One of the most famous aspects of theSailor Moonseries is the classic transformation sequence. Usagi Tsukino calls upon the power of her transformation brooch and disappears into a new world. Ribbons, feathers, and light envelop her silhouette, each transforming into the different parts of her costume, while jazzy music plays, until she’s the heroine Sailor Moon. The other Sailor Senshi each have their own transformation sequences, often evoking their individual elements.
Sailor Moon
The transformation sequence has become an archetype of magical girlanime, but has even been referenced in other media from around the world. DC, in particular, seems particularly fond of these transformation scenes. Quite a few of their famous superheroes have had their own magical girl transformation sequences over the years.
Often, this shows up in animated adaptations of their works, in both serious films and more comedic works. However, such sequences have even appeared on the printed page, as well. After all, there’s no reason superheroes can’t be fans of classic anime.
8Nightwing
In theInjusticemovie, Damian Wayne has become the new Robin, with Dick Grayson becoming the hero Nightwing. Unfortunately, Grayson ends up being slain by his successor, but he doesn’t stay down for too long. After his death, his spirit is summoned by the goddess Rama Kushna, who offers him a chance to be a hero beyond the grave, transforming him into Deadwing.
Even Death Can’t Stop a Good Henshin Hero
The goddess' statues emit light that swirls around Grayson, as she assures him he will now be imbued with her power. Eventually, he is transformed into a brand-new costume, complete with a new collar. The new hero can’t resist a quick quip, saying, “Well, it’s not the weirdest thing I’ve worn.”
As Deadwing, Grayson becomes a new incarnation of Deadman. Interestingly enough, the name “Deathwing” has appeared in other DC stories, often as a rival for Nightwing who merely thinks he’s the hero. Here, however, he is really the character’s alter-ego.
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Superman is famous for changing from Clark Kent into his alter-ego in a phone booth, but there are times when he changed up his transformation. It was only natural for the anime-influencedMy Adventures With Superman, for example, to pay homage to a classic anime transformation sequence with the Man of Steel.
A Pretty Cure-Style Superman
Early on in the series, Clark Kent tries to uncover his past using the tech he was sent to Earth with. After being granted a vision of him being sent to Earth by his father’s hologram, light transforms his clothing into what will become his famous Superman costume. Ma Kent, however, decides to make a few adjustments, including a belt and some shorts.
Officially, the sequence was inspired by Cure Mermaid’s transformation inGo! Princess Pretty Cure. This can especially be seen when Clark’s cape materializes, similar to Cure Mermaid’s fish-like tails that appear hanging off of her skirt. Concept art released on Diana Huh’s Twitter even described the scene as"Pretty Cure Style.“Stream on Max.
6Princess Amethyst
Princess Amethyst is a heroine from DC Comics. Initially born in Gemworld as a member of the royal family, she is hidden away and raised on Earth as a girl named Amy Winston. When she learns of her origins and returns to Germworld, she transforms into an older alter-ego and becomes Gemworld’s main protector. Over the years, anime fans have noticed Princess Amethyst’s similarities with later Japanese magical girl heroines, with her being seen as a predecessor of sorts.
A Magical Girl for the Isekai World
Naturally, this comparison tied in quite well when Amethyst was given her own miniseries in the DC Nation Shorts block. In this version, the heroine is seemingly a normal girl from Earth, Amy, who is magically sent into the world of her video game. Before landing in Gemworld, a tiara appears before her.
Touching it, the light transforms her into Princess Amethyst, going so far as to break her glasses and change her hair from blonde to red. She even gets a few weapons embedded into her costume. She then proceeds to fall down to Gemworld before her winged steed catches her.
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Batman is famousfor being a superhero without any superpowers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a magical transformation, especially in his imagination. In the second issue ofKnight Terrors: Batman, the Dark Knight is tormented with nightmares by the villain Insomnia. Batman, however, proves to be a match for the villain, knowing how to use the power of dreams to his advantage.
Transformation Sequences Aren’t Just for Cartoons
The bat insignia breaks into a bunch of streamers covering Batman’s torso, bringing to mind the magic ribbons that manifest from Sailor Moon’s brooch. Batman then appears with a new and improved costume, promising to give his new nightmare-themed enemy something to really be scared about.
The scene might have been a nod to a popular bit of canon. InJLA #27, Batman tells Martian Manhunter, who is disguised as a Japanese woman named “Hino Rei,” that his alias gives away the disguise. As “Hino Rei,” is famously Sailor Mars' civilian name in the original series, this scene has led fans of DC Comics to joke that Bruce Wayne must be a fan of Sailor Moon.
