Sulong sa Bento Uno! Follow the Bright Summer Light! The Yona's Blog Year-End Special 2021

 

Hello, cockles! You missed me, right?! I was super busy for the past couple of weeks due to work, Heroes Con (plus the first YKIP Live) and recording of my year-end video. But now I'm back again in this blog and speaking of which, our 2021 year-end special, titled Sulong sa Bente Uno! Follow the Bright Summer Light, is a different thing compared to the ones I made in the recent years (except 2018 and 2019) because it'll be focused and themed about rewind memories and the importance of the now. Meaning to say, I won't able to highlight the good and bad moments that shape the year, but instead to pinpoint the pluses and minuses of it in perspectives of ordinary people.

I prepared five questions to four of my mates in order to share their 2021 experiences and here are their amazing and tropica-shiny responses!

1. What are the positives and negatives 2021 has brought you?

"The positives:
1. My best achievement ever in school (Placed 1st on Top 10 and became an Honor Student for the first time),
2. I am able to study in a private school (Yes. That dream of mine became true).
3. I am able to open up to my friends about my mental health.
4. I am able to relax and break my cabin fever by going outside for a walk.

The negatives:
1. Jealousy... Because I am feeling sad, having a simple but lonely graduation celebration, while others have very special graduation celebration.
2. Discouragements. I feel so discouraged because my parents are so mad at me for not doing anything valuable for our family and for taking wrong decisions that led me to regret the decisions I chose.
3. Pressure. It's all because of my parents putting much more pressure to me, just to meet their expectations from me, though I didn't sign up for anything they expected for me."

- Jasper Pernia

"The positive thing that happened this year is me leaving amino and trying to find another outlet to share my art and opinions.

And the negative experience is a tie between this message a received from an irl friend because of my pride month post. And a homophobic comment I received under a drawing of Minako (Aino) and Rei (Hino).

This last one really like ruined my day. I blocked the user who commented it cause I don't want to deal with this sh*t."

- Mostafa

"The positives for 2021, I have my family with me, still studying my course and I will be looking forward to graduating from college next year. I am blessed to be alive during the pandemic. I have cut off from my toxic friends and ex-boyfriend for good. I've met incredible online fandom friends.

The negative for 2021, that I am not able to see the rest of my family due to COVID. "

- Chloe

"Positives is that I got a good job working at a hospital that pays well, I made a Pretty Cure server that's filled with loving people and enjoy the franchise for what it is. The negatives is that I sadly wasn't able to pass my fall semester and sadly I didn't hit my subscriber goal of 10,000 subs."

- Jackson Jordan aka Blazeix

2. What are the things you've been thanked for this year?

"- I thanked myself for having true friends that kept me going, despite all the pressure parents put on me.
- I thanked myself for being able to go on through adventures by going outside walking around.
- I thanked myself for successfully meeting my Oshis in MNL48 last December 18.
- I thanked myself for succeeding my dream of studying in a private school.
- I thanked myself for expressing my creativity through comics.
- I thanked myself for taking risks, though my parents didn't want me to.
- I thanked myself for meeting other local Japanese idols through the use of a Japanese livestreaming app.
- I thanked myself for staying loyal to my original (very first) Kami-Oshi in MNL48, though she was a former member now."

- JP

"The second question is a little bit hard, I don't think I did anything that's worthy of thanks. My co-workers thank me about alot of things but I don't think I really did anything to be thanked for. While in the other hand I have alot of things to be thankful about, like my awesome supportive group of friends. Also being done with mandatory military service, I'm really thankful for that. *laughs*"

- Mostafa

"I am thankful to my family. Always and forever. All of my life.

- Chloe

"I'm thankful for the people who watch my channel and for the friends I've made in the Pretty Cure fandom. I also love the Pretty Cure Club I made and the people in it.

- JJ

3. Do you have comfort stuff (TV shows, movies, characters etc) that keep you sane all throughout the year?

"Comfort stuffs:
- Anime characters: Chiyu Sawaizumi, Sango Suzumura, Mana Aida, and Makoto Kenzaki.
- Anime/TV Series: Kamen Rider Series, & PreCure Series.
- MNL48 Oshis:
- Kami-Oshi (Currently): NekoNyan
- Ni-Oshi: Cole
- San-Oshi: Princess
- 4th Oshi: Ruuuuth~
- 5th Oshi: Dana
- 6th Oshi: Klaire
- 7th Oshi: Miho
- 8th Oshi: Kath
- Real life: True friends and my imaginary gf."

- JP

"I do have a comfort manga and that would be Kase-san."

- Mostafa

"I grew up with Disney, Marvel movies and anime. So they all are my comfort stuff. If I had to choose one it would be Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. They're my escape from reality every once in a while."

- Chloe

"Pretty Cure (obviously), Mewkledreamy, Digimon Ghost Game, Nodoka (Hanadera aka Cure Grace) from Healin' Good, Laura (La Mer aka Cure La Mer) from Tropical-Rouge!, Healin'♡Tropical, the fan made Cure story (by Raspberry)."

- JJ

4. What are your 2021 amazing moments?

"- I get 2 pentakills this year in LoL
- I get my very first RP
- I met 2 of my Oshis in MNL48: Princess and NekoNyan~
- I've finished 5 of my comics this year.
- I get to have my wishes with my imaginary gf come true by letting me open up about my mental health to someone that understands me well, and to release the worries I have in her own way.
- I got to study in a Private School as a First Year College Student."

- JP

"I don't have an amazing moment of 2021, nothing really happened that really stuck with me. The year was fine."

- Mostafa

"I have been invited to an Exhibition and saw my design work being displayed. I worked so hard to have my entries submitted and I got to talk to the governor that night. And I'm proud of that achievement."

