Naoko's inspirations (magazines, films, fashion ads)

[foenyanko]

To be fair, those Sailor Noveau arts aren't by her. Looks like they were by anime staffers. But then I guess they were just following in the footsteps of her "inspirations".

 

[Clow]

To be fair, those Sailor Noveau arts aren't by her. Looks like they were by anime staffers. But then I guess they were just following in the footsteps of her "inspirations".

She did it first and then the anime staffers followed her.

 

[Memento]

Going through the translations of Naoko's notes from the second art book:

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-01.jpg

In this picture I used my favorite art nouveau motif.

I wonder if that means she just drew it in a general art nouveau style, or if she's imitating a particular painting?
-----

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-04.jpg

The clothes on the two characters are from a designer that I wanted to purchase from a little while ago.

Can anyone ID the designer?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-06-07.jpg

[This picture] reminds me of a fantastic restaurant under the Eiffel Tower, a glittering merry-go-round, and a lovely small hotel on Vandome Square.

Can anyone ID the restaurant, merry-go-round, and hotel Naoko's referring to?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-12-13.jpg

Naoko says the Sailors' faces in that picture resemble those of the girls playing them in the first musical. What do you think?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-24-25.jpg

Syria was the place closest to the image of destruction that I had in mind, but I did not have many actual references for it. As a result, I want to see it with my own naked eyes once, at any cost.

Does anyone know if those ruins resemble any actual ruins in Syria? Or if Naoko ever got to visit Syria?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-28.jpg

This is the cover of Nakayoshi the month following Chibi-Usa’s debut appearance. Her hairstyle was not finalized then. The structure of her hair is truly a mystery. I didn’t think deeply when I designed it, so it was a surprise when I first saw a Chibi-Usa doll - I couldn’t believe that her hair could be three-dimensional. So I observed the doll’s head from various angles. A three-dimensional shape is wonderful.

Sounds like Chibi-Usa's hair/head was influenced by her doll?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/thumbs/thumbs_sailormoon-artbook-2-35.jpg

Seems the rabbit-shaped pearl earrings Usagi wears in this picture are based on a pair Naoko received from a friend. Can anyone track down the actual/original earrings?

 

[Memento]

From Volume 3:

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-00.jpg
http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/d ... 10t010.jpg

As a reference for the pose of the ten soldiers, I used an embarrassing adult magazine my editor Osabu bought for me in Shinjuku.

Can anyone ID the adult magazine?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-01.jpg

The flowers in the background are anemones. It’s a Mueller lamp motif, like I have hanging from my bedroom ceiling now. It’s a really pretty blue and yellow lamp. While I was on my bed gazing at the lamp, I thought of drawing with those colors, and I drew this.

Can anyone ID the lamp?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-05.jpg

We know Hotaru is wearing a dress by Thierry Mugler, but it turns out the picture is set in the Maxim de Paris, a French restaurant in Shanghai Naoko says she visited with her parents. Has anyone some pictures of the restaurant? I'd love for Naoko (or anyone else for that matter) to do a really short side story about Hotaru going to Shanghai and visiting that restaurant, perhaps with Chibiusa on a romantic date
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... -06-07.jpg

When I saw a CG-animated dinosaur standing in front of a huge blue moon background, I thought it was really cool! I drew this thinking a blue moon could be nice.

Anyone know what CG-animated dinosaur she could be referencing?
----------------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/d ... 10t010.jpg

The model for Tuxedo Mask’s pose I’ve now lost touch with, the first actor for Tuxedo Mask in the musical version, Mizuki Sano. Oh, his Mamoru was really a cute, sweet boy.

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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-20.jpg

The model for the delta which became the stage for the third series was the emperor’s delta.

Anyone have pictures of the emperor's delta?
------------------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-23.jpg

This is the scene where Sailor Moon takes the legendary holy chalice. I found a photo collection of the Vatican at a book store, spread them out in my house, and one treasure caught my eye, the chalice. I wondered about such a divine item as that appearing next. In that way, I finished the image of the moon chalice.

Can anyone ID the Vatican photo collection she's referencing, or at least, more relevantly, the chalice she used as the model for the Holy Grail/Holy Moon Calice?
--------------------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-24.jpg [Edited by Rika-moth to fix the link.]

I did this picture thinking of drawing a picture in the style of William Blake

Here's the Blake painting referenced: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/images/work/N/N05/N05892_10.jpg
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... -36-37.jpg

This is the two of them in the style of models from Vogue Bambino.

