text: [[Image:004.jpg|right|frame|The Four '''Shitennou''' (l-r: Nephrite, Jadeite, Zoisite, and Kunzite (Malachite)]]
  
  The four '''Shitennou''' ('''Four Kings''' literally, '''Generals''' in the [[dub]]) are former guardians of [[Mamoru Chiba|Prince Endymion]] in the time of the [[Moon Kingdom]].  Presumably, like [[Queen Beryl]], they were corrupted by [[Queen Metallia]].  Their names are also from minerals - [[wikipedia:Jadeite|Jadeite]], [[wikipedia:Nephrite|Nephrite]], [[wikipedia:Zoisite|Zoisite]], and [[wikipedia:Kunzite|Kunzite]] respectively.  
  
  They each have tempermental counterparts in the four [[Inner Sailors]].  Having a [[sailor soldier]]'s personality or powers correspond to a villain was a device used by [[Naoko Takeuchi]] several times to great effect.  One popular non-[[wikipedia:canon|canon]] picture made by [[Naoko Takeuchi]] showed the sailor soldiers and the Shitennou as romantic couples.  
  
  *[[Shitennou#Jadeite|Jadeite]]'s counterpart is [[Sailor Mars]]
  *[[Shitennou#Nephrite|Nephrite]]'s counterpart is [[Sailor Jupiter]]
  *[[Shitennou#Zoisite|Zoisite]]'s counterpart is [[Sailor Mercury]]
  *[[Shitennou#Kunzite|Kunzite]]'s counterpart is [[Sailor Venus]]
  
  In the original Japanese [[anime]], a [[Homosexuality in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon|homosexual]] relationship was created between Zoisite and Kunzite (see in picture, Zoisite's hand resting on Kunzite's shoulder) - this led to Zoisite being interpreted as a woman in the [[dub]].  Kunzite was renamed [[wikipedia:Malachite|Malachite]] in the [[dub]] - this was reported as being due to trademark issues with the name Kunzite. In the original manga, they were brothers, and the four were meant as love interest to the other Soldiers.
  __NOTOC__
  ==Jadeite==
  '''Jadeite''' is the first of the Generals to appear.
  
  ==Nephrite==
  '''Nephrite''' is the second of the Generals to appear.  He used astrology to guide him towards targets with high energy.  
  [[Image:Nephrite019.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Nephrite]]
  
  ==Zoisite==
  '''Zoisite''' is the third of the Generals to appear. 
  
  ==Kunzite==
  '''Kunzite''' is the last and most powerful of the Generals. 
  
  
  {{charastub}}
  {{wikipedia|Shitennou (Sailor Moon)}}
  [[Category:Dark Kingdom villains]]
diff.text: In the original Japanese [[anime]], a [[Homosexuality in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon|homosexual]] relationship was created between Zoisite and Kunzite (see in picture, Zoisite's hand resting on Kunzite's shoulder) - this led to Zoisite being interpreted as a woman in the [[dub]].  Kunzite was renamed [[wikipedia:Malachite|Malachite]] in the [[dub]] - this was reported as being due to trademark issues with the name Kunzite. In the original manga, they were brothers, and the four were meant as love interest to the other Soldiers.