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Update wa Pretty Massive
by Panadero - June 8, 2014 6:36:58 PM MST
486 episodes. 10 series. 15 movies. And this update is already technically out of date. This is the reason why I've barely put out any substantial updates for the last seven months. Tonight, I bring you the largest single update the site has ever seen: 101 girls from the Pretty Cure franchise. It's been clear for a while now that Pretty Cure is a license for Toei to print money, and I can understand why: As far as traditional magical girl shows go in this day and age, Pretty Cure is the cream of the crop.
Because a franchise this large deserves an update just as large, I'll list my quick thoughts on each series, as well as my immediate favorite characters and if applicable, 'slow burner' characters which took me a while to fully appreciate.
Pretty Cure/Pretty Cure Max Heart
I really liked the focus on physical brawling with magic only used to finish enemies off. I'm convinced that Nagisa and Honoka are the most physically strong of all the Cures.
Favorite character: Honoka/Cure White (#1 favorite overall)
Slow burner: Hikari/Shiny Luminous
Pretty Cure Splash Star
I get the feeling this was the least popular of all the series, if Saki and Mai's minimal presence in the All Stars movies is anything to go by.
Favorite character: Mai/Cure Egret
Yes! Precure 5/Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!
I fell in love with this cast pretty quickly. It felt like there was a good balance of personalities and the sequel series really added texture to them. I also appreciated the hints (but no more than hints) of potential romance.
Favorite characters: Nozomi/Cure Dream, Urara/Cure Lemonade
Slow burner: Komachi/Cure Mint
Fresh Precure
The different style and proportions of the girls took a bit of getting used to, but I settled in soon enough. Too bad the cast didn't feel particularly strongly written.
Favorite character: Inori/Cure Pine
Slow burner: Love/Cure Peach
Heartcatch Precure
Definitely my favorite series and accompanying movie. I loved the art style and narrative direction they went with, and Erika steals every scene she's in. I have an unhealthy fondness for her.
Favorite character: Erika/Cure Marine (#2 favorite overall)
Slow burner: Tsubomi/Cure Blossom
Suite Precure
I only began to truly appreciate this series while I was reflecting on it after having completed it. Hibiki and Kanade's arguments were annoying at the beginning, but I understood the point of them. Hibiki is also the first jock of the entire franchise who is my favorite character in a series.
Favorite character: Hibiki/Cure Melody
Slow burners: Ako, Siren
Smile Precure!
Just like with the Yes! cast, I immediately liked this set of characters, and in my amateur opinion, they were better written to boot. My taste in characters is even consistent with their color assignments in relation to the Yes! cast.
Favorite characters: Miyuki/Cure Happy, Yayoi/Cure Peace
Slow burner: Nao/Cure March
Dokidoki! Precure
This series broke the A/B pattern of 'good (A) followed by not quite as good (B)' (with sequels lumped in with originals) for me with a second A. It sometimes felt a little too rushed with story content, but I enjoyed it.
Favorite characters: Rikka/Cure Diamond, Regina
Slow burner: Alice/Cure Rosetta