Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask are one of anime’s most iconic couples, and their romance is as central to Sailor Moon as any magical girl battle to save the universe. The budding romance between Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba is one of the main reasons Sailor Moon has remained such a timeless story across decades — but one controversial arc in the original 1990s anime almost threw it all away.
In Sailor Moon R, one particular storyline introduced a moment into the series that was so problematic, it should have permanently shattered Usagi and Mamoru’s love story. Thankfully, Sailor Moon’s core themes of love, acceptance and perseverance managed to save the day, but fans remain divided over the controversial story choice to this day.
Sailor Moon’s Breakup Arc Should’ve Split Up Usagi & Mamoru For Good
A closeup of Sailor Moon in Sailor Moon R The Movie The Promise of the Rose.Image Credit: Toei Animation
Beginning in Episode 61 of the 1990s Sailor Moon anime, Usagi’s lover does the unthinkable: Mamoru reveals that he wants to break up after he begins having ominous dreams of a mysterious figure warning him that if he stays with her, Sailor Moon will die. Mamoru’s actions are primarily motivated by fear and concern for her safety, but the way he handles the breakup hasn’t aged as well as it could have.
Mamoru abruptly ends his relationship with Usagi, going as far as telling her he doesn’t love her anymore. He immediately puts on a cold demeanor that devastates poor Usagi, creating some of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series. Those watching Sailor Moon in real-time as episodes aired were shocked, as it seemed like the entire series had been building up for their fated romance, and now the leading man was distant, cruel, and even dismissive towards Usagi’s feelings.
From a character perspective, Mamoru’s actions were emotionally manipulative and very different from the lovable boyfriend that viewers had come to know and love. He withheld the information of his dreams from Usagi, even gaslighting her about his feelings and pushing her away under the guise of ‘protecting’ her. As Sailor Moon, she’s one of the most powerful beings in all the cosmos — but unfortunately, this breakup was one event she couldn’t overcome with an iconic transformation sequence.
In the real world, Mamoru’s behavior was pretty toxic. A sudden breakup without proper communication or honesty would likely destroy all the trust in the relationship, causing permanent emotional damage. Usagi’s tearful pleas and Mamoru’s repeated rejection would likely have created lasting moments that would have built up into something unforgivable. Without giving Usagi proper closure, Tuxedo Mask’s harshness felt like the kind of betrayal that could have ruined their relationship for good, no matter how pure Mamoru’s intentions were.
Mamoru’s Apology Wasn’t Enough to Win Back Usagi’s Biggest Fans
Tuxedo Mask is kissing Sailor Moon in Sailor Moon R The Movie The Promise of the Rose.Image via Toei Animation
Thankfully, Sailor Moon’s anime wasn’t going to allow Usagi and Mamoru to be apart for too long. Later episodes quickly made it clearer that Mamoru’s visions were being manipulated by dark forces, specifically tying into the Black Moon Clan Saga. This made it possible for his actions to be reframed as misguided, but not malicious, although a lot of the damage had already been done. Sailor Moon’s story shifted focus to Usagi’s resilience, making it the emotional heartbeat of their relationship troubles.
Rather than dwelling on Mamoru’s shortcomings and toxic behavior, the series became about Usagi’s ability to forgive and fight for love, and it prevented Mamoru’s behavior from permanently scarring their relationship. Only toward the conclusion of the Black Moon Arc could Mamoru finally confess the truth, and the two could finally reconcile peacefully. Thanks to its expert storytelling, Sailor Moon pulls off framing this lapse in Usagi and Mamoru’s love story as an overall victory of trust and love, proving their fate was stronger than fear and manipulation.
The break-up story in Sailor Moon isn’t a canon part based on the manga’s source material, but it’s certainly left a lasting impression on fans of the 90s anime. Some fans love the arc, mainly for its overarching villains and other elements, while others hate it for what it did to Usagi and Mamoru’s relationship. The way the story strengthens their romance in the end remains pretty controversial — but it does reinforce the idea that the two lovers are destined to be together.
Unfortunately, the Break-Up arc showed this in a way that made it feel almost unbelievable for them to reconcile in reality. Depending on how fans look at it, this particular story either makes Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask’s love even stronger or completely undermines the hard work they put into their romance. When you factor in how Mamoru’s toxic behavior was softened by the narrative and that he’s never truly held accountable, it’s easy to see why hardcore Sailor Moon fans would despise this bump in their otherwise perfect love story.
Sailor Moon’s Most Iconic Romance Remains Timeless Decades Later
Usagi and Mamoru looking at each other softly over a pot of flowers in Sailor Moon R The Movie The Promise of the Rose.
Despite the flaws of the breakup mini arc, Usagi and Mamoru’s romance remains one for the ages. When fans think of the journey the two characters had together, this arc is not one that immediately comes to mind because of how many better moments the two share over the course of the series. Even if you examine the breakup arc critically, Mamoru’s shortcomings emphasize Usagi’s strengths, proving just how well the two complement each other.
Usagi’s strong emotional core is the heart of Sailor Moon, and the breakup arc proved to be no exception. She truly refused to give up on love, even when Mamoru made it all but impossible to do so. The fact that the two were able to survive this arc with their love intact is proof that they are timeless. Even if their relationship gets messy and shows its imperfections, it is able to endure through everything — be it manipulated visions from dark forces or the drama Usagi faces in her school life.