It’s easy to overlook the smallest details in long-running anime, especially when the main storylines are so attention-grabbing. However, for those willing to explore more,Sailor Moonoffersa wealth of Easter eggs that go beyond nostalgic callbacks or inside jokes.Some of the most surprising nods are more than just internal references and directly pay tribute toHunter x Hunter.
These connections aren’t coincidental. Naoko Takeuchi, the creator ofSailor Moon, is married to Yoshihiro Togashi, the mind behindHunter x Hunter. Their creative worldsoccasionally overlap in subtle yet meaningful ways.Although often easy to overlook, these crossovers add depth to both series, revealing more about the creators’ relationship and vision than most fans realize.
Sailor Moon and Hunter x Hunter’s Creators Are Married in Real Life
Sailor Moon and Hunter x Hunter Are Some of the Most Popular Anime IPs
Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi areamong the most influential creators in manga history, each famous for their popular series. Takeuchi’sSailor Moonrevolutionized the magical girl genre in the early ‘90s, while Togashi’sHunter x Hunteris known for its intense battles, suspense, and deconstruction of typical shōnen tropes. On the surface, their creative paths may seem different, but behind the scenes, they have been married since 1999.
There are very few anime that have achieved the samecultural reach and impact asSailor Moon. First serialized in 1991, the series became a worldwide phenomenon, introducing countless viewers to anime and transforming the way female-led action stories are told. With its distinctive visual style and universal themes of friendship and empowerment, along with memorable transformation sequences, the series became a landmark in the history of magical girl anime.
Sailor Mooneven broke new groundas a story featuring queer representation alongside strong female characters at a time when such representation was uncommon. Its legacy continues to thrive through reboots, merchandise, and a dedicated fanbase, even thirty years after its debut.
Meanwhile,Hunter x Hunterhas earned its place as one of themost respected and enduring shōnen anime seriesof all time. Known for its unpredictable storytelling and morally complex characters, the seriesconsistently defies genre expectations while delivering intense action and emotional depth.
Togashi’s approach to world-building and character psychology has influenced a generation of creators and captivated audiences worldwide. Despite its well-known production delays due to Togashi’s health,Hunter x Hunterremains a thoughtful andboundary-pushing story that challenges what shōnen manga can achieve.
Crossovers Between the Series Tell a Bigger Story
Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi Draw Inspiration From Each Other
WhileSailor MoonandHunter x Hunterexist in very different worlds, they share subtle, intentional connections thathighlight the personal and creative bond between their creators.In one scene inSailor Moon, the words “Greed Island” can be seen printed on an arcade machine behind Usagi and Ami, referencing the name of a major arc inHunter x Hunter.
It’s a quick, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference, but fans have long recognized the nod to Togashi’s work. There are even character design similarities across both series. Certain background characters inSailor Moonresemble figures inHunter x Hunter, indicating mutual inspiration between the two iconic creators.
These hidden Easter eggs give fans something to discuss while also showing respect for each other’s work.
Hunter x Hunterfeatures a scene where Bisky summons Cookie-chan, which is strikingly similar to the Sailor Guardians’ transformation scenes. Notably, Alluka can be seen playing with dolls resembling Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. These nodsserve as proof of the personal admiration and inspiration the creators had for each other.
These gestures and nods can even be seen in Togashi’s earlier series,Yu Yu Hakusho, where Kurama briefly mimics Tuxedo Mask’s signature rose toss. Along with another instance of Koenma directly cosplaying the character, Togashi makes it one of the more outright references to Takeuchi’s influence.
While these moments might seem playful on the surface, they actuallysuggest a deeper connection between the creators that extends into their creative works. These crossovers demonstrate how storytelling can be an act of collaboration, even when series stand independently. These hidden Easter eggs give fans something to discuss while also showing respect for each other’s work.
Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi’s subtle nods stand out as a visual of something much deeper, personal, and endearing. As two brilliant creators, their work continues to influence anime and manga worldwide and each other. WhileSailor MoonandHunter x Hunter’sstories may be vastly different, that doesn’t stop their creators from drawing on each other for creative inspiration.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moonis a magical girl franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. It began as a manga in 1991 and was adapted into an anime series in 1992. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a middle school girl who transforms into Sailor Moon to protect Earth from evil forces. The franchise spans five original anime seasons, films, musicals, video games, and a reboot series,Sailor Moon Crystal. Its global impact has made it a cultural icon and one of the most successful shōjo franchises in history.
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter × Hunteris a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