- Chloe

"The amazing moment would be that my YouTube channel that's slowly growing and the people I've met thanks to my channel. Meeting new Pretty Cure fans like Yona and Raspberry."

- JJ

5. What is your message to me (the blogger) and your friends that made 2021 still meaningful?

"To you, I am very glad to meet you because I know you're impressed about my love for Chiyu because until now, I love her as my favorite PreCure character.

To my true friends, I wanna say that I am very glad, because without all of you, I won't be able to keep myself going."

- JP

"My message for everyone is to stay true to yourself, do not let people around you change just to fit the image they have for you. Your life is your business, no one else's."

- Mostafa

"Have a wonderful and safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope 2022 will be a great year for you all!"

- Chloe

"I want to thank all of you for being my friend. I hope that when you talk to me, that I have made you smile if just a little. Sometimes I don't know how the person looks on the other side of the screen, but I hope that if you're having a rough day that talking to me helps if just a little. I hope that we can talk again in 2022. Thank you for all the memories and see you all in 2022. Let's make 2022 the best year of all of our lives."

- JJ

From me, my fam and my mates, have a tropica-shiny and deliciously New Year to all of you! Always keep being awesome and kicking, and stay safe!

Happy 17th to the Pretty Cure Series!

Happy 17th anniversary, Pretty Cure! From the first time we saw Nagisa Misumi and Honoka Yukishiro reluctantly transformed into Cures Black and White to fight the first general of darkness on their debut episode, to the ultimately epic finale fight of Cures Grace to Earth against an evil being whose plan is to infest this beautiful planet of ours with rampant pollution and infections on a universal scale yet is always getting failed to destroy it thanks to the efforts of our environmental medics in preserving all natural lives in their season, you've shown us about courage, true love, happiness and hope to motivate and inspire in the midst of endless trials, especially we're still facing the biggest challenge that ever has for humanity since World War II, and no matter how impossible they are and you have already discovered for new things and ideas that stand the tests of time while following the various adventures of our heroines even in exchange sometimes with self-love, care and preservation. Truly, everyone can be a Cure even in a little way and I have to agree on that!

In three weeks we will have to say "healin' goodbye" to Cure Grace and the Healin' Good Cures, and in four weeks we will see Cure Summer and the Tropical-Rouge Cures in action, in which still have the veins and the legacy of their predecessors. Here's to many, many more years to the longest running mahou shoujo franchise in the contemporary era and I can't even wait for many more.

#YK2020Vision Special Blog: Highlighted Moments of 2020 Part 2

Welcome to part two of #YK2020Vision Special Blog! For the first part of this special, please check out this link: https://yonakuromatoki.blogspot.com/2020/12/yk2020vision-special-blog-highlighted_27.html?m=1

Cross the river! You can do it!

MNL48 and SGO48 were stepping up their own game as they both released another iconic 48g song, "RIVER," as the 6th and 3rd singles respectively this year. 

The former was first announced during the Valentines Concert 2020 and supposed to slate in March, but was eventually delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moreover, Rans Rifol's graduation from the group in June, in which the senbatsu slot she originally reserved had given to Alice De Leon. Meanwhile, the latter was first announced the revealed title of their next single during the Esgeeoh Senbatsu Battle released on their official YouTube channel back in August and similar to the same situation to Emenel, Nguyễn Thị Lệ or Lệ Trang, gave up her slot in the senbatsu and was replaced by Lê Phạm Thuỷ Tiên or Tiên Linh.

Double centered by Gabb Skribikin and Abby Trinidad, the music video of Emenel's "RIVER" was originally slated on November 15, but because of the circumstances surrounded by Typhoon Ulysses that hit the northern portions of the Philippines, it eventually moved to November 27 and subsequently got digital releases on iTunes and Spotify a few hours after its release. The single also marked the first senbatsu participation of Frances Pinlac, Amy Isidto, Gia Muse and Jaydee Garcia, and the comeback single for Ella Amat. The MV was trended on YouTube PH in the top 20 and top 1 in Twitter PH with more than 100,000 tweets, surpassing the 50,000+ tweet mark of the One Love Asia event back in April.

On the other hand, the Esgeeoh version that was centered by its captain Võ Phan Kim Khánh or Kaycee was also originally slated on December 5, but due to the sudden rising of coronavirus cases in Vietnam, it was moved to December 20.

Both versions of RIVER are honestly amazing for me just like the prior ones, and I'm not sick and tired of listening to all of them because that song is all about empowerment and never giving up, especially in these trying times. Can't wait for Team SH, Team TP and CGM to have their own versions of RIVER soon.

Immortal Sugimoto returns

Two years since the last adventure in season two, Golden Kamuy made its return for a third anime season, and all the cast and staff of the show were also returning.

It's been a quite while since we last saw Sugimoto getting beaten up, and he and Asirpa had gone separated ways. Season 3 also introduced us more new characters such as Sofia Goldenhand and Vasily, who are pretty interesting lads too, plus Kiroranke's true nature especially on Tsar Alexander II's assassination along Asirpa's dad Wilk. I'm not gonna spoil much about the finale, but I'm so glad that both Sugimoto and Asirpa reunited and renewed their partnership.

Jo Martin is the Doctor!

Who have we know about someone that has the same case but from a timeline way before the Time War?

Season 12 of the new Doctor Who series marked not only the return of the Master, who is currently played by Sacha Dhawan, Capt Jack Harkness, and notable monsters like the Judoon and the Cybermen, but also introduced another unknown incarnation of the Doctor... Enter the Fugitive Doctor, played by the wonderful Jo Martin - aka the very first Doctor of color!

