# Codename: Sailor V

Codename: Sailor V (Japanese: コードネームはセーラーＶ, Hepburn: Kōdonēmu wa Sērā Bui) is a manga created by Naoko Takeuchi. The series revolves around the character Minako Aino, a cheerful schoolgirl who finds out that she has magical powers that she must use to protect the people of the Earth. Codename: Sailor V is the basis for its sequel, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon.

## Plot

Minako Aino is a 13-year-old young middle school student who is slightly distracted, out-spoken and dreams about someday finding her true love and boyfriend. One day, she encounters a talking white cat with a crescent moon on its forehead named Artemis. He reveals that Minako possesses the magical ability to transform into a much stronger, more powerful, and more beautiful girl than anyone.
He calls her "Sailor Venus" and tells her she has a mission to protect Earth in the name of her guardian planet Venus. To help her with her new mission, Artemis gives her two items, a crescent moon shaped compact and a magical pen. The magical pen allows her to transform into the Soldier of Justice: Sailor V.
Minako begins fighting the evil agents known as the Dark Agency, who fight under Danburite's command. He is in charge of sending his many talented idols to enslave the public.
Minako has many adventures as a Soldier of Justice, some sparking the envy and admiration of the police force. She also later gains the aid of Saijyo Ace, who she develops romantic feelings towards.
Eventually, it is revealed that Saijyo Ace is the assumed guise of Danburite. In the ensuing battle, a heartbroken Minako mortally wounds Danburite, who before dying, curses Minako to never find love again. Afterwards, Minako realizes that her duty is more important than romance and discovers her true identity as Sailor Venus. From there, she decides to search for the other four Sailor Guardians and the Moon princess.

## Release

Codename: Sailor V made its debut as a one-shot in the summer vacation issue of the manga magazine RunRun, published on August 3, 1991. It returned as a serial in RunRun, which lasted until July 3, 1997. Kodansha compiled the fifteen chapters into three Tankōbon or "Bound Volumes" and published them from December 18, 1993 to November 6, 1997. In 2004, the series was re-released in Japan as a two-volume Shinsōban or "Deluxe Edition" with revised artwork and dialogue. This release also saw the final, fifteenth, chapter split into two giving this release sixteen chapters total. The two volumes were released on October 28, 2004 and November 20, 2004. On May 27, 2014 Codename: Sailor V was published in a two-volume Kanzenban or "Complete Edition". This has a premium release with A5 sized paper and has new covers based on the covers of the original release. On February 28, 2019, Codename: Sailor V was published in a two-volume Bunkoban or "Takeuchi Naoko Bunko Collection" edition of the manga which is a smaller version of the Kanzenban with similar covers.
An OVA series was teased in promotional materials, but never came to fruition as RunRun magazine, which had led the project, closed.
In North America, the original Japanese release was never officially localized into English. Kodansha USA licensed the "Deluxe Edition" of Codename: Sailor V for an English-language release, alongside its re-printing of the Sailor Moon manga. The two volumes released on September 13, 2011 and November 15, 2011. On March 18, 2020, Kodansha USA announced Codename: Sailor V Eternal Edition that features new cover art, a new translation, and color pages from the original serialization. It is an English-language release of the Japanese "Complete Edition." Both volumes were scheduled for release on January 5, 2021, but they were delayed with the first volume releasing September 28, 2021 and the second on November 9, 2021.
The series has also been translated into other languages, including Indonesian by Elex Media Komputindo, French and Spanish by Glenat; German by Egmont Manga & Anime; Italian by Star Edizioni and later by GP Publishing, serialized in its manga magazine Amici; and Polish by JPF.

