The Silver Millennium was golden-age of an ancient civilization in the famous series, Sailor Moon. It existed 1000 years ago (english dub reference) on the Moon located at Mare Serenitatis (The Sea of Serenity) and was ruled by Queen Serenity. It was an age of peace and glowed with light, and was home of the Mystical Silver Crystal.
The Silver Millennium's duty was to watch over the Earth and protect it from evil with the Mystical Silver Crystal. However, the Earth people envied the Moon people's longevity and disruption was caused between the two kingdoms. The last straw came when the prince of Earth, Endymion, fell in love with the Moon Princess, Serenity.
An evil force from the Sun, named Metallia landed on Earth and used an Earth noble, Beryl to establish the Dark Kingdom with her as its ruler. Beryl recruited the Shitennou who were in service of Prince Endymion, and used the jealousy of the Earth people to attack the Moon Kingdom and it was thus destroyed at the cost of many lives including the lovers that unintentionally sparked it, bringing an end to the Silver Millennium. Queen Serenity used the Silver Crystal to ensure that her daughter and Endymion, along with the Sailor Senshi, would be reincarnated a thousand years later on Earth in the 20th century in hopes that her daughter and her love would have a happier lifetime.
The Moon Kingdom was later rebuilt at the end of the Dark Kingdom Arc of the manga to mark a new Silver Millennium, but Usagi Tsukino wished to live on Earth with Mamoru Chiba.
Later, in the Black Moon Kingdom Arc, it is revealed that a new Silver Millennium came to be in the city of Crystal Tokyo in the 30th century, ruled by Usagi and Mamoru under the names of Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion.
In contrast, the Moon Kingdom was never rebuilt at the end of Sailor Moon anime series, instead the Sailor Senshi's memories were encrypted, something that did not happen in the manga. But the new Silver Millennium in the 30th century was used in Sailor Moon R, albeit under the name of "Crystal Tokyo".
Also, Silver Millennium, also relates to the mark on the descendants of the Moon Kingdom Royal Family: The crescent moon symbols on the foreheads of Queen Serenity, Sailor Moon and Chibi Moon. It is often referred to as "The Mark of the Silver Millennium".
The Shitennou or Shitennô ("Four Kings") are Queen Beryl's four subordinates in the various incarnations of Sailor Moon, each is named after minerals of the same name (See Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Kunzite). Various adaptations use slight variations on the names. In the English version, Kunzite is renamed Malachite reportedly due to trademark ownership of the original name in the United States. The Spanish adaptation was initially based on the U.S. version thus they use the English names for these characters.
In the manga, they functioned as the four guardians and best friends of Earth's prince, Endymion. This plot element was reintroduced in the live action series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon as well as all four living to see the end of the series. They are sometimes referred to among fans as "Generals" (though the term was never used in any form of the series) in reference to their position in the Dark Kingdom. The original title, "shitennou", comes from Buddhist mythology.
Jadeite is the first and lowest in rank of the Shitennou, possibly due to his misogyny (one of the reasons why he fights the Sailor Senshi is because they are females). However, in the American dub, this misogyny is greatly downplayed. He is the Far Eastern Commander. He is often considered the least developed character of the first story arc.
In the manga Jadeite was the first of the kings to appear. His mission was to track down the Ginzuishou but eventually led to gathering life energy to awaken Queen Metallia. Jadeite had very little interaction with his fellow Shitennou in the manga and was only seen with Nephrite who would ridicule the first king when his grand schemes failed. Nevertheless, when Jadeite was killed at the hands of the newly awakened Sailor Mars (whom he expressed at least a physical attraction to) Nephrite vowed to avenge his fallen comrade.
When the power of the Ginzuishou was finally revealed Jadeite was briefly returned to life with his fellow Shitennou and pledged his loyalty to Prince Endymion, his former master, once again. Unfortunately he and the rest returned to their native crystal forms shortly afterward. Later in the manga series Jadeite and the other Shitennou would appear in visions to Endymion to counsel and advise him in times of trouble.
