A Love That Crossed Time

What kind of fangirl would I be if I didn't have a space for my main ship, Usagi/Mamouru? I just love their devotion to each other, the way they are so protective of the other, the way they balance being superheros with being a couple. Even the fact that they sometimes mess up with each other is something to admire. In this space allow me to take you on a journey to explore why this utterly miraculous yet mundane relationship works so well. Before we start though this page is about Usagi/Mamoru in the manga.

Lets start small with the way they interact in their day to day moments. There are all these little moments in the manga where they're talking about their enemies or their power or their mission while on a date or just being together. It may be silly but whether like in the second arc they're talking about fixing Luna P or in the third arc where Mamouru casually reminds Usagi that she can't come with him to the amusement park because she's investigating the school but he'll be nearby and ready to help her if she calls him on the communicator. What can I say, n a manga as grandiose and fast paced as Sailor Moon it's just nice to see these sweet little moments.

Next we've got their protectiveness of each other. I know Sailor Moon isn't considered especially feminist by most younger people, or older people who found it recently. While that is a topic that is beyond the purview of this space, I would like to bring to your attention to just how feminist Usagi and Mamoru's relationship I believe to be. And it's all bound up in one phrase "I will protect you." This is a declaration of devotion in manga that, in every other time I've seen it, is said by the guy to his girlfriend, even if he's a normal guy and she's got superpowers. And there's a lot of implication that women are to be protected and sheltered by the man in that statement.

In Sailor Moon, however, Usagi is as likely to say it as Mamoru. In that simple change to the convention surrounding that phrase, Naoko Takeuchi gives us something you almost never saw in the early 90s and rarely see today. A female character who is not only powerful but willing and able to use that power to fight and a male character who recognizes and respects that. However it's more than that, we also see Usagi willingly go through hell to keep her beloved safe, Neo-queen Serenity being the one to wake Endyminion with a kiss, Mamoru is usually the one in danger and Usagi is always the one to save him. And please note when she's in danger she and/or her Senshi are more likely to be the ones to save her, although Mamoru has saved her a few times. But that's not to say Mamoru is useless, silly memes aside. From the beginning he is her greatest (although never sole) support. Finally as he awakens to his power, and please note in the manga is considered an equal to hers, he is Usagi's partner and there's just something so refreshing about that fact.

Thirdly there's the simple fact that, despite being soulmates, their relationship doesn't just fall into their laps. You've got Usagi being jealous and uneasy about Mamoru and Chibi-Usa in the second arc. Well sort of, I'd argue there's more going on there but I digress. Then both of them being jealous due to Haruka and Michiru in the third arc. Which I'm a bit iffy about jealousy arcs but this one was well handled imho. Finally you got the story arc where both characters don't always realize that they are enough for each other and that they do not hold the other back, especially Mamoru's side. Mamoru finding his power and healing from his self doubt is his character growth and it's just such a good story. And the way its resolved in the fourth arc is just, y'all it's so good.

Finally, we come to the center of my love for this ship their devotion. What's not to love about star crossed lovers who get a second chance then put in the work to make that chance a reality? Their love is fierce and seemingly all consuming and both their salvation and damnation. It's reason they fight so hard to guard the earth-while at the same time their love is made even stronger by their fierce devotion to protecting the earth and their friends. Overall Usagi and Mamoru's relationship is a gentle, playful, erotic, and intensely spiritual love that I am always amazed and delighted by whenever I read the manga.