text: {{Charabox
  |chara_name          = Ami Mizuno
  |image_filename      = Ami_glasses.jpg
  |image_description_1 = Ami Muzuno
  |birthday            = September 10
  |astrosign           = Virgo
  |bloodtype           = A
  |family              = Mother (A doctor), <BR> Father (An artist) - separated.
  |hobbies             = Reading, playing chess
  |sports              = Swimming
  |color               = Aqua
  |class               = Math
  |noclass             = None
  |food                = Sandwiches
  |nofood              = Hamachi (yellow-tail tuna)
  |place               = [[wikipedia:Sydney|Sydney, Australia]]
  |skill               = Calculations
  |likes               = n/a
  |dislikes            = Love letters
  |dream               = To be a doctor
  |motto               = Knowledge is power!
  |stone               = [[wikipedia:Sapphire|Sapphire]]
  |titles              = Sailor Mercury,<BR>Princess Mercury,]]
  }}
  {{nihongo|'''Sailor Mercury'''|セーラーマーキュリー|Sērā Mākyurī}} is one of the central [[fictional character|characters]] in the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' [[metaseries]]. Her real name is {{nihongo|'''Ami Mizuno'''|水野 亜美|Mizuno Ami|or '''Amy Anderson''' in the [[Sailor Moon (English versions)|English versions]]}}, a genius schoolgirl who can transform into one of the series' specialized heroines, the [[Sailor Senshi]].
  
  Ami's name means 'Friend of Water', with Ami being French. Her attacks are based around water, ice and fog.
  
  Sailor Mercury is the first member of the [[Sailor Team]] to be discovered by [[Usagi Tsukino|Sailor Moon]], and serves as the "brains" of the group.<ref name="materials">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko |authorlink=Naoko Takeuchi | title= Materials Collection |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 1999 |isbn= 4-06-324521-7 |page=12 }}</ref>  Her powers are associated with phases of water, and she can use her supercomputer to quickly analyze a foe in battle.
  
  Aside from the main body of the ''Sailor Moon'' series, Ami features in her own short story in the manga, called "Ami's First Love." Originally published in Volume 14 of the manga, this was the only one of three "Exam Battle" stories to be made into a "Special" for the anime series.<ref name="exam"/> In addition, a number of [[image song]]s featuring Ami's character have been released, including the contents of three different [[3-inch CD single]]s.
  
  ==Profile==
  [[File:Ami8.jpg|thumb|left|Ami, AKA Sailor Mercury, as shown in the anime.]] Ami's most-emphasized character trait is that she is enormously intelligent&mdash;in the anime and manga she is rumored by other characters to have an [[IQ]] of three hundred, while in the [[Sailor Moon musicals|stage musicals]] this is stated as a fact.<ref>Ami herself makes this statement in the first musical, ''Gaiden Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen''.</ref> She is adept at English in both the musicals and the anime.<ref>1998 Sailor Moon musical ''Eien Densetsu'', after ''Dream Yume wa Ookiku'' - Ami converses with the evil Mamoru, who is the new PE teacher and named "Tony Chiba". She initially thought Mamoru was a Havard Professor, and spoke to him in English. In the anime, episode 108, she speaks fluently at a party put on by one of Mamoru's professors.</ref> Her peers view her with a mixture of awe and distaste, misinterpreting her inherent [[shyness]] as [[snob]]bery, and so she tends to have a difficult time making new friends.<ref name = "act2"/> Ami is depicted as sweet, gentle, and loyal, as well as slightly insecure.<ref name="doi097">{{cite web | last = Doi | first = Hitoshi | authorlink = Hitoshi Doi | title = Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S episode 97 | date = 1994-05-29 | url = http://www.usagi.org/doi/smoon/episodes/sms097.html | accessdate = 2006-11-18}}</ref> [[Anne Allison]] describes her as "a smart girl who needs to relax", calling her "conscientious" and "studious", "everything Usagi is not." Early on in the story, she relies heavily on the approval of her mother, teachers, and friends, but as the series progresses she becomes stronger and more confident in herself. She is generally the most sensible of the main characters, and is often the only one embarrassed when the group has a dull-witted moment. As the story begins, she attends Azabu Jūban Junior High along with [[Sailor Moon (character)|Usagi Tsukino]] and, later, [[Sailor Jupiter|Makoto Kino]].
  
