Nephrite is the second of the four Shitennou, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Dark Kingdom, to appear in the original Sailor Moon anime. He is named after the mineral nephrite, a type of jade. After his predecessor Jadeite is condemned to eternal sleep, Queen Beryl summons Nephrite to continue the mission of collecting human energy to revive Queen Metalia and locating the Legendary Silver Crystal. Unlike Jadeite, who targeted crowds, Nephrite uses astrology to identify individuals at their peak energetic potential, draining their life force through youma planted in personal objects. He adopts the civilian alias Masato Sanjouin, presenting himself as a wealthy and charismatic businessman who drives a red Ferrari. This disguise allows him to move freely among humans and pursue his targets. His base of operations is a cathedral-like lair where he consults the stars, believing celestial movements govern all fate, a philosophy that aligns with the supernatural rules of his world. Nephrite is proud, quick-tempered, and intensely competitive with his fellow Shitennou, particularly Zoisite, who taunts and ridicules him. Despite his initial ruthlessness, a significant character development occurs through his relationship with Naru Osaka, Usagi Tsukino's best friend. He initially targets Naru as a strategic energy source, but her unwavering kindness and trust in his civilian persona gradually affect him. This relationship becomes the catalyst for his redemption arc, unique among the Shitennou in the original anime. When Zoisite sends assassins to kill Naru, Nephrite abandons his loyalty to the Dark Kingdom to save her. He protects her from the attackers, sustaining fatal injuries in the process. In his final moments, he admits his deception and expresses regret for lying to her, dying in her arms as his body dissolves into a field of stars. In the manga, Nephrite's role is shorter and more adversarial. He uses a shadow to possess victims, including Motoki and Makoto, and is killed by Sailor Jupiter's lightning attack. In the live-action series, he survives his initial death but is revived as a powerless human, working at Crown Karaoke under Motoki, where he retains his hot-headed personality. Across all versions, Nephrite's notable abilities include astrological precognition, energy sensing, and the creation of the Black Crystal, a device attuned to the Silver Crystal's energy. He demonstrates superhuman agility and a signature attack called Starlight Attack. His deep auburn hair, blue eyes, and grey Shitennou uniform with yellow trim distinguish his appearance.