Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Fan Favorite Episode and Guest Awards 2023 Winners and Honorable Mentions

 

Hallo everyone! I apologize again for not posting new content on my blog due to work and engaging in various ganaps for the past two months, as well as being busy for the Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Year-End Special 2023. But we're back to business once again coz, thanks to your votes, we'll reveal the winners, and some honorable mentions, for the first Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Fan Favorite Episode and Guest Awards!

Favorite Season One Episode (Note: Bold letters state the winner of the category)

1. "Yona's Random Rambles 2021" - 33.3%
2. "RIVER by MNL48 Fan Commentary and Impressions" - 33.3% (tied for first place)
3. "Why Do We Love Cure Grace?" - 16.7%
4. "Mid-Season Pretty Cures Look Backs! Road to Cure La Mer Part 1" - 16.7% (tied for second place)

Honorable Mentions

• "Yona's Doctor Who Fan Experiences So Far"
• "20/20 Vision! Up~on the Graceful Future! The Yona Kuromatoki Year-End Special 2020 Part 1"
• "#HealinGoodSakalam! The Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Tribute to Healin' Good Pretty Cure Part 4: The Woman Who Chimed to Earth
• "Girls Can Be Heroes Too!"
• "#HealinGoodSakalam! The Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Tribute to Healin' Good Pretty Cure Part 1: Our Amazing Grace"

Favorite Season Two Episode

1. "365 Araw ng YKIP x Sayonara Thirteen: The Prelude - Road to Regeneration" - 33.3%
2. "The Thasmin Effect on Queer Culture" - 16.7%
3. "#YonaXXIX and A Decade of Symphogear" - 16.7% (tied for second place)
4. "Doctor Who, Leni Robredo and the Negastar Army" - 16.7% (tied for second place)
5. "YKIP All Axezz Chapter Zero: Tropical Flux! PTAA Travel Trade Expo 2021!" - 16.7% (tied for second place)

Honorable Mentions

• "Trese and the Filipino Geek Culture"
• "1, 2 Kuru Jump~! The Mewkledreamy Talks!"
• "Cures Summer and La Mer Appreciation"
• "Red and Blue Oceans in Modern Society"
• "Anong Gentle, Gentle?! It's Cure Finale!!"

Favorite Part 3.0 Episode

1. "It's Krejza! It's Majestic! Thoughts on Our 78th Main Pretty Cure Hero!" - 16.7%
2. "The Power of JaneNella" - 16.7% (tied for first place)
3. "Is Bad Publicity Still Publicity?" - 16.7%
4. "Sayonara Thirteen! The Power of the Doctor Commentary" - 16.7% (tied for second place)
5. "What the Hell is the Eurovision Song Contest?!" - 16.7%
6. "Five Glorious Years of MNL48" - 16.7% (tied for third place)

Honorable Mentions

• "The Golf Gals and the Space Mecha Gals"
• "Fukkatsu! The Road to Pretty Cure All Stars F!"
• "Let Our Precious Moments Lead!! The Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Year-End Special 2022"
• "#PreCure20th Specials Part Two: The Party Goes On Forever! Our Delicious Party♡Pretty Cure Impressions and Commentary!"
• "Six Decades of Adventure in Space and Time"

Favorite Recurring Guest

1. Christian Quilala
2. Andrea "Drei" Labastilla (tied for first place)
3. Jackson "Blazeix" Jordan
4. Nathaniel Vergara (tied for second place)

Favorite Season One and Two Guest

1. The Roaming Historyador - 33.3%
2. Dina aka Raspberry Cremé - 33.3% (tied for first place)
3. Christian Quilala - 16.7%
4. DregenScarletBloom - 16.7% (tied for second place)

Honorable Mentions

• Jay Agonoy
• Nightcat
• Usapang Cosplay Podcast
• Jackson "Blazeix" Jordan
• Charlie aka sheregenerated

Favorite Part 3.0 Guest

1. Philip Miguel Garcia - 33.3%
2. Leigh Craddock - 16.7%
3. JG Ramos - 16.7% (tied for second place)
4. NeraTheodore - 16.7%
5. David Seery - 16.7% (tied for third place)

Honorable Mentions

• Louie Aguinaldo
• Jernard aka Bern Bear
• ElectricAura
• Andrea "Drei" Labastilla

Congratulations to the first set of winners for the YKIP Favorite Episode and Guest Awards despite some tie-breaks! Your contribution and efforts to the podcast won't be wasted and useless, and you also made it more interesting throughout its three-year run. You guys are very welcome to come back to this silly but amazing podcast show and hoping to hear you all again in the future episodes.