I was very surprised and amazed about how Jo had done playing the Doctor in her own way and her brief dynamics with Jodie Whittaker was pretty amazing. I'm hoping that she'd be coming back in the show, probably in a future episode or the much-awaited 60th anniversary special.

A starry farewell

On January 26, the finale episode of Star Twinkle PreCure was aired, and we witnessed about the years-after versions of the Star Twinkle Cures and the gang which took 15 years after the final battle and the heroines' emotional parting of ways. We had also seen the usual small screened krus na landas meeting between the outgoing leader Hikaru Hoshina aka Cure Star (voiced by Dempagumi Inc.'s Eimi Naruse) and the then-incoming Nodoka Hanadera aka Cure Grace (voiced by Aoi Yuuki) although the latter only appeared in the former's dream.

I honestly wanna cry with the parting scene but at the same time the adult versions of the heroines are just so beautiful and I noticed an Easter egg which is the dog plush doll resembling Latte as well as the usual baton pass, this time from Star to Grace, is just also wonderful. Speaking of the latter, I can't honestly wait for it, but it's Grace to Summer this time around, in the Healin' Good finale episode this February.

The blooming race against time

The 28th Pretty Cure movie overall and the 13th crossover movie, PreCure Miracle Leap: Minna to no Fushigi na 1 Nichi (A Strange Day with Everyone), focused about the three recent teams - Healin' Good (bar Earth), Star Twinkle and HUGtto - taking up an extraordinary yet bloomed race against time as they encountered the mysterious Miraclun who got chased by the evil Refrain. Therefore, only our heroines could stop that timey-wimey menace with their combined powers... and an unexpected miracle would occur!

The movie was originally slated on March 20, but due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it was moved to May 16, which was yet again unfortunate to have another delay by the said circumstance until it was finally getting a new release date which was October 31. The theme songs "Circle Love ~Cherry Blossoms~" and "First of May" were performed by Rie Kitagawa and Machico respectively.

To commemorate the movie's rescheduled release, several promotions had been occured such as the usual Yokohama Sky Garden promotional project and the collaboration with Tokyo Girls Collection featuring all 14 most recent Cures, including Cure Earth!

And that concludes the #YK2020Vision special blog part 2! I honestly wanna include some more of the highlighted moments for 2020, but due to circumstances and time constraints I have to shortened them, so my quick apologies for the inconvenience. Anyways, I just wanna greet a safe, prosperous and very hopeful New Year to you all!

#YK2020Vision Special Blog - Highlighted Moments of 2020 Part 1

 

Welcome to part one of 2020 Vision: Upo~n the Graceful New Decade! special blog edition and I'm going to jolt down some of the highlighted moments of 2020, especially at the time of the ongoing pandemic!

Who in Quarantine!

Organized by the Doctor Who Magazine editor Emily Cook, Lockdown Who was first created and intended to cope the Doctor Who fans from all over the world by doing rewatching tweetalongs of some of the classic and the new series' episodes in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. There were also never-before released contents after each tweetalong proper or in some occasions that didn't have one, including the fan choir renditions of "The Long Song" and "Abigail's Song" for The Rings of Akhaten and A Christmas Carol watchalongs together with German arranger and guitarist-slash-Whovian Borna Matosic, the audio-visual Doctors Assemble, "Descendants of Pompeii" for the Fires of Pompeii watchalong and many more.

Baby Blue's Gonna Back You Up!

On September 1, HalloHallo Entertainment announced its partnership with Tower Records Japan and formed Baby Blue, the first official subunit of the Filipina AKB48 sister group, MNL48. The said subunit consists of Jan Elaurza of Team MII as its leader, while Coleen Trinidad of Team NIV and Amy Isidto of Team L served as the members. Their debut single "Sweet Talking Sugar" made its release in the EGGS Music app in Japan, which had been taking over the top spot on its recording releases rankings, before subsequently took place on iTunes and Spotify a few days after its maiden release. Meanwhile, its music video was released on September 17 and was directed by Carlos Francisco Manatad. It also debuted in Pinoy Myx Countdown on the top spot, making the subunit's first to reach that milestone.

Two months later, Baby Blue then released their second single entitled "Negastar" which was subsequently trending in Japan due to its 1 minute preview and the subunit's continued popularity there. The song's music video was released on Cure Scarlet's birthday, December 15.

PS. Stream Baby Blue's "Sweet Talking Sugar" and "Negastar" MVs on the official MNL48 YouTube channel! Also, don't forget to stream the "RIVER" MV and the prior ones as well!

The Woman Who Chimed Into Earth

During the last stretch of the two-month hiatus of the current Pretty Cure season, Healin' Good PreCure, Toei Animation officially announced that Suzuko Mimori of Love Live! fame would be voicing Asumi Fuurin/Cure Earth, the current team's fourth member that has wind powers and the second Reiwa mid-season heroine after Star Twinkle's Yuni/Cure Cosmo, on June 22. Almost two months later following the show's resumed airing in July, Earth made her initial debut in the season's 19th episode aired last August 9 and her proper maiden one took place on her and Yume Hinata's birthday, August 16. 

Asumin is the first spirit Cure in the franchise as well as the first purple Cure heroine with blonde hair in normie form, and also the only Healin' Good Cure whose mascot partner (Latte, in this case) doesn't fuse with her weapon that doubles as a henshin item. So yep, another historical moment happened and I definitely can't wait to see her and the gang even more in the remaining episodes of Healin' Good, but also am not ready to say goodbye to them as well.

Sayonara to Shokugeki...

After five years of airing, the Shokugeki no Soma anime series (and franchise) made its curtains properly close last September 25 with its final season, The Fifth Plate. Prior to the said proper conclusion, its manga series was recently concluded on June 17, 2019 after almost seven years of serialization in Weekly Shounen Jump, while on August 29, 2019, the series released its three-chapter sequel entitled Shokugeki no Soma -Le dessert- on Jump Giga.

