FAQ     (frequently asked questions)

Here are detailed answers to some of the questions I am most often asked.

Q.   How do I view (or play, or listen to) a certain type of file?

A.   There are several file types on this web site:

JPG and GIF files are image, or picture files that can be viewed with web browsers, or image viewers. Of the many available, ACDSee32 is a popular choice, as it supports a wide variety of image formats, is highly configurable, and doubles as an image browser.

WMA, WMV, WAV, MP3, and MPG's are multimedia files that feature sound and/or animation. You can download the latest Windows Media Player from the Microsoft web site. Not only is it a free download, but it will play almost any type of multimedia file, including the WMA and WMV files in our Music and Music Video Directories.

The popular freeware program, WinAmp will also play WMA files, if the WMA plug-in has been installed (download the full version, and you'll get the WMA plug-in as part of the download).

Q.   Windows Media Player won't play this file!

A.   There are a number of resources available to help you resolve problems with multimedia software. Here are some recommended sites...

Windows Media Player: WMP mini FAQ - A terrific FAQ maintained by one of Media Player's developers.
Windows Media Support and Resources - Microsoft's Media Player support page.
microsoft.public.multimedia.windows.mediaplayer - The USENET newsgroup devoted to WMP peer support.

If you are having problems with WinAmp, check out their support pages.

In most cases, your problems will be solved by making sure you have the proper codecs installed. The easiest way to do this, is to download and install the latest version of Media Player, or WinAmp.

Q.   Why are the episodes shown on North American TV so different from the original, Japanese episodes? What are the differences... etc.

A.   Sadly, the Sailor Moon episodes shown on American and Canadian TV were edited, censored, and rearranged, sometimes arbitrarily. Entire episodes were omitted or shown out of sequence, the names (as well as the sex and relationships) of certain characters were changed, and elements of the story line altered to bring the series into what DIC (the company who acquired the NA rights) believed was a "politically correct" package for their audience.

While I know of no one who preferred the DIC version over the original, there were some positives: Many new fans entered the hobby; there are more and more anime titles being issued by commercial firms as a result; more anime is finding its way onto TV -- especially cable; and there is an ever-growing number of web sites devoted to anime.

Q.   I live in America, and can't get the original episodes!   Where can I find them?

A.   It is really not that difficult to obtain sub-titled copies of the original Japanese episodes. Much of the Sailor Moon series has been sub-titled by fan organizations. Such tapes are known as fan-subs, and can be ordered directly, or from fan-sub distributors.

One of the best sources is VKLL, a fan-subber who has done, or is planning to do, all the Sailor Moon episodes and movies. Many other tape sources can be found on the Anime Turnpike's Fansub Page.

There are a few points to remember:

Many of these people are deluged with requests for tapes, so it may take awhile to receive your copies. If they are overloaded, they may even refuse your requests until their backlog subsides. Many sources will also limit the number of tapes you can request at any one time.

Note the difference between a "fan subber" and a "distributor". A fan subber is the person or organization who does the translating, dubbing, and mastering of the tapes; while a distributor is an individual or organization who copies and sells the finished tapes to the public.

All legitimate fan-subbers and distributors will sell their tapes at very reasonable prices. They are in this for the love of the hobby, not to get rich! When you consider the time involved in duplicating a tape, the wear-and-tear on the VCRs, and postage, the price is really a bargain. Remember, in most cases, these people are the only links between the Japanese originals, and sub-titled versions that can be enjoyed by English-speaking fans. The only reward they receive is the satisfaction of doing the work they love.

On the other hand, if someone demands unreasonably high prices for copies, take your business elsewhere. Preferably, to the reliable sources mentioned above. All too often (in addition to getting ripped off financially) you will get poor-quality copies that you will have to wait months for. Moreover, there have been several scams recently, and some fans have lost hundreds of dollars to these individuals.

Beware, be wise. Don't deal with anyone you don't fully trust, or has not been recommended to you by a very reliable source.

Q.   What about trading? Can I get Sailor Moon tapes that way?

A.   Yes! I managed to build up a collection of nearly 500 tapes by trading with other collectors. To get started, obtain the best-quality fan-subs you can of any popular anime series. Then use them to initiate trades. Even if you only have a few tapes to begin with, you can trade with different people to increase the size of your collection. You will slowly build a larger collection, and thus have more material available for further trades.

Q.   Where can I find people to trade with?

A.   Friends are a good first choice. Also, see if there's an anime club in your city, or at your school. If not, form one! Not only can a club be a terrific source of fan-subs, it can also be a lot of fun. Alternately, you can trade by mail. Find other traders by reading the rec.arts.anime.marketplace and alt.video.tape-trading newsgroups, or post a request on the Sailor Moon BBS, or similar message boards. Note the same precautions given above, because they also apply here. Know who you are dealing with. If you are suspicious of someone, either post an article in the newsgroup asking for opinions of other readers who may have had dealings with them, or avoid them entirely.

