One day, Usagi Tsukino, clumsy 2nd-year middle school student, stumbles upon a talking cat named Luna. Luna tells her that she is destined to be Sailor Moon, "champion of love and justice", and she must search for the fabled Moon Princess. Usagi finds friends that turn out to be destined senshi as well, and together they fight to save the world from the certain doom brought upon by the Dark Kingdom.
Several people who take the bus near the Hikawa Shrine have gone missing. Usagi, Ami, and Luna decide to investigate by visiting the shrine. There, they meet Rei Hino, a shrine maiden with strong spiritual powers.
Queen Beryl is increasingly furious with Jadeite for his repeated failures; he starts up a theme park, but the general public notices the large number of disappearances. Usagi and Rei, who is now Sailor Mars, begin their combative friendship.
One of Queen Beryl's youma offers to help Jadeite with his wicked plans. Rei wins tickets on a luxury cruise ship and, since she has no boyfriend, asks Ami to accompany her. A jealous Usagi sneaks aboard after them.
Usagi continues to be attracted to both Motoki and Tuxedo Mask. Threatened with Eternal Sleep if should he fail again, Jadeite confronts the Sailor Guardians at an airport.
Nephrite is appointed as Jadeite's successor and begins selecting individual targets for energy, the first one being Naru's friend Rui.
Rei falls for Mamoru and persuades him to go on a date with her, whilst Nephrite targets the caretaker of a local park.
