Photo/Illutration An illustration for a manhole cover featuring a “Sailor Moon” character that will make its debut in Tokyo’s Minato Ward (Provided by Minato Ward)

Manhole covers featuring illustrations from “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” are about to make their debut in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.

Protagonists from the manga franchise that surged in popularity during the 1990s will show up in spots that feature the main action.

It will be the first time in Japan for designs based on the comic series to adorn sewer lids. They will make their appearance by the end of March.

“We expect hordes of fans in and outside Japan to visit our town,” said a Minato Ward representative. “It would be fantastic if they explore the whole ward.”

In the “Sailor Moon” girls’ manga created by Naoko Takeuchi, girls transform into Pretty Guardians to join forces in their fights against enemies. The comic, alongside its TV anime adaptation that first aired in 1992, has throngs of diehard fans both in Japan and overseas.

In the comic series, the protagonist in the series, Usagi Tsukino, and her friends spend their daily lives in the Azabu-Juban district in Minato Ward. Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park and many other spots in the ward also crop up.

Five types of manhole covers will be fitted in March. They will be decorated with images of the five Sailor Guardians as well as Tuxedo Mask.

The specialized lids will be installed in places such as those near Tokyo Tower and at the entrance to the Azabu-Juban Shotengai shopping street. All those sites are sacred to fans of “Sailor Moon.”

Minato Ward is planning to distribute a souvenir and a “manhole map” to specify the locations of special covers.

For more details, visit the ward’s website at (https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/citypromotion/manhole.html).

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