The final season of the anime series' airing had been delayed due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, but on May 25, it was announced that the show would have new episodes following the reruns of the first two starting in July.

In all honesty, we're all missing Soma Yukihira and the gang so much and we'll send our thanks to the people behind this another masterpiece that shaped the cooking world even more!

Mewkle~! Sparkle~!

Sanrio announced about the Mewkledreamy anime series project in 2019 whilst its franchise was officially launched two years prior. The show was first premiered on April 5, 2020 and produced by JC Staff. On April 26, the character franchise company announced that episode 5 and the later episodes would be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 23, it was announced the anime would be resumed with new episodes on the week after.

The story revolves about Mew and Yume Hinata on their heart-pounding adventures to keep and protect people's dreams by collecting Dreamy Stones from the Black Schemas that engulfed with their nightmares. Together with the other Dreamy Mates Peko, Su, Nene and Rei, and their Dream Partners Maira Tsukishima, Kotoko Imai, Tokiwa Anzai and Asahi Minamikawa, the tandem has had a bumpy but enjoyable balanced quest between normal life and keeping one's dream with the power of the Dream Synchro.

Who's excited already for season two that's Mewkledreamy Mix! next year? I really, really do! But also, I can still feel the high tension (again, no pun intended) for the remaining episodes of the first oooooh~! Anyway, I posted an in-depth about Mewkledreamy on the blog last June, so you can go check it out if you haven't.

Gather! PPop Group All Stars!!!!

Do you think that Toei's "Contemporary Big Three" aka Super Sentai, Kamen Rider and Pretty Cure, Tsubaraya's Ultra Series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Universe and Doctor Who have been creating their own, respective awesome (and sometimes, ambitious) crossovers among the characters within them? Well, think again, folks! Because we're already discovered another ambitious crossover to watch out for... The gathering of the Philippines' notable pop groups of this generation in one stage and we've already seen them for two straight times now, the other was from the 2020 ABS-CBN Xmas special which I had to segway into!

First was the twincool opening performance of MNL48, BINI and the Star Hunt Academy Boys in Pinoy Big Brother Connect on December 6. The Emenel girls, double centered by Abby Trinidad and Gabb Skribikin, were smashingly lit the PBB House already with their latest single "RIVER" and towards the end, they were taking the transitional breakdance to the tune of BINI's rendition of "Da Coconut Nut." Speaking of which, the gals of the latter were really good too and the song was honestly catchy as heck not gonna lie! Finally, the transition to the SHA Boys was pretty cool and I really enjoyed watching these three groups especially they were dancing to the reality show's iconic theme "Pinoy Ako" at the end of the performance.

The hashtag #MNL48xBINIxSHABoysonPBB was trended at number 4 on Twitter PH whereas all the hashtags trended were KPop-related due to the 2020 MAMA Awards, but this thing made to the top spots and it showed that we should support our homegrown groups, and that's the properly served tea.

Two weeks later on December 20, the three groups were joining forces once again, but with the addition of another one - PHP - for the KTnX Ang Babait Ninyo charity concert, in which the sales collected will be proceeded to those who're affected by the recent typhoons in the Philippines. Other than that, they had various games and we know that they enjoyed them so much plus there was a virtual meet-and-greet with the fans. Anyway, here's to more collabs in 2021!

#JackIsBack

"Haha! You missed me right?"

After a decade of absence, John Barrowman made a much-awaited return to Doctor Who as Capt Jack Harkness and encountered the 13th Doctor's three companions during episode 5 of season 12 of its new series that was "Fugitive of the Judoon," although only briefly appeared for few minutes. His last full TV appearances prior to it were "The End of Time Pt. 2" and the final season of the spinoff Torchwood.

Capt Jack is set his full TV return in the festive special, "Revolution of the Daleks," on New Year's Day (January 2 in PH and in different parts of Asia and Australia) and we're all excited to see him and the Doc for a reunion finally.

That concludes part 1 of the #YK2020Vision special blog! Tomorrow is the second part and I have some more highlighted moments as well, so don't miss it!

Insights From a Goddess (and Mates): Why Do We Love Cure Grace?

It has been another huge shock and overwhelmed moment for the fans of the Pretty Cure Series these past few days, aside from the scans and leaks of course, when its incumbent lead heroine, Nodoka Hanadera aka Cure Grace (voiced by Aoi Yuuki) from Healin' Good, had succumbed into sickness once more due to the Mega Part inserted by Daruizen (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura) at the end of season's episode 27 aired last October 4, also the birthday of the incumbent third member Hinata Hiramitsu aka Cure Sparkle. The aforementioned stuff caused widespread of mixed emotions both in real life and online, and several theories about what would happen to Grace herself in the next episodes. Later, we learned that Daruizen was actually the parasite born from a MegaByogen that infected Nodokacchi years before the season started as revealed in episode 28 aired a week after.

In response to these turning events which resulted to have a sophomore edition of Insights From a Goddess, Yona's Blog will be exclusively conducting its very first PreCure-related collaboration project with some fans from different sides of planet Earth to show their unconditional love and appreciation for Nodokacchi/Grace, and to give insights about her so far through a hot-seat thread.

Yonacchi: Why do you love Nodokacchi/Grace?

Hibiki (@precuredolphin): I like Nodoka for being a breath of fresh air in the franchise! She's not your usual genki leader (and they're great too!) and she has an interesting backstory, regarding her illness!!!

Reza Maulana (@RezaMaulana98): I love Nodokacchi because she's a unique Pink Cure! She's very reserved, which contrasts with the usual genki Pinks and her past illness gives her a very intriguing backstory.

