✦ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo ✦
– Fan Review –

✦ Introduction

The “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo” (STST for short) is the latest but one of the most awaited returns of Sailor Moon as a permanent fixture in the fandom. There have been many café collaborations that come and go, and one previous attempt at a dinner-show before that closed because of the pandemic, however witnessing the tremendous success and the overall hype this new show has had since its opening day, I remain hopeful that it will be a long-lasting attraction.

There have been many changes made since Shining Moon Tokyo (2019-2020), which have contributed to the current success of STST. Promotion for the show has been much broader, marketing not only locals with video ads and posters placed in transportation hubs, touristy spots and anime centrals, but also targeting overseas fans through social media and ticketing agencies that cater to foreigners.

Also, the show has scaled down on meals, but has upgraded the experience. For those hoping to get some of that café experience, they do offer themed drinks and they include a small sweet treat for certain tickets tiers. They also now offer pics with one half of the cast, a high-five send off with the other half, and plenty of photo ops throughout the halls of the theatre.

Overall, Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo is a great experience for Moonies who have been in the fandom for years, as well as for casual fans who want to dip their toes into the wonderful world of Sailor Moon musicals.

✦ Getting there

The STST musical has moved to an entirely new location: Shinagawa, Tokyo. Shinagawa is This district is surrounded by office buildings, industrial parks and residential buildings, but the area close to the theater has an interesting mix between a large casino, a grand hotel, a shopping center, and lots of different entertainment venues.

Getting there is pretty easy too! Shinagawa Station is located right on the Yamanote Line which is Tokyo’s main loop line. Shinagawa station is also known as being an important Shinkansen terminal where many bullet trains arrive and depart from, as well as one of the stops for the many airport shuttles coming from and headed to both major airports.

Luckily, getting to Club eX is pretty easy from the station. It’s a straight line just across the street, through a restaurant alley and up a short incline. Large billboards and posters can be found along the way, and an illuminated marquee frames a second floor window beside the entrance. It should be fairly easy to spot.

Surprisingly though, it’s not the first time the Shinagawa Prince Hotel has hosted a Sailor Moon event. Back in 2022, this is where the “Sailor Moon Musical Festival – Chronicle –“ was held, so fans who attended the festival were familiar already. We have a complete event review of “Chronicle” HERE. It was a festival that only lasted a few days and was held at the Stellar Ball, but STST has taken over the Club eX theater which is still in the same complex.

✦ The Venue

Once you go through the door, just past the ticketing table, is the merch area. They offer variety of show exclusive goods, such as character bromides, t-shirts, pamphlets, keychains, etc, as well as select Sailor Moon Store goods. A complete list of exclusive merch can be found on our STST master post.

Shopping is of course a lot of fun, but don’t feel pressured to buy before the show starts (except for the fanlight if you’d like to use it during the encore part of the musical). There will be plenty of time to shop afterwards without the looming pressure of finding your seat and getting comfortable.

On the way to the floor, there are quite a few photo ops, including a large 10 Sailor Guardian framed illustration, prop replicas of Usagi and Chibi-Usa’s wands, heart-shaped Guardian compacts and close-up costume pictures.

My recommendation: Skip the store until after the performance (except for the fan light), pick up your pre-ordered drinks, and find your seats so you can leave your belongings and beverages there. Now, you’re free to go back to the halls to take your pictures. Don’t forget to also go up to the second floor for even more fun displays!

Inside the theater, there are many chairs lined up, each with their own small side table to place your drinks and a basket under each seat to place your belongings (not shown in pictures below).

There is no table service. You must pick up your own drinks at the bar before the show. You can also purchase additional sodas or alcoholic drinks at a small podium located near the bar. You CANNOT order any extras of the themed drinks, you can only stick to the one you ordered when purchasing your ticket.

If your ticket includes pictures with the cast, after the musical, you must remain seated at your spot until your section is called on stage. The staff will ask you to leave as soon as you have taken your pictures, so gather all your items and bring your empty bottle so they can dispose of it (unless you intend to keep it).