Can anyone find an issue of that magazine that might have served as inspiration for this picture?
---------------------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook3/s ... k-3-55.jpg

The column where Serenity is standing I drew while looking at a picture of a column of an ancient temple of the Roman Forum I took when I went in the fall of ’94.

Can anyone ID the real life column?

 

[Clow]

I would take everything Naoko says with a grain of salt.

Has she ever credited Thierry Mugler or Karl Lagerfeld?

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook2/sailormoon-artbook-2-04.jpg

The clothes on the two characters are from a designer that I wanted to purchase from a little while ago.

Can anyone ID the designer?

Very difficult to identify the designer and all of the other items you have posted.

I could swear a while ago that the dress Pluto was wearing was a Versace (chains). To much of my surprise, though, it was designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. It does not look like Chanel.

As for architecture in general (columns, etc), I feel that Naoko was very specific. I will explain: Princess Serenity wears a Dior dress named Palladio. What is Palladio? Well, Palladio alludes to Palladian architecture. Palladian architecture is an European style of architecture derived from and inspired by the designs of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

The Moon Palace and many other buildings that we see in the manga can be seen as examples of Palladian architecture.

If you look up Palladian architecture on Google Images, you will find images of buildings that are identical to those that we see in the manga:

To sum up, the Dior dress inspired Naoko much more than we think... the history behind the dress allowed her create the landscape of the Moon Kingdom.

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

If Naoko is going to steal, at least she has good taste.

Can't agree more - we have a term for that over here, which can be translated as "artistic thief."

 

[Serena-Hime]

It is a Romanesque dress that celebrates Palladian architecture and is suitable to the character Naoko created.

God, I love that dress so much. I've seen a lot of gorgeous Serenity dresses for cosplay, but nothing will ever top the incomparable, ethereal beauty of the original. The layers on Serenity's dress are beautiful but the silhouette and trim on Palladio.. ugh

I don't much pay attention to fashion so I don't have an opinion on Dior, but I adore that dress.

Can anyone ID the Vatican photo collection she's referencing, or at least, more relevantly, the chalice she used as the model for the Holy Grail/Holy Moon Calice?
--------------------------

if I have to guess it would be this artifact? It doesn't resemble the Holy Grail really- and it's in Valencia, not the Vatican- but I haven't seen anything that quite resembles it so I'm assuming Naoko got the idea from this and came up with something on her own, with the Valencia Chalice as inspiration.

The motif Naoko is talking about for the lamp reminds me of a Tiffany lamp, so that might be it?

 

[Memento]

If Naoko is going to steal, at least she has good taste.

Can't agree more - we have a term for that over here, which can be translated as "artistic thief."

As Pablo Picasso once said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal."

Has she ever credited Thierry Mugler or Karl Lagerfeld?

She may have referenced them as designers she admires somewhere in her notes throughout the original tankoubon release or perhaps in interviews, but as far as her notes in the art books go, she only mentions that Setsuna's dress is based on one worn by Naoko Campbell (thus naming the model but not the designer) and that Princess Serenity's was inspired by wedding dresses.

To sum up, the Dior dress inspired Naoko much more than we think... the history behind the dress allowed her create the landscape of the Moon Kingdom.

Conversely, Naoko was probably already interested in that style of architecture and had it in mind for the landscape of the Moon Kingdom and was subsequently drawn to the Dior dress because it reflected that aesthetic.

 

[Neo Queen Serenity]

@MementoNepenthe
Do you have any more instances of Naoko's inspirations from the other artbooks? I'd love to see more of them. :love:

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

If Naoko is going to steal, at least she has good taste.

Can't agree more - we have a term for that over here, which can be translated as "artistic thief."

As Pablo Picasso once said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal."

Excellent quote!

Has she ever credited Thierry Mugler or Karl Lagerfeld?

She may have referenced them as designers she admires somewhere in her notes throughout the original tankoubon release or perhaps in interviews, but as far as her notes in the art books go, she only mentions that Setsuna's dress is based on one worn by Naoko Campbell (thus naming the model but not the designer) and that Princess Serenity's was inspired by wedding dresses.

And a nice typo.

 

[Memento]

From Volume 4:

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook4/s ... -14-15.jpg

The issues from the first half of ’95-’96 of [the magazine] "ViVi" were my favorite. The models were all bright, healthy, flashy, cute, and stylish. So this is my drawing of the pre-transformation high-school-student Sailor Soldiers. That’s why this painting is done in the manner of ViVi’s models.

