Question on Hotaru's School

[Metroidvania]

Hmm, another question for an upcoming chapter.
I read on.....Wiki....I think.....that Hotaru's school, Mugen Gakuen, was destroyed when the Death Buster's lab rose out...or something like that.
Does the school get rebuilt in canon?
Either way, it's similar to Middle School/Junior High (Grades 6-8 or 7-9, depending on the definition) right? I know there are differences between the two systems, and I think this was brought up already, but I can't seem to find it?.....
Also, It says on
http://thetour.animehunters.com/mareingenii/manga/pastel_sailorsaturn.html
that Hotaru's 12 when she's introduced, is that correct? I'm asking because, at this point in the continuity, if I recall correctly, all the others besides Pluto are 15, and the SM continuity takes two years or so.....and I thought Hotaru was a little older than 12....Though I guess after Galaxia, she would be 14, if the info is true....
Just wondering on much I'm going to have to mess with.....
Later,
MV

[lwf58]

IIRC, Mugen Gakuen (Infinity Academy) was the exclusive private school that Hotaru, Michiru, and Haruka all went to; Hotaru's father founded it. It was an elevator school, where students entered as first year grade school students and stayed all the way through junior high and high school graduation.
Elevator schools are called that because you almost automatically advance to the next grade, with no chance of washing out. This differs from Japanese public schools, where you have to take entrance exams for junior high and high school. In Japan, junior high is the last mandatory education level. The competition to get into high school is fierce, and only a percentage of Japanese students make it. Those that don't end up with menial jobs or flipping burgers, and some of them even end up joining the yakuza. In an elevator school, you are guaranteed entry into the associated junior high and high school programs. These schools are also good stepping stones for being accepted at major universities.
Because of this, elevator schools are devastatingly expensive. Yet parents want their kids to have that advantage so much that they will willingly endure decades of crushing debt to borrow the money to get their children into one.
Mugen Gakuen was destroyed at the end of the Death Busters arc and never rebuilt.

[EdenB]

As for Hotaru's age, i've seen different websites claiming she's 12, 13 and 14 at the end of S, which is only a short while after she's introduced.
I can't seem to find out her birth date or age, only that her birthday is Jan 6th.

<Screenshot taken from Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story - English Translation>

[Metroidvania]

Mugen Gakuen was destroyed at the end of the Death Busters arc and never rebuilt.

Thanks for the information, Larry.
Since that's the case, I (think I) remember that Haruka and Michiru move to Usagi's school, and they're one year ahead to to their birthdays in the Japanese school calendar, but where does Hotaru go then, if the Mugen Gakuen is destroyed?

[lwf58]

Because Hotaru is reborn after the destruction of Pharoah 90, she goes to the same grade school as Chibiusa. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anywhere that the name of the school is mentioned.

[Metroidvania]

Because Hotaru is reborn after the destruction of Pharoah 90, she goes to the same grade school as Chibiusa. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anywhere that the name of the school is mentioned.

Eh, don't worry about it Larry. Thanks for looking.
If anyone does know, though, that would be great. Otherwise, it just means I have one more thing to make up as I go.
Later,
MV

[EdenB]

As an afterthought, though not the point, i'm fairly sure I remember Usagi stating that she's 16 now and can get married and go to high school, I think at the start of S in the anime.
On a more related note, depending on what age you make Hotaru, you'll have to find out what type of school accepts that age group, or put her in an elevator school likes Rei's perhaps.

[Zwzn]

As for Hotaru's age, i've seen different websites claiming she's 12, 13 and 14 at the end of S, which is only a short while after she's introduced.
I can't seem to find out her birth date or age, only that her birthday is Jan 6th.

<Screenshot taken from Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story - English Translation>

Hotaru's age is never actually given in the anime or manga as far as I can tell. I have heard that in the manga she is in something like 6th grade during S. This still does not really tell us her age for certain.

