For decades,Sailor Moonhas been one of the most beloved anime franchises in the world, inspiring generations with its mix of magical battles, heartfelt friendships, and empowering messages. Yet even with its massive cultural impact, some pieces ofSailor Moonhistory remain elusive, especially those that never made it past Japan’s borders.
One such treasure isSailor Moon S: Kotaete Moon Call!(“Answer the Moon Call!”), according to@SMoonCenteron X, a rare 1994 release that has almost slipped into complete obscurity. Originally tied to the Japan-exclusive Bandai Telebikko console, this quiz-based game featured brand-new animation, the official anime voice cast, and scenes set during the series’ “S” season. But without urgent preservation, it risks being lost forever.
A Japan-Only Sailor Moon Relic in Danger
BecauseKotaete Moon Call!was only ever released in Japan and distributed on VHS, finding an intact copy today is incredibly difficult. VHS tapes degrade over time, and with the Telebikko console now long discontinued, the game is inaccessible to most fans. The rarity alone makes ita significant part ofSailor Moonhistory worth saving.
The preservation effort is being led by Sailor Moon Center, a fan-run site dedicated to archiving rare and vintageSailor Moonmedia. However, this is no simple task. Digitally transferring old VHS footage with high fidelity requires specialized hardware and expertise, both of which come at a high cost. Without community support, the game’s unique visuals and voice performances could disappear permanently.
Sailor Moon Center has turned to fans worldwide for help, asking for donations to fund the use of the open-source Doomsday Duplicator hardware. This tool can capture the game’s visuals and audio at the highest possible quality, ensuring the end result is as close to the original experience as modern technology allows.
How Sailor Moon Fans Can Keep the Moon Shining
The preservation project isn’t just about safeguardingKotaete Moon Call!, it is also about making it accessible to audiences beyond Japan. Should the effort succeed, Sailor Moon Center plans to release a high-quality fan-subtitled version, allowing international fans to enjoy the game’s story and animation for the first time.
This couldpave the way for other rareSailor Moonreleases to be rescuedfrom obscurity. Titles like theHero Clubtapes or the edited Pioneer VHS editions are also in danger of disappearing, and the methods developed for this project could be applied to those as well. In many ways, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for preserving other niche anime media from the 1990s.
ForSailor Moonfans, this is a chance to actively shape the franchise’s legacy. By contributing, they can ensure that rare gems likeKotaete Moon Call!remain accessible, and not just as artifacts, but as living pieces of the magical girl story that continues to inspire millions worldwide. The fight to preserve the past might not be as flashy as battling evil by moonlight, but it’s just as heroic.