More info on drinks and ticketing on our STST master post.

✦ Story (Spoilers ahead!) :

I (Cyn) was able to watch the musical 3 times, not only to enjoy both Silver Moon and Gold Moon casts, but to take notes on the story. I will try to summarize it and keep it concise, but please forgive any mistakes in my summary, as many details might have escaped me by the time I get to writing this review. Reminder that this is the overview for Season 1. At this time we still do not know if there will be any changes made to the story or production in Season 2.

I’m adding a *Spoiler Alert* in case you prefer not have any clues before watching.

The show opens with the 5 Inner Guardians in their school uniforms walking into “Neo-Future Land”, a themed park where everything is powered and controlled by AI. Ami explains what Artificial Intelligence means and what it can do, for instance generate music or video. It’s as if “AI CAN CREATE ANYTHING”.

Minako is very excited about the potential of a creating the perfect boyfriend but the other girl’s explain to her that while the technology is great, it can be misused for ulterior motives. Just then, the girls feel the presence of evil spirit, and yell their transformation phrases and run off stage. Valusia Code entities (AI’s real world lackeys) start creeping out of the shadows.

The new musical theme “Brilliant Justice” begins with the Inner Guardians referencing the main visual pose. The Outer Guardians come on stage by the second half of the song as well. This is the only song from this musical that has been officially released on streaming platforms. For more information on where to listen to it, check out our post HERE.

Queen Valusia (the main villian) and the Valusia Code make their entrance with the song “Generate”. It introduces the AI realizing it can keep learning, updating its code, consuming information and creating copies of real things in order to create a new world. Queen Valusia orders her minions to find the “Legendary Silver Crystal”, but it is not really clear why or how they intend to use it.

Usagi and Mamoru are having a nice romantic date, walking hand in hand, enjoying their time together. They duet“A Sweet Moment”, a soft ballad about their love. Chibi-Usa barges in and interrupts them mid-song changing the tempo to an upbeat, joyful version of “A Sweet Moment” wanting to have a daddy-daughter date too. As usual, Usagi and Chibi-Usa start to banter and push each other out of the way to get Mamoru’s attention. He gently asks them to stop fighting and if at all possible, enjoy their time all together. Usagi absolutely refuses, so Mamoru warns her that if she can’t play nice, then they cannot hang out. This makes her even angrier so she storms out in an enraged fit. Mamoru and Chibi-Usa both immediately feel bad for how things turned out and decide to go after her.

Usagi is on her own walking blindly down the street still annoyed by what just happened, when she accidentally walks into the “Neo-Future Land” amusement park. She remembers the words “AI CAN CREATE ANYTHING” and says out loud how she wishes she had a boyfriend who is nicer to her. The AI takes this as a prompt and immediately generates a real world version of Mamoru who is cool and mysterious albeit little robotic and cold. “Ideal Lover” is sung by what we will call “MamoruAI” as he expresses his complete devotion to only her. Usagi does not realize this is a fake and is completely smitten by the sudden attention he showers upon her. They duet the intense love song, but part ways at the end.

We turn back to Chibi-Usa and Mamoru who have lost sight of Usagi and both are disappointed they are unable to find her. Mamoru is suddenly struck with an intense pain in his chest and falls to his knees. Chibi-Usa is worried about him, but he insists it’s nothing serious. They figure Usagi must’ve gone back home and they should do the same.

The next scene opens with Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako in school uniforms hanging out as they begin singing “Mission”, talking about their mission as Sailor Guardians. Usagi then arrives in a hurry for their agreed upon meeting time. The girls scold her for always being late and not taking her role as Guardian seriously. Usagi is in no mood to be lectured so once again, she runs away from the group, mad and frustrated by the way she was treated, and once again winds up at the Neo-Future Land park. Usagi absentmindedly wanders and wishes she had friends that wouldn’t be mean to her. The AI uses the prompt to create a whole new set of friends: AmiAI, ReiAI, MakotoAI and MinakoAI. These creations are identical copies of their human counterparts, except they remain expressionless and stiff yet nice enough to Usagi so that she is confused and manipulated by them. MamoruAI also joins in and they sing about their dedication to her.

