Zoisite is the third of the Shitennou to be introduced.
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Zoisite's name in the Sailor Moon anime?
What is the relationship between Zoisite and Nephrite in Sailor Moon?
What is the unique feature of Zoisite's appearance in Sailor Moon?
Who are the other members of the Shitennou that Zoisite is a part of in Sailor Moon?
How does Zoisite's outfit reflect his character in Sailor Moon?
Nomenclature & Etymology[]
Like the other Shitennou, he is named after a mineral: zoisite.
Appearance[]
Zoisite has wavy auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail. The ponytail is held in a green band. Zoisite has a blue-grey suit with green trim. He has a thin black belt, tall black boots, white gloves, and small green stud earrings.
Information[]
Zoisite's first appearance in the anime was during Nephrite's first active episode. He and Nephrite were invariably at odds, always taunting him when one of his plans failed, and becoming crestfallen when Nephrite was still in charge. He became more upset when Nephrite began directing his plans away from collecting energy and began searching for the Silver Crystal. A task Zoisite was charged with. Upon believing that Nephrite betrayed the Dark Kingdom, Zoisite sent three of his personal Youma after him, one of which killed Nephrite and took his Black Crystal, though the Sailor Senshi destroyed the Youma. Zoisite took up the reigns immediately after Nephrite's death, where he used the Black Crystal to locate individuals with the Seven Rainbow Crystals inside of them. Unlike preceding commanders, Zoisite never bothered creating any civilian disguise. When he found his target, he would take the first opportunity to extract the Rainbow Crystal. He was able to successfully obtain some of them, however, Tuxedo Mask shared this victory as well.
Eventually, Zoisite challenged Tuxedo Mask to a duel for the Rainbow Crystals, under orders from Queen Beryl to bring him to the Dark Kingdom. However, Zoisite deliberately disobeyed Queen Beryl by attempting to immolate Mamoru Chiba in an elevator (ironically bringing Usagi with him by mistake), then stabbing him with an ice crystal, nearly killing him. When the Rainbow Crystals united and merged into the Silver Crystal, Sailor Moon transformed into Princess Serenity and defeated Zoisite with an unnamed attack. Upon his return to the Dark Kingdom, Zoisite was killed by Queen Beryl for his disobedience. He died in Kunzite's arms as Queen Beryl informed Kunzite to let Zoisite's death be a warning to him if he ever harms Prince Endymion.
Near the end of the 1st season, Zoisite was seen in a flashback of when the Dark Kingdom invaded the Moon Kingdom, standing beside his fellow Shitennou members. He was also mentioned by a dying Kunzite, who called out to his soul in limbo.
Powers[]
Zoisite teleported with an effect of petals surrounding him. He was also able to levitate in the air, as well as levitate the Rainbow Crystals towards him. He used these petals to distract Tuxedo Mask and the Sailor Senshi, and he was also capable of transforming them into needles. Sometimes, he called out "Zoi!" when using his rose petals.
He has displayed abilities of pyrokinesis twice: he initially created a ring of flames to corner Motoki and Reika (the latter being one of the Seven Great Youma), then later tried to incinerate Usagi and Mamoru by blowing up an elevator. He could also conjure up shards of ice/crystal, and attempted to stab Mamoru Chiba at least three times.
Trivia[]
- Zoisite was the only Shitennou who both owned Youma and created other Youma from human beings.
- In the Russian dub, Zoisite was mistakenly called "Jadeite" in the early episodes.
- In the Spanish dub, Zoisite is consistently called "Ziosite" by almost the entire cast; only Nephrite calls her (Zoisite is female in that version) by her correct name: "Zoisite".
- When attacking his foes or using the Black Crystal, Zoisite has a verbal tic of shouting the first syllable of his name.
- Zoisite's gender changed in several of the dubs, mainly due to his homosexual relationship with Kunzite being considered inappropriate for the target audience of the dubs including the DiC English dub. This is also because he impersonated Sailor Moon at one point. The Viz Media English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Russian, Greek, Hungarian, Korean, and Cantonese dubs, as well as the Polish version, were among the ones in which Zoisite remained a man. In the Swedish dub, he was also female but in this case, it was because the translators found his original Japanese voice so feminine they didn't realize he was a man in the first place.[1]
- In the Spanish dub, the censorship consisted of making him Kunzite's nephew and erasing any couple-evidence in the dialogues. Despite that, visual evidence remained.
- Zoisite makes a brief cameo in episode 70; when Koan hits Yuichiro, a chibi of him can be seen.
- He and Kunzite were the first same-sex couple followed by Sailor Neptune and Uranus.
- He is the second villain to disguise himself as one of the heroes when disguised as Sailor Moon. The first being Nephrite when he disguised himself as Tuxedo Mask. Coincidentally, he and Nephrite had a combative relationship, similar to that of Usagi and Mamoru's at the time.
- He is one of the only villains to disguise himself as a Sailor Senshi.