantly evolve and do better for one's loved ones despite all odds. Some characters display this attribute well; others fall short, remaining stagnant throughout the series.
Sailor Mini Moon
Chibi-Usa travels back in time to modern-day Japan to save her mother. Traveling back in time to rectify a mistake is no small feat for anyone, not to mention a child.
However, she talks a big talk and has a small walk. Viewers rarely see her facing anyone alone in battle. Chibi-Usa is almost always accompanied by either the Sailor Guardians or Tuxedo Mask. In addition, she fails almost consistently when it comes to having mature conversations or standing her ground. She may be a child, but that excuse only goes so far. Chibi-Usa doesn't grow or change throughout the series -- she remains dependent and childish. It's also ironic, considering children are meant to grow.
Sailor Pluto
Setsuna acts as a guardian, friend, and advisor in the series. She was also instructed by Queen Serenity to guard the Space-Time Door, which was undoubtedly a heavy burden.
With that said, Setsuna doesn't lack bravery. However, the audience has never seen her truly scared. Setsuna acts as a strong character in the sense that she never wavers. She is a dependable wise-mentor trope that the characters can lean on from time to time if necessary. In addition, she sacrifices her time spent as the guardian of the Space-Time door. However, her sacrifices mean nothing if there's little emotional value at stake. She's a stagnant character who doesn't grow over the series.
Sailor Jupiter
Makoto is probably one of the most self-sufficient characters in the series. She can cook, clean, and beat up bullies like it's nobody's business. Sailor Jupiter is courageous, confident, and arguably the strongest Sailor Guardian.
Viewers don't see a lot changing when it comes to Makoto's growth. It is established from the jump that she's a confident character who seems to have very little to be afraid of in the first place. She's brave in the sense that it's second nature to her, but aside from the constant reminders of her getting her heart broken by some guy and being reminded of him every once in a while for plot, there's not much emotional value with Makoto. Since bravery is evolution and doing better for one's loved ones, Makoto falls short because she doesn't evolve.
Sailor Venus
Minako acts in such a way that is similar to Usagi. She is goofy, romantic, and is a fantastic friend. However, the two have significant differences. For one, Sailor Venus has been a celebrity since episode one.
With so much attention, being brave is important to ensure that she remains a role model. Fighting bad guys is nothing new to Sailor Venus. Her tragic backstory also speaks mounds. However, the evolution of her character is mostly off-screen. She doesn't constantly evolve and do better, she's already hit her peak by the start of the series. By season 3, she ends up being more goofy than valiant. It's more of a de-evolution.
Sailor Mars
We first see Sailor Mars as a powerful shrine priestess before she is a Sailor Guardian. If that isn't impressive enough, she also has ambitions of being a singer, songwriter, model and actress.
When it comes to character evolution, Rei does shift a bit. Despite her early rivalries and disagreements with Usagi, she ends up being arguably the closest with her by the end of season 1. Abrasive and headstrong, Rei also has a softer, more caring side that is revealed several times. With that said, aside from the times that all of the inner Sailor Guardians sacrifice themselves (notably at the end of season 1), there's not much to be said in of her constantly improving. Her character growth ends early, and not much changes to begin with.
Sailor Neptune
Michiru is a strong character in the sense that she has immense mental fortitude and is dedicated to her mission. She also has a penchant for being the sacrificial one out of the iconic pairing that is Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus.
Between Michiru and her counterpart, Michiru's the one with more experience and inspired Haruka to be the best Sailor Guardian she could be. She's clearly reckoned with her own obstacles. With that said, the audience doesn't have much evidence of Michiru's personal growth outside of dialogue shared with Haruka in one episode, which takes place in the past. Throughout the show, Michiru doesn't seem to put much effort in becoming a better person. She doesn't evolve or change much.
Sailor Uranus
Haruka is a strong character in a similar sense to Michiru; she can handle a lot and she's committed. After gaining her powers as a Sailor Guardian, it is undoubtedly courageous that the two were willing to sacrifice anything to find the proper talismans.
Her hesitance to be a Sailor Guardian in the first place and how far she's come from since definitely needs to be considered. However, there is something to be said about being so rigid, to reject any other avenues. Sailor Moon pleaded with Sailor Uranus to choose a different path, to find the talismans without sacrifices. However, Sailor Uranus rejected her pleas and went so far as to steal her magical brooch to prevent her from getting in the way. Haruka does evolve to grow into her role, but she stays put once she's there.
Tuxedo Mask
One of the obstacles that Tuxedo Mask had during the series was hiding his love for Usagi due to the fear of losing her. It could be courageous of him to protect her, but the opposite can also be argued considering he was too fearful to tell Usagi and let her make decisions for herself.
Despite all of this, Mamoru does change throughout the series. He grows to have more faith in Usagi -- not just blind faith, but a true understanding of what she is capable of -- and he becomes a stronger for her as their relationship solidifies. He evolves from this idea of a love interest for Usagi to a dependable person. Also, despite all of the traumas this character has gone through, he still carries on with wacky one-liners and throwing roses at monsters. If that isn't brave, what is?
Sailor Mercury
Before meeting Usagi, Ami was a shy, insecure girl who wouldn't make many friends due to Sailor Mercury's intelligent nature and preconceived notions that she was arrogant by the people around her. However, throughout the course of the series, she becomes more confident.
Logically based with a strong heart, she grows significantly in season 1. She develops this bravery organically and comes far from her timid origins in the series. In season 2, episode 80, even under the hallucinations of the enemy who convinces her that her friends have abandoned her, her trust in her friends pulls through and she's able to snap out of the spell. Bravery like that is constantly worked on, especially by someone who has been burned by people in the past.
Sailor Moon
The Usagi that viewers see at the beginning of the series isn't the same Usagi they see at the end of season 1 -- and beyond. She is willing to sacrifice herself after losing everyone she loved. Even afterwards, she begins again.
After facing the absolute worst, she gets back up again, knowing that she might lose everything a second time. She never wavers when it comes to believing in the best of what people have to offer. This could be seen as naive, but it could also be seen as brave. For what is braver than to see the worst of the world, then to believe in good and everyone is worth saving? Fighting for love and justice is more than a fun catchphrase to Usagi Tsukino. Even though she gets afraid and cowardly at times, she is undoubtedly the bravest character of them all.