It's unclear whether she's referencing any specific photoshoots or just the general aesthetic of that magazine from that time, but perhaps looking through old issues of ViVi could turn up copies of some of the clothes the girls wear?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook4/s ... k-4-24.jpg

Naoko doesn't cite any references for Helios's outfit; rather, I just find it interesting that she says she thinks his outfit is hideous and a disaster and she regrets not spending more time on his design.
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook4/s ... k-4-33.jpg

I don't think this was inspired by any piece in particular; Naoko simply says it was influenced by her desire for some antique Tiffany stained glass.
-------------

I'll look through volume 5 in a bit.

 

[Memento]

She may have referenced them as designers she admires somewhere in her notes throughout the original tankoubon release or perhaps in interviews, but as far as her notes in the art books go, she only mentions that Setsuna's dress is based on one worn by Naoko Campbell (thus naming the model but not the designer) and that Princess Serenity's was inspired by wedding dresses.

And a nice typo.

I swear I wrote Naomi Campbell! I blame the Negaverse for changing it to Naoko!

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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook1/s ... -25-26.jpg

This piece from the first art book, entitled "Memento Mori," is based on artist Robert Mapplethorpe's self portrait: https://i2.wp.com/www.guggenheim.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/01/93.4305_ph_web.jpg
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From Volume 5:

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-02.jpg

I didn’t have much time to draw these so while going through Yamahodo’s wedding dress book I decided to use what everyone there was wearing, and it really was a lot of fun.

Anyone want to track down that book of wedding dresses?
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http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-10.jpg

In an American men’s magazine, I saw a nude photo in this pose and thought “How cool!” and while looking at it I drew it to see. I apologize for my preferences.

Looks like there's another source to track down for the Hentai subforum
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-13.jpg

In the trailer for the Tom Cruise movie “Mission Impossible” there is a scene where he operates a computer while hanging from midair. When I saw that I was like, all right, I’m gonna draw Sailor Moon in that pose! So. This drawing was born.

Petition to get Tom Cruise to play Sailor Moon in a Hollywood "Sailor Moon" film! Xenu would approve!
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-18.jpg

While "Sailor Moon" was on the air, the [series'] merchandising director Oono-chan betrayed the ranks of unmarried ladies on our staff and left by herself to retire into blissful marriage, wearing the dress that Usagi is wearing here.

Another real life wedding dress to track down for anyone looking to have a Sailor Moon-themed wedding!
-----------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-20.jpg

Naoko writes that the Three Lights are wearing clothes from a brand called Bo-G. Anyone familiar with them?
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-39.jpg

As I look at this drawing right now, it’s apparent how much I liked the Bo- brand at the time. (The Bo-V brand, actually.) But right now I’m more fickle. Right now my favorite western brands are Ann Sui and Vivian Tam.

------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-28.jpg

No reference source for this illustration of Chibi Chibi; I just think it's funny that Naoko wrote:

In 10 to 20 years, Chibi-Chibi will be the main character and the anime will be…… Um... Just imagining that character is a little scary... No way!

Just think: we were this close to having a Chibi-Chibi anime instead of Crystal!

Similarly, for this illustration of Chibi Moon, Saturn, and the Amazones (http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/sailormoon-artbook-5-32.jpg) she writes:

When I was drawing this, I thought I’d put together Sailor Saturn and Sailor Chibi-Moon in a pair. Then I followed it with the Sailor Quartet. One of these days I’m going to put this team together into the manga. What a weird thing that would be. Anyway, here’s the six.

Still waiting on that manga, Naoko!

 

[Clow]

Conversely, Naoko was probably already interested in that style of architecture and had it in mind for the landscape of the Moon Kingdom and was subsequently drawn to the Dior dress because it reflected that aesthetic.

Yes, I agree, the dress conveys the aesthetic...

Like I said, for a young woman in her 20s, she knew a lot about art, fashion, and architecture... she made the right choices and combined all the right elements to create something amazing. I do wish she had been more explicit while naming the things that inspired her, though. Nobody would have criticized her for using the Dior dress. The Thierry Mugler and Lacroix designs, well, I think that's a bit different because the characters look identical to the models.

 

[Memento]

Yeah. I know I've said a hundred times that I'd love a fully colorized re-re-re-release of the manga, but I'd equally love a fully annotated release as well citing all the references that inspired the series (or at least as many as Naoko and her editors can recall/track down). Maybe one day...

