The Sailor Moon anime series (美少女戦士セーラームーン, Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon) was co-produced by TV Asahi, Toei Agency and Toei Animation. It is based on the manga series of the same name by Naoko Takeuchi, and in fact started airing only a month after the first issue of the manga was published. It is the best-known component of the Sailor Moon franchise.