If you haven’t figured out by reading some of my other posts, like my one on AnimeJapan or the Sailor Moon Exhibit that was in Roppongi, or the Sailor Moon Cafe pop-up I like to frequent, or my opening night attendance to the Sailor Moon Dinner Show/Restaurant Shining Moon Tokyo – I’m slightly obsessed with Sailor Moon. When I found out about the Sailor Moon Fan Club in 2016, I had to let my other super fan friends know. That includes you, wider world wide web audience!
[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July of 2016 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.]
I may be obsessed with Sailor Moon
This, my friends, is also why I should be stalking the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Official Site on a near daily basis. There is always new news coming out that I am interested in. While Google’s translation feature has been steadily improving over the years since I first went to Japan and leaps and bounds since I first moved there, it also gives me an excellent case on why I need to improve my Japanese. It’s a lot more fun to read in the native language and I love any excuse to work on my kanji reading abilities.
I originally stumbled upon the Sailor Moon Fan Club when I finished watching the final episode of season 3 of Sailor Moon Crystal. I start purusing the internet for hints to when Season 4 is coming out. (Four years later, that’s finally becoming a thing in the form of Sailor Moon Eternal coming out September 11th, 2020!)
Where has the Official Sailor Moon Fan Club been all my life?!
Next thing I know, I stumbled upon the first official app for Android! Low and behold, it’s members only. Digging deeper and using all my brain power on translating a LOAD of Japanese, there it is. Official Sailor Moon Fan Club?!
2016 was the first year that the Sailor Moon Fan Club became available to overseas fans. Fan clubs are actually a substantial thing in Japan but it’s rare that they’d be offered elsewhere.
Now that it has been a thing for six years, every year you renew, you get new incentives.
What is included in the Sailor Moon Fan Club membership?
While it is slightly more lucrative to have membership while in Japan (there are events you can go to), it still has some perks to be a member of the Official Sailor Moon Fan Club, which is actually named “Pretty Guardians”.
- You get a membership card. If you are renewing, it will have the same number as when you first registered. Each year it consists of a different illustration of the Sailor Moon characters.
- Each year comes with a different “Nakayoshi” gift which I’m assuming they are using the “close friend” use of the word. in 2016 is was a lip gloss case in the shape of a broach. In 2020 it is Luna Pen Case for cosmetics. It includes a eye shadow pallet and brush inside.
- If you are a renewing member, you get some additional swag of a bag and file set.
- Access to the game that original lead me to this discovery.
- Exclusive rights to special merchandise and events (I’m in Japan! I can GO to those events!!)
- and more…
When can I sign up and how much?
Each year you have until Usagi’s birthday (Sailor Moon’s name) of June 30th to sign up. It costs 5500 yen or whatever that translates to with the going exchange rate to USD. There is also a 1700 yen fee for shipping all of your goodies.
If you have been in the club for 3 years you are considered a “Prism stars Member” and 5 years “Crystal Stars Member”. What’s that get you? A special bonus!
The first step is registering your email address, after that you can fill out your application, pay, and then wait patiently for your goodies to get to you!
Is membership worth it?
In the grand scheme of things, it is more just for fun. But if you love Sailor Moon trinkets as much as the next super fan, it does give you exclusive rights to different products! My membership is on its way, is yours?
Oh, and if you don’t want to miss signing up in the future? You can auto subscribe!
