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Moon Phase

Item

The Moon Phase is a pocket watch belonging to Mamoru Chiba in the Sailor Moon manga, marked with a moon emblem. It behaves oddly, running backward once Usagi awakens as Princess Serenity, and becomes a small keepsake caught between the two of them.

Type: pocket watch
Owner: Mamoru Chiba
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Overview

A plain-looking pocket watch adorned with a moon crest, the Moon Phase is owned by Mamoru Chiba in the manga. Usagi comes across it after Mamoru rescues her from a fall, and at first it seems broken. Only when she awakens as Princess Serenity does its strange nature appear, as the watch is seen ticking in reverse.

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Function

The watch anchors a small exchange between the two leads. Usagi means to hand the Moon Phase back to Mamoru, while he intends to return a handkerchief she had dropped, but the plan falls apart when the Dark Kingdom abducts him. The item never surfaces in the 90s anime, though the Orgel fills a loosely similar space in the plot despite serving a different function.

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Notable Users

Mamoru Chiba is the watch's owner, with Usagi holding it for a stretch of the manga. It later returns in the live-action series, but there Mamoru simply buys it for Usagi as a gift from a shop, and its part in the story shrinks even further than in the manga.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Moon Phase in Sailor Moon?

The Moon Phase is a plain-looking pocket watch marked with a moon crest, owned by Mamoru Chiba in the Sailor Moon manga.

How did Usagi end up with Mamoru's Moon Phase watch?

Usagi comes across the Moon Phase after Mamoru rescues her from a fall, and at first the watch simply seems broken to her.

Why does the Moon Phase watch run backwards?

The Moon Phase's strange nature only appears once Usagi awakens as Princess Serenity, at which point the watch is seen ticking in reverse.

Does the Moon Phase appear in the 1990s Sailor Moon anime?

No, the Moon Phase never surfaces in the 1990s anime; the Orgel keepsake fills a loosely similar space in that version despite serving a different function.

What role does the Moon Phase play in the live-action Sailor Moon series?

In the live-action series, Mamoru simply buys the Moon Phase watch for Usagi as a gift from a shop, and its part in the story shrinks even further than in the manga.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on Moon Phase? The Sailor Moon Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Sailor Moon anime series, manga, and official materials. Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Takeuchi, published by Kodansha, and animated by Toei Animation. All rights to Sailor Moon and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

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