Fortunately, most collectors are honest. I've traded with people as far away as Europe, Australia, and Japan, and have had very few problems. To make trading a happy experience for everyone, there are some points to keep in mind:

When trading, always give people more than they expect! Use hi-fi VCRs to make copies. Use high-quality dubbing cables. Clean the recording heads frequently. Use high-quality tapes. Use a "sticky note" to identify the contents of the tape, since most people prefer to do their own labeling. Package the tapes well. Use bubble wrap or special packaging material for protection. Copy and send the tapes as quickly as possible.

Always trade for the best-quality tapes you can find. Not only will this enhance your own viewing pleasure, it will make your collection all the more desirable to other traders. No one wants a lousy copy of a show.

Q.   Where can I buy Sailor Moon products, like CDs, manga, artbooks, dolls, toys, etc?

A.   In one respect, Sailor Moon fans are luckier than most:   The series was such a global success, that there are products galore in almost every corner of the world.   Nonetheless, it might take some effort to find exactly what you're looking for.   If you're fortunate enough to live near a Japanese import shop, or one of the Yaohan Plazas (in Los Angeles, Torrence, Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Diego, Chicago, and New York), you may be able to buy such items in person.

Alternately, you may want to try an online store.   Check out the commercial links at www.anipike.com for more info.

Another potential, and sometimes excellent, source is the rec.arts.anime.marketplace newsgroup.   I've seen people offer just about every conceivable anime product for sale or trade.   Whether you will find the particular item(s) you are seeking is, of course, impossible to predict, but if you keep watching over the course of time, you may -- and perhaps at a bargain price!

Again, let me suggest that you know your sources well before sending money, or items in trade (see above).   Most anime fans are wonderful, honest people, but there are a few who aren't.

Q.   Where can I buy a sailor suit?

A.   The following info was kindly supplied by Janella...

The Jasper Cosplay Closet Their costumes are really high quality and you can order any type, not just Sailor Moon. They can supply everything from shoes to wigs but it can cost over $300.

The Sailor Moon Seamstress Caters mostly to younger costume wearers in that the materials are of a lower quality. Prices go from $40 and up. She does only SM school uniforms and action costumes.

Q.   How do I make odango? (Sailor Moon's hair-do)

A.   Special thanks to Angelite for providing the following info!   Be sure to visit her web site, Crystal Tear: An Eternal Bishoujo Senshi RPG.

How to do Odango: You Will Need: A hairbrush and 4 hairbands (like rubberbands): two regular sized, and two smaller sized.

1. Get two pigtails up on the crown of your head using the two regular sized hairbands.

2. Twist (nice and tight) one ponytail so it's like a rope (sometimes it's easiest when the hair is slightly damp). Make sure when you twist, you go in the direction of the middle of your head (for example, your left ponytail would be twisted to the right, and your right ponytail twisted to the left).

3. Then, take the twisted hair and make a knot, with the ball of the knot to the head. At this point, you will still need to hold onto the knot and the end of the ponytail.

4. Take one of the small hairbands and make another ponytail with the rest of the hair that's coming out of the knot. To make sure it stays in place, have the hairband as far into the knot as possible (which also hides the fact that you put anything in your hair).

5. Do the same with the other side.

6. It may take a few tries to get the odango to look correctly. I've been doing this for years, and it takes LOTS of practice. You should also be able to sleep on your back comfortably with the hair up. :/ Also, after practicing, you'll be able to keep your hair up for days! And bobbypins are always useful for that piece of hair that won't stay put!!

Q.   Will you e-mail me some files?

A.   Uh, no.

Q.   May I add a link to your site?

A.   Sure! But please set your link to the title page. For the Sailor Moon Online Paradise, please use this URL:   http://63.202.39.250/~hideaway/s_moon.htm

You may download a banner pack, that includes 3 different sized banners and html code (22k).

Q.   May I use some of your pictures on my home page?

A.   You may use any pictures from this site you want, except those in the Wallpaper and Fan Art sections.

Please remember, it is a courtesy to cite the source of borrowed material. A link to my page would be appreciated, but is not required (see previous question for details).

Q.   Where can I find Sailor Moon episodes encoded in RealMedia?

A.   Check the alt.binaries.multimedia.sailor-moon USENET newsgroup, where Sailor Moon episodes, and other related files, are posted on an on-going basis.

Q.   Where can I find Sailor Moon MP3 files?

A.   Try the alt.binaries.sounds.anime USENET newsgroup, where entire Sailor Moon CDs are posted from time to time.   If you don't see what you want, keep checking back, and sooner or later, you will. Sailor Moon CDs are also posted in the alt.binaries.multimedia.sailor-moon newsgroup.