Again, Jadeite appeared as the first of Queen Beryl's kings. His mission was essentially the same as in the manga though expanded to cover a number of new plots. He was subservient to Beryl to a fault and endured each successive punishment for his failures with the resolve to reform his tactics to better please the queen.
Jadeite used disguises to great extent becoming all manner of personas including a radio DJ (called J-Dite as a sort of pun), captain of a cruise ship, and even a member of Rei's temple. In the English dub he is invariably referred to as "Jed" in these guises. His power was formidable and manifested itself through illusions and telekenetic manipulation. Jadeite was able to control Sailor Moon's tiara and render it harmless. He also apparently loved conjuring new and exciting ways to traverse vast distances through teleportation.
Inevitably his failures led to the Queen's loss of faith in Jadeite and he was issued an ultimatum: destroy the Sailor Senshi or face the punishment of Eternal Sleep. Jadeite poured all his effort into the final assault, threatening the destruction of Tokyo should the Senshi not agree to his duel. In a final showdown Jadeite threw down Tuxedo Mask and very nearly succeeded in destroying the Senshi though in the end their teamwork and a well-placed curse from Rei rendered Jadeite the victim of his own trap. Upon returning to the Dark Kingdom with the news that he had learned the secret identities of the Senshi on his lips, Queen Beryl encased him in an impenetrable ice crystal and condemned him to his restless Eternal Sleep.
(See more about Jadeite in the Rei/Jadeite couple page)
All of the Shitennou had their roles expanded greatly in the live action series yet Jadeite remained largely as he had in all previous incarnations. He was loyal to Queen Beryl, almost sickeningly so, and at many points in the series she would refer to Jadeite as the only one she could trust within the ranks of the Shitennou. He was in almost constant competition with Nephrite for the affections of the Queen though Jadeite remained in her favor for his entire length of service.
Jadeite was entrusted with missions ranging from gathering energy to spying on his fellow warriors to attacking the Senshi. His powers were formidable though as it was shown in a duel with Kunzite he was certainly the least seasoned of the group. He preferred the use of twin daggers in hand-to-hand combat and his projectile energy attacks were violet in color.
Faced with the task of destroying Sailor Moon he sought aid in Zoisite who guided the younger king on his first mind-flight; a process which gravely injured him and led to Jadeite reverting to his native crystal form until midway through the series when he was revived again by Metallia's growing power. Jadeite was torn between loyalties when Endymion came to the Dark Kingdom but continued to be Queen Beryl's go-to guy. At the end of the series, with the Dark Kingdom collapsing around them, Beryl released Jadeite from her mind controlling spell and urged him to flee for his life. Jadeite refused, declaring that Beryl remained his master by choice. However, this doesn't last, and at the near-end of Act 49, he again calls Endymion his master and friend. In the Special Act, he assisted in the battle against the Pierrot monsters and attended his master and Usagi's wedding.
Nephrite, known as Neflyte in the North American adaption, is the second of the Shitennou to appear and second highest in rank (based on his epaulettes). He is the North American commander.
Nephrite was the second of the four Shitennou and began his reign as king after the defeat of Jadeite. His primary goal was to locate the Ginzuishou. The loss of the first king enraged Nephrite and the desire to avenge his fallen companion was the main driving force behind Nephrite's efforts. Nephrite would use a "shadow" of himself to attack his victims which would possess them and allow his control over their bodies, simultaneously draining their energy in the process. His final scheme involved the possession of Motoki who in turn passed this corruption on to Makoto. Mamoru rescued them from the Shadow and in revenge Sailor Jupiter struck down Nephrite and killed him.
Nephrite assumed Jadeite's position after the latter was banished into Eternal Sleep by Queen Beryl. He criticized Jadeite's methods of collecting energy explaining that he tried to attack too many people at once. Nephrite hypothesized that he could gather more energy from a single person than Jadeite could from a hundred based on a person's intonation with the stars. Nephrite could tap into this natural rhythm to find people who were reaching their maximum "energy potential" and then drain it for Metallia.
