Pretty Cure Then and Now- Episode 01
In the last entry I introduced the project to compare episodes from the 2004 Futari Wa Precure with the new series, Hirogaru Sky! Precure. Here we look at the first episode from both:
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Pretty Cure Then and Now – Introduction
In a discussion over on urusai.social (mastodon anime instance), I got the idea to watch Hirogaru Sky Precure (new 20th season) and Futari wa Precure (1st season) in synch, and compare them. I’d watched quite a few magical girl anime series, but I was reluctant to try Precure because there were over 600 episodes at the time, and I’d heard that it was aimed at 5-8 year old girls. My … Continue reading →
Top Twenty Reasons to Watch Pretty Cure – Guest Post by Margaret Moon
Back in 2020 I was thinking of starting watching Precure, but was reluctant because there were so many episodes. I asked my friend Margaret about it, and she had written this article a couple months before that. She was sure I would enjoy it, so I decided to start at the beginning. Here’s her article: May 29, 2020 Hello my friends and happy Friday, I wanted to put down a … Continue reading →
Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Garden of Words)
Garden of Words is an excellent example of the Kishotenketsu story structure. If you haven’t seen that movie, I also look at Kiki’s Delivery Service here. Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s … Continue reading →
Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Kiki)
Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s a different story structure than we usually see. Anime fans usually don’t talk about story structure, it’s more of a writer thing. And many writers are … Continue reading →
Precure Transformations #4 Cure Moonlight:
My last installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.
This time it’s Yuri/Cure Moonlight. She was defeated three years ago, her fairy died protecting her, and she’s been living with guilt and depression ever since. But there’s one final chance to redeem herself and help save the world.
See how her experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:
Continue reading →Precure Transformations #3 Cure Sunshine:
My third installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.
Itsuke/Cure Sunshine is the 3rd Heartcatch Cure. She dresses and acts like a boy to help her family dojo, but she loves cute, girly things in secret. Gender conflicts highlight her anxiety. The storyboarder & animator bring this to the fore.
Continue reading →Precure Transformations #2 Cure Marine:
My second installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.
Now it’s Erika- the loud, enthusiastic blue Cure with no social skills and a passion for fashion. She can go from design to final outfit in nothing flat.
See how her personality and experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:
Continue reading →Precure Transformations #1: Cure Blossom
The first installment in my series, looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.
Tsubomi is the first Cure in Heartcatch. As a 1st Cure, and a Pink one at that, you’d expect she’d be outgoing and enthusiastic- an ideal team leader. Instead she’s pathologically shy, somewhat clumsy, and fixated on flowers and the language of flowers (Hanakotoba).
See how her experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:
Continue reading →Pretty Cure & Japanese Esthetic Philosophy
The Japanese esthetic principle of Mono no Aware, the value and pathos of impermanent things viewed through the lens of a Delicious Party Precure episode.
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