Wrestling is a big part of Mercedes Varnado’s career, having found fame as Sasha Banks for the WWE before transitioning as Mercedes Moné for AEW. But her fans may not realize that she’s also huge Sailor Moon fan. The professional wrestler, who recently started acting The Mandalorianhas a deep appreciation for the classic magical girl fantasy anime based on Naoko Takeuchi’s 1992 manga. Fans of both wrestling and anime know they have a Sailor Moon inspired outfit at the 2022 Royal Rumble. So it’s no surprise that she’s openly campaigning to play Sailor Jupiter in a live-action adaptation of Sailor Moon, if that ever happens.
Polygon caught up with Varnado at this year’s Crunchyroll Anime Awards, so we naturally had to wonder: Given her love of the anime, which Sailor Scout would she think would be the best professional wrestler?
“I would say Sailor Mercury,” Varnado told Polygon. “She is so tough; she has such a good attitude. I feel like Usagi would always be a little late to the ring, she would probably slip up a little during her matches.
Image: Toei animation
Introduced in the eighth episode of Sailor Moon season 1, Sailor Mercury is the first Sailor Guardian to discover Usagi and the first to join her in the fight against the forces of the evil Queen Beryl. Mercury’s true identity is Ami Mizuno, a shy bookworm with an abnormally high IQ who is known for her talent for math and computers. Although timid at first, Ami becomes the chief strategist of the Sailor Scouts and has a positive, resilient attitude when faced with a challenge.
The 1992 Sailor Moon anime would last a total of five seasons. The series’ combination of tokusatsu-inspired action and romantic melodrama is credited with revolutionizing the Magical Girl anime genre, with the combined popularity of the anime’s various home releases and films contributing to the comic’s status as one of the best-selling Japanese manga of the series. it’s time. In 2014, Sailor Moon was later adapted into another anime series called Sailor Moon crystalcommemorating the series’ 20th anniversary. Sailor Moon crystal is a reboot of the original anime that more closely follows the story of Usagi Tsukino and co. as told in the original manga by Naoko Takeuchi.
However, aside from the series’ popularity, Sailor Moon has had a major impact on fans (especially girls) who grew up watching the anime, and that includes Varnado himself. “I still go back and watch Sailor Moon to get my life lessons, to get my energy,” Varnado told Polygon. “So she still inspires me to this day.”
Sailor Moon is available to stream on Hulu. Sailor Moon crystal is available to stream on Crunchyroll.