Essay: Cold Hearted Soldiers?

It is hard to believe that many consider Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru to be selfish and cold hearted individuals. Both women are willing to put their lives on the line in order to protect the world and the people in it. Neither Haruka nor Michiru want to make sacrifices but they do because they know they are the only two who are able to do it.

The mission held in the hands of Haruka and Michiru is taken so seriously that both women no longer have normal, carefree lives. They understand that the fate of the world rests upon their shoulders. This dedication towards their mission has taken away their dreams and desires. Arguments are made that Haruka and Michiru are selfish and uncaring, especially towards the other sailor soldiers... but these arguments are blind to facts.

Before Haruka met Michiru, she was avoiding her destiny: she was running away from it and did not want to give up her dreams to save the world. At first, she acted rude towards Michiru because she did not want to face her destiny but after seeing how alone Michiru was in her struggle, Haruka decided to join her and become Sailoruranus. This does appear to be selfish but it isn’t everyday that one is chosen to become a sailor soldier. It is a difficult decision. Haruka may have chosen to become Sailoruranus because of Michiru, but this does not mean she is a selfish person. In fact, Haruka is being very unselfish by giving up her life to join Sailorneptune. Likewise, if Michiru was a selfish individual, she would have attempted to persuade Haruka to become Sailoruranus, rather than try to get Haruka to have a normal life.

It is true that Sailoruranus and Sailorneptune appear to act coldly towards Sailormoon and her friends. They appear to ignore the inner senshi when they need help, paying attention only to the pure hearts. However, on more than one occasion, Sailoruranus and Sailorneptune offer assistance to the other senshi. One can say that acting coldly towards the inner senshi is Haruka and Michiru’s way of keeping the younger girls safe. If they were to let the inner senshi become involved in their mission, they would be allowing the six girls to risk their lives. Neither Haruka nor Michiru want to sacrifice more lives than what is necessary.

In regards to sacrifices, it appears that Haruka and Michiru are cold hearted individuals for wanting to sacrifice the pure hearts of three innocent people. However, both women don’t want to kill but they do understand that the lives of three people is necessary to save the lives of millions. While Sailormoon would attempt to save the lives of everyone, Sailoruranus and Sailorneptune know that it cannot be done.

Many instances throughout the anime and manga indicate warmth and caring capabilities of both women. Haruka reveals to Michiru that she feels as if her hands have been soiled by the sacrifices she had to make. Michiru raises the infant Hotaru as if she was her own daughter. Both women have put their lives on the line for each other, despite the agreement they made that if one of them were to perish, the other would continue on with their mission.

When it comes down to it, Haruka and Michiru have nothing but themselves until they are befriended by Usagi and the other girls. To say that either of these talented and caring individuals are cold hearted and selfish is a mistake and a great misunderstanding.


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