4The Teen Titans
Teen Titans Go!isa comedic takeon theTeen Titansseries, often using teenage superheroes to make a variety of pop culture references. Not only do they occasionally reference, and even meet, the other famous heroes of DC Comics, but other famous superheroes, even from around the world, occasionally get a nod.
Transformations Can be a Team Effort
In the episode “Leg Day,” Raven, donning the new leg-themed alter-ego Lady Legasus, decides to form the League of Legs with the other Titans. Having finished their training, the other four gain new identities, complete with magical girl-style transformations.
Cyborg has ribbons emerge from a medal and cover his torso, like in Sailor Moon’s classic transformation. Robin’s transformation also heavily evokes Sailor Moon’s Cosmic transformation, complete with him lifting his legs in the air as they become covered in ribbons. Both also focus on their sweatbands disappearing, mimicking Sailor Moon’s tiara.
Starfire’s transformation, which sees her transformed by lightning emerging from the ground, seems like a fusion of Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus' transformations, even ending the sequence posing like the former. The scene may have also been a nod to the fact thatSailor Moonaired on Cartoon Network in the U.S., much likeTeen Titans Go!. Cartoon Network even highlighted the scene ina YouTube video highlightingSailor Moon-inspired transformation sequences in their shows.Stream on Max.
3Green Lantern
Green Lantern: First Flightis an animated film, revolving around seeing Hal Jordan becoming the titular superhero. Early on, a dying Green Lantern, Abin Sur, summons Jordan, a test pilot, to his side to gift him the Green Lantern ring, allowing him to become a Green Lantern himself. The new uniform even comes complete with an anime-esque transformation.
The Power of Imagination
The ring glows on Hal Jordan’s finger, summoning ribbons of light that envelop his arm, eventually covering most of his body, as his eyes grow green. The Green Lantern insignia then glows in the background. The light is then either burnt away or cracks open, revealing Jordan in his Green Lantern uniform. Jordan eventually gains an eye mask. While already a traditional part of his costume, this is also a staple for a fewSailor Mooncharacters, like Tuxedo Mask or Sailor V.Rent on Apple TV.
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Starfire, also known as Koriand’r, is an alien princess who becomes a superheroine on Earth alongside the Teen Titans. In many ways, she’d fit right in with the Sailor Senshi, who are also a bunch of interplanetary superheroines that protect the Earth, and are even princesses in some versions. Starfire gets a deeper connection to themin the animated DC film,Justice League vs. Teen Titansmovie.
From One Alien Princess to Another
The film gives her a transformation scene, starting with her eyes glowing green. Her clothes disappear as her silhouetted body is engulfed by a cyclone of energy. The different parts of her superhero costume materialize until her transformation is complete. Beast Boy and Blue Beetle also get similar transformations in the movie, but Starfire’s sequence really evokes something straight out of a magical girl anime.
Director Sam Liuconfirmed on Twitter that the sequence was indeed inspired bySailor Moon. When asked why Starfire had a magical girl transformation,producer James Tuckersimply replied that transformation scenes were “cool.“Stream on Max.
1The DC Super Hero Girls
DC Super Hero Girlssees teenaged versions of many of DC Comics' heroines teaming up to fight crime in Metropolis. These include Barbara “Babs” Gordon, Diana Prince, Kara Danvers, Zee Zatara, Jessica Cruz, and Karen Beecher, the alter-egos of Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Zatanna, Green Lantern, and Bumblebee.
It’s Not Just the Good Guys Who Get Transformation Sequences
When changing into their alter-egos, the girls are sometimes shown to have their own transformation sequences. Wonder Woman arguably gets the mosttraditional “magical girl” sequence, with parts of her costume materializing out of light. Zatanna, being the main magic user of the group, conjures up a rain of playing cards, before forming her outfit out of mystical energy. Bumblebee powers up her armor with her necklace, which soon assembles itself piece by piece.
In a nod to her famous cousin, Supergirl shows she’s wearing her costume underneath, before flying down to Earth in her costume. Green Lantern transforms herself with the power of her ring. Batgirl goes the simple route, simply putting on her costume. That said, the good guys aren’t the only ones who transform. Their rivals, the Super Villain Girls, like Star Sapphire and Poison Ivy, get similar sequences, too.