Again, shout out to those who are voted for their favorites and thank you for spending your time to do it!

See ya all at the Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Fan Favorite Episode and Guest Awards 2024, and we will wish you a very soaring sky Christmas and a wonderful new year, YKIPers!

Videos With the Highest Number of Views on the Yona Kuromatoki YouTube Channel

 

Happy new year and welcome to the Year of the First Rabbit, everyone! To kickoff my year-long 30th birth anniversary and the other celebratories that share with it, here are the videos with the highest number of views on my YouTube channel as of this writing:

1. Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Season Two Episode 11: The Thasmin Effect on Queer Culture - 411 views

2. #YKCovers: Pretty Cure Memory ~New Stage 3 Ver.~ - 277 views

3. Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast: All Axezz Chapter 3: Larong Atin Launch Event with MNL48 Team Padayon - 114 views

4. Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Season Two Episode 2: Cures Summer and La Mer Appreciation - 87 views

5. Karaoke Contest Performance of "Hajimari no BABEL" (Senki Zesshou Symphogear) from AniCon July 2022 Day 1 - 82 views

6. Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Season Two Episode 12: Anong Gentle, Gentle?! It's Cure Finale!! - 66 views

7. Karaoke Contest Performance of "Nakayoshi no Uta" (Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure) from Ozine Fest 2022 Day 2 - 55 views

8. Karaoke Contest Performance of "Hot Springs" (Healin' Good♡Pretty Cure) from Otaku Expo Tanabata Festival 2022 Day 2 - 42 views

Noticed that the majority on the list are all from Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Season Two, which ended last August 16, 2022 and was succeeded by the currently ongoing Part 3.0 season, and the rest are my karaoke contest performances on both online and onsite. Chapter 3 of All Axezz on the other hand is the only content with this distinction for the entire sub-segment on the platform.

Which of my YouTube videos is your favorite and why? Comment down below, on my FB page or my Twitter @goddessyk13.

Anong Gentle, Gentle?! Introducing Cure Finale!

 

In the dawning hours of June 30, 2022, which happens to be the birthday of Laura Apollodoros Hyginus La Mer aka Cure La Mer, Usagi Tsukino aka Sailor Moon and Chibi-Usa aka Sailor Chibi Moon as well as MNL48 member Dian Mercado and former member Alyssa Garcia, plus the not-so festive and kinda dully as hell inauguration of the highly controversial 17th Philippines president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the identity of the fourth Delicious Party Pretty Cure has been revealed to the world by Toei Animation and it's none other than Amane Kasai, formerly the Bundoru Gang's food phantom thief Gentle, who was appeared at the beginning of the story. She is going to be transformed into Cure Finale starting from the current Pretty Cure season's 18th episode on July 10. Her birthday is revealed to be on November 24, a day after Doctor Who Day, and the birthdays of Madoka Kaguya aka Cure Selene from Star Twinkle and Scottish actress Michelle Gomez, who played the first female Master named Missy from the aforementioned sci-fi show.

With this announcement therefore, Ai Kayano (Darkness in KonoSuba, Hana Mutou in Captain Earth, Meiko "Menma" Honma in Anohana and Kirika Akatsuki in Senki Zesshou Symphogear) will be taking over from Rina Hidaka, the woman who played the aforementioned fighting mermaid queen in the global action magical girl show's previous season Tropical-Rouge!, as the newest midseason Cure heroine and making the third exclusive in the Reiwa era preceeding the former aforementioned and Suzuko Mimori, who played Asumi Fuurin aka Cure Earth in Healin' Good.

