Naoko Takeuchi wrote some of the best romances anime has to offer in her classic manga, Sailor Moon. The original anime from the 1990s add to these romance arcs with more than extra episodes; they pair even more characters together. Between the manga and the anime, every main character, villain, and many side characters have compelling love stories.
Not all the Sailor Moon love stories get their happily ever after. But even if the romance ends in tragedy, or is never fully realized, both characters in the pairing are beautifully written. Often, romance brings out the best in even the most antagonistic characters, and they express their love in poignant ways. As such, Sailor Moon is filled with some of the most endearing love interests in anime.
10 Motoki Furuhata
Motoki Furuhata works at the Game Center Crown arcade, and he is Usagi’s first crush. Usagi, like Minako and Makoto, is a lover girl, and she can get crushes easily. Beyond working at her favorite place, Motoki makes for an intuitive first crush, though.
Motoki is a supportive friend who can be empathetic without being a yes-man. He expresses himself with care, charm, and cheerfulness. Not to mention, Usagi finds him cute enough to be a model. He gets some more plot interaction in Sailor Moon Crystal.
9 Helios/Pegasus
Even Sailor Moon’s daughter, Chibiusa, gets a sweet future love story. Her puppy love with Helios, Pegasus, helps drive the SuperS plot. Chibiusa is a powerful, pink-haired moon princess and a magical lad who is the guardian of the Golden Crystal is perfect for her.
Helios is a pure-hearted boy who is a kind and constant friend to Chibiusa. Chibiusa has it difficult because she’s a young child away from her parents, thrown into a different time to help her younger parents. That would make even a magical child feel anxious and lonely and Helios is her peer who can understand and support her.
8 Petz
Petz was terribly in love with Prince Saphir. Prince Saphir is a wonderful person – he was the first to break from Wiseman’s mental stranglehold. He tried to save Demande, and he wasn’t fully successful, but his last actions did help set up Demande’s redemption arc.
Prince Saphir may be a quieter character, but it’s understandable why Petz would devote her heart to him. She wasn’t very open about her feelings, but they were there, and she mourns his loss after he dies in the original anime. Though their love is never actualized, she treasures and remembers him after he’s gone.
7 Fiore
Fiore’s sweet and good heart is his saving grace in Sailor Moon R: Promise of the Rose. The Kissenian flower possesses him and feeds off his loneliness, warping his love, but not for long. Fiore wanted to find Mamoru again, but the Kissenian flower made him believe that Usagi would keep Mamoru away from him.
While a romance with Mamoru won’t be possible with Fiore anymore, that doesn’t mean they can’t be close. They had one of the sweetest friendships when they were young, and no doubt it would be a comfort to Fiore to resume that friendship. Even though the Kissenian flower tries to manipulate him, Fiore shakes its hold through his loving nature.
6 Nephrite
There’s evidence from Naoko Takeuchi that there were previous romances between Endymion’s Earthly Knights and the Sailor Senshi, but fans never get to see much of the relationships. Nephrite would have made a wonderful fully-fledged love interest, though, and is represented best in Sailor Moon Crystal when it comes to romance and emotions.
Nephrite can be caring and express his feelings beautifully, as well as be self-sacrificing. Takeuchi describes him as “cocky and emotional,” as well as the Knight of Intelligence and Comfort. He loved Makoto, Sailor Jupiter, in his previous life.
5 Yuichiro/Chad
Yuichiro, (Chad in the dub) is a character of the original anime. He wants to make it on his own and learn as much as possible from his job, so he chooses to work at Rei and her grandfather’s shrine. Yuichiro may come off as goofy and unaware, but he’s incredibly astute and respectful.
Yuichiro is totally wrapped around Rei’s finger. Rei isn’t that interested in romance, but she’s charmed by Yuichiro’s wonderful qualities. He’s brave, responsible, and he cares about her. She even kisses him on the cheek and his face goes totally red.
4 Kunzite
Kunzite gets a full romance in the original anime with his fellow Shitennou, Zoisite. It’s one of the best additions the 90s anime did for the Sailor Moon story. Kunzite is a cold kuudere, but he melts for Zoisite.
Kunzite will always help and comfort Zoisite, never judging him. They make a gorgeous couple. Kunzite is the strongest warrior of the four, and there’s something special about a formidable villain being utterly devoted to the person he loves for whom he saves his softer side.
3 Sailor Uranus
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune have a quiet and beautiful, healthy relationship. They are such a strong unit that they’re almost always seen together. Neptune is artistic and stoic, though not unfeeling. Uranus can understand and communicate with her effectively without words.
Uranus is incredibly attuned. She also has charisma, beautiful fashion, and carries herself with swagger. She makes even Usagi blush when she teases her. Uranus is also an excellent driver with great taste in cars, which reflects Takeuchi’s love of fast cars.
2 Seiya
Seiya is breathtakingly beautiful, and charming with amazing ’90s aesthetic looks. They’re also sweet, protective, and have a high emotional quotient. Seiya adores Usagi and their chemistry is palpable.
It’s understandable that Seiya would make Usagi torn, even if she never could bring herself to vocalize the feeling, it was plain. Seiya isn’t just a great friend and warrior, they really want to be there for Usagi. Seiya knows when to be serious, but they also can be lighthearted, even flirtatious – and they’re a great dancer.
1 Prince Endymion/Tuxedo Mask
There is never a time when Mamoru isn’t a wonderful love interest for Usagi. Even when he makes mistakes, he makes them because he has others’ best interests in mind. Mamoru knows how to apologize, how to show patience and kindness, and he’s very nurturing to his future daughters.
Even when Mamoru is brainwashed by the Dark Kingdom, or briefly bamboozled into breaking up with Usagi (which never happens in the manga), he never stops putting the one he loves first. He may be a modern human on Earth, now, but he’s still as noble as the prince he was centuries ago. He also looks great in a lavender tux.