Nephrite used an alter ego named Sanjouin Masato in the anime. He looks identical in this form but assumes the identity of a wealthy businessman / socialite. The name is changed to "Maxfield Stanton" in the English dub. In this guise, he inadvertently attracts the attention and later affections of Naru (Molly).
After many attempts to simply gather energy, many of which were deemed successful by Queen Beryl, he resigned his efforts to locating the Ginzuishou. This infuriated Zoisite, the third king, who would relentlessly taunt and ridicule him. Nevertheless Nephrite was able to develop a homing device that would track down the Ginzuishou. Oddly enough, the black crystal would only react to the presence of Naru and Nephrite correctly assumed it was reacting to the power of her love for the king.
In the end Nephrite also developed feelings for the redhead which gave Zoisite the necessary edge to eliminate the former king. Zoisite's minions captured Naru whom Nephrite summarily rescued. In the process he admitted his feelings for the girl and gave a genuine smile, as well as a good laugh. Then, Zoisite's minions attacked again and Nephrite took a piercing vine through his shoulder to protect Naru as well as a direct attack from another of the assassins. He gave up the homing crystal he created to save Naru's life, professing his regret for lying to her so much and died in her arms.
(read more about Nephlite in the Nephlite/Makoto couple page)
Nephrite was the second king to appear and was Jadeite's main rival for the admiration of Queen Beryl. His role in the series was greatly downplayed and Nephrite became somewhat of the black sheep in the Dark Kingdom acting as the whipping boy and favorite target of Kunzite's ridicule. Queen Beryl herself even declared Nephrite useless and at one point noted off-handedly that he should do something to prove his continued existence would be worthwhile.
Nephrite was humiliated by the Senshi time and time again and was all but banished by Queen Beryl for it. During this time Dark Sailor Mercury came onto the scene. She found Nephrite brooding in a lonely corner of the Kingdom and mentioned that she hated to see anyone so alone. She went so far as to mend a large tear he had developed in his cape.
Later, Beryl welcomed Nephrite back into the fold when the memories of the Shitennou began to reemerge. In an effort to lure Mamoru to the Dark Kingdom Beryl used the Shitennou against him, taking control of their bodies and forcing them to level weapons at themselves. She declared that unless Mamoru came to the Dark Kingdom and submitted to her power that the Shitennou would commit suicide. Mamoru agreed and Princess Serenity finally revealed herself as Usagi. Beryl ordered Mamoru to destroy her or face the consequences. To demonstrate her power over him she forced Nephrite to impale himself on his sword and he fell dead.
Almost immediately afterward Nephrite was reborn as a normal human though with all his memories of the Dark Kingdom and Beryl intact. Inexplicably he began working with Motoki at the Crown Karaoke bar and later seemed to forge a friendship with Ami Mizuno.
When the Sailor Princess destroyed the Earth again, Nephrite was seen disappearing along with the others in the overdrive. When the Sailor Princess and Endymion restored the earth again, Nephrite was not seen alive on the earth. Instead, he and his other Shitennou companions appeared to Mamoru, professing his loyalty to him and promising that they will appear when they are needed. This proves true in the Special Act when he and the other Shitennou were revived and assisted in the battle against the Pierrot monsters, later attending his master and Usagi's wedding.
Zoisite is the third of the Shitennou. He is the European commander. Of the four Shitennou, Zoisite has undergone the most drastic changes from version to version.
In the manga Zoisite first appears as Jadeite is being chewed out by Queen Beryl following a failed mission. He later appears after Nephrite's demise and his emotions get the better of him as he shrieks out the name of the lost king in sorrow. Kunzite then makes his entrance counseling Zoisite and offering the advice to "use his head" more than the other two failed kings. Zoisite's plans to gather energy generally involve him dressing up as a girl which opens up several aspects of his personality and maintains that he is not simply boyishly effeminate.