  Throughout the series, much of Ami's [[leisure|free time]] is spent studying. She loves to [[reading (activity)|read]], and dreams aloud of one day being a [[physician|doctor]] like her mother and becomes one in both [[Parallel Sailor Moon]] and the live action series. In the musicals, Ami's dream of being a doctor and leaving Japan to [[study abroad]] is a recurring theme.<ref>1998 Sailor Moon Musical ''Eien Densetsu kaiteiban'' and 2000 Sailor Moon Musical ''Last Dracul Jokyoku''</ref> The first part of the song {{nihongo|''Dream Yume wa Ookiku''|ドリーム　夢は大きく|lit. Dream - Dreams are Huge}} shows Ami's conflict between studying abroad and growing up or being with everyone else and staying a young girl. She faces a similar dilemma in the anime, but very directly; given the opportunity to study in Germany, she gets as far as the airport before deciding to stay in Japan and fight evil alongside her friends.<ref>Episode 62, featuring the song "Onaji Namida wo Wakeatte" ("Sharing the Same Tears"), or English-dubbed episode 56, with the song "Only a Memory Away."</ref><ref name = "Japan Pop">{{cite book |last=Allison |first=Anne |authorlink=Anne Allison |editor=Timothy J. Craig |title=Japan Pop!: Inside the World of Japanese Popular Culture|origdate= |origyear=2000 |origmonth=June |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |isbn=978-0765605610 |page=276 |chapter=Sailor Moon: Japanese Superheroes for Global Girls |quote=In one show, for example, Ami has won a scholarship to study in Germany. As a model Japanese student who works hard, does well in school, and is academically ambitious, Ami doesn't think twice about accepting the offer despite the loss this will mean of friends and Scout activities. On the day of departure, however, Ami changes her mind, unable and unwilling to sacrifice her membership in and commitment to the Sailor Scouts for the personal goal of her academic career. In an age when Japanese children are facing intense pressure to perform at school and scholastic achievement has become the singular determinant of future careers, the message of this episode is refreshing, perhaps even radical. |year=2000 }}</ref>
  
  Ami has great appreciation for art as well as science, and, contrary to the usual depiction of a bookworm, even enjoys [[pop culture]] and [[romance novel]]s (though she is usually embarrassed to admit it). In both the anime and the manga, Ami's diligence in her studies becomes a [[running gag]]; she often comically scolds Usagi and the others for not doing their homework, and she can become obsessive about being the best student. Her character has been interpreted as a political commentary on the education system of Japan.<ref name="Warriors of Legend sample"/> She sometimes displays attraction to boys her age, and other times aversion to the idea. [[Love letters]] are listed as the one thing she has most trouble with,<ref name="vol 10" /> and when she later receives one, it gives her a rash.<ref name="exam"/> In the anime, a classmate named [[List of minor Sailor Moon characters#Ryo Urawa|Urawa]] learns her identity and expresses attraction to her, but this is never resolved, as he disappears after just two appearances in the first series.<ref>Urawa appears in [[List of Sailor Moon episodes#Sailor Moon|episodes 27 and 41]].</ref>
  
  Besides reading, Ami is shown playing [[chess]] and [[human swimming|swimming]] in order to relax.<ref name="vol 10" /> As the team scholar, [[computer]]s are listed her strong point; she even belongs to the [[club]] at school.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 16 |chapter= Act 43 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 6, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178841-8 }}</ref> She loves all her classes, especially [[mathematics]]. Her favorite foods are given as [[sandwich]]es and [[anmitsu]], with her least favorite being [[Japanese amberjack|yellowtail]].<ref name="vol 10" /> Other loves include [[cat]]s<ref name="toyboxes">{{cite web| url= http://www.bobagirl.com/lj/anime/bandaimercury.jpg |title= Bandai Mercury |accessdate= 2006-11-18 |author= Bobagirl}}, from http://www.bobagirl.com/, uploaded on request for the Sailor Moon Wikiproject. Lists other stats as well.</ref> and the color [[Aquamarine (color)|aquamarine]].
  
