Sasha Banks' Sailor Moon-inspired costume at this year's Royal Rumble has won over the internet.
The WWE superstar and outspoken Sailor Moon fan took the ring in an outfit inspired by the iconic shojo heroine's original costume. Across social media, Banks' costume was one of the more well-received aspects of the event, with both wrestling diehards and anime otaku complimenting the wrestler's colorful outfit and energetic demeanor. Banks entered the ring in high spirits despite the fact that the five-time Raw Women's Champion was forced to sit out most of January due to a foot injury. She returned to Smackdown on Jan. 28 and was the first entrant of this year's women's Royal Rumble.
The only good thing about that women's rumble: Sasha Banks as Sailor Moon. #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/FTOmJW7B8X
— ☃️? Carlos❄️Bᱬnks ?✨ (@Carlos_Banks_) January 30, 2022
Sasha Banks’ Sailor Moon gear ? pic.twitter.com/eCjkdskAo9
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) January 30, 2022
She ATE with the Sailor Moon gear pic.twitter.com/TrXPBPguiM
— ? (@bratzdvll) January 30, 2022
I'm not a wrasslin fan, but I respect anyone who shows off their love of Sailor Moon so fiercely!! pic.twitter.com/xxNnKlGvB1
— ⚡Bubblegum Midlife Crisis⚡ (@bunnycartoon) January 30, 2022
Banks previously discussed her love for Sailor Moon in an interview. The wrestler revealed the teenage hero was an inspiration for her growing up, saying, "I had to stay up and watch my Sailor Moon because I thought I was just like Serena. I was a meatball head, I was clumsy, I was always late for school, and she really taught me how to believe in myself, my own powers, and the powers of the universe and the moon. So still to this day, she is my favorite and I can't believe how much she's played a role in my life."
Sailor Moon was created by artist and writer Naoko Takeuchi and made its premiere in 1991. The original anime adaptation, which was produced by Toei Animation and directed by Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu), was one of the first shojo shows to be localized and broadcast outside of Japan. A rebooted anime adaptation, entitled Sailor Moon Crystal, premiered in 2014. The series is widely regarded as one of the most influential shojo properties of all time and has continued to be extremely popular to this day. The most recent animated adaptation of Takeuchi's manga, Sailor Moon Eternal, was released as a Netflix streaming exclusive in 2021.
The anime series that Banks once watched is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022. The franchise is marking the occasion with a number of special releases and collaborations throughout the year, the most notable of which is an upcoming line of Sanrio merchandise that pairs the Sailor Scouts with Hello Kitty and the company's other mascots. There will also be a new collection of clothing from Japanese apparel company UNIQLO, as well as a team-up with watch company Citizen. A limited time exhibition, showcasing art from the series' 30 year history will also be held in Japan sometime this year as well.
Source: Twitter
