Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon's mysterious protector, has a reputation of being a lot less useful than he should or could be. Especially in the 90s anime, he just throws a rose in time to distract a monster long enough for the Sailor Senshi to do something. That's not even getting into the times he forgets to show up, gets kidnapped by the monsters, turns evil, or gets himself killed when the Senshi probably could have used a helping hand.

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That said, there are plenty of times that he's done something that ended up saving the day. Even completely mundane actions like giving someone a ride or buying Korean takeout turned out to help inadvertently and save the day. There have even been a few times when throwing his roses turned out to be quite useful.

10 He Once Drove A Bus Out Of A Black Hole

Tuxedo Mask Bus

When Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars faced off against the monster Kigaan, who kidnapped girls using a bus and trapped them in another dimension in order to steal their energy,  they almost found themselves trapped in this strange space when the black hole closed.

After Kigaan was destroyed, however, Tuxedo Mask randomly appeared on the bus and offered to help drive everyone back home. Combined with Ami praying to keep the black hole open, everyone made it out alive.

9 He Reminded Sailor Mercury Her Powers Could Be Useful

Sailor Mercury

Sailor Mercury is another character who knows the pain of being thought of as less than useful, with her most famous attack involving bubbles. But there was a time Tuxedo Mask helped her realize her potential.

When the Sailor Senshi were attacked by Marzipan, a cake-themed monster, the Senshi under her thrall were changed to be fragile like candy. When Tuxedo Mask managed to intervene by throwing a rose, he gave a speech reminding the girls of how sugar can melt. This gives Sailor Mercury the idea to attack the monster with her water powers and it actually works.

8 He Gave Ami A Ride From The Airport Just In Time To Save The Day

Ami Mamoru in Sailor Moon.

There are times when Mamoru proved to be useful even without transforming into Tuxedo Mask or even really knowing he was doing anything important.

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When Ami contemplates leaving Japan to study abroad, Mamoru gives her a gift from the girls, which contains her new transformation wand. This convinces her to stay and Mamoru even drives from the airport. This was lucky because the girls were being targeted by an ice-themed monster, Nipasu, who was surprisingly weak against Sailor Mercury's water powers.

7 He Helped Sailor Moon Get A New Magic Wand

Sailor Moon Spiral Heart Rod

Tuxedo Mask faced a good beating against Nekonneru, a cat-themed monster, even losing his trademark mask and hat. Usagi, who had previously lost her powers during an earlier fight, refuses to leave his side. Their love proves powerful enough to somehow transport them back to the Moon Castle, where they turn into Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion.

Their love is not only powerful enough to restore Usagi's powers, allowing her to become Sailor Moon once more, it also somehow generates a new wand for Sailor Moon, the Spiral Heart Moon Rod.

6 He Got A Plant To Kill Tellu

Sailor Moon Tellu

In the fight against the witch Tellu, Tuxedo Mask attacked her with a rose-like he often does. This time, however, it released the pure hearts she had stolen, causing a monster plant she created to attack and kill her.

In the original manga, Tellu had a rivalry with Sailor Jupiter, who also had an affinity for plants. It's likely the anime changed the showdown to be between her and Tuxedo Mask as a reference to his affinity with roses.

5 He Saved Chibiusa From A Giant Fish

Sailor Moon PakuPaku

More often than not, Tuxedo Mask's roses are just meant to distract an enemy until the Sailor Senshi pull themselves together and attack, which usually saves the day. But there are times when they've been more useful than that.

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When the Sailor Senshi faced off against PakuPaku Yarou, a fish-themed monster, at one point, Chibiusa nearly falls into the monster's mouth. Luckily, Tuxedo Mask's well-timed rose buttoned the mouth shut before the beast could devour his daughter. He was even quick to remind the girls to attack the monster with their powers.

4 He Helped Depower Chikuon

Sailor Moon Chikuon

Chikuon, a music-themed monster, was extremely hard to beat. Not only did she survive a strong attack from Sailor Uranus, revealing her second form, but she also managed to subdue the Sailor Senshi with music that was so painful to listen to, it would eventually destroy their central nervous system.

Luckily, Tuxedo Mask was able to save the day by breaking the record that contained the dangerous song. The vengeful Chikuon threw her gramophone horn at him, only to realize she just wasted her last weapon. This allowed Sailor Moon to vanquish her once and for all.

3 He Saved The Day As Santa Claus

Tuxedo Santa from Sailor Moon

While being targeted by a Snow Dancer, Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi Moon were rescued after someone mysterious threw a rose at the monster. This mysterious figure turned out to be none other than Santa Claus.

Of course, Santa Claus tore off his costume, revealing himself to be none other than Tuxedo Mask, who proceeded to throw a top at the monster. This gave Sailor Moon time to pick up her wand and kill the Snow Dancer.

2 He Bought Everyone Takeout & Stopped A Vampire

Tuxedo Mask Korean barbecue

When a vampire targets Chibiusa's classmates, the Sailor Senshi begin to realize the danger early on. While discussing ways to dispose of the monster, Usagi points out such creatures are repelled by garlic and suggests they order Korean barbecue.

Being middle school students, Usagi volunteers Mamoru to pay for the food. This turned out to be a good idea as the vampire is indeed weakened by the Senshi's "Super Special Garlic Attack," allowing Sailor Moon to offer the finishing blow.

1 He's Brought Usagi Back From The Dead More Than Once

Sailor Moon R Movie Tuxedo Mask Usagi

Usagi is known for usually being the one to have to bring Mamoru back to life on the various occasions he's been killed by the villains, but there have been a few times when he's returned the favor. Usagi's isn't necessarily dead in all these instances, but either close to it or in a death-like state, such as when she fought the Dark Kingdom or the Xenian Flower.

In quite a few cases, he usually has to awaken her with a kiss, just like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.

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