Which Character from Sailor Moon Do You Like the Most?

Who’s Your Favorite Sailor Moon Character?

— Sailor Venus, Minako Aino

In the original Sailor Moon series, Minako Aino stood out with her unique presence. Like the main protagonist, Usagi Tsukino, she also had long, golden hair—voluminous and dazzling.

Although she was the last of the main Sailor Guardians to appear, she was actually the first to awaken as a Sailor Senshi. From her debut, her strength and wealth of battle experience far surpassed those of the other characters, making her the undeniable leader of the group.

Minako is deeply connected to the entire Sailor Moon universe. She is Sailor Venus, the Guardian of Love and Beauty.

1. The Meaning Behind Her Name

Minako Aino, Sailor Venus, has a name that stands out just like her. Similar to how Usagi Tsukino (Moon), Ami Mizuno (Mercury), Rei Hino (Mars), and Makoto Kino (Jupiter) all have names that connect to their respective planets, Minako’s name has a deeper, more symbolic meaning.

Her transformation into Sailor Venus is directly inspired by Roman mythology, where Venus is the goddess of love and beauty. Creator Naoko Takeuchi drew on this mythological influence to give Minako a powerful identity. The "Ai" (love) in "Aino" is a nod to this connection.

But do you remember Minako’s other identity?

2. Her First Appearance

In the original anime, the initial Sailor Guardians—Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter—all awaken with guidance from the talking cat Luna.

In episode 33, the team faced a deadly enemy and seemed on the verge of defeat. At that critical moment, Sailor Venus appeared, accompanied by her own mentor, the white cat Artemis.

She single-handedly saved Usagi and the others, who had lost the ability to fight. Though she was the last to join as a Sailor Guardian, her strength and quick instincts quickly positioned her as the unofficial leader of the team. Her combat skills far exceeded the others at that point.

3. Her Unique Origin

Why is Minako so special?

Before Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi had already created a short manga titled "Codename: Sailor V", starring Minako as the main heroine. In this story, she battles evil while wearing a sailor uniform and sporting her signature golden hair.

Codename: Sailor V was a standout during the magical girl boom of the 1990s. Toei Animation originally planned to adapt it into an anime series. However, due to issues with the title and licensing, the project was shelved.

Eventually, Toei and Naoko Takeuchi decided to create a brand-new magical girl anime set in the same universe—thus Sailor Moon was born and debuted on March 7, 1992, capturing hearts worldwide.

Although Minako debuted before Usagi and held a special place in Takeuchi’s heart—some say she was the "true" protagonist—the new series needed a fresh face for broader appeal. Marketing and public reception outweighed personal favorites.

Thus, Usagi Tsukino, with her similar blonde hair and transformation abilities, took the spotlight—paving the way for a timeless classic and a treasured childhood memory.

4. Minako and Sailor V

Interestingly, in the early episodes of Sailor Moon, Sailor V was often shown as a mysterious figure. Usagi even looked up to her as a personal idol.

This could have been Naoko Takeuchi’s way of honoring Minako and the legacy of Sailor V. In episode 42, Minako shares her past in London with Usagi. She reveals how she gave up her own love to protect someone dear to her—a powerful moment that shows how mature and selfless she really is.

So the question remains:
Will you keep loving Minako Aino?
The golden-haired girl who is strong, responsible, and willing to sacrifice everything to fulfill her mission?