T5W#474-Top 5 Favorite Sailor Jupiter Moments

2024 seems to be the new 2016 when it comes to the loss of so many important figures in media.  Not only did we lose the legendary James Earl Jones but this week we also lost Japanese Voice Actress Emi Shinohara.  To many an Anime fan, she is the one and only original voice of Makoto Kino aka Sailor Jupiter.  Mako is easily in anyone Top Sailor Senshi list for more than just being a gorgeous gal with legs for days.  She’s as strong as an Amazon warrior, as kind a soul as any in the franchise and a Jane of all Trades when it comes to what she wants and can do with her life.  To honor the passing of such a beloved voice, todays Top 5 will be centered on my Top 5 Favorite Sailor Jupiter Moments.  While any moment from the franchise is fair game, rest assured pretty much everything is coming from the 90s series cause I think Mako got so little to do in Crystal/Eternal/Cosmos. 
 
#5-Move over Yuri and Victor (Sailor Moon)

As I said, Mako’s list of hobbies range from Gardening to Excessive Spring Cleaning to cooking the best meal you’ve ever had in your life.  She’s also naturally built for sports and turns out, one of her hidden talents is Ice Skating.  During an episode where the girls try their hand at the sport under the tutelage of Professional Skaters (who also happen to be the Monsters of the Week), Mako shows off some elegant moves on the ice, showing up even Usagi who was supposed to be the Queen of Skating in her previous life.  How could you not stare in awe at how good she is?  The Jupiter Queen is an Angel in skates and totally gorgeous too.
 

#4-Mako Doubts Her Own Strength (Sailor Moon S)

One of Mako’s better episodes came during the superb Sailor Moon S.  After losing to a Daimon, Mako determines she’s not strong enough either as herself or as Sailor Jupiter and travels to the mountains to train and get stronger.  Obviously, nothing wrong with training but seeing the normally confident Mako doubt herself makes you want to hug her and assure her everything is going to work out, just like she does for some many others.  And since she is so good at that, of course Usagi and the gang follow Mako to cheer her on and inspire her, which gets Mako back on track.  She even exemplifies her progress by taking down another Daimon, this time when Usagi cant finish it off herself.  It’s a nice way to see Mako’s inspirational spirit being given back to her and how if she ever has doubts, she’s got the best support system ever.

 
#3-“Loyalty, Honor, a Willing Heart” (Sailor Moon R)

Let it never be said Makoto Kino doesn’t know the meaning of that little quote by Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit Trilogy.  When a childhood friend who helped her through a tough time is attacked, she not only donates blood to save his life, but still endures in hear weakened state to help her friends fend off one of the Makai Tree Cardigans.  Just like in my Sailor Moon S entry, it rare seeing the normally strong Mako not looking so hot but she’ll be damned if that’s ever gonna stop her from what she loves to do as a Sailor Senshi.  Finishing off the Monster of the Week herself without the need for Usagi’s Final Move is just icing on this cake.   Point is: if you make a friend of Makoto Kino, you’ve got a friend for life who will risk all and do anything cause she’s a true friend.

 
#2-Dancing with Ami (Sailor Moon SuperS)

This is a very brief bit but if you’re a hardcore Mako and Ami shipper, this was a pretty big deal.  When the gang attends a dance, Ami notices that Mako is steering clear of the fun, admitting that everyones nervous to ask someone as tall as her to dance.  Ami without hesitation reaches out and asks and Mako accepts.  It’s pure magic watching them tear it up on the dance floor and getting the entire crowds attention.  Plus that lift at the end, simply perfect.  Clearly, Mako’s shyness has evaporated having such fun with Ami and if you’re not convinced these two should be an item after this scene, I’m not sure what other evidence can be presented.
 

#1-Mako’s Debut (Sailor Moon)

Mako’s amazing no matter what she does (unless it’s in Sailor Moon SuperS mostly) and her very first appearance set the bar for her awesomeness pretty high.  Not only is Mako instantly likeable and another easy click with the ever loveable Usagi, but she does what few Senshi have been able to do in the entire franchise and that’s take on a Monster and General one on one WITHOUT HER POWERS!!!.  Granted she does get to transform into Sailor Jupiter before the episodes end but Mako’s bravery and fearlessness in the face of danger is exemplified best here.  Like I said, she rocks the Senshi outfit so well but damn if I don’t think Mako needs it, or her powers, to be one of the best heroines, fighters and characters in all of Sailor Moon.