Prince Demande, a prominent antagonist in Sailor Moon, remains one of the most debated characters within the fanbase. While many viewers primarily recall Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts, characters like Demande from the Black Moon Clan have left a lasting impact due to their complex narratives. This villain, particularly in the first anime series, stands out for the controversy he stirs—especially concerning his dynamic with Sailor Moon.
Who is Prince Demande?
Prince Demande is a key member of the Black Moon Clan, a group exiled to the distant planet Nemesis in the 30th century. This future timeline, set in the era of Crystal Tokyo, features a near-immortal society ruled by Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, the future versions of Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon) and Mamoru Chiba (Tuxedo Mask). The Black Moon Clan, descendants of criminals, harbor resentment toward this prosperous society, and Demande himself grows particularly obsessed with Neo-Queen Serenity.
Upon seeing the queen, Demande becomes infatuated and begins a troubling quest to make her his own, despite her commitment to Endymion. Fueled by his obsession, Demande aims to aid the Black Moon Clan leader, Wiseman, in his vendetta against Crystal Tokyo. This obsession leads Demande to travel back in time to hunt Chibiusa, the daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity, and obtain the powerful Silver Crystal. His mission, however, quickly takes a personal turn when he encounters Usagi, Neo-Queen Serenity’s past self, further complicating his desires.
Diverging Endings: Manga vs. Anime
In the Sailor Moon manga, Prince Demande is portrayed as a typical “bishonen” or handsome, dangerous villain, whose charisma hides his malice. Clad in white, he becomes a figure of both attraction and disdain. Yet, despite his aesthetic appeal, the manga offers little depth to his character. He ultimately meets his demise at the hands of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, a fate that renders him another “monster of the week” in the series’ vast rogues’ gallery.
The 90s Sailor Moon anime, however, took a different approach, giving Demande more emotional depth. In this version, Demande defies Wiseman after learning that the leader of the Black Moon Clan has little regard for his people. This realization comes too late—Demande’s brother, Saphir, is killed by Wiseman, sparking a change of heart in Demande. In a final act of redemption, he saves Sailor Moon from one of Wiseman’s attacks, sacrificing himself. Before his death, Demande professes his genuine love for Sailor Moon, contrasting with the manga’s more superficial depiction of his feelings.
This blend of malice and eventual heroism adds layers to his character, making him one of the franchise’s more complex and divisive figures. Even the Sailor Moon Crystal adaptation—a blend of both the manga and original anime—preserves this tragic, self-sacrificial aspect of Demande’s character.
Why Is Prince Demande Controversial?
Despite these nuanced portrayals, Demande’s actions remain contentious. In the original Sailor Moon manga, his obsession with Neo-Queen Serenity and Usagi borders on predatory. He repeatedly violates Usagi’s autonomy, viewing her as an object of desire rather than a person with her own agency. The manga’s failure to explicitly critique his behavior has sparked backlash among fans. Many argue that the narrative glosses over the darker aspects of Demande’s conduct, presenting his manipulative actions as something excusable because of his physical attractiveness.
In the anime versions, Demande is no less problematic. His interactions with Usagi—particularly in Sailor Moon Crystal—are invasive, with scenes depicting him forcing himself on her while she’s drugged and unconscious. These moments have led to heated debates about whether Demande’s ultimate sacrifice redeems his earlier actions or if it merely masks his obsessive and abusive behavior.
For some viewers, the final moments of redemption don’t erase his previous transgressions, and they see his fascination with Usagi as more driven by lust than genuine love. Others, however, interpret his character arc more sympathetically, viewing him as a tragic figure who ultimately pays the price for his misguided obsession.
A Divisive Figure
Prince Demande’s legacy is one of deep polarization. Some fans empathize with his tragic circumstances, seeing his love for his brother Saphir and his final act of sacrifice as evidence of his capacity for good. Others find his behavior toward Sailor Moon disturbing and unforgivable, particularly the way his romantic pursuit of her often crosses the line into coercion.
The fact that some fans even “ship” Demande and Usagi as a couple highlights just how divisive he remains. These fans argue that Demande’s actions stem from deep emotional pain, while others criticize any romanticization of his character, given his troubling conduct throughout the series.
In the end, Prince Demande’s complexity—his mix of cruelty, obsession, and eventual sacrifice—continues to fuel debate among Sailor Moon fans, ensuring his place as one of the most controversial characters in the iconic series. Whether seen as a tragic villain or an irredeemable antagonist, Demande’s storyline is a powerful reflection of the shades of gray that often define the best villains in anime.