We’re actually getting into the end part of writing the Sailor Moon book – but we’re not out of the sparkly crystal woods yet – or for awhile.
So first up, we had two chapterson how Sailor Moon affected and inspired people in hobbies and to change their lives. We wrote them separately – only to find they were really one. In fandom it’s hard to separate personal growth, fannish hobbies, and careers – it may look like it from the outside, but as soon as you start diving in . . . well, it doesn’t.
You’d think, I, Mr. Geek Job Guru would have thought of that, but I also thought you could abstract them – you can’t. So we’re merging the new chapters together and moving part of that chapter to one on how people got more interested in Japan due to Sailor Moon.
Now what did we find? Well, again a LOT.
Sailor Moon is almost a kind of ur-Fandom, an archetypical one. You know the idea fandom inspires you to create, gets you involved in things, sets your career? Pretty much Sailor Moon for many people was that, especially people who found it int he 90’s.
The thing is Sailor Moon, though it may seem goofy or odd, presents a lot to work with. You can be inspired by the art, or inspired by the characters to try things. You can take an interest in Japan and languages. The complicated plotline inspires fanfic. The references inspire analysis. Sailor Moon in short provides a LOT to inspire people to try things.
Then throw in a growing fandom that blossomed in the age of the internet and the strong camaraderie, and again – you have a near archetypical fandom experience.
I think for many Sailor Moon set patterns in fandom. It had all the elements necessary to inspire and engage, happened at the right time, and dug some deep roads. It’s another chapter that leaves us kind of humble – moreso because we saw some people go through this experience directly.
Now next up, more editing and research, but also we’re probably going to do some more interviews. We found a lot, but I’m wondering if a few more interviews can add more to it.
- Steve