## Chapters
### Tankōbon editions

| No. | Japanese release date | Japanese ISBN |
| 1 | December 18, 1993 | 4-06-322801-0 |
| Vol. 1: "Sērā Bui Tanjō!" (セーラーＶ誕生！) Vol. 2: "Minako in 'Gēmu Sentā Kuraun'" (美奈子ｉｎ「ゲームセンタークラウン」) Vol. 3: "Sērā Bui Hatsu Tōjo! -- 'Chaneru 44' Pandora no Yabō Hen" (セーラーＶ初登場－－「チャンネル４４」パンドラの野望編) Vol. 4: "Puchi Pandora no Yabō Hen" (プチ・パンドラの野望編) Vol. 5: "Dāku Ējentsū no In Bō Hen" (ダーク・エージェンツーの院謀編) Vol. 6: "Taiketsu! Sērā Bui vs. Dennō Shōjo Tōshi Rūga" (対決！セーラーＶ ｖｓ. 電脳少女闘士ルゥガ) |||
| 2 | October 22, 1994 | 4-06-322810-X |
| Vol. 7: "Sērā Bui Bakansu Hen -- Hawai e no Yabō!" (セーラーＶバカンス編－－ハワイヘの野望！) Vol. 8: "Namiki Michi no Koi -- Tābo Zenkai BariBari! Hen" (並木道の恋－－ターボ全開バリバリ！編) Vol. 9: "Sērā Bui vs. Deburīne" (セーラーＶ ｖｓ. デブリーネ) Vol. 10: "Sērā Bui Pinchi!? Kaitō A Tōjō" (セーラーＶピンチ！？怪盗Ａ登場！) |||
| 3 | November 6, 1997 | 4-06-322834-7 |
| Vol. 11: "Petto Hen Sono 1 Nyan Nyan no Inbō" (ペット編その１．娘々の陰謀) Vol. 12: "Petto Hen Sono 2 Wan Wan no Inbō" (ペット編その２．王々の陰謀) Vol. 13: "Petto Hen Sono 3 Chū Chū no Inbō" (ペット編その３．触々の陰謀) Vol. 14: "Hachimaki Ishi ni Kaketa Seishun!!" (ハチマキ石にかけた青春！！) Vol. 15: "Arata Naru Tabidachi!!" (新たなる旅立ちッ！！) |||

### Shinsōban editions

| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
| 1 | October 29, 2004 | 4-06-334929-2 | September 13, 2011 | 978-1935429777 |
| Vol. 1: "Sailor V is Born!" (セーラーＶ誕生！, "Sērā Bui Tanjō!") Vol. 2: "Minako in 'Crown Game Center'" (美奈子ｉｎ「ゲームセンタークラウン」, "Minako in 'Gēmu Sentā Kuraun'") Vol. 3: "Sailor V Appears! Channel 44 / Pandora's Plot" (セーラーＶ初登場－－「チャンネル４４」パンドラの野望編, "Sērā Bui Hatsu Toujō! -- 'Chaneru 44' Pandora no Yabō Hen") Vol. 4: "Petite Pandora's Plot" (プチ・パンドラの野望編, "Puchi Pandora no Yabō Hen") Vol. 5: "The Dark Agency's Plot" (ダーク・エージェンツーの院謀編, "Dāku Eejentsū no In Bō Hen") Vol. 6: "Showdown! Sailor V vs. Electronic Fighter Girl Luga" (対決！セーラーＶ ｖｓ. 電脳少女闘士ルゥガ, "Taiketsu! Sērā Bui vs. Dennō Shōjo Toshi Rūga") Vol. 7: "Sailor V's Vacation / The Hawaiian Plot!" (セーラーＶバカンス編－－ハワイヘの野望！, "Sērā Bui Bakansu Hen -- Hawai e no Yabō!") Vol. 8: "Love on the Tree-Lined Road / Tearing at Turbo Full-Throttle!" (並木道の恋－－ターボ全開バリバリ！編, "Namiki Michi no Koi -- Tābo Zenkai BariBari! Hen") |||||
| 2 | November 22, 2004 | 4-06-334947-0 | November 15, 2011 | 978-1935429784 |
| Vol. 9: "Sailor V vs. Debrine" (セーラーＶ ｖｓ. デブリーネ, "Sērā Bui vs. Deburīne") Vol. 10: "Sailor V in a Pinch!? Phantom Ace Appears!" (セーラーＶピンチ！？怪盗Ａ登場！, "Sērā Bui Pinchi!? Kaitō A Tōjō") Vol. 11: "The Pet Stories / Number 1: Nyan-Nyan's Plot" (ペット編その１．娘々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 1 Nyan Nyan no Inbō") Vol. 12: "The Pet Stories / Number 2: Wan-Wan's Plot" (ペット編その2．王々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 2 Wan Wan no Inbō") Vol. 13: "The Pet Stories / Number 3: Chuu-Chuu's Plot" (ペット編その3．触々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 3 Chuu Chuu no Inbō") Vol. 14: "Youth Bet on the Hachimaki Stone!!" (ハチマキ石にかけた青春！！, "Hachimaki Ishi ni Kaketa Seishun!!") Vol. 15: "A New Journey Begins!! First Part" (新たなる旅立ちッ！！前編, "Arata Naru Tabidachi!! Zenpen") Vol. 16: "A New Journey Begins!! Last Part" (新たなる旅立ちッ！！後編, "Arata Naru Tabidachi!! Kōhen") |||||