WLT (@357p): Not only I like her, but love her as well. I think she has her own charm and she shows it very clearly throughout the show, not only as Nodoka but also as Grace. She is just an amazing character and I'm glad that she's the leader of the Healin' Good team. She came with something new that was never shown before in PreCure and I will not lie, I want more episodes which focuses not only on her illness but mostly on her arc.

yuuri_nikiforov0520: I love Nodoka/Grace because she is full of bravery and also has a never give up spirit. Though she was ill in her childhood, she still wants to help others in need. She is also a girl who treasures friendship and is willing to help Asumi to learn how to survive in the human world. In her Cure form, she is powerful and fearless.

UnbannedRescueCat (@UnbannedC): Ever since ep 1, I really liked Nodoka's initiative and drive. Her being a sickly girl, and working her way to become healthier, was also an admirable quality.

Julien C. Parze (@juliencparze03): I love Cure Grace because even though she has dealt with many things in her life, she has been able to overcome them. She is very brave, considerate of others, and loves all of her friends and family and would do anything to protect them.

Ayam Zantuy (@Ayam_Zantuy): I loved her because I really loved her design and personality, and also her eyes style is pretty, it was a dark color but blended well with the nature theme.

Y: Do you any cool and not-so cool moments from her?

H: Not cool, more or less amusing. But when she tried transforming with Nyatoran and failed. Or when she dressed up in kendo protective gear to face Daruizen in ep 2. Ah that was funny.

And a cool moment, in ep 10, when she got a bit reckless fighting that Megabyogen to protect the artwork. I loved how she created a sword. Omg that was pretty cool and badass!!! I'm very worried for her now though considering her illness is back thanks to Daruizen.

RM: Cool moments? Definitely ep 10, when she used the cherry Element Bottle to generate a sword out of anger. XD Not-so cool moments... I guess THAT scene from ep 27? I know it's technically more Daruizen than Nodoka, but in a not so cool way it would fit Nodoka too I guess.

Wing on the other hand, shows us these two pics - one from the Star Twinkle finale episode when Grace made a cameo there and the other was from the very first Healin' Good episode when she made an actual debut and fight as the newest Cure leader.

W: I don't know if you can use these pics for any purpose, but I thought she looked cool here.

Y: No problem dude, it's also counted! Okay, tsugi (next)!

YuN: For the cool moments, it will be some battle scenes from Grace which reminded me of characters that are voiced by Aoi Yuuki such as Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) and Hibiki Tachibana (Symphogear). On the other hand, I don't see any not-so cool moments from Nodoka because different episodes help fans to know her character development and also a way to better understand the leader.

URC: There were some episodes where Nodoka was eager to try new things. (Different sports clubs, food, and other activities with her friends.) I can appreciate her trying to do everything, considering she spent most of her life in the hospital. Even her lying to her parents to cover for Asumi was adorable! I can't really recall a time Nodoka didn't impress me or was uncool. But she has been reckless and let her emotion get the better of her, but it goes to show how loyal and emphatic she is.

JCP: Not that I can think of, only good things really.

AZ: She have amazing character development than the others, but I wished we got to know more about her past than just she was a sick child, there must be an Easter egg of it.

Y: We all know that each season and lead seiyuu tenure in the Cure series has its own hits and misses. But how can you describe about Aoi Yuuki's tenure in the show so far?

H: I think Aoi Yuuki was a great choice for Nodoka! She's very good at her calm characters, her voice is very soothing so she suits her very well! Her performance has been amazing! I think she has done such a great job with the light hearted moments and then the really serious moments. Take for example, in ep 2 when Nodoka made up with Rabirin. Yuuki knew how to convey the emotions Nodoka would be feeling in that moment!

RM: It's so cool to see such a big name like Aoi Yuuki voicing the lead of a PreCure season. She played her role as Nodoka very well, her song with Rabirin is one of my favorites from the Vocal Album, and she also showed a lot of the love for the franchise too! Really can't wait for more from her on both Healin' Good and the films.

W: I think she been doing a really good job so far and I can't wait for what she has more in store for us, as far what I can see then we will get the Healin' Good Cures' power-ups really soon and I can't wait to see them in action, and of course the weapon too.

YuN: Yuuki has mentioned she is a fan of the Cure series and it can be seen that she can present Nodoka with voice acting skills. Episode 2 has a touching scene that Nodoka tells Rabirin she had illness in the past and it shows the seiyuu's acting skills can influence fans, and it just like Nodoka talking to them. As for the battle parts, Yuuki can also let the fans feel the excitement and hot-blooded atmosphere they experienced in shounen manga and anime when they look at them, and by hearing Grace's voice. Overall, she has presented an all-rounded way in the anime.

URC: Yuuki has loads of experience as a VA, and has done a lot of children's anime. What surprises me is her dedication. I've recently heard she was doing children book readings for kids in quarantine, inspired by another person's good will. So yeah, I do think she fits the bill of being a PreCure VA.

JCP: I describe her as a very serious person who seems very dedicated to voicing Nodoka and overall is a great voice actress and fits her character's role very well!

AZ: For me, she's doing great in voice acting and character expressions, with that she can make the characters lovable even it's a villain.

Y: We're down to our final question, mi amigos! Do you have any message for our amazing Grace as well as Yuuki?

H: Hmm yeah! Nodoka, you get fight through the pain that has been inflicted on you!!! Don't stop being yourself, and I can't wait to see the rest of your journey with Rabirin and the others!

As for Aoi Yuuki, I'm thrilled to hear her voicing a Cure this time around! She's doing a marvelous job as our beloved Nodoka and I hope she keeps it up!!!

RM: To Grace, continue to be an amazing and unique pink Cure as I'm looking forward to see more of your backstory!