Amane will be the fifth redeemed midseason heroine after Fresh!'s Setsuna Higashi aka Cure Passion (voiced by Yuka Komatsu), Suite's Ellen Kurokawa aka Cure Beat (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi), Go! Princess' Towa Akagi aka Cure Scarlet (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro) and HUGtto!'s Ruru Amour aka Cure Amour (voiced by Yukari Tamura), and the very first from planet Earth. However, she is also the first midseason Cure from the planet since HUGtto!'s Emiru Aisaki (voiced by Nao Tamura) in 2019 and the fourth to have a sibling (in this case, twin brothers) after HeartCatch!'s Itsuki Myoudouin aka Cure Sunshine (voiced by Houko Kuwashima), Happiness Charge!'s Iona Hikawa aka Cure Fortune (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu) and the latter aforementioned. 

In the Cure series' official YouTube channel, Kayano takes on some delicious smiled questions during a video interview that is posted there. 

Q. "How did you feel when you were chosen to play the role of PreCure?" 

Kayano: At first, I was feeling happy slowly, but it hadn't hit me yet, vaguely thinking, "I'm going to play the role now, I'm going to be a part of this family." When I met with the cast and staff and heard their passion for PreCure, I felt more and more like, "This is real!" Amane (who transforms into PreCure after the Phantom Thief Gentle) has a lot of emotional turmoil, so the staff asked me to play that part of her well, and I felt a lot of pressure. But I was very happy to be entrusted with such a role, and I looked forward to receiving the script every week. I also felt that everyone on the staff was supporting me as much as possible, so I have participated in the recording session every week with the hope of responding to their wishes. 

Q. "What is the appeal of the PreCure series?" 

Kayano: Each PreCure series has a strong theme, and I feel a passionate desire "to convey this to children." I think that the charm of the PreCure series lies in the fact that all the staff members share the same passion and are working hard in the same direction. I feel like my heart is ignited by that passion, and I think that "Delicious Party Pretty Cure" in particular is filled with "warm hearts" (on the production site as well). When I was chosen to play Amane-chan, a friend contacted me. A mother with a young child said to me, "You're going to be in PreCure!" I was so happy to hear that. I felt that "PreCure" is a work that is watched by so many people, even people who don't usually watch anime, and it made me feel like I had to work even harder. I want to to love Amane Kasai/Cure Finale myself, and I hope that everyone will love her too. 

Q. "What is the most important meal for you?" 

Kayano: It must be "mother's food." I wouldn't trade it for anything. Ever since I was a child, the "winning meal" in the Kayano family was always "green pepper stuffed with meat." And, what surprised me when I read the scenario of a little future episode this time was the appearance of "Fruit Punch with Shiratama (rice cake ball)" in the story. I felt it was my destiny because I used to make "Fruit Punch with Shiratama" with my mother when I was a child. On a special day, I was eating it, so I felt I had something in common with Amane-chan. I want to make it again, and on special occasions, I think I will be a little selfish to ask my mother to make it for me (laughs). "Delicious" is something important that can be expanded upon. I hope that "Delicious Party Pretty Cure" will provide more opportunities for everyone to enjoy "delicious." 

As always like all the midseason Cure seiyuus that came before, I'm super excited for Kayano to take on the iconic Pretty Cure heroine role and she'll be nailed it as well. I'm also looking forward to see Amane-tan in action as Finale and what things are in store. 

What do you think about Amane-tan as the newest midseason Cure heroine? Are you excited to see her in action? Comment down below, on my Facebook page and Instagram @yonakuromatoki or my Twitter @goddessyona13. 

References:

https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/06/29-1/ai-kayano-is-confirmed-as-the-voice-of-cure-finale-in-delicious-party-pretty-cure?utm_source=community_cr&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=news_en&referrer=community_cr_twitter_news

https://youtu.be/oATQ8kNu4qs

Rina Hidaka as Cure La Mer

 

When I first learned that Rina Hidaka was going to be Laura, the then-mermaid sidekick of the Tropical-Rouge Pretty Cures, I started to wonder if this was finally the answer to what I had often wished for during my teens: Having a full fighting mermaid in a fictional show.