  [[File:Ami39.jpg|thumb|left|Ami.]] Ami is one of the few girls in the series whose family situation is explicitly mentioned in the anime. Her parents are [[divorce]]d, and she lives with her mother, a busy doctor who is not home very often, named Saeko in the live-action series.<ref>Ami's mother's name is mentioned in [[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]], Act 33, but not in any other version of the metaseries.</ref> They look very similar, and Ami admires her mother and longs to live up to her example.<ref name="Warriors of Legend sample">{{cite web|url=http://www.warriorsoflegend.com/about.html|title=Samples from Warriors of Legend}}</ref> Besides her [[workaholic]] tendencies, Ms. Mizuno is portrayed as a good person who openly resents not having more time to spend with her daughter. Ami's father is never named, but is stated in the manga and anime to be a painter. The manga says that he never visits them, having decided one day not to come home from the forest where he was relaxing and painting, but he sends her postcards on her birthday. Thinking about this, Ami sometimes resents her parents' selfishness in separating,<ref name="Act35">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 12 |chapter= Act 35 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 6, 1995 |isbn= 4-06-178814-0 }}</ref> partly because divorce in Japan is [[taboo]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Bumiller |first= Elisabeth | title= The Secrets of Mariko: A Year in the Life of a Japanese Woman and Her Family |publisher= Vintage |date= October 29, 1996 |isbn= 0-679-77262-6}}</ref> However, in the anime Ami seems to appreciate her father and seems to share some of his artistic traits, at one point even composing matching lyrics for a tune that had none.<ref name="doi151">{{cite web | last = Petrow | first = Joe | publisher = [[Hitoshi Doi]] | title = Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Supers Episode 151 | date = 1996-04-21 | url = http://www.usagi.org/doi/smoon/episodes/smss151.html | accessdate = 2006-11-18}} </ref> In the manga, Ami's mother is revealed to be fairly rich, as they live in a [[condominium]].<ref name=Act11>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi|title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 3 |chapter= Act 11 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= April 6, 1993 |isbn= 4-06-178744-6}}</ref> Ami is shown testing the strength of a sword that the Sailor Senshi received on the moon by using it to chip a [[diamond]] ring. (Classically, a diamond is the [[hardness|hardest]] mineral.) When the girls panic, she calms them by saying that her mother has many more.<ref name=Act11 />
  
  In the live-action series, Ami is especially shy and usually wears [[glasses]] while in public, even though she does not need them.<ref>[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]], Act 5.</ref> At her [[middle school]], she has no friends before meeting Usagi and always eats lunch alone on the roof so she can study.<ref>[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]], Act 2 et seq.</ref> Usagi seems to be the only one to realize that Ami is merely shy, not truly standoffish, and in befriending her gradually helps Ami to learn that she is more than just a bookworm. By Act 34, when Ami's mother attempts to transfer her to another school because she thinks Ami's friends are bad influences, Ami rebels, avoiding the admission interview and spending the night at the Senshi hideout with [[Sailor Mars|Rei Hino]]. Later she tells her mother that what she's doing in her life right now is more important than studying, and her mother understands.<ref>[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]], Acts 33 and 34.</ref>
  
  Ami was a kind and gentle person who disliked quarrels and abhorred harming innocent people. This trait was even cited in the title of an anime episode, "Believe in Love! Ami, a Kind Hearted Senshi," where she persuaded Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune not to kill Hotaru. Like her comrades, her loyalty to Sailor Moon was unwavering, and she would sacrifice her life for her princess if necessary.
  
  ==Aspects and forms==
  
  {| class="wikitable" border="1" style="clear:right; float:right; width:25em; margin-left:1em;"
  |-
  | colspan="4" style="background:#6090ee;" | '''First appearance'''
  |-
  !Form !! Manga !! Anime !! Live-action
  |-
  |Ami Mizuno||''Act 2''||''Ep. 8''||''Act 1''
  |-
  |Sailor Mercury||''Act 2''||''Ep. 8''||''Act 2''
  |-
  |Dark Mercury||align=center|''--''||align=center|''--''||''Act 21''
  |-
  |Second (Super) form||''Act 35''||''Ep. 143''||align=center|''--''
  |-
  |Princess Mercury||''Act 41''||align=center|''--''||align=center|''--''
  |-
  |Third Senshi form||''Act 42''||align=center|''--''||align=center|''--''
  |}
  
  As a character with different incarnations, special powers, transformations and a long lifetime virtually spanned between the [[Silver Millennium]] era and the 30th century, Ami gains multiple [[wiktionary:aspect|aspects]] and aliases as the series progresses.
  
