Minako Aino (Sailor Venus)
Minako Aino (Sailor Venus) |
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| Japanese | 愛野 美奈子 セーラーV セーラーヴィーナス |
| Romaji | Aino Minako Sērā Bui Sērā Vīnasu |
| Profile | |
| Also Known As | The Goddess of Love, Sailor V, Sailor Venus, Super Sailor Venus |
| Birthday | October 22nd ( ) |
| Age | 14 (Sailor Moon Classic) 15 (Sailor Moon S) 16 (Sailor Moon Sailor Stars) |
| Relatives | Mother, Father |
| Affiliates | Solar System Sailor Guardians Artemis Alan Katarina Tsutomu Asai |
| Residence | London, England (former) Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan (current) |
| Likes | Chasing idols, gyoza, ramen, curry, volleyball, singing, video games, jokes, knitting, cute things |
| Dislikes | Shiitake mushroom, math |
| Characteristics | |
| Gender | Female |
| Species | Human |
| Blood Type | B |
| First Appearances | |
| Anime | The Crybaby: Usagi’s Beautiful Transformation(pictured) Enter Venus, the Last Sailor Guardian(physical appearance) |
| Portrayed By | |
| Japanese | Rika Fukami |
| English | Stephanie Morgenstern(DiC English dub) Emilie Barlow(CWi English dub) Cherami Leigh(Viz Media English dub) |
| “ | ” | |
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— Sailor Venus
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Appearance
Civilian
Minako Aino is a cheerful and lively girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes, often wearing her hair down with a large red bow. At 14 years old in her debut (later turning 15 in theSseason and 16 inSailor Stars), she attends Shiba Koen Junior High School. Her school uniform includes a white blouse with a sailor neckerchief, a red scarf, a blue skirt, white socks, and black Mary Jane shoes.
Minako’s primary casual outfit from the second to the fourth season features a red leather jacket, a light purple shirt with an orange collar, a green pleated denim skirt, white socks, and sneakers. In one episode, her jacket changes color briefly to lime green. InSailor Stars, she wears the same high school uniform as Usagi, Ami, and Makoto, as they all attend the same school.
Sailor V
Before officially joining the Inner Senshi, Minako transformed into Sailor V, serving as a decoy to distract the Dark Kingdom and possibly protect the true Princess. As Sailor V, she wore a unique uniform: instead of a tiara, she wore a red mask, though unlike the manga, she did not have a crescent moon on her forehead. Her outfit included a sleeveless midriff top with red accents, a white choker with a crescent moon, and a navy blue collar with two red stripes. Her shoulder pads resembled white armor, her front bow was red with an orange center, and her gloves were white with orange fittings. She wore a blue skirt with a red border, a blue back bow, blue shoes with ankle straps, and her iconic red hair bow.
Sailor Venus
As Sailor Venus, Minako wears a standard Sailor Senshi uniform with her primary color being orange and accent colors of yellow and navy blue. Her choker, collar, front bow center, elbow glove fittings, skirt, shoes, and earrings are orange; her tiara gem and back bow are yellow; and her front bow is navy blue. Her collar has one stripe, and her shoes are orange heels with ankle straps. Her red civilian hair bow is also part of her Sailor Venus form.
Super Sailor Venus
Minako’s “Super” upgrade, gained from Pegasus in the second half ofSuperSand continuing throughSailor Stars, brings enhancements to her Sailor Venus form. Her choker now has a gold star, her collar retains one stripe, and the ends of her shoulder pads become translucent. Her back bow grows larger and longer, her front bow now features a heart, and her earrings darken slightly. As with her previous forms, her red hair bow remains part of her outfit.
Civilian Form.
Sailor V.
Sailor Form.
Super Sailor Form.
Personality
Minako Aino is playful, childlike, and often silly, though she demonstrates a serious dedication to her mission as a Sailor Senshi. Among her team, Minako acts as a reliable second-in-command, frequently taking on leadership responsibilities and guiding the group when they need unity. In season one, her commitment is especially evident, as she urges the remaining Senshi to persevere after others have fallen. When Usagi considered surrendering the Silver Crystal to protect Minako, Minako passionately opposed it, declaring she would never forgive her for giving up.
Minako is known for her humorous tendency to mix up proverbs, adding to her lighthearted charm. She calls herself the “Goddess of Love” and often offers advice to others about relationships. Academically, she shares a similar struggle with Usagi, occasionally calling Usagi her “make-up tests partner.”
Her athletic skills surpass those of the other Senshi, particularly in sports like volleyball, and her experience as Sailor V has honed her reflexes, making her more alert to danger.