His first mission was to locate the Ginzuishou and follows several leads through news reports and press releases. In the end Tuxedo Mask's involvement was revealed and nearly the whole population of Tokyo was out looking for the mythical Silver Crystal so Zoisite switched his tactics to gathering energy instead. He does this in a spectacular way by using the Tokyo Tower to drain the energy of everyone in the city who was in contact with the video waves eminating from the tower.
Kunzite is almost always shown with Zoisite and a relationship between the two is hinted at but nothing concrete is ever shown. They strategize together and Zoisite expresses concern about his own abilities and of those of the Senshi. Zoisite eventually devises a scheme to steal energy using electronic means, specifically rental movies that brainwash and hypnotize their victims. The Senshi arrive on the scene to confront Zoisite who in turn defeats them with almost startling ease. He was about to kill Sailor Moon when a curious Crescent Boomerang care of the newly arrived Sailor Venus quite literally cut him to shreds.
Zoisite appeared the same time Nephrite came to power. The former king would cajole and ridicule the latter, often citing Jadeite's failures and comparing the two men on an intellectual level. Zoisite was resentful that Nephrite was chosen to replace the fallen king, feeling that it was his right to pick up where Jadeite had failed. The rivalry escalated from there with Zoisite taking every possible opportunity to make Nephrite look foolish, often in sight of the Queen.
Worried that Nephrite would achieve his goal of the Silver Crystal, Zoisite sought counsel with the fourth king, Kunzite, with whom he shared a more than passing affection. Kunzite advised his lover to keep an eye on Nephrite's progress and his newly developed Black Homing Crystal. Zoisite watched first hand as the crystal led Nephrite to Naru and his dormant human emotions began to emerge, saving the girl time and time again from danger. Finally Zoisite sprung a trap and kidnapped the human girl and forced an exchange for her life: Naru for Nephrite's Homing Crystal. Nephrite agreed, but only after one of Zoisite's three youma assassins dealt him a mortal wound and left him to die in Naru's arms.
Completely unfazed Zoisite then took control of the search for the Ginzuishou. It was revealed that the mystical Silver Crystal had been split into seven component parts known as the Nijizuishou, or Rainbow Crystals. Competing against both the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask, Zoisite managed to collect five. To win the final two the king challenged Tuxedo Mask to a duel, circumstances of which led to the masked hero learning Sailor Moon's true identity and vice-versa. Using several underhanded tactics Zoisite secured the seven crystals and, in defiance of Queen Beryl's orders, attempted to kill Tuxedo Mask.
Unfortunately for the third king the wound he dealt to Mamoru caused the long dormant memories of the Moon Princess to awaken within Usagi. The tears she shed over her fallen love caused the seven Rainbow Crystals to merge back together into the Silver Crystal. Zoisite was powerless against the Princess and fled to the Dark Kingdom where instead of asylum he was met with Queen Beryl's wrath. Angered beyond belief at his attempt to murder Tuxedo Mask, Queen Beryl mortally wounded the king as punishment. Zoisite begged his love Kunzite to grant his final wish and allow him to die beautifully. He died in Kunzite's arms amidst a hail of his beloved sakura petals.
It is interesting to note that in the American dub both Nephrite and Kunzite pronounce Zoisite's name properly, phonetically the way the name of the mineral is spelled. All other characters including the Senshi and Queen Beryl pronounce it with the new spelling of "Zoycite", stressing the first syllable "Zoy" heavily. Why the spelling of a legitimate word was changed is unknown.
Zoisite was by far the most enigmatic of the Shitennou in the live action version. Many of his powers were effected as he played his piano, including an early attempt on the hidden Moon Princess' life through his composition, "Requiem for a Princess." He would often play commonly recognized compositions including Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu," and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."
Early in the series, he came face to face with Tuxedo Mask whom he recognized from his past life as his master, Endymion. Shortly thereafter, he was defeated by Sailor Venus and reverted to a zoisite stone. Like Jadeite, he was revived later in the series as a sign of Queen Metallia's growing power. Zoisite retained his memories of the Silver Millennium and would attempt, through his music, in a kind of astral projection, to reach out to Endymion, reborn as Chiba Mamoru. He would also use this music to attempt to awaken the memories of his fellow Shitennou with which he had varying degrees of success.