  ===Sailor Mercury===
  Ami's Senshi identity is Sailor Mercury. She wears a [[sailor fuku|uniform]] colored in shades of blue, and is given specific titles throughout the various series. These include Soldier of Water and Intelligence,<ref name="waterint">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shinsouban Volume 1 |chapter= Act # |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 22, 2003 |isbn= 4-06-334776-1}} Also included in her ''Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon'' introductory speech, Act 2 ''et al.''</ref> Soldier of Wisdom,<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 7 |chapter= Act 23 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 6, 1994 |isbn= 4-06-178781-0}}</ref> Soldier of Justice and Wisdom,<ref name="exam">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 13 |chapter= Exam Battle: Ami-chan no Hatsukoi |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= |isbn= 4-06-178820-5}}</ref> and Soldier of Love and Exams. Her personality is no different from when she is a civilian, although certain powers are unavailable to her in that form Super Sailor Mercury now add on [[wikipedia:Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars]].
  
  In Japanese, the name for the planet Mercury is {{nihongo|''Suisei''|水星}}, the first kanji meaning 'water' and the second indicating a celestial object. Although the Roman planet-name is used, Sailor Mercury's abilities are water-based due to this aspect of Japanese mythology.<ref>{{cite book |last=Drazen |first=Patrick |title=[[Anime Explosion! The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation]] |year=2002 | month=October |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=[[Berkeley, California]] |isbn=1-880656-72-8 |oclc=50898281 |pages=286}}</ref> Initially most of her powers are strategic rather than offensive,<ref name = "act2">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko|title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 1 |chapter= Act 2 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 6, 1992, September 5, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178721-7}}</ref> and she possesses various pieces of computerized equipment to help her study the enemy.
  
  As she grows stronger, Sailor Mercury gains additional powers, and at key points her uniform changes to reflect this. The first change takes place in Act 35 of the manga, when she obtains the [[Sailor Crystal|Mercury Crystal]] and her outfit becomes similar to that of Super Sailor Moon. She is not given a new title.<ref name=Act35 /> A similar event is divided between episodes 143 and 151 of the anime, and she is given the name Super Sailor Mercury.<ref name="doi151"/> A third, manga-only form appears in Act 42, unnamed but analogous to [[Eternal Sailor Moon]] (''sans'' wings).<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi|title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 15 |chapter= Act 42 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 5, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178835-3 }}</ref>
  
  ====Dark Mercury====
   
  [[Image:DarkAmi.PNG|thumb|left|Dark Mercury, portrayed by Chisaki Hama, has a markedly different uniform from her "good" counterpart.]]
  In Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]], Ami is briefly taken over by the power of the [[Dark Kingdom]] and becomes '''Dark Mercury'''. This form first appears in Act 21, as a servant of [[Shitennou (Sailor Moon)#Kunzite|Kunzite]]. Her [[sailor fuku]] has black [[Tulle netting|tulle]] and [[lace]] on the back bow and sleeves, and tribal designs appear on her [[tiara]] and boots. She also gains a chain with a black charm on it around her waist. Her transformation phrase is ''Dark Power! Make-up!'' and is said in a much darker tone. She wields a sword fashioned from an icicle, which she creates herself the first time her transformation is displayed. In promotional photos prior to her premiere, she was shown with a different sword, which seemed to have strings on it like a harp or violin; the latter seems more likely, as she is also seen holding a bow. This sword was redecorated and given to Zoisite.
  
  Dark Mercury is created when Kunzite manages to kidnap Ami in a moment of vulnerability while the other Senshi are busy. He exposes her directly to the power of [[Dark Kingdom#Queen Metaria|Queen Metaria]], causing drastic personality changes as well as the alterations to her uniform. She is self-confident to the point of [[egotism]], and continues to attend school in civilian form, mainly to antagonize Usagi by [[brainwashing]] all of her former friends. Dressing predominantly in black, evil-Ami tends to move about slowly and dramatically, and when confronting the Senshi gives a sense of [[sadism|sadistic]] glee.
  
  Dark Mercury has no intention of being a follower to anyone, and is always trying to pursue her own agenda, which is to kill her friends and become as strong as possible.<ref>Her refusal to be controlled is stated in Act 23.</ref> She shows blatant disrespect to Kunzite and the other ''Shitennou'', even to [[Dark Kingdom#Queen Beryl|Queen Beryl]], perhaps because, unlike even the ''Shitennou'', she had been directly exposed to Metaria's power during her conversion, as opposed to having Queen Beryl or another [[wikt:intermediary|intermediary]] filtering it.
  