Throughout the course of the current Pretty Cure season, how many people have seen and adored Laura because of her never-before seen unique personality and her close bond with the current leader Manatsu Natsuumi aka Cure Summer (voiced by Fairouz Ai)? How many people has she inspired by showing them the way on their proper interests and telling her own views about mermaids in contrast to the traditional ones a lot of people had been told for centuries?

On the real life sense by looking at Hidaka's entire filmography, I was plunged into a colorful and dull universe, which also exuded so much power.

It requires hard work and dedication to go deep inside yourself and use even the darkest parts to bring a character to life. And this is exactly what transpires through her many roles over the years.

And now, after countless trials and errors, so many what ifs and several tries, Hidaka has finally fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a Cure, and followed the footsteps of some seiyuus who already took the iconic role such as Megumi Nakajima, Yui Horie, Yukari Tamura, Eimi Naruse, Aoi Yuuki and Suzuko Mimori.

She made another peaked milestone in the show's nearly 20 year history and, as a seiyuu, I am convinced that La Mer has expanded her and her career even more. It made her grow and pushed her to keep working hard and to always give her best. That's why she has been able to deliver some of the most magnificent performances.

So to honor and celebrate the awesomeness of our fighting funny fish girl and the woman who played her, I gathered some of my co-Cure fans from different corners of planet Earth for a very special and tropica-shiny appreciation to the both of them!

Q1. What are your first impressions about Laura as a character? Why do you love her so much?

Riel (@CharmingKlebver, via Twitter): She's one lively mermaid. Her balance of pep and serene makes me smile a lot. It did helped, color-wise they make a lovely ombre.

Raspberry (@Raspberrycreme1, via Twitter): Okay, I'll admit at first I found her extremely stubborn. And that she was only ever after her goal of becoming the next queen, with her reckless behavior. However, as she started to get closer to the girls, I slowly started to realize how much of a good friend she truly is. It's like a transition of opinions.

Lala (@SANRXO, via Twitter): So right off the bat I thought it was so interesting that instead of an animal sidekick we got Laura, who is already a character with her own goals outside of just finding Pretty Cures. Her design and style are just amazing, and I adore her determined attitude and unique personality!

Rin (@pretty_clover_, via Twitter): I thought Laura was a selfish character who thought she was the best than others. However, she met Manatsu, learned the importance of her friends, and was attracted to her becoming more and more obedient.

Blaze Hoshimiya Akechi (via Messenger): My first impression about Laura-chan is her determination. She may be as funny as Erika-chan and Hime-chan but I can see she is striving some people to get their motivations going. She is actually helpful with her words.

AJ Locke (via Messenger): And well first I always thought she became a Cure due to the fact I have experience identifying new Pretty Cure members, also even at the start she's just a support character for the team. She develops unity and trust to everyone and that's the reason why her character develops even more after 20+ episodes of the show, so yeah I like her very much because of the good write for her plot on the show itself.

Q2. What is your reaction about Laura being a Cure? Explain.

Riel: Super glad she finally becomes one. And literally the her first morph is fantastical~ She finally shows herself to be a great friend and queen candidate.

Raspberry: It was actually expected to happen, because I have heard her complain once about how she would never become a Pretty Cure. But her wish became true, and she became a heroine. It was also neat how she can easily transition from mermaid to human!

Lala: I think it was only natural (as foreshadowed in the first episode) but she really bought that special something to the team - both characterwise and design wise - that really bought them all together. I think she was a great choice for a Cure. Especially as it really showed her development as a character.

Rin: I think it's nice. We've never had a mermaid Cure, and it's good to have a pedicure that expresses Laura's wishes.

Blaze: I was really surprised that Laura-chan became a Cure. In fact, I was really happy. If she didn't become a Cure, she wouldn't become a human. It may sound so sudden but the first time I've seen Laura-chan as a PreCure and a human was in the Mermaid Aqua Pot toy, as it has been revealed.