Chibi-Usa is on her own wondering where everyone is and why they aren’t responding to her calls. Luna-P makes an adorable appearance and informs her there is danger lurking. Real Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako catch up with Chibi-Usa, barely able to walk or stand up straight because of the intense pain across their chests. No one is really sure of what is happening but ask her to find Usagi as they collapse. Chibi-Usa is frightened and doesn’t know what to do.

Hotaru, Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru sense that something is very wrong. Michiru uses her Deep Aqua Mirror to reveal an image of the girls unable to move and of Usagi and MamoruAI strolling together, but they soon realize he is not real. All 4 Outer Guardians are unsure of what the situation is, so they decide they should all go find out.

As they begin to move, Queen Valusia appears in front of them and introduces herself as an AI entity. She incapacitates the Outer Guardians and voices her intent to become a “GENUINE ARTICLE” (Note: this is how it was worded in the English subtitles on screen. I assume this means she is looking to become a “real world being”).

Chibi-Usa finally manages to find Usagi, but she’s in a strange hypnotic state, at her sides are MamoruAI and AI versions of the Inner girls. Chibi-Usa tries to talk to MamoruAI, but he ignores her completely and only tends to Usagi. The girls try to convice Chibi-Usa to leave them alone and to head out with them, but she begs Usagi to come back home with her. MamoruAI becomes irritated by her pointing out the fact that everyone is acting strange. She realizes none of them are real. The song “Ideal World” begins, a half plea from Chibi-Usa for Usagi to wake up from her trance, and half dark menacing robotic tune that announces the AI’s plans to take over the world.

Usagi finally breaks free from her sluggish state and realizes what is happening. Confronting the familiar looking enemy, she demands to know who they are. They finally reveal themselves as AI beings and threaten to destroy everyone they love. Realizing they’re in danger, both Usagi and Chibi-Usa transform (offstage).

Elsewhere, Ami, Rei, Minako and Makoto are struggling. The pain in their chest has persisted and they’re trying to transform but it doesn’t work. They are easily trapped by the enemy just as Super Sailor Moon arrives. MamoruAI explains to her that her AI generated friends is what she had wished for, and that it was all her fault.

Super Sailor Moon is feeling guilty that she trivialized her friendship with her closest allies who truly love her. “When We Realize About AI” MamoruAI asks her to hand over the Silver Crystal. At that moment, the Outer Guardians show up and attack the enemy, energizing the Inner Guardians and allowing them to transform too.

One by one, all 10 Guardians introduce themselves and prepare to face their enemy. “The Battle to Reclaim Love” plays as they engage the Valusia Code. We finally see each Guardian yell their attacks. They end the song with Super Sailor Moon’s and Super Sailor Chibi-Moon’s joint “Moon Gorgeous Meditation”.

The Valusia Code is annihilated and the girls smile for a moment thinking they will finally get the real Mamoru back, but Valusia herself has not yet been defeated. She finally appears in front of the team, even more determined to defeat them. They all attack her to no avail. She introduces herself as the Queen of the New World. They ask Queen Valusia why she wants to destroy the world if AI was made to help people. In her song “AI and Humans” she describes her perfect world made by computers, and how the human race stands in her way.

Just as the girls are losing the battle, the real Tuxedo Mask appears in time to launch a Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber, and encourages Super Sailor Moon to believe in the power of human love and to keep fighting. The Sailor Guardians sing “True Love” to convey how strong love and close connections mean to humans, and in spite of their mistakes, that’s what makes us strong. Powered by all the Guardians by her side, Super Sailor Moon uses her “Moon Gorgeous Meditation” attack and badly injures Queen Valusia. In her last moments, Queen Valusia laments her loss and sings a sad ballad about failing to become real, and being unable to reunite with her beloved sister Nernia (?) and wanted to meet the real version of her so she could learn the true meaning of love.

