Ami Mizuno is a teenage girl distinguished by her short dark blue hair, blue eyes, and occasional use of reading glasses. As a civilian, she attends Juban Public Middle School and later Juban High School, wearing standard seasonal uniforms. Her name holds symbolic weight: "Mizuno" translates to "water field" or "of the water," and "Ami" can mean "Asian Beauty" or "Second Beauty," collectively interpreted as "Second Beauty of the Water"—a meaning aligning with her destiny. Coming from divorced parents, Ami lives primarily with her mother Saeko, a doctor often absent due to work commitments. Her father, a painter, maintains only minimal contact, typically limited to birthday cards. This familial situation fosters her initial shyness and struggle to form friendships. Classmates often perceive her as aloof, largely due to her extraordinary academic prowess; she consistently tops national exams, boasting a rumored IQ of 300. Her intelligence grants proficiency in computers, mathematics, and science, though she secretly enjoys romance novels and pop culture. Luna discovers Ami as Sailor Mercury, recruiting her as the second Guardian in the 90s anime and the first in the manga. Her awakening happens during a confrontation with the yoma Garoben at Crystal Seminar, a cram school she attends. Luna initially suspects Ami due to an unusual aura but recognizes her true identity when the Mercury symbol manifests on her forehead during the attack. Transforming with the phrase "Mercury Power, Make Up!", she employs her signature Shabon Spray to create obscuring mist, enabling Sailor Moon's victory. As Sailor Mercury, Guardian of Water and Wisdom (or Knowledge), she wields hydrokinetic and cryokinetic powers. Her early abilities emphasize support and analysis: summoning a scanning visor via her earrings to assess threats and utilizing a handheld computer for tactical data. Offensive capabilities develop later, including **Shabon Spray Freezing** to immobilize foes, **Shine Aqua Illusion** for water-based assaults, and **Mercury Aqua Rhapsody**, conjuring a watery harp. Her transformations evolve distinctly: - **Classic Sailor Mercury** wears a sleeveless blue-and-white fuku with a blue tiara gem and stud earrings in the manga/Crystal; the 90s anime adds sleeves. - **Super Sailor Mercury** features a heart-shaped brooch, a single-stripe collar, and a star-adorned choker following power upgrades. - **Eternal Sailor Mercury** (manga/Crystal) modifies the costume with star-shaped gems, V-shaped chokers, and elongated gloves. - **Princess Mercury** (manga/Crystal) dons a formal blue gown, reflecting her Silver Millennium role as ruler of Mercury's Mariner Castle. Ami's personality evolves from insecure and reserved to confident and strategically indispensable. She becomes the primary tactician, analyzing enemies mid-battle and devising countermeasures. Despite her gentle, conflict-averse nature, she demonstrates fierce loyalty, sacrificing herself against the DD Girls by using Shabon Spray to extinguish lethal fires—a sacrifice resulting in her temporary death, later reversed by Sailor Moon's wish. Her resolve is tested when offered a medical scholarship in Germany; she initially accepts but returns, prioritizing her guardian duties. Key relationships shape her growth: - **Usagi Tsukino** bridges her isolation, becoming her first genuine friend and fostering social confidence. - **Ryo Urawa** (anime-only) shares intellectual kinship and romantic tension, their connection left unresolved after his disappearance. - **Mercurius** in the "Ami's First Love" OVA/Special sparks academic rivalry and a crush, culminating in her solo defeat of the spirit Bonnon using **Mercury Aqua Mirage**. This story reveals her allergic reaction to love letters, symbolizing her discomfort with romance. - **Mamoru Chiba** shares mentor-like bonds over intellectual pursuits and medical aspirations. Alternate continuities present different paths: - The live-action series (PGSM) depicts her as **Dark Mercury** after brainwashing by Kunzite, exploiting her insecurities about being expendable. - The musicals emphasize conflicts between her study abroad dreams and guardian responsibilities, sometimes portraying her as less naive and more stern toward Usagi. - "Parallel Sailor Moon" shows her future as a doctor, married with a daughter named Ami Jr., who also becomes a Sailor Guardian. Trivia notes include creator Naoko Takeuchi's initial concept of Ami as a cyborg, later discarded, and her popularity in Japanese character polls due to her studious nature resonating culturally. She enjoys swimming, chess, and songwriting, with favorite foods being sandwiches and anmitsu.