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

Conversely, Naoko was probably already interested in that style of architecture and had it in mind for the landscape of the Moon Kingdom and was subsequently drawn to the Dior dress because it reflected that aesthetic.

Yes, I agree, the dress conveys the aesthetic...

Like I said, for a young woman in her 20s, she knew a lot about art, fashion, and architecture... she made the right choices and combined all the right elements to create something amazing.

What's impressive is that she didn't even major in the arts & humanities.

 

[Clow]

Conversely, Naoko was probably already interested in that style of architecture and had it in mind for the landscape of the Moon Kingdom and was subsequently drawn to the Dior dress because it reflected that aesthetic.

Yes, I agree, the dress conveys the aesthetic...

Like I said, for a young woman in her 20s, she knew a lot about art, fashion, and architecture... she made the right choices and combined all the right elements to create something amazing.

What's impressive is that she didn't even major in the arts & humanities.

I majored in the arts and humanities and I am only discovering these things now.

 

[Seira Hazuki]

I'm still proud of my one discovery:

 

[Neo Queen Serenity]

@MementoNepthene I wonder if the Materials Collection and the Infinity artbooks have more inspirations for Naoko...

 

[SM458]

She may have referenced them as designers she admires somewhere in her notes throughout the original tankoubon release or perhaps in interviews, but as far as her notes in the art books go, she only mentions that Setsuna's dress is based on one worn by Naoko Campbell (thus naming the model but not the designer) and that Princess Serenity's was inspired by wedding dresses.

And a nice typo.

I swear I wrote Naomi Campbell! I blame the Negaverse for changing it to Naoko!

--------
http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook1/s ... -25-26.jpg

This piece from the first art book, entitled "Memento Mori," is based on artist Robert Mapplethorpe's self portrait: https://i2.wp.com/www.guggenheim.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/01/93.4305_ph_web.jpg
----------

From Volume 5:

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-02.jpg

I didn’t have much time to draw these so while going through Yamahodo’s wedding dress book I decided to use what everyone there was wearing, and it really was a lot of fun.

Anyone want to track down that book of wedding dresses?
----------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-10.jpg

In an American men’s magazine, I saw a nude photo in this pose and thought “How cool!” and while looking at it I drew it to see. I apologize for my preferences.

Looks like there's another source to track down for the Hentai subforum
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-13.jpg

In the trailer for the Tom Cruise movie “Mission Impossible” there is a scene where he operates a computer while hanging from midair. When I saw that I was like, all right, I’m gonna draw Sailor Moon in that pose! So. This drawing was born.

Petition to get Tom Cruise to play Sailor Moon in a Hollywood "Sailor Moon" film! Xenu would approve!
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-18.jpg

While "Sailor Moon" was on the air, the [series'] merchandising director Oono-chan betrayed the ranks of unmarried ladies on our staff and left by herself to retire into blissful marriage, wearing the dress that Usagi is wearing here.

Another real life wedding dress to track down for anyone looking to have a Sailor Moon-themed wedding!
-----------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-20.jpg

Naoko writes that the Three Lights are wearing clothes from a brand called Bo-G. Anyone familiar with them?
------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-39.jpg

As I look at this drawing right now, it’s apparent how much I liked the Bo- brand at the time. (The Bo-V brand, actually.) But right now I’m more fickle. Right now my favorite western brands are Ann Sui and Vivian Tam.

------------

http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/s ... k-5-28.jpg

No reference source for this illustration of Chibi Chibi; I just think it's funny that Naoko wrote:

In 10 to 20 years, Chibi-Chibi will be the main character and the anime will be…… Um... Just imagining that character is a little scary... No way!

Just think: we were this close to having a Chibi-Chibi anime instead of Crystal!

Similarly, for this illustration of Chibi Moon, Saturn, and the Amazones (http://mangastyle.net/images/artbook5/sailormoon-artbook-5-32.jpg) she writes:

When I was drawing this, I thought I’d put together Sailor Saturn and Sailor Chibi-Moon in a pair. Then I followed it with the Sailor Quartet. One of these days I’m going to put this team together into the manga. What a weird thing that would be. Anyway, here’s the six.

Still waiting on that manga, Naoko!

I never heard of Bo-V brand. But I always thought the shoes Yaten wears is distinctly Gucci. lol

 

[MariaTenebre]

Good find Seira Hazuki it is cool that Natsuna's pic was inspired by a fashion piece.