When fans think of Sailor Moon and talking cats, the first thing that might come to mind is Luna, but they shouldn't forget her partner, Artemis. After all, he's the original talking cat in the franchise, first helping Minako Aino in Codename: Sailor V.
Named after the Greek goddess of the moon, Artemis' character is heavily defined by his relationships with Minako, his partner in fighting crime, and Luna, his romantic interest. Originally a servant of Queen Serenity, he was sent to Earth to help awaken the Sailor Guardians, fight evil, and find the Moon Princess.
Luna may be the first cat people think of when Sailor Moon is mentioned, but Artemis is just as important. Some may even say he's underrated, as these episodes demonstrate.
10 "Usagi's Awakening: A Message from the Distant Past"
This Season One episode has a dual purpose when it comes to Luna and Artemis: it explains the two's backstory (as well as the main cast's, too) and allows the two cats to get involved with the action.
Artemis and Luna spend the episode searching for the entrance to the Dark Kingdom. Unfortunately, while they succeed, they end up seriously hurt by the villain Kunzite. Audiences even get a glimpse at Artemis' bravery as he tries to shield Luna from the attack. While this is happening, the Guardians encounters Queen Serenity, who explains the origin of their powers; while not the main focus, thanks to this, audiences learn that Artemis and Luna were the sole survivors of the Moon Kingdom, who had been sent to Earth to find the Moon Princess.
9 "Enter Venus, the Last Sailor Guardian"
Here is the episode where Artemis and Minako are properly introduced into the main group. Sailor Venus and her cat finally get to be part of the franchise they technically started and they even manage to save their comrades from being killed by Kunzite and Zoisite.
Artemis and Minako working apart from the main Guardians all this time made a little more sense in the manga, where they were involved in a plot to have Minako pose as the Moon Princess. But this did survive in the infamous throwaway line where Sailor Moon asks Sailor Venus if she is the Moon Princess.
8 "Aim to be a Princess? Usagi's Weird Training"
This episode technically doesn't focus on Artemis, what with the main plot being about Usagi enrolling in a secretly evil princess-themed charm school, but it does reveal an important part about Artemis' role in the series.
In previous episodes, Luna had a mysterious contact who gave her information at the local arcade, known as either Game Machine or Central Control. At this point, however, it turns out to have been Artemis in disguise this whole time. That said, it does bring up the question of just who Luna thought she was talking to in the first place.
7 "For Love and for Justice: Sailor Guardians Once Again"
This Sailor Moon R episode brings to light quite a bit about Artemis and Minako's relationship. At this point in the show, the girls have all lost their memories, except for Usagi. Artemis and Luna could use their powers to reawaken them, but don't want to take away their now-peaceful lives, with Artemis especially not wanting to disturb Minako.
The episode also ends on a sweet note between Artemis and Minako: now that her memories have been restored, Minako can be seen holding Artemis while she's with the other girls.
6 "Luna's Discovery: The Real Face of Yaten"
When Luna goes missing early on in Sailor Stars, Artemis helps the girls search for her. When it turns out that she's with Yaten Kou of the Three Lights, he's the only one not starstruck enough to be worried that she could be in danger. Luckily, it turns out the Three Lights just needed a pet for an upcoming television appearance and Seiya had lost their chameleon.
Artemis also gets an important scene later in the episode: when Sailor Iron Mouse attacks and Luna get injured, Yaten leaves her with Artemis to keep an eye on her, figuring out he's her friend.
5 "Artemis is Cheating? Enter the Mysterious Kitten"
Trouble starts for Artemis when he and Luna encounter a talking grey kitten with another crescent moon, leaving everyone to believe he was having an affair. And even though Luna might show an interest in the occasional human pop star, astronaut, or fishbone-throwing cat, she isn't going to give Artemis any benefit of the doubt or chance to explain himself. Even Minako turns on him, believing she can no longer trust her talking cat.
However, it turns out the kitten is Diana, Artemis and Luna's daughter from the future, allowing the couple to reconcile, proving that Artemis is a trustworthy cat.
4 "Artemis' Adventure: The Monster Animal Kingdom"
After being insulted and teased by Luna a little too often, Artemis takes advice a little too literally from Minako and decides to investigate a strange animal shelter than has been taken over by a Droid. The other characters assume that he's run away because of Luna's teasing.
Once again, Artemis shows his bravery in this episode, trying to confront the Droid directly, only to get attacked for his troubles. Luna and the Guardians have to help him to save the day, proving a lesson in teamwork, although Artemis was able to help give the Droid one of the final blows. The episode ends on a happy note, with the Guardians playing with the rescued animals, although Chibi-Usa accidentally hits Artemis with her bag.
3 "Venus: Minako's Nurse Mayhem"
In this episode, Artemis' role as Sailor Venus' sidekick comes into play as the Sailor Guardian of Love and Beauty becomes a nurse for the day and tries to nurse her friends, who've all succumbed to a mysterious illness plaguing the town, Artemis keeps an eye on Minako as she makes a mess of things and follows her around town. And he takes over her duties watching Usagi when Minako and Chibi-Usa pick up some medicine.
The illness turns out to be the work of a Droid who the Guardians manage to defeat, but Artemis and Minako are rewarded for all their troubles by catching the real flu. Luckily, now it's Usagi's chance to play nurse.
2 "Go for Your Dream: Minako Becomes an Idol"
Artemis has watched over Minako for years and has known about her dream of becoming an idol. When an idol audition pops up, it is Artemis who lets the other Sailor Guardians know Minako how reservations about entering and is the one who encourages her to enter.
Famously, he watches her in her basket while she performs "Route Venus" during the competition.
1 "I Want to Quit Being a Sailor Guardian: Minako's Dilemma"
When life as a Sailor Guardian is starting to take its toll on Sailor Venus, Artemis takes notice of her heartbreak, especially when she complains it seems a boy will never give her a bouquet of roses. Rather than nag her like Luna would, he actually seems sympathetic to her feelings, although Luna and the other Guardians have to convince him to give her some time to herself.
And the episode ends with Artemis giving her a bouquet of roses, showing that she's never on her own.