### Kanzenban editions

| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
| 1 | May 29, 2014 | 978-4-06-364946-8 | September 28, 2021 | 978-1646511433 |
| Vol. 1: "Sailor V is Born!" (セーラーＶ誕生！, "Sērā Bui Tanjō!") Vol. 2: "Minako in 'Crown Game Center'" (美奈子ｉｎ「ゲームセンタークラウン」, "Minako in 'Gēmu Sentā Kuraun'") Vol. 3: "Sailor V's Big Debut! Channel 44: Pandora's Ambition" (セーラーＶ初登場－－「チャンネル４４」パンドラの野望編, "Sērā Bui Hatsu Toujō! -- 'Chaneru 44' Pandora no Yabō Hen") Vol. 4: "Petite Pandora's Ambition" (プチ・パンドラの野望編, "Puchi Pandora no Yabō Hen") Vol. 5: "The Dark Agency Conspiracy" (ダーク・エージェンツーの院謀編, "Dāku Eejentsū no In Bō Hen") Vol. 6: "Showdown! Sailor V vs. Cyber Galadiatrix Ruga" (対決！セーラーＶ ｖｓ. 電脳少女闘士ルゥガ, "Taiketsu! Sērā Bui vs. Dennō Shōjo Toshi Rūga") Vol. 7: "Sailor V on Vacation: Ambitions Toward Hawaii!" (セーラーＶバカンス編－－ハワイヘの野望！, "Sērā Bui Bakansu Hen -- Hawai e no Yabō!") Vol. 8: "Love on a Tree-Lined Road: Super Turbo Full Throttle!" (並木道の恋－－ターボ全開バリバリ！編, "Namiki Michi no Koi -- Tābo Zenkai BariBari! Hen") |||||
| 2 | May 29, 2014 | 978-4-06-364947-5 | November 9, 2021 | 978-1646511440 |
| Vol. 9: "Sailor V vs. Deburine" (セーラーＶ ｖｓ. デブリーネ, "Sērā Bui vs. Deburīne") Vol. 10: "Sailor V's in Trouble?! Enter the Phantom Thief Ace!" (セーラーＶピンチ！？怪盗Ａ登場！, "Sērā Bui Pinchi!? Kaitō A Tōjō") Vol. 11: "Pet Perils Part 1: Nyan-Nyan's Ambition" (ペット編その１．娘々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 1 Nyan Nyan no Inbō") Vol. 12: "Pet Perils Part 2: Wan-Wan's Ambition" (ペット編その2．王々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 2 Wan Wan no Inbō") Vol. 13: "Pet Perils Part 3: Chu-Chu's Ambition" (ペット編その3．触々の陰謀, "Petto Hen Sono 3 Chuu Chuu no Inbō") Vol. 14: "Staking the Springtime of Youth on a Hachimaki Stone!!" (ハチマキ石にかけた青春！！, "Hachimaki Ishi ni Kaketa Seishun!!") Vol. 15: "A New Journey Begins!! Part One" (新たなる旅立ちッ！！前編, "Arata Naru Tabidachi!! Zenpen") Vol. 16: "A New Journey Begins!! Part Two" (新たなる旅立ちッ！！後編, "Arata Naru Tabidachi!! Kōhen") |||||

### Bunkoban editions

| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
| 1 | March 1, 2019 | 978-4-06-514085-7 | 2025 | — |
| 2 | March 1, 2019 | 978-4-06-514086-4 | 2025 | — |

## Reception

For the week of 11 September 2011 to 17 September 2011, Codename: Sailor V was second on The New York Times Manga Best Sellers list, behind the first volume of Sailor Moon. The following week, it was again second on the list behind the first volume of Sailor Moon. The week after that, it slipped to third place. For the week of 9 October - 15 October, it reappeared at eighth place, the next week appearing at ninth. For the week of 6–12 November 2011, the first volume appeared at #2 on the list, above Sailor Moon for the first time. The following week, the second volume of Codename: Sailor V appeared at #2 on the list, and the first volume did not appear. For the week of 20–26 November, the second volume placed third on the list. On the BookScan Top 20 Graphic Novels of November 2011, the second volume placed third, and the first volume placed thirteenth.
Brigid Alverson of MTV Geek described Codename: Sailor V as feeling like a rough draft of Sailor Moon. Ed Sizemore felt from Comics Worth Reading Sailor V had less character development than Sailor Moon, feeling that this was not a drawback. Sean Gaffney of Manga Bookshelf notes that unlike Usagi, Minako performs her missions alone, and describes the tone of the manga as an " action comedy". Writing for Anime News Network, Rebecca Silverman noted that most of Sailor V is episodic, but feels it is worth reading due to the insights it gives into Minako's character, and the groundwork it lays for Sailor Moon. Katherine Dacey wrote for Manga Critic that while an adult may see the series as "repetitive, hokey, and poorly drawn", a child would see it as an "appealing fantasy in which an ordinary girl can assume a new, powerful identity" to defeat bullies and evil. Dacey sees Codename Sailor V's strength as being Minako's enthusiastic character. The Fandom Post's Matthew Warner saw the book as being a "lighthearted spoof" of magical girl titles.