Sailor Moon Volume 18
Putting the final volume in last place might upset some people, and it’s clear what Naoko was aiming for. However, the oversaturation of yellow and gold significantly detracts from Usagi in the center. A better contrasting background would have made her feel more ethereal and present in the image. This design allows her to glow, but she ends up getting lost in her own radiance.
Sailor Moon Volume 4
This cover is iconic, but it’s boring. It does a great job highlighting the main cast, but it lacks the excitement that some of the other covers featuring the core Sailor Scouts have.
Sailor Moon Volume 1
Another important cover ranked so low… we’re basically inviting the pitchforks at this point. We love the background gradient on this one, but the Sailor Moon artwork feels like it could have been stronger for a Volume 1 cover.
Sailor Moon Volume 8
This is a beautiful cover, and it probably deserves a higher spot on the list—but here we are. The pose and expression are dreamy, the coloring is excellent, and the hair looks as great as ever. It’s not ranked lower because it’s bad—it’s just not our favorite.
Sailor Moon Volume 3
The green background, combined with the yellow and red title, creates a fantastic contrast that please my eyes. The more dynamic posing of the Sailor Scouts makes for a larger and more engaging visual experience.
Sailor Moon Volume 5
Now this is how you do ethereal the right way. The stunning all-white artwork, accented with subtle yet powerful yellow highlights and surrounded by a soft glow, stands out beautifully against the dark purple sky. Plus, blending the logo into the cover instead of making it stand out was a fantastic design choice.
Sailor Moon Volume 16
I love this logo—I don’t care how unreadable it is. And while the artwork is beautiful (seriously, those loose feathers are amazing), something about it just feels off. I can’t quite put my finger on it. For what it’s worth, this was originally ranked #16, but I moved it up at the last minute because, despite everything, it’s still a gorgeous piece. Maybe it’s the feet. We here at AnimEighties are not fans of feet.
Sailor Moon Volume 12
Every time I see this cover, I want to own it in a holofoil variant. That logo, the background flowers, and the glow around Usagi and Mamoru in foil with the characters embossed in the center, would make for a phenomenal deluxe edition. Plus, the artwork gives me serious Buffy vibes, and I dig it.
Sailor Moon Volume 9
These portrait shots are stunning. Focusing on just the collars and heads helps declutter the collage, making everyone feel present yet in their own world. The textures in the coloring are perfect, and the craquelin background with the stars encircling them is a really nice touch.
This could be ranked higher if not for Sailor Jupiter’s giraffe neck. She’s the best Scout, and it just looks too awkward.
Sailor Moon Volume 15
Some fans might think this gives off the vibe of Mamoru acting as a protector. But for me it feels like Usagi is showing him off like: “This boy is mine, he could probably kill you, but I can handle myself. He’s just here to look pretty.” Which is usually true anyway. As his most recent English voice actor, Robbie Daymond, says: “He’d be more help if he threw a brick instead of a rose.”
Sailor Moon Volume 7
Everything about the color palette of this cover is perfect. Especially that rainbow background with the white cutout stars.
The characters are in fun poses, especially Chibiusa, and nothing gets lost in the motion.
Sailor Moon Volume 6
The ugly brown logo and background color somehow work perfectly with this cover. While some of the covers before it are actually better, every time I look at Sailor Moon’s eye, I can’t help but chuckle because it looks like she’s been possessed and is staring into my soul, trying to devour it without letting me know. Yes, a chuckle definitely bumps this higher on the list!
Sailor Moon Volume 2
Luna looks like an adorable little gremlin, and I love that! That’s mostly what places this at #6, but the overall composition of the image is fantastic. Tuxedo Mask removing his mask really makes the image. Why hide those beautiful blue eyes?!
Sailor Moon Volume 13
We’ve seen a lot of group shots, but this is by far the best one of the bunch.
Incorporating their primary colors into the hair for every Sailor Scout was a genius idea and looks incredible. Showing off their powers and weapons really makes them feel like actual warriors instead of models posing on a stage.
They will kick your ass and look great doing it!
Sailor Moon Volume 11
Everything about this cover is perfect. The comic-style logo design, the incredible blending of Sailor Moon and Luna’s human form at the hair, Luna’s stunning hair detail, the real-life beads added before scanning the image for print—it’s all fantastic.
Now, I know, I know. I rated the yellow-on-yellow low at the start, but this image is next level. This is my list, leave me alone!
Sailor Moon Volume 17
I’ve probably used the word ethereal a few times in this list, but no one can tell me this doesn’t embody “angel” in every possible way. The emotion in the face and the pose practically float off the page.
The use of flowers instead of falling feathers might seem like an odd choice, but for this image, it just makes perfect sense. Naoko Takeuchi really brings it home with this cover.
Sailor Moon Volume 14
It’s no secret that my favorite Sailor Scout is Jupiter. But my second favorite? Uranus. And they look fierce on this cover.
Actually, all of the Outer Sailor Scouts look fierce. Showing off their weapons while staring directly at you gives off serious “mess with our squad, and they’ll find you in a ditch on Monday” energy.
They don’t need a fancy, colorful background—in fact, it would only take away from the raw power this cover exudes.
Sailor Moon Volume 10
Some of you might be confused about why this is my favorite cover—especially when I admit it’s not the best cover on the list. Is it the most technically impressive drawing? No. Does it feature any of my favorite Scouts? Also no. So what gives, Mack? Well, let me tell you.
The solid red backdrop is the perfect color choice. No added texture or graphics. Just red.
The rainbow logo looks fantastic. Often, the top part of the logo is a different color, but I love when both parts share the same gradient.
This pose is truly iconic, radiating pure joy.
This is my absolute favorite of Sailor Moon’s outfit styles. Her Super form is magical girl design perfection. The sheer layered sleeves and rainbow gradients make this outfit stand out from the rest—yes, even the Eternal form!
Thank you!
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