To Yuuki-san, thank you for the work that you have done as Cure Grace! It's certainly an unique achievement for you to become the lead heroine in 3 different magical girl franchises and I'm looking forward to more stuffs that you will do as Nodoka and Grace!

W: Keep fighting to the end and stay happy always.

YuN: You're a pink Cure heroine full of leadership. Although you're in danger and may get ill again, you should believe that love and friendship can cure the illness.

URC: GANBARE, CURE GRACE! GANBARE, YUUKI-SAN! I'm rooting for you both!

JC: I would tell Nodokacchi to hang in there and continue to heal the earth, and tell Yuuki-san to continue being a great voice actor and to continue bringing joy to people.

AZ: Have a nice day and thank you for making the series enjoyable!

Y: Thank you guys so much for taking your time to make this Cure-related collab project possible on this small but twincool blog of mine! Let's hope that we're gonna do another one in the future~!

H: Yeaaah! We should! Thanks for letting me take part!

RM: Oh I'm so looking forward for it! Thank you for approaching me for this!

W: Sure thing~!

YuN: *does a heart sign*

URC: No problemo! *does a thumb up and the same goes to AZ*

Of course, this first-ever PreCure-related collab project in more than won't be completed without giving insights and showing appreciation to Nodokacchi/Grace so far from the author herself! This says 'em all in a podcast-styled, audio-only special video which is already posted on my Facebook page.

Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Episode 1: Why Do We Love Cure Grace?

Also, here are some Grace fan arts from some fans and artists!

© Pocholo Arino (private dm via Messenger)

© UnbannedRescueCat (@UnbannedC on Twitter)

© WTD (@357p on Twitter)

Now it's YOUR turn to show unconditional love and appreciation to our amazing leader of the Healin' Good team by just answering four simple questions:

1. Why do you love Nodokacchi/Grace?

2. Do you have any cool and not-so cool moments from her?

3. How can you describe about Aoi Yuuki's tenure in the Cure series so far?

4. Do have any message to our amazing Grace as well as her seiyuu?

That concludes the special sophomore edition of Insights From a Goddess! As always comment below here, on my FB page or on my Twitter @goddessyk13.

The Name's Fuurin, Asumi Fuurin!

Nais kong pag-usapan tungkol sa pagpasinaya ni Asumi Fuurin o kilala din bilang Cure Earth ng Healin' Good PreCure sa loob ng unang dalawang linggo nito bilang ikalawang Reiwa mid-season Cure at kauna-unahan sa dekada 2020. Kung sakaling nalampas ninyo ito, narito ang link ukol sa pagbibigay boses ni Suzuko Mimori bilang ika-apat na Healin' Good Cure: https://yonakuromatoki.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-woman-who-chimed-to-earth.html?m=1

I'm going to talk about the debut of Asumi Fuurin aka Cure Earth from Healin' Good PreCure on her first two weeks as the second Reiwa mid-season Cure and the first in the 2020s. In case you missed it, here's the link regarding Suzuko Mimori's voice casting as the fourth Healin' Good Cure: https://yonakuromatoki.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-woman-who-chimed-to-earth.html?m=1

Bawat season simula sa Fresh! at maliban sa Smile! ay may mga karagdagang babaeng bayani na kadalasan ay mga dating kalaban ng mga Cure, mga prinsesa ng mga dimensyonal na kaharian o mga fairy mascot. Subalit noong 2018 o ang ika-15 anibersaryo ng Cure series at ang season na HUGtto!, may dalawang mid-season Cures ang pinasinaya sa iisang episode at ang tinutukoy ko ay sina Emiru Aisaki at Ruru Amour na kilala din bilang Cures Macherie at Amour, na sila din ang kauna-unahang planet Earth grade schooled at robotic Cure heroines ayon sa pagkakabanggit. Sumunod naman sa kanila sina Lala Hagoromo/Cure Milky at Yuni/Cure Cosmo ng Star Twinkle bilang mga kauna-unahang alien Cure.

Every season since Fresh! and with the exception of Smile! has had additional heroines that are usually former enemies of the Cures, princesses of dimensional kingdoms or fairy mascots. However in 2018 aka the Cure series' 15th anniversary and the HUGtto! season, there were two mid-season Cures debuted in one episode and I'm talking about Emiru Aisaki and Ruru Amour aka Cures Macherie and Amour, who are also the first planet Earth grade schooled and robotic Cure heroines respectively. They're followed by Lala Hagoromo/Cure Milky and Yuni/Cure Cosmo from Star Twinkle as the first alien Cures.

Bilang tagahanga ng PreCure ng halos 14 taon, nakikita ko ang mga pagbabago matapos muntik na palang ma-cancel ang naturang palabas hanggan sa tuloy-tuloy na lalo ito mapa-hanggang ngayon. Bawat season na may mid-season Cures ay may tsamba at di tsamba sa kanila sa iba't ibang paraan, kaya nasanay talaga ako sa cycle na 'yan.

As a PreCure fan for almost 14 years, I've seen various changes after the show got actually almost cancelled until it continuously expanded even further to this day. Every season with the mid-season Cures has hits and misses on them in different ways, that's why I'm really getting used to that cycle.

Ngayon may isa na namang bagong konsepto na hindi pa ring nakikita sa Cure series o sa kahit anong mahou shoujo franchise - isang ispiritu na naging babaeng bayani! Gayupaman, biglang nagulat ang social media matapos nalaman sa isa sa mga magazine scan tungkol kay Asumi na isa siyang ispiritu na may kapangyarihan ng daigdig at hangin. Doon din sa scans na 'yan unang nasulyapan ang kanyang henshin sequence maging ang armas niya, ang Earth Windy Harp, ang Wind Element Bottle bilang henshin device at si Latte na magiging ka-partner ni Earth.

