Hello Moonies!

I was multitasking and binge-watching the ever-popular Orange is the New Black when I had to look up from what I was doing to make sure what I heard was right. If you are a fan of the series and are trying to avoid spoilers, Don’t read after this bold print, okay??

In Episode 6: “Ching Chong Chang”, our favorite hopeless romantic and creepy stalker Lorna Morello has struck up a new relationship with Ron, her brand new prison pen-pal. During his visit, they talk about their love of anime, and Ron talks about a horse-fight at “the expo” involving one of our own. Below, are screenshots with captions from the exchange that happens around the 28-minute mark. If the image below is hard to read, click to enlarge.

I’m also wondering if this might have been a jab at the brony fandom from the writers? Have any of you gotten into weird fandom fights with fans?

Moonbeams forever,
Sailordees.

Edit: For those who want to watch this episode, watch it on Netflix here.

Hi there readers! Fans who watch Big Bang Theory may notice a reference to Sailor Moon in tonight’s new episode. The clip below shows Raj recalling an encounter with a Sailor Moon cosplayer at ComicCon, as a funny anecdote during Howard’s bachelor party. (the clip below discusses mature themes, younger readers may want to skip this one)

Fans interested in watching the full episode can tune into CBS or CTV at 8pm.

Here are a few quick hits for you all!

In Hong Kong, MTR began selling the last of their Classic Anime Series Souvenir Ticket sets on Sunday. The last set features Sailor Moon characters with the new branding! For $105 HKD ($13 USD), riders can get the entire set of all 3 souvenir passes, a specially designed ticket holder, as well as a keychain. Each pass is valid for a single ride on or before November 30th, and the pass will be returned to the owner as a souvenir.

In Japan, Naoko Takeuchi has drawn a new Chibi version of Tuxedo Kamen to be animated in 3D for an RPG! He will be making an appearance in Level 5’s “Girls RPG Cinderelife”, an RPG where a player will be able to experience aspects of a typical girl’s life from work, to fashion, to shopping, and even a little dating. The really interesting thing to note on this screengrab we have featured for you is that Naoko Takeuchi PNP is the only copyright listed – so this is being done independently of Toei Animation or Kodansha (which is probably why this is a new drawing). Reprising his role as the voice of Tuxedo Mask is none other than the original voice himself, Toru Furuya! Fans can check out a trailer here and the official site here. The game will be released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS sometime next year.

And who watched Saturday Night Live? Did anyone notice Anna Faris dressed up as Sailor Moon Cherry Cherry Rock and Roll? The skit this cosplay appeared in was “J Pop America Fun Time Now”, and Anna appeared at the end as Jennifer, a fan who had the largest anime video collection at Michigan State University. While this wasn’t the greatest skit, it reminded us of every otaku we have met that has pretended to know everything about Japan. Fans can watch this episode online at Hulu in the USA or later this week at Global TV’s site in Canada.

Moon Chase is glad to report another Sailor Moon sighting, this one coming from a brand new light-hearted lawyer/comedy primetime show on TNT called “Franklin and Bash”. In the show’s second episode, titled “She Came Upstairs To Kill Me”, there was a reference to Setsuna Meioh/Sailor Pluto, courtesy of Pindar Singh (played by Kumail Nanjiani). The reference occurs about 5 minutes into the episode, with the conversation in the scene quickly turning to the topic of hottest female animated characters:

Jared Franklin: If you met Isabella, you would feel differently. Isabelle is just like Jessica Rabbit – she’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way.

Peter Bash: Jessica Rabbit – hottest cartoon character ever?

Jared Franklin: I prefer Betty Rubble.

Peter Bash: Really?

Jared Franklin: Yeah.

Pindar Singh: Neither of those hold a candle to Setsuna Meioh.

*awkward silence by Jared Franklin and Peter Bash *

Pindar Singh: The guardian of the space and the time door in the Sailor Moon manga?

While Jessica Rabbit and Betty Rubble are household names in the world of comics and animation, special applause must be handed out to the writing staff at “Franklin and Bash” for referencing a character that is likely only known by diehard fans of Sailor Moon. When you consider the level of inactivity associated with Sailor Moon in North America, it is sightings like this one that encourages and reminds Sailor Moon fans just how much of an imprint that the show has had on pop culture in North America (a special thank you to K-Chan for e-mailing this to us).

The writers at Moon Chase have another light-hearted Sailor Moon sighting to report out of Korea. This most recent sighting involves an actress who has dressed up in Sailor Moon’s famous outfit and hairstyle for an episode of a popular television series. We first reported the sighting of actress Goo Hye-Sun dressing up as Sailor Moon, and more recently we have actress Yoon Seung Ah dressing up as Sailor Moon in an episode of the k drama “All My Love”.

In a recent episode of the show, Yoon Seung Ah’s character (who lives in a poor but kind family) gets a part time job working as Sailor Moon in order to pay off a favour to her uncle. While she was in costume acting, she was greeted enthusiastically be a group of elementary school children. Yoon Seung Ah soon managed to channel her inner Usagi, as she shouted over and over to her eager audience, “I am Sailor Moon! In the name of justice, I will not forgive you!” Yoon Seung Ah received comments about how her costume was an exact match for the real Sailor Moon’s and that she did a great job bringing the character to life.

This episode of “All My Love” aired on April 13, 2011 in Korea, so if you are a fan of the show, a fan of Yoon Seung Ah’s, or follow the Korean pop culture scene, be sure to check out this Sailor Moon sighting!