Minako Aino

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Minako Aino first appears in the one-shot of *Codename: Sailor V* published in August 1991, and returns as a serial that ran until July 1997. She encounters a talking white cat with a crescent moon on its forehead named Artemis, who reveals that Minako possesses the magical ability to transform into a much stronger, more powerful, and more beautiful girl than anyone. Artemis calls Minako "Sailor Venus" and tells her she has a mission to protect Earth in the name of her guardian planet Venus. Artemis gives her two items: a crescent moon shaped compact case 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. She 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.

In Their Own Story

Minako Aino is a 13-year-old middle school student who 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. Artemis calls Minako "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 case 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 Soldiers and the Moon Princess, leading to the events of *Sailor Moon*.

Reader's Guide

Minako Aino is the main character of *Codename: Sailor V*, a manga series created by Naoko Takeuchi. She is a cheerful schoolgirl who discovers she has magical powers that she must use to protect the people of the Earth. Her guardian planet is Venus, and she is called "Sailor Venus" by Artemis. She transforms using a magical pen into the Soldier of Justice: Sailor V. Her primary enemies are the Dark Agency, led by Danburite, who sends talented idols to enslave the public. Minako gains the aid of Saijyo Ace, who she develops romantic feelings for, but later learns he is Danburite in disguise. After mortally wounding Danburite, she is cursed to never find love again. She then realizes her duty is more important than romance and decides to search for the other four Sailor Soldiers and the Moon Princess. The series is best known as the basis for *Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon*, which began serialization in December 1991. The manga has been reissued in several new editions with revised art and dialogue by Takeuchi, including a Shinsōban (2004), Kanzenban (2014), and Bunkoban (2019). An English translation was published in North America in 2011.

Did You Know?

• Minako Aino first appeared in a one-shot in the magazine RunRun on August 3, 1991.
• Her magical pen allows her to transform into the Soldier of Justice: Sailor V.
• She is cursed by Danburite before he dies to never find love again.
• The series *Codename: Sailor V* ran as a serial from August 1991 to July 1997.
• Kodansha reissued the manga in a two-volume Shinsōban in 2004 with revised artwork and dialogue.