Neflite, known in the original Japanese as Nephrite, is the second of the Four Kings of Heaven, or Shitennou, to appear in the Sailor Moon anime. He serves as a general of the Dark Kingdom under Queen Beryl, succeeding the first general, Jadeite, after Jadeite is sentenced to eternal sleep. Neflite is named after the mineral nephrite, a type of jade, and is depicted as a tall, dark-haired young man in his late teens or early twenties.

In terms of background, Neflite was originally one of the four guardians who served Prince Endymion during the Silver Millennium, but he was manipulated by Queen Beryl and Queen Metalia into joining their war against the Moon Kingdom. He was reborn in the modern era as a loyal agent of the Dark Kingdom, though he retains no conscious memories of his past life.

Personality-wise, Neflite is portrayed as cocky, emotional, and brooding, with a sly and calculating nature. He is an astrologer and psychic who believes the movement of the stars governs all events, and he frequently consults celestial patterns to guide his plans. Unlike his predecessor Jadeite, Neflite prefers to target a single human who is at a peak of creative or emotional energy, draining that person's life force through a youma. He adopts a human alias, Masato Sanjouin, a wealthy socialite who drives a red Ferrari, and uses this disguise to blend in with high society.

Neflite's primary motivation is to gather energy for Queen Metalia and to locate the Silver Crystal, the legendary artifact that the Dark Kingdom seeks. He is driven by a desire to prove his worth to Queen Beryl and to surpass his rival, Zoisite, the third general. However, his focus shifts when he becomes involved with Naru Osaka, the best friend of the protagonist Usagi Tsukino. Neflite initially targets Naru as an energy source, but her genuine affection and trust gradually cause him to develop real feelings for her.

This romantic subplot forms the core of Neflite's character development. Over the course of several episodes, he grows increasingly conflicted about his loyalty to the Dark Kingdom. In contrast to the other Shitennou, Neflite is the first villain in the anime to undergo a redemption arc. He eventually turns against Queen Beryl and sacrifices himself to save Naru from the youma sent by Zoisite. Mortally wounded, he confesses his regret for lying to Naru and dies in her arms, his body dissolving into a cloud of stars.

Key relationships include his rivalry with Zoisite, who taunts and undermines him, and his bond with Naru, which awakens his capacity for love and selflessness. In the manga, Neflite's role is much briefer: he is killed early by Sailor Jupiter after attempting to use his shadow to possess Motoki and Makoto, and he is driven by a desire to avenge Jadeite. The anime expands his story significantly, giving him a more nuanced personality and a tragic end.

Neflite's notable abilities include astral projection, as he can send out a sentient shadow or soul shade to possess or influence others. He also performs a technique called Starlight Attack, and he creates a Black Crystal that can track the Silver Crystal by reacting to the power of love. His psychic powers allow him to read the stars and predict energy surges in humans, making him a strategic and dangerous opponent. Despite his villainous beginnings, Neflite is remembered as one of the more complex antagonists in the series, with a redemption arc that remains a subject of discussion among fans.