Shitennou (Sailor Moon)

Sailor Moon villain group
Group ="Shitennou" (Four Heavenly Kings)


Caption =Nephrite, Zoisite, Jadeite, and Kunzite in the manga.
Arc ="Sailor Moon" (first arc)
Live-action series
Dub =Dark warriors
Leader =Queen Beryl, Prince Endymion (past life)
Chaos =
Partof =Dark Kingdom
Figures =Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite
MOTD =
Tools = Disguises, Black Crystal The nihongo|"Shitennou"|四天王|Shitennō|Four Heavenly Kings are a group of villains from the "Sailor Moon" metaseries. They are sub-leaders of the very first villain group, the Dark Kingdom, working directly under Queen Beryl, and provide the major antagonistic force for the beginning of every version of the series—manga, anime, muscals, and live-action.

The group's title, "shitennou", comes from Buddhist mythology. They are frequently referred to among fans as the "Generals," a term which never appears in the series, but which references their position in the Dark Kingdom. Each member has epaulettes on his uniform, which can be used to deduce their respective ranks.

In the manga, the "Shitennou" originally functioned as the four guardians of Earth's crown prince, Endymion. They were led astray during the time of the Silver Millennium, finally selling their souls to the Dark Kingdom and becoming Queen Beryl's servants. When reincarnated in the 20th century, they again fall prey to her and obey her every command, but retain a sense that they need to seek out their real master and aid him. In the manga, they continue to appear after the first season as spirit-advisors to Mamoru, the reincarnation of Endymion. This backstory was not included in the anime, but was reintroduced and built upon for the stage musicals and even more so live-action series.

In DiC's English adaptation of the anime, the "Shitennou" were human-like beings from the Negaverse, an alternate dimension of evil, and had only a vague understanding of human ways. From dialogue between Nephlite (Nephrite) and Zoycite (Zoisite), they were even required to take classes in human psychology to blend in.Dubbed Episode 17, "An Animated Mess". Equivalent to original Episode 21.]

Profiles

Jadeite

nihongo|Jadeite|ジェダイト|Jedaito|called Jedite in the English anime is the first of the "Shitennou" to appear, and the lowest in rank (despite being older than Zoisite, who is one rank above him). In her "Materials Collection", Naoko Takeuchi describes him as being about 18 years old in appearance,cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko |authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | title= Materials Collection |publisher= Kodansha |year= 1999 |month= October |id= ISBN 4-06-324521-7] making him the second-youngest, while in the live-action series he is the youngest. He is the head of the Dark Kingdom's Far-Eastern Division [cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 1 |chapter= Act 2 |publisher= Kodansha |date= July 6, 1992, September 5, 1996 |id= ISBN 4-06-178721-7] and is named after the mineral jadeite.

In the manga, Jadeite's mission is to track down the Silver Crystal but eventually changes to gathering life energy to awaken Queen Metaria. He has very little interaction with the other "Shitennou", only briefly being seen with (and mocked by) Nephrite. He expresses an attraction to Sailor Mars and is eventually killed by her, at which point Nephrite vows to take revenge for his fallen comrade. In the later sidestory "Casablanca Memories", a mysterious stranger appears, also trying to avenge Jadeite.

In the anime, hunting energy is Jadeite's primary mission. He is adapted to be outspokenly sexist against women, often remarking how women and girls cannot match his power nor comprehend his methods, although this is toned down in the English dub and replaced with a more general rivalry between himself and the Sailor Senshi. Most of his schemes in the anime involve disguises; he takes on a variety of occupations and personas to trick humans into giving him energy, always targeting mass numbers at once. Eventually, as a punishment for his repeated failures, Queen Beryl places him in "Eternal Sleep," not knowing that just before coming to her he had learned the Senshi's secret identities. Encased in a crystal and teleported away, he is never seen again.