Now there is another new concept that has never seen yet in the Cure series or any other mahou shoujo franchise - a spirit who became a heroine! Therefore, social media got suddenly surprised when one of the magazine scans revealed about Asumi being a spirit that has the power of the Earth and wind. In these scans also where her henshin sequence was first looked as well as her weapon, the Earth Winy Harp, the Wind Element Bottle as the henshin device and Latte would be Earth's partner.

Gaya ng mga nakaraang season kung saan unang nagpaparamdam ang pinakabagong mid-season Cure sa laban, masasabi kong napakaganda din ang pag-debut ni Earth at mala-diyosa ang mga galawan pati ang bosses niya mismo. Bigla nga lang ako tuloy naalala ang ilang eksena ng ilan sa mga nakaraang season tulad ng Yes! 5 GoGo!, Heart Catch!, Suite at Doki Doki! bagama't medyo kontrobersyal yung panghuli dahil kay Ace.

Like in the past seasons where the newest mid-season Cure first showed up in the battle, I say that Earth's debut is also very beautiful, and her moves and even her actual voice are so godly. I suddenly recalled some scenes from some seasons such as Yes! 5 GoGo, Heart Catch!, Suite and Doki Doki! although the latter was quite controversial because of Ace.

Sa kabuuan, wala talaga akong masabi kundi sobrang ganda rin ni Earth at ganun din yung henshin sequence niya kasama si Latte. Bigla na lang din akong naalala yung kay Felice dahil ibang BGM ang ginagamit kapag nagso-solo henshin siya at sa kaso nina Miracle tsaka Magical kasi si Mofurun ang ginamit bilang henshin device. Masasabi kong sobrang sulit ang pag-hype kay Earth bagama't nag-delay lang ito ng dalawa pang buwan dahil sa coronavirus pandemic, at nais ko ding ipaabot kay Mimorin ng isang maligayang pagbati sa pagbibigay boses kay Asumi! Ako ay umaasa na makikita pa siya lalo at ang buong Healin' Good team hanggang matapos.

Overall, I have nothing to say but Earth is also too beautiful and so does her henshin sequence with Latte. It also quickly reminded me of Felice coz a different BGM was used when she did a solo henshin, and in Miracle and Magical's case coz Mofurun was used as a henshin device. I have to say that the hype for Earth is very worth it although it got delayed for two more months due to the coronavirus pandemic, and I'd like to send my kudos to Mimorin for bringing up Asumi's voice! I'm looking forward to see more of her and the entire Healin' Good team till the finale.

Gusto ko ring batihin ng isang maligayang kaarawan sa ating pinakabagong mid-season Cure ngayon! Maraming biyaya ang darating sa kanya at nawa'y sasamahan pa siya lalo ng mga bago niyang kaibigan. Muli, maligayang kaarawan kay Asumi/Earth!

I also wanna greet a happy birthday to our newest mid-season Cure today! More blessings to come for her and hopefully she can join with her new friends even more. Again, happy birthday to Asumi/Earth!

Ano ang masasabi ninyo kay Asumi/Earth ngayo'y nakapagsinaya na siya? Ano ang kahilingan ninyo sa kanyang kaarawan ngayong taon? Anu-ano ang mga bagay na inaasahan ninyo sa kanya? Mag-komento dito, sa aking FB page o sa aking Twitter na @goddessyk13.

What did you think of Asumi/Earth now that she's debuting? What is your wish on her birthday this year? What are the things that you look forward to her? Comment below, on my FB page or on my Twitter @goddessyk13.

Yona's Rankings - PreCure Season Openers, 2020 Edition

Since the Pretty Cure Series will have its milestone 800th episode tomorrow, here are my rankings for its season openers!

Mana Aida meets Sharuru for the first time

17. The Earth is in Big Trouble! The Last Remaining Pretty Cure!! - Doki Doki! PreCure (2013)

This is my least fave season opener up to this day, but I do honestly like how Makopi/Cure Sword escaped to Earth from King Selfish's menace in the Trump Kingdom and the introduction of our multitasking leader Mana as Cure Heart was an interesting start for Doki Doki!

 

Cures Dream to Aqua taking their poses once more

16. Revival! Pretty Cure 5 - Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! (2008)

Another good episode for a new season although I pinpointed the flaws in some scenes, nevertheless it's nice to see Dream to Aqua acquiring new outfits and a henshin device, similar to Black and White in Max Heart. Also, Syrup, Lady Flora and Mailpo's intros are really nice and they're pretty interesting characters too.

Ichika Usami singing her character song

15. Topped With Plenty of Love! Cure Whip is Ready To Serve! - KiraKira☆ PreCure A La Mode (2017)

Loving Whip's debut and her dedication about being a patissiere, and how she met Pekorin and Chourou for the first time before getting experienced a weird invasion by Gummy. Her first character song is very catchy to sing and listen to the ears as well, and the same goes with the Let's • La • Decoration segment being very informative even for a few seconds.

Nozomi Yumehara and Coco's first encounter

14. The Pretty Cure of Hope is Born! - Yes! PreCure 5 (2007)

Dream's debut ushers a new era in the Cure series franchise as it tackles some changes in which subsequent seasons will be followed after Yes! 5, but with various twists and adjustments. Her first fight was also a first for a new leader against a certain new evil general and a monster, as well as her first encounter with the hottie mascot Coco was both sweet and very romantic at the start of the episode.

Lovely surprised at her transformation

13. I Love the Love! Cure Lovely is Born! - Happiness Charge PreCure! (2014)

Another one of the season opening episodes which is both a hit and miss, but loving the intros of Princess and Fortune tackling different paths in dealing with the Phantom Empire, then we've seen how Lovely's maiden debut made simple but very wonderful start for the season.