  Despite these alterations, certain aspects of the real Ami still remain. She still wants to do well in school, and wants friends, [[wikt:hence|hence]] the brainwashing of her classmates. She seems to retain a sense of [[sympathy]], which is evident when she repairs [[Shitennou (Sailor Moon)#Nephrite|Nephrite's]] cape for him, stating that she does not like to see him alone.<ref>Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Act 24.</ref>
  
  Periodically, Sailor Moon attempts to heal her friend with the power of the [[Silver Crystal]]. Mercury is always snatched away before this can be completed, but it has some effect, ultimately resulting in her recovery. In Act 28, the [[catalyst]] for her finally returning to normal is when, having defeated Sailor Moon in battle, the sight of her injured friend causes her to realize she cares about Usagi, and to remember who she really is. After being healed, she has no memories of what happened while she was Dark Mercury. This haunts her, as she becomes terrified of what she may have done to her friends while not in control.
  
  ===Princess Mercury===
  [[Image:Mercury symbol.svg|thumb|80px|Right|The planetary symbol of Mercury.]]
  According to the [[manga]], during the [[Silver Millennium]], Sailor Mercury was also the Princess of her [[Core worlds|home planet]]. She was among those given the duty of protecting [[Sailor Moon (character)#Princess Serenity|Princess Serenity]] of the Moon Kingdom. As Princess Mercury, she dwelt in Mariner Castle and wore a [[:Image:SenshiPrincesses.jpg|light blue gown]]—she appears in this form in the original manga and in supplementary art.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 15 |chapter= Act 41 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 5, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178835-3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon Volume IV Original Picture Collection |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 1996 |isbn= 4-06-324519-5}}</ref> [[Naoko Takeuchi]] once drew her in the arms of [[Shitennou (Sailor Moon)#Zoisite|Zoisite]], but no further romantic link between them was established in the manga or anime.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi |title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon Volume I Original Picture Collection |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= August 1994 |isbn= 4-06-324507-1}}, Naoko Takeuchi quote about it from the artbook: "This is the [[title page]] for the conclusion of the first series of Sailor Moon. It had a great deal of impact on the first series. Probably because the four couplings on the right side were very unexpected. I was thinking of love stories of the [[Reincarnation|previous lives]] of these couples. I'd like to be able to draw that someday..."</ref> In the first [[Sailor Moon musicals|stage musical]], it is stated that the two of them were in love at the time of the Moon Kingdom;<ref>Described by [[Cats (Sailor Moon)|Luna and Artemis]] in ''Gaiden Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen''.</ref> this is further established in the later ''Eien Densetsu'', where Ami and a disguised Zoisite share a duet, {{nihongo|"A Fabricated Forevermore"|偽りのForevermore|Itsuwari no forevermore}}.
  {{clear}}
  
  ==Special powers and items==
  [[File:Ami58.jpg|thumb|left|Ami, AKA Eternal Sailor Mercury, as shown in the manga.]]In the manga, Ami can [[dowsing|dowse]] without any aids.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shinsouban Volume 3 |chapter= Act 16 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= October 23, 2003 |isbn= 4-06-334783-4 }}</ref> Otherwise, she is not shown using any special powers in her civilian form, and may not be able to.<ref>In ''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]'' Episode 31, Usagi asks Ami to transform in order to produce some water.</ref> She must first [[henshin|transform]] into a Sailor Senshi by raising a special device (pen, bracelet, wand, or crystal) into the air and shouting a special phrase, originally "Mercury Power, Make-up!"<ref>First used in each of Sailor Mercury's first appearances, except the manga, where it is delayed to Act 3. In the English versions, Ami does not say 'Make up' when transforming.</ref> As she becomes more powerful and obtains new transformation devices, this phrase changes to evoke Mercury Star, Planet, or Crystal Power.<ref>"Star Power" starting in manga Act 15, anime Episode 62, when she acquires the Star Power Stick. "Planet Power" starting in Act 24 of the manga only. "Crystal Power" starting in Act 35, when she acquires the Mercury Crystal and her second uniform, and in Episode 151, when she acquires the Crystal Change Rod and becomes Super Sailor Mercury.</ref> In the anime, Sailor Mercury's transformation sequence evolves slightly over time, whether to update the background images or to accommodate changes to her uniform or a new transformation device, but all of them involve a stream of water which she whirls around her body as she spins, forming her outfit with a [[Ripple (fluid dynamics)|ripple]] effect.
  