Of all the "Shitennou", Jadeite is the only one to retain his basic appearance and mannerisms in the live-action series. He is totally subservient to Queen Beryl, for which she rewards him with her favor, sending him on missions that range from gathering energy to spying on his fellow warriors to attacking the Senshi directly. He disappears early in the series, reverting to crystalline form due to an injury, but is revived some time later by the growing power of Queen Metaria. Firmly loyal to Beryl, he rejects Endymion as his true master until the very last episode of the series.

In the first official "Sailor Moon" popularity poll, Jadeite was ranked the twentieth most popular character out of thirty eight choices.cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 3 |chapter= |publisher= Kodansha |date= April 6, 1993 |id= ISBN 4-06-178744-6]

Jadeite's voice for the original anime was provided by Masaya Onosaka and in the English dub by Tony Daniels. In the live-action series he was portrayed by Jun Masuo, and two people have played him in the stage musicals: Susumu Futabashi and Yuhka Asami (an actress).

Nephrite

nihongo|Nephrite|ネフライト|Nefuraito|called Nephlite [cite book |last=Takeuchi |first=Naoko |title=Sailor Moon Scout Guide - Meet Sailor Moon: Crystal |publisher= Tokyopop Press |month=October | year=2000 |id= ISBN 1-892213-32-x] in the English adaptations is the second of the "Shitennou" to appear, and the second-highest in rank. Takeuchi describes him as cocky and emotional, writing in her concept notes he will probably get himself killed right off. He is the second-oldest, estimated at about 19 years old, and is in charge of the Dark Kingdom's North American division. [cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 1 |chapter= Act 3 |publisher= Kodansha |date= July 6, 1992, September 5, 1996 |id= ISBN 4-06-178721-7] He is named after the mineral nephrite.

Nephrite's primary goal in the manga is to locate the Silver Crystal, but he also takes on a vow to avenge the death of Jadeite, and this is his main driving force. He uses a female "shadow" of himself to attack his victims, simultaneously taking control over their bodies and draining their energy. He is killed by Sailor Jupiter after using Motoki to manipulate her emotions.

In the anime, Nephrite hypothesizes that more energy can be taken by concentrating on a single human than by drawing from a crowd as Jadeite usually did. Establishing himself in an abandoned church, he uses intonation with the stars to detect the "energy potential" of individual people before attacking them. He, in turn, is mocked by his would-be successor, Zoisite. Also unlike Jadeite, Nephrite uses just one alter ego, that of Masato Sanjouin, a wealthy businessman and socialite. To match his monogrammed belongings, the English dub gave him the pseudonym Maxfield Stanton, which author Patrick Drazen describes as "ridiculously soap-opera."cite book |last=Drazen |first=Patrick |title=Anime Explosion! The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation |year=2002 | month=October |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=1-880656-72-8 |oclc=50898281 |pages=p.284]

Over the course of his missions, Nephrite inadvertently attracts the attention and affections of Usagi's best friend, Naru, which interferes with his progress. The Black Crystal he crafts to detect the Silver Crystal reacts instead to Naru's love for him. In the end, he comes to return her love and chooses to rescue her from Zoisite at the cost of his own life, dying in her arms just as the Sailor Senshi arrive to help. Naru screams in despair, which Drazen says must have been an unexpected development for viewers used to happy endings. Drazen describes this as a scene of redemption, pointing out that, before the end, Nephrite gives a genuine smile, as well as a good laugh, which Drazen considers "would have been beyond him in the past, but love is turning him human".

In the live-action series, Nephrite is Jadeite's main rival for the attentions of Queen Beryl, who considers him useless. His physical appearance is drastically changed, and he is portrayed as hot-headed and violent. Repeatedly humiliated by the Sailor Senshi, and mocked by the other "Shitennou", he strives to win Beryl's favor, but is eventually murdered by her as a demonstration of her power. He is then reborn in Tokyo as a normal human being with all his memories intact, getting a job at the karaoke parlor and forging a tenuous friendship with Ami Mizuno, who was compassionate toward him when she was Dark Mercury. At the end of the series, he is reestablished with the other "Shitennou" as one of Prince Endymion's guardians.

