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At Long Last...Serena Returns (sort of)

5/19/2018

Serena has come BACK... to Mexico.

Recently news broke that Sailor Moon Crystal would be broadcast on television in Mexico...with a dub that uses the name Serena. This is the same name as used in the existing version of Sailor Moon distributed in that region.

This means that in the North American continent, "Serena" will be heard by Sailor Moon fans again in new material!

As mentioned on our mission page, our goal was to hear the name "Serena" if that animated series returned to television in an English-speaking market. Although the Mexican dub is not an English-language product, it does use "Serena" and more importantly, it is airing on television. Even if there is little hope for either a return of the old English dub or a new English dub that uses the old dub's names, that Serena is used for newer Sailor Moon adaptations means that there is a minor victory.

Mexico wanted Serena...and it got her.

Sailor Moon: The Movie is Out!

2/22/2016

Although the site is no longer being actively maintained, there is news about the site and about the Sailor Moon fandom as a whole.

Sailor Moon: The Movie has finally completed after years of production. This is a full-length live-action fan film of Sailor Moon, one that pays tribute to numerous incarnations in the franchise while giving the movie its own unique spin. You may watch the film here.

Also, after much wrestling with ourselves, we have decided to publish spirited rebuttals we have received about our Web site. Although the language used within is not family-friendly, we wanted to be fair and preserve the passionate wording of those who disagree, especially since commentary on these updates has been disabled.

Finally, we came across the a thread in the Galaxy Cauldron Forums in which this site was mentioned. For those who sent words of agreement, we thank you for the support, and we also thank those who have expressed disagreement. Even if Serena may be absent from official material, she is still wanted.

The End of the End

8/30/2015

We mentioned over a year ago that this site would no longer be updated. We regret to inform you that the comments section is now closed. While we gladly welcome comments of both a positive and negative tone, given that the decision concerning Serena has been made, the value of discussion is limited.

To those who have left suggestions and criticism, we thank you for your feedback, We are not removing comments, but like the use of the name Serena as Sailor Moon, it is not for the present or for the future.

Another Survey

2/24/2015

This is a minor update Viz Media has released yet another survey. As Viz is the licensor of Sailor Moon material in the United States and Canada, it is important to let them know that we want Serena. For those who have been disappointed in the purchase this form will at least make it to an official representative of Viz and perhaps they will allow for Serena to return. Please let them know that we want Serena. Do not forget about the one named Sailor Moon.

Let's Make Our Voices Heard!

11/19/2014

Sailor Moon fans, we have an opportunity to communicate our desire for Serena to the company that has licensed the classic anime.

Recently, Viz Media, the company that holds the licensed to Sailor Moon, has released a survey in which the company invites Sailor Moon fans to give feedback to the company. Many fans who have bought the episodes on vidwo and have also wanted Serena back, and you can tell Viz how you feel about the volumes as well as to take the survey, please clink on the link listed below:

http://bit.ly/11eKmFL

We will be clear that we cannot guarantee any action will be taken as a result of finishing the survey. However, the benefit of submitting it is important that Viz Media be aware of a substantial demand for "Serena." If the demand is expressed, Viz Media may revisit the possibility of obtaining the materials that make up the old dub.

We urge that excessive negativity, rudeness, and antagonism be avoided. Our goal is to get Serena back.

Thank You

11/17/2014

We do not have a proper update. However, we have noticed some increased attention as of late due to the recent release of the new version of Sailor Moon on home video. Sadly, some purchasers of the product were under the impression that "Serena" would be heard and have expressed their disappointment that the latest product does not contain any trace of the Sailor Moon television show that aired on TV in the 1990's.

While we can understand the anger some reviewers hold, we would like to stress that our message is not one of negativity. Instead, we have a simple message for these purchasers and any supporters.

Thank you for making sure that Serena is not forgotten.

The power of Serena was instrumental to the development of Moon Animate, Make-Up! The English audio inspired animators in their depictions of their shots, and the inventiveness of the animators coupled with the audio helped make the video a roaring success. It is easily the most popular Sailor Moon fan video this year and was covered by mainstream blogs and websites. This celebration of Sailor Moon showed that the love for Serena and the old English language audio was very much alive.

Thank you for not giving up your dreams, for as long as Serena remains in our hearts, we have hope for the future.

The Beginning of the End

6/1/2014

On May 16, 2014, Viz Media announced it had acquired the license to distribute Sailor Moon in the United States and Canada. In their communication they proclaim that Serena is "no more" and that The Other Name -- Tsukino Usagi -- is to be used when referring to Sailor Moon's secret identity.

The immediate reaction of the fandom was mixed as shown. A plurality of fans clearly supported the change. Others were hostile, some were accepting, if disappointed, and a few were confused. The fandom was not united, but it is the decision made by those parties legally in charge. For this reason, we will no longer update or maintain our site with one exception -- which we well get to shortly.

Following this announcement, a large number of visitors stumbled onto our site and provided us with feedback both critical and helpful. As a result of the feedback, we have permanently disabled the Testimonials section. Given that the decision has been made to officially refer to Sailor Moon as Usagi, updating this section would prove futile. The future of the Tumblr account associated with our site, Serena Is Sailor Moon, is also uncertain.