  Sailor Mercury has the power to manipulate [[water]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shinsouban Volume 1 |chapter= Act 2 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 22, 2003 |isbn= 4-06-334776-1}}</ref> For the entire [[Sailor Moon (arc)|first story arc]], she uses her powers only to create dense clouds of [[mist]], chilling and blinding the enemy while her allies prepare more direct attacks. In the manga she usually does this without speaking, while in the anime it is given the name ''Shabon Spray''.<ref>''Shabon'' is the Japanese spelling of ''Sabão'', the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word for [[soap]]. In English this power is called ''Mercury Bubbles Blast''.</ref> In the updated renewal manga, this power is renamed ''Mercury Aqua Mist'' to match the live-action series, in which she has an offensive beam attack by that name, capable of destroying weaker enemies. She uses a total of five attacks in this series, most of which are variations on the first.<ref>Her named ''[[PGSM]]'' attacks are: ''Mercury Aqua Mist'', ''Shining Aqua Illusion'', ''Mercury Aqua Storm'' (with Tambo), ''Mercury Aqua Cyclone'', and ''Mercury Aqua Blizzard''.</ref>{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
  
  Sailor Mercury's first major offensive attack is ''Shine Aqua Illusion'', introduced in the [[Sailor Moon R|second story arc]], which can be used as a simple projectile, to freeze the enemy in solid ice, or to create a defensive barrier.<ref>''Shine Aqua Illusion'' first appears in Act 14 of the manga and Episode 62 of the anime. It is sometimes called by this name in the English anime, but sometimes ''Mercury Ice Storm Blast'' and ''Mercury Bubbles Freeze''. When she is Super Sailor Mercury in English this becomes ''Super Aqua Illusion'', except in ''[[Sailor Moon Supers: The Movie]]'', where it is ''Mercury Gas''.</ref> Aside from variations on her other powers (mostly improving their strength with the addition of "Freezing" or "Snow"), her next named attack is ''Mercury Aqua Mirage'', used during the [[Sailor Moon Super|third arc]] of the manga and again in the special side-story "Ami's First Love" (manga and anime). Her final and most powerful power comes in the [[Sailor Moon Supers|fourth story arc]], when she takes on her second Senshi form (Super Sailor Mercury in the anime). At this stage she acquires a special weapon, the Mercury Harp,<ref name="Act35"/> and with it ''Mercury Aqua Rhapsody'', which is her primary attack for the duration of the story. In the anime Mercury gains the harp deep within her subconcious. The manga took a different approach with the Mercury Harp making it more of an item rather than a harp formed due to the attack. Furthermore Sailor Mercury gained the harp through her power guardian. In the manga the Mercury Harp, as well as the other inner senshi's weapons have their own "wills" and can even speak and give input. 
  
  In addition to her own powers, Sailor Mercury has more non-magical items than any other Senshi. Early on in the series she makes frequent use of an extremely powerful "Micro-miniature [[supercomputer|Super Computer]]"<ref>The name {{nihongo|"Microminiature Super Computer"|超小型スーパーコンピューター}} is shown in TV manga Volume 2, and is said by [[Cats (Sailor Moon)|Luna]] in [[Sailor Moon episode 009|Episode 9]].</ref> that enables her to make special calculations, scan her surroundings, track the movements of allies as well as foes, and determine her enemies' weak points. The computer works in sync with her Mercury Goggles,<ref>This name is given in singular form on page 49 of the ''BSSM Authorised TV Magazine''. It is called the "[[Virtual reality|VR]] Visor" in the English anime.</ref> which analyze the area around her and display information in front of her eyes and on the Computer. The visor may be a [[hologram]] of some sort; it materializes across her face when she touches her earring. The manga sometimes shows her wearing a small [[microphone]] connected to her earring, which she uses to communicate with Luna at the Senshi hideout during the manga's first arc. All of these devices gradually fall out of use as the series progresses.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} In the live-action series, like most of the other Senshi, she receives a [[tambourine]]-like weapon called the Sailor Star Tambo.<ref>''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]'' Act 26</ref> She is one of two Senshi to use it for a named attack (''Mercury Aqua Storm''), and later can transform it into a sword. She also creates swords out of water, both as Sailor Mercury and as Dark Mercury.{{Fact|date=August 2008}}
  
  In the manga, the Mercury Crystal and Mercury Harp are among her most significant magical possessions. The former is her [[Sailor Senshi#Sailor Crystals|Sailor Crystal]] and the source of all of her power, which becomes especially important in the [[Sailor Stars|fifth story arc]]. The harp's form is actually that of a [[lyre]], a stringed instrument smaller than a [[harp]], which according to [[Roman myth]] was invented by the god [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]].
  