When Kunzite arrived in the Dark Kingdom he confronted Zoisite about his efforts to revive the memories of Endymion. Kunzite threatened him, preferring Mamoru to remain ignorant, making Kunzite's plans for revenge against his former master that much easier. Zoisite shrugged off Kunzite's threats and continued as he had, often enduring punishments from Queen Beryl to whom he held no loyalty. Even so, he was often shown as being the most intelligent and skillful of the Shitennou such as when he assited Jadeite with his first "mind flight" though the process seriously injured the younger king and set him dormant for a time. He attempted to reawaken Nephrite's past memories, but Queen Beryl's hold proved too strong and he recovered no more than the understanding that Endymion had been his master in the past. During the course of all these events Zoisite would appear to Mamoru and it was his counsel that convinced Mamoru to accept his past life as Endymion and fight for the well-being of the planet again.
Later, Mamoru himself was brought to the Dark Kingdom and Zoisite continued to defend him against both Queen Beryl and Kunzite. Because of a stone implanted in Mamoru's body by Queen Beryl, he would fall gravely ill and his lifespan would shorten every time he was thought of Usagi. Zoisite offered to trade his life for Mamoru's which Queen Beryl rejected. However, she suggested that she would perhaps accept the life of the Princess (Usagi) instead. Zoicite then sent his youma to kill Usagi. He would have succeeded in this had the words of Mamoru not swayed him. His master explained that he had remained captive in the Dark Kingdom for the sake of the Shitennou and to keep the planet safe and were their places exchanged, would Zoisite not have done the same? In the end Zoisite died, protecting Sailor Moon from the Metallia-possessed youma while the other Sailor Senshi were occupied with his own youma. With his dying breath, he reached out to his master and his fellow Shitennou again with his music before his piano finally fell silent and the king died.
However, Zoisite's noble spirit lived on and he pledged his loyalty to Endymion once more near the end of the final act. Years later with the return of Kuroki Mio the Shitennou were once again called upon to serve their master and Zoisite fought at Endymion's side, later attending the wedding of Mamoru and Usagi.
Kunzite is the fourth and final member of the Shitennou. He is the Middle East commander and is very assertive. Kunzite was described by Naoko Takeuchi herself as "the greatest and best of the four generals." In each version, Kunzite is the strongest male foe of the Sailor Senshi short of Prince Endymion. In the English version his name is Malachite.
Kunzite is first shown acting in an advisory role to Zoisite, often helping the younger, less experienced king formulate plans of attack for gathering energy. Kunzite showed little regard for the fate of his fellow Shitennou and indeed seemed rather impassive when Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite were killed off. Even so, Queen Beryl tells Kunzite that if they recover the Ginzuishou the fallen Shitennou could then be revived. As per Queen Beryl's orders, Kunzite attacked the Sailor Senshi at the Tokyo Tower and defeated them swiftly. Sailor Moon was about to be destroyed by Kunzite's attack when Tuxedo Mask jumped in and took the hit for her, nearly killing himself in the process. Her heart broken by his sacrifice, she regained her memories as the Moon Princess and the Ginzuishou appeared, the light washing over everyone including Kunzite.
In this moment he too regained his memories of the past and was torn between his loyalty to Beryl and Endymion. He witnessed the brief rebirth of his fellow Shitennou but they quickly decomposed into their mineral forms again. Beryl then ordered Kunzite to capture the Princess and her Silver Crystal. Confused by his emotions and newfound memories Kunzite instead takes Mamoru with him back to the Dark Kingdom. Upon questioning Beryl about the Shitennou and Endymion, she tells him that they can not be revived now that their bodies have turned to stone. Also, upon hearing Kunzite call Mamoru by his true name, Endymion, she ramps up her brianwashing and implants a shard of kunzite crytal into his forehead. This leaves Kunzite little more than a zombie. In a blind rage Kunzite again attacks the senshi, singling out Sailor Moon and attempting to wrestle the Ginzuishou away from her. They fly up into the atmosphere where they battle ferociously but in the end Kunzite is defeated by a Sailor Planet Attack, leaving only the piece of kunzite stone behind.