AJ: It's no surprise since I knew it from the start of show because why you even put her to the visual art poster if she not gonna be a Cure? Not unless Toei pulling another Regina syndrome it will be disappointing. Also I always knew how Toei do their planing in terms of introducing a new member for the current PreCure team, it might be her Cure design is not my favorite but her debut in the show as the official member of the team will be my most favorite part.

Q3. Why is Manatsu and Laura's dynamic relationship so important to Tropical-Rouge! PreCure's overall premise?

Riel: Since it's about motivation, meeting each other makes their live tropically shine brighter with each day. Now that they're Cures, it can get wilder from here. And once they part ways, it'll be an endearing one.

Raspberry: For me, it was important, because Manatsu had a huge love for the sea, and Laura wanted to explore the surface. Their goals and determination, has really brought those two closer together, and I am so happy about it! It's like they are meant to team up together because of their behavior towards each other.

Lala: Obviously the first point is the fact that their relationship is really forming the bond between two worlds, but even deeper than that it's really important for each other's character. Laura is Manatsu's foil, bringing her back down to earth when she gets to carried away, while vice versa, Manatsu reminds Laura to appreciate friendship and have fun. They wouldn't develop this way without each other.

Rin: I didn't know how to answer when asked "Why is it so important?" However, Pretty Cure has always valued "friendship" in the works so far, so I think Manatsu and Laura also value each other's existence.

Blaze: Knowing Manatsu can be excitable. Though her faith can be shattered when she's down, making her transformation disable twice in the series, Laura always wanted to get Manatsu back on her feet. Honestly, I feel a little shocked when Manatsu disables her transformation during the fight twice when she's down in the fight.

AJ: I guess because their leadership works a lot of times to save the team most of the time. I'm not gonna saying the other three (Sango Suzumura, Minori Ichinose and Asuka Takizawa aka Cures Coral, Papaya and Flamingo) didn't help the team to be grown, it's just Natsuumi & Laura's bond is so stronger for them to stand out against their enemies. Natsuumi's fighting spirit + Laura's support to the team is a very important key to the story, without it they can't win.

Q4. What are your thoughts about Rina Hidaka's lifelong dream of becoming a Pretty Cure heroine and how is she inspire others in taking the iconic role?

Riel: This is a wonderful surprise to her. Being one of the major icons you look up to is a challenge and a great wish. Now that Rina has Ocean Blue in her soul as La Mer, she gives her all in playing her.

Raspberry: Well, I think it was a beautiful dream she has finally fulfilled! She really shows to others that anyone can teach their goal of what they want the most in their lives. It's inspiring because she wants to teach others that anyone can do anything. Spot on!

Lala: In a way it's really quite a parallel to Laura's story in a way; in fact knowing that makes it all that much sweeter when she becomes Cure La Mer. It's really heartwarming when you know someone has put their whole heart into achieving their dreams and it's super inspirational to see it come true.

Rin: I think it's nice.

Blaze: Well, Rina Hidaka has most roles as cute girls, as fans mentions about her characters as lolis, like Silica from the Sword Art Online series. I am very surprised that Hidaka took the role as a PreCure. She has been in some heroine roles in few shows.

AJ: I think her story is inspiring other people to not stop pursuing to their goal/ambition in life and to be great in anything. Well, her goal started as a jealous one due to, you know, other seiyuus taking the mantle of a Cure because of experience and being popular by portraying an iconic character. So for me, she uses it as her motivation to improve more as a seiyuu then she got the role and the rest is history alongside with the other cast.

Q5. What is your message to La Mer and Hidaka-san?

Riel: Hidaka-san, thank you for lending your voice to this story. I'm proud that your wish came true as a seiyuu. I hope you take your rest after getting treated and I wish you the best of luck. As for Queen Laura Apollodoros Hyginus La Mer/Cure La Mer, you are quite a character in this series. How can I start? You're a confident lady who has an opinion on most topics with a bit of a cheeky side. A bit vain, you have what it takes to be a great queen. As your time as a PreCure, I love your dress, the nails, the pact attacks, it blows my mind that it took you a while to show your oceanic side. I hope you grow up to be a queen for all. Thanks for being here with all of us. And by the way, I'm working on my goals to be a hero and a storyteller as well.