The Guardians send her off singing soft words of encouragement, thanking her for helping them realize the power of love.

Super Sailor Moon is finally reunited with her real Tuxedo Mask in a cute embrace while all the other Guardians allow them some time to apologize and mend their relationship. At the end, everyone is at peace knowing they have once again saved the World and protected their future.

Fin

✦Tracklist (Season 1)

0: Open the Gate
1: Brilliant Justice
2: Generate
3: A Sweet Moment
4: Ideal Lover
5: Mission
6: Ideal World
7: Awakening
8: Invisible Power
9: When We Realize About AI

10: The Battle to Reclaim Love
11: AI and Humans
12: True Love
13: Lover on the Moon

Curtain call tracks:

– Moonlight Legend
– La Soldier
– Brilliant Justice

✦ Final thoughts

Disclaimer: These are my very own personal thoughts after seeing the musical three times. None of my opinions should be taken too seriously, and I strongly encourage everyone to see the musical for themselves.

My general feelings: If you want to enjoy good music, delight your eyes with gorgeous costumes and stunning visual effects, or just have a great evening with your Moonie friends over drinks and celebration, then this musical is a good show to watch. Definitely recommended for a fun time!

However, as a hardcore Sailor Moon (and Sailor Myu) fan myself, I do have some minor critiques that I hope get addressed.

STST essentially has a “Monster of the Day” format. Much like the animated theatrical releases from the 90s, it introduces a small side-adventure in between canon arcs. This story takes place sometime after the Dream Arc, so thankfully we don’t have to start at the beginning of the story all over again. We’ve seen plenty of interpretations for the first arc already.

What I believe this musical lacks –ironically enough– is humanity. We get ZERO personality from any of our beloved Guardians. I could not pin-point any funny interactions, any heartfelt friendship moments or any indications of growth. They are all visually present (STUNNINGLY SO), but other than yelling their attacks out loud, none really have any exciting moments. The musical is only an hour long, so I know it is impossible to give so many characters the spotlight or a fully developed plot line, but they deserve more than just standing around for fan service’s sake.

For the first time in the franchise, the main villain is NOT an interplanetary being, a mysterious shapeless entity or a milenia-old Queen with a grudge. It was a home grown technological menace that we are just beginning to comprehend in real life. The scary part of AI (IMO) is its lack of empathy and relentless drive to accomplish its tasks. Queen Valusia having human ties and wanting to be real doesn’t too threatening to me. Maybe my idea of AI is more Skynet from Terminator and this story skewed more Pinocchio, if that makes any sense.

Some other plot points are questionable, like the fact that the Silver Crystal is mentioned, yet they never explain how tech might benefit from it. How was Queen Valusia able to create and “print” fully independent fakes of real humans, creating identical bodies while also hurting the originals? Did the AI steal energy from them? Power? Spirit? It is never quite clear. Also, how can an AI entity have a human sister, and why is this point never mentioned until the very end? It seemed so unnecessary.

I believe an AI side quest definitely has potential and the concept is surprisingly contemporary, but these minor plot holes, lack of character development and superficial interactions leave me a bit unsatisfied. Maybe that’s just me being hypercritical of a franchise that I love.

However, the stage design, lighting, special effects, costumes, music, choreo and actresses are all top notch! It’s very apparent that both teams leave their heart on the stage. Every supporting cast and staff member perform to the best of their abilities. every. single. night. A testament to everybody’s professionalism and integrity.

In conclusion, STST is a fab time and worth the money and time for sure, in spite of my personal qualms with the story. All their recent upgrades certainly help delivering an elevated experience for all, so if you’re seeking some magical vibes during a long awaited overseas trip or just wanting to have good time, then this musical adventure is for you!

✦ About Upcoming Seasons

Season 1: April 4, 2026 – July 31, 2026

Season 2: August 6, 2026 – November 30, 2026

Season 3: December 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 (dates could change)

Run Time: About an Hour

Language: Japanese

Subtitles: English Subtitles