In the final battle against Queen Metallia it was Kunzite who traversed the dimensions and appeared to Mamoru to inform him that the creature's weakness lay in a point on its forehead, which he and Usagi managed to exploit and end the demon queen's plans of conquest for good.
Kunzite was first shown with Zoisite plotting against the second king, Nephrite. The two were quite obviously lovers and Zoisite would cling to Kunzite for support and guidance. Together they managed to collect all seven of the Rainbow Crystals but just when things were looking up for the Dark Kingdom, Zoisite made a grave mistake and attacked Tuxedo Mask. This cost him his life and revealed Sailor Moon as the Moon Princess, also awakening the power of the Ginzuishou. Zoisite was killed for his disobedience and Kunzite fell into a depression, though his loyalty to Queen Beryl did not waver in the slightest.
He took the injured Mamoru back to the Dark Kingdom as per Beryl's instructions and he was transformed into an agent of the Dark Kingdom. Kunzite greatly resented being forced to work with Endymion but nevertheless carried out his assignments out of obedience. He grew increasingly suspicious of Endymion because he would foil Kunzite's plans and continue to, in a somewhat macabre way, protect Sailor Moon and the senshi, beliving that innocent humans need not be harmed in the process of achieving their goals. Beryl herself began to doubt Endymion's loyalty and gave Kunzite the task of keeping tabs on Endymion.
After many defeats Endymion was cured of Beryl's brainwashing, albeit temporarily, then whisked away to the Dark Kingdom again. The senshi resolved to find the entrance to the Dark Kingdom, recover Mamoru, and end the threat once and for all. Kunzite met them in battle at the D Point during which the senshi's past memories of the Moon Kingdom were restored. Kunzite lashed out with an energy boomerang attack that took out all the senshi except for Sailor Moon. In a last defiant effort Kunzite attacked her but the projectile was deflected back at him and pierced him. He died crying out to Zoisite, begging his love to meet him on the other side.
Kunzite first appears as a human named Shin who recovers Motoki's missing pet turtle. He confesses to Usagi that he doesn't remember anything about himself and it reminds her of Tuxedo Kamen. She tries to help him by buying him a gift but he spontaneously transforms into an agent of the Dark Kingdom calling himself Kunzite.
The fourth and final king acts extremely independently and seems to hold very little loyalty towards Queen Beryl. In fact, Kunzite wants nothing more than to control the power of Metallia himself. Zoisite attempts to return his memories through his piano playing which works on Kunzite better than the rest of the Shitennou. He feels extreme contempt for Prince Endymion who he believes betrayed them in ages past and left them for dead. Kunzite resolves to exact his revenge on Endymion by usurping the power of Metallia. Nevertheless, he continues to serve Queen Beryl, sending out youma and assisting the other Shitennou, Jadeite in particular.
At one point he manages to use his considerable psychic powers to turn Ami Mizuno into Dark Sailor Mercury. She tends to act of her own will even while she is under Kunzite's control and he seems to exhibit at least a passing fancy for her. His motives for luring her to the Dark Kingdom are unclear, though it does give him the upper hand when dealing with the senshi. After a brief period Dark Mercury is returned to normal by the strength of Usagi's friendship and Kunzite returns to plotting his revenge against Endymion.
The chance eventually presents itself when Mamoru comes to the Dark Kingdom. Kunzite greets him with the tip of his sword, the rest of the Shitennou trying to figure out who to side with. Jadeite, under orders from Queen Beryl, attempts to kill Endymion but at the last moment Kunzite throws himself between the two men and takes the hit. He collapses in Endymion's arms and professes his loyalty to his former Master again before finally dying.
Years later in the Special Act, with the return of Kuroki Mio the Shitennou were once again called upon to serve their master and Kunzite fought at Endymion's side, later attending the wedding of Mamoru and Usagi.
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