"Seramyu" is a remarkable addition to the Sailormoon legacy. Most musical take a new approach to the now traditional storyline, still adding some very impressive musical touches. Sponsored by Bandai Entertainment, it has spanned across a decade, holding almost 800 live performance as well as releasing 13 musical soundtracks.^[1] Our destined couple is brought to life in these exciting adaptations of the BSSM story.

The term "Seramyu" is an abbreviation of See-ra-mun myuuzicaru. It is officially referred to as "Sailormoon musical," however. ^[2] Seramyu is broken down into two stages officially, each ending with a SailorStars-oriented musical; however, most fans (like me) split the stages into four determined by the new Sailormoon actress.^[3] The musicals are performed during 2 seasons of the year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) allowing for 2-3 musicals every year. (Note: the "Winter" musicals start around November/December of the previous year and end around January/February of the next year):

The first musical debuted in 1993 at the beginning of the Sailormoon R[omance] season and began the "First Stage" of Seramyu (the "Anza Moon"). Gaiden, Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen provided a basic summary of the Classic season with a few new twists here and there (Ex.: The Inner Senshi battle the Shitennou at the last fight instead of the DD Girls). Even with a predictable plot, lip-synching, and very gaudy costumes, the musical was a success. (If anything,the performance by the Dark Kingdom was excellent.) The musical became so popular that a revision or kaiteiban was made, changing/adding/rearranging a few scenes or lines to make the musical flow better.

Success from Gaiden encouraged Bandai to release a second musical in 1994, Usagi, Ai no Senshi e no Michi. Usagi skipped the plot of the Romance season and jumped straight to the Super season, introducing the Tailsman-seeking Sailoruranus and Sailorneptune. Although set in the Super season, elements from the Romance season were included in the plot (Ami leaving for Germany, Chibi-usa's arrival, the Neo-Moon Kingdom). A whole new soundtrack was written for the musical including a duet piece for Ami and Usagi called "Tabidachi" (Leaving on A Journey). Usagi was not revised itself, but there was a new musical with the basically the same plot (Henshin, Super Senshi e no Michi). It is assumed that this musical introduced Sailor Pluto in full-form and added the "Crisis, Make-Up" transformation from the Super season since it was not released for purchase. Super Senshi was revised, though, changing the actress for Sailor Pluto, but still was not available for purchase.^[5]

1995 was the year which incorporated the complete Outer Senshi cast into the musical storyline. Yume Senshi Ai Eien ni... included the Dead Moon Kingdom but had a plot similar to that of the Super season; the Outer Senshi fought to protect the world from the arrival of Sailor Saturn. However, neither Mistress 9 nor Pharaoh 90 were included in the musical. The Amazon Trio took the stage and brought a hefty amount of cheering and laughter from the audience. The popularity of this SuperS musical surpassed that of the anime series and grew to become one of the most notable musical in Seramyu history.^[6] Yume's revision began a trend that would continue on for the next couple of years: live singing. The majority of the songs in Yume were performed with live dancing and singing, a first for Seramyu.

The next project for Seramyu was the Stars series and the SailorStar Lights. SailorStars premiered in 1996 and incorporated the end/beginning of the SuperS/Stars season replacing Nehelenia with Sailor Galaxia and the Animamates. Although the musical did not achieve the acclaim of the SuperS musical, it did feature the talents of the great Three Lights trio (who took to comedic place of the Amazon Trio). One of the most memorable moments in the revision was the showcasing of Three Lights singing live, three-part harmony.

By the end of its run, it was already 1997 and the SailorStars anime series had ended; the path of Seramyu was very unclear. Many thought that SailorStars would be the last musical.^[7] However, its popularity and sales made Banzai create a "final" musical.

The final musical of the First Stage, Eien Densetsu, was still set in the Stars season; but unlike the SailorStars musical, it had a plot similar to its anime counterpart. Nishina Yuri returned to her role as the revived Queenberyl in place of Nehelenia (as in the anime). The script incorporated much of two anime plotlines of the final season and even mentioned a few aspects from the manga. Eien showcased the connections and relationships between Usagi & Mamoru & Seiya, Ami & Zoicite, Queen Beryl & Usagi, and even Setsuna & Queen Beryl.

