Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R

Both shows are "Magical Girl" anime that explore darker themes than other shoujo, such as death, responsibility, violence and divinity, alongside the usual friendship and occasional romance. While Sailor Moon is a light-hearted villian of the week show that gradually gets darker with every season, Madoka Magica is a twist on the genre that takes shows such as Sailor Moon and skips the filler and goes straight for the dark stuff. Both Madoka and Usagi serve as the watchers self-insert into their worlds, although Usagi presents much more personality and relatability than Madoka does. These series have great supporting casts that steal the show. If you liked Madoka Magica and you want to know the influences on the show, if you wanted more romance (either straight or yuri), and to basically enjoy a classic anime to lighten the mood, Sailor Moon is a great choice. And if you liked Sailor Moon and want to watch an anime that emulates later episodes, if you need action instead of romance, and a more macabre version of your favorite group of heroines, Madoka Magica is the one for you. read more