[EdenB]

Hotaru's age is never actually given in the anime or manga as far as I can tell. I have heard that in the manga she is in something like 6th grade during S. This still does not really tell us her age for certain.

Simple plot device, her accelerated aging levelled out at <insert age you want her to be for the stories sake>.
Out of interest, what age is 6th grade? I'm from England and it's done Nursery, Reception, Years 1 - 13 and then University here, with college being interchangable with different years depending on the level of the course.

[Pale Wolf]

Eleven/twelve.
That'd be... still in elementary school in Japan, I think. I've got a good handle on Junior and High School, but not so much on the elementary side of things.

[Metroidvania]

Eleven/twelve.
That'd be... still in elementary school in Japan, I think. I've got a good handle on Junior and High School, but not so much on the elementary side of things.

Hmm, so is 13 the start of Junior High? Or is JH a two year deal from 14-15?
I (think I) remember that the inners started "High School" at 16....
Later,
MV

[lwf58]

Japanese schools typically use the most common American format: six years for primary school (grades 1-6), three years for middle school, and three years for high school. They don't use the numbering system, though. Each level of education starts over at "1". So instead of a student just starting junior high being in 7th grade, he or she is an ichinensei - a first-year student. If they make it to high school, the same goes. They are first-years there too. The terms for students in the other two years are "ninensei" and "sannensei".
So the kids should be in the 12-13 year old range as they start junior high.

[Metroidvania]

Japanese schools typically use the most common American format: six years for primary school (grades 1-6), three years for middle school, and three years for high school. They don't use the numbering system, though. Each level of education starts over at "1". So instead of a student just starting junior high being in 7th grade, he or she is an ichinensei - a first-year student. If they make it to high school, the same goes. They are first-years there too. The terms for students in the other two years are "ninensei" and "sannensei".
So the kids should be in the 12-13 year old range as they start junior high.

Right then.
Thanks for clearing that up, Larry. At least that means I can use "Juuban Junior High" as an option.
Later,
MV

[Togashi Gaijin]

The Japanese school year begins the first full week of April and ends the middle of March in the following year. Children enroll in their first year of primary school (1st grade) if they are 6 years old by April 1st.
The following chart shows the usual age ranges for school children, the first age is for school start, the second for school end. Yochien (kindergarten) are usually private and accept children between the ages of 3 to 5.
----------------------------------
6/7 - Shou gakkou 1st grade (elementary)
7/8 - Shou gakkou 2nd grade
8/9 - Shou gakkou 3rd grade
9/10 - Shou gakkou 4th grade
10/11 - Shou gakkou 5th grade
11/12 - Shou gakkou 6th grade
----------------------------------
12/13 - Chu gakkou 1st year (Jr High school, US 7th grade)
13/14 - Chu gakkou 2nd year (US 8th grade)
14/15 - Chu gakkou 3rd year (US 9th grade)
----------------------------------
15/16 - Koutou gakkou 1st year (High school, US 10th grade)
16/17 - Koutou gakkou 2nd year (US 11th grade)
17/18 - Koutou gakkou 3rd year (US 12th grade)
----------------------------------
18+ - Daigaku (College/University)
There is very little varience to these ages - children are not usually held back or advanced ahead of their "designated" years. Remember, in Japan there is immense pressure to conform to your peer group.
Children who are failing in school will often drop out of school entirely rather than face the stigma of being held back, and a measurable number of school drop-outs suicide. Teen suicide is a BIG problem in Japan.

[Zwzn]

There is very little varience to these ages - children are not usually held back or advanced ahead of their "designated" years. Remember, in Japan there is immense pressure to conform to your peer group.
Children who are failing in school will often drop out of school entirely rather than face the stigma of being held back, and a measurable number of school drop-outs suicide. Teen suicide is a BIG problem in Japan.

This kind of supports my idea that hotaru might have been held back by her father. Happiness, love, and other "lighter" emotions seem almost like a poison to Misstress 9 when Hotaru feels them in the anime at least IMO.