Nephrite's voice for the original anime was provided by Katsuji Mori and in the English dub by Kevin Lund. In the live-action series he was portrayed by Hiroyuki Matsumoto, and two actors have played him in the stage musicals: Toshikazu Seike and Shuusuke Yoda.

Zoisite

nihongo|Zoisite|ゾイサイト|Zoisaito|called Zoycite in the English anime is the third of the "Shitennou", and is second-lowest in rank (despite being younger than Jadeite, who is the lowest in rank). Of the four, his character has undergone the most drastic changes from version to version of the story. He is the youngest, at about 16-17 years of age, described by Takeuchi as the least mature and most effeminate. He manages the Dark Kingdom's European Division [cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume |chapter= Act 6 |publisher= Kodansha |date= September 6, 1992, April 6, 1996 |id= ISBN 4-06-178731-4] and is named after the mineral zoisite.

Zoisite enters the manga in much the same way as his predecessor, first mocking Nephrite and then crying out in anguish when he is killed. However, he also works closely with the one remaining "Shitennou", Kunzite, sharing concerns and strategies as he works. Seeking the Silver Crystal, he uses news reports and press releases to make the population of Tokyo help with his search, then resorts to taking their energy when they fail. He very nearly defeats the Sailor Senshi, but is killed in a surprise attack by Sailor Venus.

In the anime, Zoisite is introduced along with Nephrite, ridiculing him in each episode and finally orchestrating his death. He is more successful than either of his predecessors, obtaining all seven fragments of the Silver Crystal, and very nearly succeeds in killing Sailor Moon, but Tuxedo Mask takes the hit for her. The two are then revealed to be Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. Unbeknownst to him, Queen Beryl is in love with Endymion and, infuriated, kills Zoisite in punishment for injuring him.

Zoisite is much more effeminate in the anime than in the manga, often using female disguises or surrounding himself with flower petals. As in the manga, he and Kunzite work closely together, but in this case they are also involved in a homosexual relationship, and Zoisite literally clings to him for support and guidance. To avoid any controversy, as they were focusing on a younger age group than the original anime, DiC therefore cast "Zoycite" as a woman for the dubbed production, because of his romantic relationship with Kunzite.

In the life-action series, Zoisite is an enigmatic piano player, using magical songs to hunt for the hidden Moon Princess. In addition to his own "Requiem for a Princess," he plays such compositions as the "Fantaisie-Impromptu" and "Moonlight Sonata." He cares very little for Queen Beryl and comes to recognize Prince Endymion as his master long before the others. After being defeated by Sailor Venus and subsequently revived by the power of Queen Metaria, he ignores Beryl altogether and uses his music to attempt to reach out to Endymion and to restore the memories of their collective past life to his fellow "Shitennou". His loyal to Endymion is such that he offers his own life in exchange for the Prince's, and when Queen Beryl asks for Usagi's life instead, Zoisite sets out to kill her. Diverted from this course of action by Endymion, he dies protecting Sailor Moon and is ultimately revived along with the others.

Zoisite's voice for the original anime was provided by Keiichi Nanba and in the dubbed anime by Kirsten Bishop. In the live-action series he was portrayed by Yoshito Endou, and four actors have played him in the stage musicals: Toshitaka Akita, Misao Idono, Akira Tomemori and Kaname Aoki.

Kunzite

nihongo|Kunzite|クンツァイト|Kuntsaito|called Malachite in the English anime is the fourth and final member of the "Shitennou". He carries a shortsword, and Takeuchi describes him as the greatest of the four, with the majesty of an Arabian king. She also admits to being very fond of him as a character. He is about 25-26 years old, leads the Dark Kingdom's Middle Eastern Division, [cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume |chapter= Act 8 |publisher= Kodansha |date= September 6, 1992, April 6, 1996 |id= ISBN 4-06-178731-4] and is named after the mineral kunzite (or, in the dub, malachite).