We would like to stress that there has been a misunderstanding as to the nature of this site. This site represents all those who want Serena in a dub. This is not the position of one person or one fan, and despite the zeal of certain notable fans of the dub, not all of us wanted the old series to remain unlicensed. Many of us were hoping for a redub that much like many fan projects, used the names of the old English-language version of Sailor Moon but retained the characterizations, plot points, and relationships of the original version. Some of us are even happy with the new, more accurate dub, but are disappointed that the old dub is not likely to be licensed. We do not all think the same.

As a group, we are not supporting any boycott of the series. As a group, we are not supporting a return of.the original voice actors. These are the actions of individuals, but this site represents all that want "Serena." We will continue to support fan projects with the name "Serena" and while many of us will hope for a rerelease of the old English-language version in the future, as a group we will not actively advocate for it.

In fact, in order to provide a more balanced view, we have decided to provide a section for rebuttal. If someone who disagrees with our opinion contacts us through the form and gives us explicit permission to publish their words, we will review the content. If it meets our standards we will post it at our discretion.

As for our collective mission forwards, we will take a cue from one of the first people who responded to this news, the Twitter user "Teresa" with the screen name goggleboi. Sailor Moon will always be "Serena" in our hearts and heads, and we will always think of her as "Serena" first, no matter what her canonical name is, That is how we will remember her legacy.

News Around the Sailor Moon Fandom

1/31/2014

There isn't a lot that can be said with regard to this site, but the general fandom has been busier than ever with a cavalcade of activity.

First is the news that the new Sailor Moon anime, which was announced in 2012, is set to be released in July of 2014. Because there has been substantial information released in the latest release, it is believed that this project is still alive and progress is being made. While We Want Serena is officially neutral as to whether "Serena" should be used in the new anime, we are glad to see that new Sailor Moon material is being worked on officially.

Second is that the fan sequel to the Sailor Moon anime, Sailor Moon Solar SailorS, has also recently wrapped up production and released its sixth and final episode. This is the first multiple-episode fan series that remixed and added to pre-existing Sailor Moon footage to complete. Given that this series uses the names from the English dub while combining the story of the original version, we are excited to see a successful animated project completed using Serena while being faithful to the episodes that were not dubbed.

Third is a fan effort that is the inverse of series like Solar SailorS. Moon Animate, Make-Up! is a project in which animators recreate an existing Sailor Moon episode, shot by shot. This is a re-interpretation of the existing Sailor Moon episode "Fractious Friends." It literally deconstructs and reconstructs Serena and the countless animators who have signed on to this project shows not only an immense love for Sailor Moon, but an endorsement of both the English dub and Serena as Sailor Moon.

As mentioned in our mission statement, we do not represent a single view -- some fans who want Serena are fans of the existing English dub, and some fans of who want Serena prefer a redub that is closer the the original version in all aspects except for the names. Given that fan projects using Serena are either completed like Dead Moon Circus or nearing completion and other fan projects like Sailor Moon the Movie are running full steam ahead, the message is clear. Fans want Serena far beyond this small site, and as fans we are united in this belief!

Testimonials, Dead Moon Circus, and more

9/22/2013

One of the challenges in a Web 2.0 world is that social media drives conversation more than static sites and forums. As a consequence, recruiting people to submit responses to a Web site can be a challenge that task requires extensive SEO work and targeting, which can be difficult when vocal proponents of Serena are denied equal participation in the Sailor Moon fandom. However, decentralization also has its benefits, as those who are not welcome in the community can share opinions on an individual basis. Multiple individuals can independently come to the same conclusion, that Serena is Sailor Moon, and the Web 2.0 allows the alternate voice of fans to be heard.

It is for this reason, the Testimonials section has been updated to display a feed of the various fans who want Serena as Sailor Moon. Many of these fans are willing to share their love for Serena, their fond memories of the English-language and we have shared these words as proof of that we are united in this goal. A full archive of the testimonials can be found at Serena is Sailor Moon.

In terms of the greater fandom, the Sailor Moon fan film, Dead Moon Circus recently released the conclusion of the film and we advise any Sailor Moon fan to look at either part. With Dead Moon Circus' completion, the ongoing release of Sailor SolarS, and Sailor Moon the Movie in the production process, fans are keeping Serena alive.

As stated in the previous testimonial on our site, stay positive and hopeful. Keep the message clear. Serena is Sailor Moon! We want Serena!

Check Out Sailor SolarS!

9/9/2013

We apologize for the dormancy. as we have very little new to report. However, there is something we would like to share.

On the fan project front, Sailor SolarS, a fan sequel to the old Sailor Moon anime, has released its first episode in two parts. Sailor SolarS is a very good project, and one we ask any reader to check out.

The existence of Sailor SolarS serves as a counter to one of the arguments against using "Serena." Even though it is based on the original version of the anime, it uses the names from the English dub. For those who dislike the English dub, the names indicate that the story does not have to be altered because the names have been changed. For those that prefer the English dub, the names serve to ease viewers into a different continuity. "Serena" serves as bridge to unite Sailor Moon fans. That's why we want her.

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