  ==Development==
  
  Ami was not included in the original proposal for a hypothetical ''[[Codename: Sailor V]]'' anime, which instead featured Minako's very similar-looking best friend from that series, Hikaru Sorano.<ref name="infinity">{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon Original Picture Collection Volume Infinity |date=June 1997}}</ref> She was present, however, by the time the concept was expanded to center on Sailor Moon.
  
  Creator [[Naoko Takeuchi]] designed Ami as the "team brain,"<ref name="materials"/> giving her genius-level intelligence to create the impression that she was not quite human&mdash;in fact, the character was originally intended to be a [[cyborg]] with an accelerator. One possible storyline involved her losing an arm or being injured in some other way and dying from it, but Takeuchi's editor objected, so Ami became a fully human character.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko |authorlink=Naoko Takeuchi | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shinsouban Volume 3 |chapter= Mercury Punch! |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= October 23, 2003 |isbn= 4-06-334783-4 }}</ref>
  
  Sailor Mercury's original costume design, like the others', was fully unique. It featured full-length sleeves, pink ribbons, shoulder guards, green accents, buttons on the stomach, and high-tech goggles. Later, Takeuchi was surprised by these sketches and stated that she did not remember drawing them.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 2 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= September 6, 1992, April 6, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178731-4}}</ref> She also describes Ami as looking like [[Noriko Sakai]],<ref name="materials"/> a J-pop idol of the early 1990s, and in Ami's original debut, [[Sailor Moon (character)|Usagi]] thinks to herself that Ami resembles Miss Rain, a character from another Takeuchi series. This reference was removed in the 2003 renewal manga.<ref>[http://www.kurozuki.com/takeuchi/sailormoon/volume01-changes.html Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Volume 1 Changes]</ref> In the English manga, a similar comment was made, but referencing [[Demi Moore]].
  
  Certain background details of Ami's character were chosen symbolically&mdash;for instance, her Western astrological sign is given as [[Virgo (astrology)|Virgo]],<ref name="vol 10"/> which in [[astrology]] corresponds to the planet Mercury. In reference to a popular [[Japanese blood type theory of personality|Japanese belief]], her [[blood type]] is given as A,<ref name="vol 10"/> supposedly indicating sensibleness and fastidiousness.
  
  In the English manga and other books, "Amy" retains her family name of Mizuno. One early episode of the anime shows her answering the phone in her house by saying "Anderson residence," where in the original she had answered with "This is Mizuno,"<ref>{{cite episode |title=I Won't Run From Love Anymore! Ami and Mamoru's Showdown |series= Sailor Moon |serieslink=List of Sailor Moon episodes (season 1) |network=Toei |station=Asahi |city=Tokyo |airdate=January 30, 1992 |seriesno=1 |number=41}} also {{cite episode |title=Tuxedo Unmasked |series= Sailor Moon |serieslink=List of Sailor Moon episodes (season 1) <!--|network=Toei |station=Asahi |city=Tokyo--> |airdate=October 31, 1995 |seriesno=1 |number=37}}</ref> but this surname never appears again, and she is reverted to Mizuno by [[Cloverway]] in the series' third season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smuncensored.com/comparison.php?episodeid=122 |title= Sailor Moon Uncensored: Episode 122 |accessdate= 2007-07-06 |last= Wheeler |first= Robert |coauthors= Bednarski, Dan; Wood, Tiffany }}</ref> <!-- In an early [[DiC]] promotional tape that advertised ''Sailor Moon'' to [[Television channel|television stations]], Ami was given the name Blue.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.toonamiarsenal.com/download/sailormoon.php |title= Toonami Digital Arsenal |accessdate= 2006-11-02 |author= Tyler L. |coauthors= Zogg }}</ref> -->
  