In the manga, Kunzite is first shown acting in an advisory role to Zoisite, finally taking over as Queen Beryl's henchman when all the other "Shitennou" are dead. He defeats the Sailor Senshi at Tokyo Tower and nearly kills Sailor Moon, but Tuxedo Mask takes the injury for her, and they are revealed to be Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. Remembering that Endymion was his former master, Kunzite becomes uncertain about his loyalties, and so Beryl plants a crystal in his forehead that reduces him to little more than a zombie. It takes the combined strength of all the Sailor Senshi to defeat him. Afterward, he appears as a spirit to Endymion to tell him where Queen Metaria's weakness lies.

Kunzite and Zoisite are even closer in the anime, lovers as well as allies. After Zoisite's death, Kunzite remains loyal to Queen Beryl, although he greatly resents being forced to work with the brainwashed Prince Endymion because he believes it is his fault his love Zoisite is dead. Near the end of the series, he battles the Sailor Senshi all at once and defeats all of them except Sailor Moon; his attack on her reflects back and kills him. He dies crying out to Zoisite, begging his love to meet him on the other side.

In the live-action series, Kunzite is first introduced in the form of a kindly amnesiac named Shin, whom Usagi attempts to befriend. His memories are restored by Queen Beryl, who had apparently tucked him away until she needed him, and he becomes a ruthless and powerful warrior. His efforts to reawaken Queen Metaria are largely motivated by a desire for personal gain, and he is dismissive to Beryl, sometimes to the point of insubordination. For the most part, however, he works with her toward their shared goals, and it is he who transforms Sailor Mercury into Dark Mercury. Kunzite is awakened early on to the memory that Endymion was his master in his previous life, but he feels extreme contempt for the prince, believing he betrayed the "Shitennou" in ages past and left them for dead. In the end, however, he defends Endymion against an attack by Jadeite and confesses his loyalty before dying.

Kunzite's voice for the original anime was provided by Kazuyuki Sogabe and in the dubbed anime by Dennis Akayama. In the live-action series he was portrayed by Akira Kubodera, and four people have played him in the stage musicals: Yuuta Mochizuki, Ryuji Kasahara, Hideka Asano, Miki Kawasaki (an actress).

In the musicals

The first musical "Sailor Moon - Gaiden Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen" and its revision featured all four "Shitennou". During a ball, Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion sang "Waltz ni Koi wo Nosete", and the "Shitennou" were paired with their respective partners. However this romance was short-lived as Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Venus were each forced to fight Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Kunzite respectively. While the Guardian Senshi won in each case, the "Shitennou" used lies and trickery to harm each of the soldiers, resulting in members of both sides dying.

In the 1997 musical "Eien Densetsu", only Kunzite and Zoisite appear. Zoisite flirts with Ami, and even sings a duet with her ("Itsuwari no Forevermore", "lit." Lies Forevermore). Ami only responded to Zoisite's flirting because he subtly brainwashed her. They would have shared a kiss if they weren't interrupted. [Sailor Moon Musical, 1997 "Eien Densetsu", during "Itsuwari no Forevermore"]

In "Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu", the implied romance between the "Shitennou" and Guardian Senshi can be seen in various situations. The "Shitennou" are sent to flirt with the Senshi to make them distracted. The "Shitennou" in their human identities protect the Senshi who are also in their civilian identies from Sailor Galactica. [Sailor Moon Musicals, 2003 "Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu", before "Prince of Earth"] They can also each be seen flirting in their respective couples, as the "Shitennou" presents gifts to the Senshi in a park. [Sailor Moon Musicals, 2003 "Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu", after "Dream Yume wa Ookiku"] [Sailor Moon Musicals, 2003 "Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu", after "Seishun no Shoumi Kigen"]

The musical "Kakyuu-Ouhi Kourin" had a group that which called themselves the "Neo Shitennou". The members of the "Neo Shitennou" were Kunzite, Hematite, Hiddenite, and Kalunite. There was no explanation for changing their names, but Hematite, Hiddenite, and Kalunite looked identical to Zoisite, Nephrite and Jadeite respectively. The group worked with the reborn Queen Beryl under Sailor Galaxia, though the five of them were plotting to get out of Galaxia's rule.

References