Sailor Moon is widely recognized for its groundbreaking and largely positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters. Iconic lesbian couple Sailor Uranus and Neptune are depicted with dignity and their love is central to their heroic arcs. The show also features gender-fluid characters like the Sailor Starlights and gay relationships among villains, all presented without ridicule, contributing to a net affirming impact.

Sailor Moon features characters who exhibit gender fluidity and non-conformity. The heroic Sailor Starlights embody gender transformation as a source of power and dignity, while the villain Fisheye, though complex, is not demonized for his feminine presentation. The net portrayal is supportive, presenting gender diversity without ridicule or degradation.

The show features Haruka Tenoh, who, both in her civilian identity and as Sailor Uranus, demonstrates superior physical combat skills. She is shown to engage in and win close-quarters fights against male opponents using martial arts and strength.

The Sailor Starlights, who are consistently female in the manga, are portrayed as male in their civilian forms in the anime adaptation before transforming into female Sailor Guardians. This change in their established civilian gender from the source material constitutes a gender swap.