12. She's Born! The Perfect Smile, Cure Happy!! - Smile PreCure! (2012)

MEGA ULTRA HAPPY, I say! Happy's debut is basically one of the wackiest but most enjoyable season openers for the show and I do really enjoy her kicking the Akanbe's butt off before purifying with a Happy Shower, which ain't bad too for a new Cure leader. Candy's another cutie mascot and too adorable.

Happy surprised at her overall looks

11. A Surprising Reunion! Who are We Exactly!? - PreCure Splash Star (2006)

Love how Saki and Mai had met for the first time as kids and reunited in the same place, the World Tree, after a few years. Their maiden fight as Bloom and Egret was something different but very uniquely balanced to have magical aspects along with the combat fighting style.

 Saki Hyuuga and Mai Mishou reunited at the World Tree

10. Freshly-Picked Fresh! Cure Peach is Born!! - Fresh PreCure! (2009)

Peach's first fight against Labyrinth quickly blew me away as I first watched the season properly a few years ago. Action-packed, very wholesome and enjoyable opener that everyone should watch. Also, Eas was a very interesting villain which led to have hints on her subsequent fate.

Love Momozono and Eas' first meeting in the fortune telling area

9. Meow Meow~! The Birth of Suite Pretty Cure-nya♪ - Suite PreCure♪  (2011)

Love the bittersweet intro of Hibiki and Kanade, which made me shock in an instant, as well as introducing the other characters appear in the episode. Also, Melody and Rhythm's first fight had a very nostalgic feeling on me just like the way I felt to the other Cure duos before and after. Another very wonderful season opener to watch for.

Hibiki Hojo and Kanade Minamino about to transform

8. A Miracle, Magical Encounter! The Birth of the Magical Pretty Cure! - Mahou Tsukai PreCure! (2016)

Loving a good season intro for being wholesome even with some minor misses, therefore the fateful meeting between Mirai and Riko was one of the things that made a huge impact on me as a fan and again, nostalgia and deja vu surrounding in their maiden fight but with a fluffy twist (aye yo, Mofurun!) and proper magic too.

Mirai Asahina and Riko Izayoi with Mofurun riding the Magic Broom

7. We are Still Pretty Cure~! The Legend Continues Through Thick and Thin! - PreCure Max Heart (2005)

Another very explosive season opener and ended with a cliffhanger! Love Black and White's modified outfits which is a lot better than the first ones for me, but I do like the first outfits still. We also curious about how Hikari landed on Earth in an instant and how things getting in planned in reviving the Dark King by summoning a more dangerous Zakenna and a mysterious kid suddenly appeared, which are interesting.

Cures Black and White posing after the transformation (Max Heart)

6. Glitterific~☆ Shining in Space, Cure Star is Born! - Star☆ Twinkle PreCure (2019)

Star's introduction is so freaking twincool and I love how her first fight took in outer space. Kappard was a very cool baddie as well and while it may be not intensive much as some seasons, it was a very good opener and I like how Hikaru met Lala, Fuwa and Prunce for the first time, which was one of my faves from that episode.

Cure Star impresses herself on her first fight

5. I'm Going to Change! Watch Me Change! - Heart Catch PreCure! (2010)

My first regularly live episode in the Cure series made a very good impression on me and the others to remember especially the opening part with Moonlight. Love how Tsubomi tried to be a changed person after she moved to a new city and when her new friend Erika turned into a Desertrian, this led her to become Cure Blossom and yet again, one of the wackiest but superb openers so far for the show.

Cure Moonlight summoning her Moon Tact

Cures Black and White posing after the transformation (Futari wa)

4. We Have To Transform!? I Can't Believe This! - Futari wa PreCure (2004)

Where it all began, also my first proper introduction to the world of PreCure as a high school freshman. I remembered about the actual Filipino dubbed airings every weekends and various reruns on the now-defunct Hero TV and as a mahou shoujo fan, this was very new to me in a mild curiosity at first! Nevertherless, Black and White's first fight and intro will still be remembered by many fans and be carried by many more forever.

3. I'm a Princess!? Cure Flora is Born! - Go! Princess PreCure (2015)

Definitely one of my favorite season openers, I say. Haru-Haru, err, Flora's first fight is pretty incredible, and it's also the debut of my eternal best supporting character that's Yui Nanase and one of my best bois that's Prince Kanata! Pafu and Aroma are too adorable to handle and Close is very interesting baddie too, starting an intense rivalry between the latter and Flora.

Young Haru-Haru holding a Dress Up Key

2. Hooray Hooray, Everyone! The Pretty Cure of High Spirits, Cure Yell is Born! - HUGtto! PreCure (2018)

A spectacular season opener too for me yeet! Yell's intro was just amazing also and love the introductions of the notable characters in the season. Oh my gosh, what another cult season HUGtto! was as in! I'm still getting addicted on her catchphrases and much similar to Tsubomi/Blossom, Hana is trying to be changed as a stylish and matured person and I really like that too.

Time to combat ready for our cheerful Yell!

1. Holding Hands Tightly! We're Pretty Cure♥Cure Grace - Healin' Good♥PreCure (2020)

I love Nodokacchi, her intro and first fight vs the Byogens, her past as a sick girl and her determination in giving back the kindness gave from the others by helping them back, which is why we have our amazing Grace! I really enjoyed her very much so far as she's waaay different than all of her preceding Cure leaders, plus being voiced by Aoi Yuuki and channeling her inner Hibiki Tachibana within are a bonus.

Grace flying in the sky

What's your favorite opener in the Pretty Cure series? Comment down below, on my FB page or on my Twitter account @goddessyk13.