Naoko Takeuchi, the legendary creator of Sailor Moon, opened up about her history with Christopher Nolan following The Odyssey‘s global box-office success. She also shared her candid thoughts on Matt Damon, Zendaya and more.
As The Odyssey nears $1.7 billion at the global box office, Nolan’s latest blockbuster continues to expand internationally, with Japan marking its latest theatrical release on Sept. 11, 2026. To mark the release, Takeuchi shared her thoughts on Nolan’s interpretation of the ancient Greek epic, which has earned strong reviews despite generating debate over some of its creative choices. Per Movie Walker Press, Takeuchi also revealed her history with Nolan’s work and shared her thoughts on the actors behind his latest film.
Sailor Moon Creator Naoko Takeuchi Reveals Her Surprising History With Christopher Nolan
Takeuchi began by revealing how she first discovered Christopher Nolan’s work. It was The Prestige, the acclaimed 2006 film starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival stage magicians in Victorian London. Amusingly, she didn’t see the film in theaters; instead, she discovered it at a Johannesburg hotel with her husband, Yoshihiro Togashi (the creator of Hunter x Hunter), and their son during a South African safari.
“With nothing to do, my husband and son started watching a movie on the TV in our room: The Prestige,” she explained. “Even though I didn’t understand English, I was engrossed, and my husband kept saying how interesting it was and watched it over and over. Our whole family became captivated by Nolan’s work. Nolan’s works have a unique atmosphere.”
This is where Takeuchi turns her attention to The Odyssey and Nolan’s apparent specialty: casting “sexy, handsome older men.”
“A fantasy masterpiece filmed in six countries and influenced by Ray Harryhausen (whom I also love!)!” she exclaims. “It’s actually a simple story of a father and son. A son who longs for his father and waits for him, a wife who suffers, and a good-for-nothing husband, occasionally tempted by women. […] Matt Damon seemed like a husband who was holed up and never came home. I was angry at the protagonist for being hung up on a woman for seven years. But I understand.”
Takeuchi praised The Odyssey for delivering “a sense of satisfaction” as it takes viewers on a “three-hour journey” through Odysseus’ story. “This is a travel story, but it might be surprisingly relatable. A real-time message lives within the nostalgia, and it hits you right in the heart. And you are hurt and tormented second by second.”
She also praised the “tons of sexy, handsome older men” featured in the film. “Handsome older men are Nolan’s specialty,” said Takeuchi. “The dazzlingly handsome design of the Trojan Horse, the sweaty, handsome old man inside it, and the scene on the ship returning home are all sensual and thrilling.”
Although Takeuchi wished Zendaya had worn a dress befitting the goddess Athena, she acknowledged that this interpretation of the character is more about bestowing wisdom and guidance than war. “She’s a bit like a lover or mistress,” she said. “Well, that’s to be expected from a movie made by the handsome Nolan.”
The original Sailor Moon anime TV series and its 2014 reboot, Sailor Moon Crystal, are available to stream on multiple platforms, including Crunchyroll, Netflix and Hulu/Disney+. Kodansha distributes the manga in the U.S.
- Video Game(s)
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Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon R, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kotaete Moon Call!, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshiokiyo!, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Fuwa Fuwa Panikku 2, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jougai Rantou!? Shuyaku Soudatsusen, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Zenin Senkai!! Shuyaku Soudatsusen
- Cast
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Kotono Mitsuishi, Aya Hisakawa, Michie Tomizawa, Emi Shinohara, Rica Fukami, Toru Furuya, Keiko Han, Yasuhiro Takato, Shino Kakinuma
