Saphir
Seiyuu / Dub
Summary
Saphir, referred to as Sapphire in the English dub, serves as the Alchemist of the Black Moon Clan and is the younger sibling of Prince Demand. He stands out among his peers for being notably more cautious and rational. Although he is the inventor of the Black Crystal earrings worn by the rest of the group, Saphir is the sole member who does not wear them. In the manga narrative, Saphir favors collaborating with droids, the clan’s lowest-ranking minions, rather than obeying his volatile older brother. He openly questions the motives of Wiseman and the judgment of Prince Demand, a defiance that leads Demand to violently accuse him of seeking power for himself. Later, when Prince Demand kidnaps Sailor Moon and transports her to his castle on Nemesis, she encounters Saphir in his laboratory. There, he admits that their schemes are flawed and that Sailor Moon is innocent, yet he still attempts to kill her. He explains that he targets her because he believes all conflict stems from her and the terrifying power of the Silver Crystal. This confrontation forces the recovering Neo Queen Serenity to activate Sailor Moon’s crystal, enabling her to transform even on Nemesis. The immense energy released destabilizes the planet, forcing Saphir and Demand to flee to Wiseman’s castle, where they are rescued by Black Lady. Wiseman subsequently attacks them with a mind control spell and lends Saphir his "Demon Hands." It is later revealed that Prince Demand’s "Evil Eye" had rendered him immune to Wiseman’s magic. The anime portrays Saphir with greater sympathy, aligning with the broader depiction of his clan. A past romantic connection is hinted at between Saphir and the eldest Ayakashi sister, Petz, a relationship that does not appear in the manga, though the English dub suggests he had unrequited feelings for Esmeraude. A flashback reveals Saphir’s upbringing on the bleak Nemesis, where Prince Demand promised they would one day visit Earth to see real flowers. Saphir overhears Wiseman admitting he is manipulating Prince Demand and the others for his own ends. Barely escaping death, Saphir steals the power of the Black Crystal and travels to the past Earth. He briefly reunites with Petz and receives aid from the Sailor Senshi, but Wiseman kills him before he can warn his brother of the betrayal. Upon his death, the bandage on his head falls away, revealing that his Black Moon symbol has vanished.