  ==Reception and influence==
  
  The official ''Sailor Moon'' character popularity polls listed Ami Mizuno and Sailor Mercury as separate entities. In 1992, readers ranked them at seventh and fourth respectively, out of thirty eight choices.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 3 |chapter=  |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= April 6, 1993 |isbn= 4-06-178744-6}}</ref> One year later, now with fifty choices, Ami was the eighth most popular while Mercury was ninth.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 7 |chapter= |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 6, 1994 |isbn= 4-06-178781-0}}</ref> In 1994, with fifty one choices, Ami was the fifteenth most popular character, and Mercury was sixteenth.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 10 |pages=138–139 |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= June 6, 1995 |isbn= 4-06-178806-X}}</ref> In early 1996, with fifty one choices, Ami was again the fifteenth most popular character, and Mercury was the nineteenth.<ref>{{cite book |last= Takeuchi |first= Naoko | title= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Volume 15 |chapter= |publisher= [[Kodansha]] |date= July 5, 1996 |isbn= 4-06-178835-3 }}</ref>  Ami was the most popular female character in [[Animage]]'s May 1993 poll, and an episode featuring her, "Love for Ami?! A Boy Who Can Predict the Future", was the eleventh favorite episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp/gp_1993.html |title=第15回アニメグランプリ　［1993年5月号］|publisher=Animage.jp |language=Japanese |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref>  The following year she came second behind [[Belldandy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp/gp_1994.html |title=第16回アニメグランプリ　［1994年5月号］|publisher=Animage.jp |language=Japanese |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> and in 1995 she came fifth.  In 1995, an episode featuring Ami, "The Labyrinth of Water! Ami the Targeted", was the ninth favorite episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp/gp_1995.html |title=第17回アニメグランプリ　［1995年5月号］|publisher=Animage.jp |language=Japanese |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref>  In 1996, after the debut of [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]], she came sixteenth,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp/gp_1996.html |title=第18回アニメグランプリ　［1996年5月号］|publisher=Animage.jp |language=Japanese |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> and in 1997 she came twentieth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animage.jp/gp/gp_1997.html |title=第19回アニメグランプリ　［1997年6月号］|publisher=Animage.jp |language=Japanese |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref>
  
  A five-book series was published, one book on each of the [[Guardian Senshi]] and [[Sailor Moon (character)|Sailor Moon]]. Ami's was released in 1996.<ref>[http://www.usagi.org/doi/smoon/book/team-ami.html Mizuno Ami Official Fan Book<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  This book was later translated into English by [[Tokyopop|Mixx]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1892213311/pegasussailorjup |title=Amazon.com: Meet Sailor Mercury: Ice: Books: Naoko Takeuchi, Mixxent, Kondo Kunishiro, Ben Ettinger, K. J. Keiji Karvonen |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>  The episode where Sailor Mercury gained her powers was novelised by Mixx.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1892213184/slavesofthomasje |title=Amazon.com: Sailor Moon the Novels: Mercury Rising (Sailor Moon Number 3): Books: Naoko Takeuchi |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>
  
  She was popular with the male audience of ''Sailor Moon'' due to her computer use and skills.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clements |first=Jonathan |authorlink=Jonathan Clements |coauthors=[[Helen McCarthy]] |title=[[The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917]] |date=2001-09-01 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=1-880656-64-7 |oclc=47255331 |page=338 |edition=1st }}</ref>
  
  ==Actresses==
  In the original anime production of ''Sailor Moon'', Ami is voiced by veteran [[seiyū|voice actress]] [[Aya Hisakawa]]. After the show's conclusion, Hisakawa wrote in an [[artbook]] that she was "raised by" the character of Ami, and was "really, greatly happy" to have met her.<ref name="infinity"/>
  
  For the English-language dub, the voice of "Amy" is provided first by [[Karen Bernstein]], for the original and R series and the movies, and later by [[Liza Balkan]] for the ''S'' and ''Supers'' series. [[Shandi Sinnamon]] provides the English vocals for a song attributed to Amy's character in the second story arc.
  
  Ami has been portrayed by 6 actresses in the [[Sailor Moon musicals|stage musicals]]: [[Ayako Morino]], [[Yukiko Miyagawa]], [[Hisano Akamine]], [[Mariya Izawa]], [[Chieko Kawabe]], and [[Manami Wakayama]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Takeuchi | first = Naoko | authorlink = Naoko Takeuchi | coauthors = Bandai | title = Sailor Moon Musical News | date = 2009-07-03 | url = http://sailormoon.channel.or.jp/musical/index.html | accessdate = 2009-09-21}}</ref>
  
  In the [[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon|live-action series]], she is played by [[Chisaki Hama]]. Child actress [[Kanki Matsumoto]] portrays Ami in flashback sequences and childhood photographs.
  [[Category:Usagi Tsukino and her Friends]]
diff.text: |birthday            = September 1410