Minako is also proficient in English due to her time in London, which she demonstrates inSailor Moon Repisode 108, where she converses in English at a party. She occasionally peppers her speech with English words as well.
Caring and well-meaning, Minako sometimes mirrors Usagi’s clumsiness. Her attempts to help can occasionally go awry, as seen when she tried caring for her ill friends inSailor Moon Rbut ended up creating more chaos than comfort.
Information
Early Life and Time as Sailor V
Before joining the Sailor Senshi in Japan, Minako Aino lived in London, England, where she fought the Dark Kingdom as Sailor V. During her time there, she developed a close friendship with Katarina, an Interpol officer who taught her English and became a mentor figure. Minako also fell in love with a man named Alan. During one mission, an explosion led Katarina to believe Sailor V had died. Minako, seeing that Katarina and Alan were in love, chose to let them believe she was gone and soon moved to Japan.
Sailor Moon
Minako first appears in her civilian form in episode 33, where she meets the other Sailor Senshi and rescues them from one of Kunzite’s traps. She demonstrates a strong dedication to fighting the Dark Kingdom and finding the Moon Princess, with the clearest memories of her past life as a Sailor Senshi among the group. After this encounter, she formally joins the team.
In episode 42, Minako’s past resurfaces when Katarina returns as a youma under Kunzite’s control, seeking Sailor V. Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus help restore Katarina, allowing her and Minako to reconcile and rekindle their friendship.
Sailor Moon R
Following the first season, Minako’s character takes on a more humorous, energetic, and over-the-top personality, often acting goofy and misquoting proverbs. Despite this, she shows deep compassion for others, particularly when she tries to care for her fellow Senshi while they’re sick, though her attempts are comically unsuccessful.
Sailor Moon S
InSailor Moon S, Minako is the last of the Inner Senshi to have her Pure Heart Crystal targeted. Though she outwardly claims it doesn’t bother her, she becomes preoccupied with proving her good heart, even donating blood and giving away toys she won at the arcade. When Eudial finally extracts her Pure Heart, Minako retains consciousness longer than other victims, even managing to run with her heart crystal before eventually collapsing. Upon recovering, she transforms into Sailor Venus, surprising Eudial and using herVenus Love-Me Chainto shatter Eudial’s fire buster weapon.
Sailor Moon SuperS
InSuperS, Minako becomes the first to escape from the imprisonment of her dream mirror. After tricking Tiger’s Eye and Hawk’s Eye on a two-timing date, she transforms into Sailor Venus and confronts them angrily, chasing them away withCrescent Beam Barrage. This gives Super Sailor Chibi Moon the chance to summon Pegasus, who helps destroy the two Lemures withMoon Gorgeous Meditation. Minako and the other Senshi later receive their “Super” upgrades from Pegasus.
Minako nearly jeopardizes her friendship with Makoto over a mutual crush on Mr. Honjo. However, when CereCere traps them with a Lemure, Artemis advises Minako and Makoto to transform using their Crystal Change Rods. Super Sailor Venus usesVenus Love and Beauty Shockto disperse the Lemure, while Super Sailor Jupiter’sJupiter Oak Evolutionclears the area. After defeating the Lemure with Super Sailor Moon, Minako and Makoto reconcile, only to discover that Mr. Honjo is Kotaro’s father and married.
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
TBA
Sailor Guardian Info
Phrases:
- Venus Power, Make Up
- Venus Star Power, Make Up
- Venus Crystal Power, Make Up
Attacks:
- Sailor V Kick
- Crescent Beam
- Crescent Beam Shower
- Crescent Beam Barrage
- Venus Love Me Chain
- Moony Moony Love-Me Moon Chain
- Venus Love and Beauty Shock
- Sailor Planet Attack
- Sailor Planet Power
- Sailor Special Garlic Attack
Items:
- Transformation Pen
- Star Power Stick
- Crystal Change Rod
- V Mask
- Communicator
Etymology
Etymology
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Rei: Her given name,Rei(レイ), is written in katakana, which does not carry a specific meaning in Japanese. However, in the Chinese versions of the series, Rei’s name is written with the character “麗,” which sounds similar to “Rei” and means “beauty” or “lovely.”
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Hino: Rei’s surname combines the kanjihi(火), meaning “fire,” withno(野), which translates to “field” or “civilian.” The syllablenocan also function as a possessive, so her full name,Hino Rei, can be interpreted as “Fire of Rei,” playing on her association with fire as Sailor Mars.
This structure creates a pun that reflects Rei’s elemental powers and fiery personality, linking her identity closely with her role as the Guardian of Fire.