Eien Densetsu: The Final First Stage became the final musical for the original Sailormoon, Ohyama Anza, the original Sailormercury, Morino Ayako, and much of the First Stage cast. Videos were released of the original version, its revision, and the final last-day performance (senshuurakku). Success from this stage gave Bandai the initiative to continue the musicals and promote auditions to find new actors and a brand-new cast (although a few members from the First Stage stayed on for two or three more stages).

Hara Fumina was chosen to fill the role of Sailormoon and a relatively new cast was hired for the Second Stage musicals, Shin Densetsu Kourin and Kaguya Shima Densetsu. SKD was actually a combination of the last three musicals of the First Stage. It featured the Amazon Trio in place of the Three Lights but closely followed the plot of the Eien musical. The score only had a few new songs and mostly featured re-recordings of First Stages songs with the new singers.

KSD became the first musical with a non-anime storyline. The Sailor Senshi sail to an island filled with jewels for their summer vacation. They're trip is ruined, however, by the appearance of a menacing comet, pirates, and the legend of Kaguya island. This musical featured an all-new set of enemies and brand-new songs. What is notable about this musical is that is features scenes from Neo-Tokyo and has the appearance of Neo-Queen Serenity in full-garb.

Unfortunately, Hara Fumina decided to leave myu after KSD. She was replaced by idol Kanbe Miyuki. Kanbe's placement began the Dracul saga which constituted all of her stage (Last Dracul Jyokyoku; Translyvania no Mori (with revision); Last Dracul Saishuu Shou, Chou Wakusei Death Vulcan no Fuuin). The Dracul era focused on the Senshi fight against vampires and the un-dead; it was a very dark era with very heavy and convoluted plots. Each musical built upon the preceding one to create a powerfully cohesive stage. For example, we meet Count Dracul's daughter in TnM after having witnessing his death in Dracul. It added a very interesting twist to the magical shoujo series.

Kanbe soon "graduated" from her role and was replaced by Kuroki Marina. Kuroki's first musicals was Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady, a SailorStars-like take on the Romance season that had been skipped in the First Stage. Its plot borrowed heavily from the original manga storyline, showcasing the relationships between Sailorpluto and Small Lady and the Black Moon Family. To include the full Outer Senshi cast, the plot was slightly altered, having the Outers returning to the past after Sailorsaturn as been awakened at the destruction of Crystal Tokyo. It was not until its revision that all the Ayakashi sisters were cast in the musical. (Surprisingly, the part of "Petz" was played by a male actor).

Year 2002 marked the 10-year anniversary of the birth of Seramyu. A musical revue show was staged which featured a fun storyline and prominent songs from older musicals with new lyrics. Old cast members participated in a talk show afterwards where they spoke with current actors and actresses who filled their roles and even participated in some "attacks." The four Sailormoon actresses performed an array of their signature songs which were very well-received by audience members.

The second musical of Kuroki's stage was Mugen Gakuen ~ Mistress Labyrinth, another manga-inspired look on the Super season. Pharaoh 90, Mistress 9, as well as the full Death Busters cast were the primary enemies. The Outer Senshi role increased significantly as they were introduced to the Inners as "new and dangers soldiers." The longest-running Sailoruranus and Sailorneptune couple were given a long-awaited romantic duet entitled "Destined Couple." In Mugen's revision the song was removed as there were new actresses playing their roles.

For the latter part of the Fourth Stage musicals former musicals were revived, incorporated with more complex dance moves and a few new songs and characters. Kuroki's last two musicals, Starlights! Ryuusei Densetsu! and Shin Kaguya Shima Densetsu, are both "newer" versions of their original counterparts (SailorStars and Kaguya Shima Densetsu). Many songs were re-used and re-recording for the soundtrack, as well as storylines and relationships. The final musical of Kuroki's stage was the SKSD kaiteiban which announced the graduation of the cast and put Seramyu on hiatus.^[8]

Seramyu has truly fulfilled its purpose in revitalizing a completed series. It has redefined what Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is and what is encompasses. What more could a true Moon-fanatic want than to see their favorite senshi dancing/singing/acting/actually living & breathing?