Raspberry: I want to wish Hidaka-san a full and speedy recovery and that she will all be in good health once again. Because in the end, the Pretty Cures have fought so much for us, it's also time to fight for themselves and I know they can do it! And La Mer, I adore your character, because you bring so much joy to the kids, and other fans around the world!

Lala: Thank you for being/voicing the best character in the series!!!! Laura's captivated me like no other Cure character and her voice actress is a PERFECT match!

Rin: I love the strong and beautiful La Mer. I'm surprised to learn that Hidaka-san was infected with the new corona the other day... I pray for her quick recovery as soon as possible!!!!!

Blaze: Hidaka-san, you are an example of cuteness and I have been admired your cute voice since your role as Silica from SAO. You have always my support. Also, I like your drawing of Laura. Laura-chan, meeting you wouldn't be called something like destiny or fate. But it is our calling that brought us here. I thank you for coming to us. Meeting you is like my heart has been shot by your arrow. And you made me very happy.

AJ: For both of them, I wish that they continue to inspire other people to be good whatever profession/status in their life and good luck to both of them. FIGHT!!!

Rina Hidaka's illustration of Laura as posted

on her Twitter (@hidaka_rina0615)

We wish Hidaka-san for a full recovery from the coronavirus so we can hear her lovely voice and her amazing contents once again. Anyway, please include her in your prayers too.

The Tropical Fighting Mermaid! Introducing Cure La Mer!

 

In the dawning hours of June 1, 2021, the identity of the fifth Tropical-Rouge PreCure has been revealed to the world by Toei Animation and it's none other than the current team's mermaid colleague Laura. She is going to be transformed into Cure La Mer starting from the season's 17th episode on June 20. Her birthday has also been revealed to be on the 30th, which coincidentally shares with Alyssa Garcia and Dian Mercado of the Filipino 48g sister counterparts and pioneered PPop idol group MNL48, as well as Usagi Tsukino and Chibi Usa aka the titular Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi Moon respectively.

Therefore, veteran seiyuu Rina Hidaka (Rosia in Show By Rock!, Prelati in Senki Zesshou Symphogear AXZ, Pirika in the rebooted Shaman King anime series) will be taking over from Suzuko Mimori, the woman who played Asumi Fuurin aka Cure Earth in the global superheroine show's previous season Healin' Good, as the third Reiwa and 15th overall mid-season Cure, and the 69th of the ever growing main heroines.

Also included with the reveal is an interview with Hidaka. Here's what she had to say!

Question 1: The mermaid Laura has transformed into a PreCure! What are your thoughts on this?

RH: Up until now, I've supported everyone else as we fought together, but I'm very happy and moved to face enemies with the others as a PreCure! I've dreamed of becoming a Cure since I was young, so this day was something I've greatly awaited.

Question 2: What are your thoughts on Cure La Mer's design?

RH: She's a little more mature and mysterious compared to the usual Laura, so I was very excited to see it. She's truly tropica-shining! There's a lot of attention to detail in her design, and I'm very fond of her hair, personally.

Question 3: Please tell us about your enthusiasm towards playing a PreCure.

RH: Laura's feelings have changed in many different ways from spending time with Manatsu and the others. She has many different conflicts and feelings that come from her being a mermaid, so I'd like to play her role in a way that includes this while still carrying joy. I'll do my best to make as many people as possible and enjoy Cure La Mer. Please look forward to it!

Like all the mid-season Cures' seiyuus before her, including immediate predecessors Sumire Uesaka (who voiced Yuni aka Cure Cosmo in Star Twinkle) and Mimori, Hidaka will surely be a very fantastic and brilliant person taking up the iconic role, and I know she's gonna nail it too just like them. 

What did you think about Laura being the newest mid-season Cure? Are you excited to see her in action? Let's la sharing your thoughts on the comments box below, on my Facebook page or on my Twitter @goddessyk13! Anyway, stay tuned for my followup blog impressions on Cure La Mer immediately after the airing of Tropical-Rouge! PreCure episode 17.

Reference: Toei Animation Official Webpage for the Pretty Cure Series