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

#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!

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.

My Emiru Aisaki Birthday Special Appreciation Thread

Hello guys and gals, Yona here and welcome to my special appreciation blog post about our birthday girl and forever ma gurl on having fictional heroes as inspirations, Emiru Aisaki aka Cure Macherie from Hugtto! PreCure!

Alright to make this post a bit short, I'm going to do a brief profile for those who are new to the fandom and then the reason I adore this brilliant lad so much, so here I go...

Emiru is third grade schooler that became a Cure after Ako Shirabe/Cure Muse from Suite and Aguri Madoka/Cure Ace from Doki Doki!, and the very first from planet Earth plus the youngest member of the Hugtto Cures. She's also the youngest daughter of the Aisaki conglomerate clan and what's different from the other Cures who're rich kids, she plays the modern electric guitar rather than the classic instruments like the piano and the violin. Emiru has a big bro that's Masato, who I literally despised at first due to being a drop dead misogynist. Fortunately thanks to Henri Wakamiya, he quickly changed his ways and began to open up to others. Phew, I'm glad that we already a very wholesome yaoi couple in the Cure series! But, we also have our lovable Emiru and our wonderful Ruru Amour, or Cure Amour, being brilliant and romantically best friends that stand the tests of time.

Anyways in case you missed my mid-season Cures watchalongs, check out my top 5 Macherie and Amour moments here: https://yonakuromatoki.blogspot.com/2020/07/twinlove-my-top-5-emiru-aisakicure.html?m=1

Now why do I love Emiru so much? Because not only she embodies about what a true hero should be and has a wonderful love for music, but because her perseverance and determination really captures and inspires everyone even in the times of distress and drought. Her friendship with Ruru is so amazing and wholesome, and I do really, really adore them very much, but they also make straight right in my feels (especially in the finale ugh deym feels yo)! 

Okay feels aside, her character songs, again with Ruru, are pretty catchy, energetic and wonderful to the ears and I can't stop listening and singing them for several times on my phone's playlist as in seriously, I would gonna stan Twin Love for life you know? But more than these stuff mentioned, Emiru is one of the characters that I related the most due to similarities in loving various things and being persevered and determined to fight for what's right even in a little way.

Happy birthday to Emiru! Well, I wish all the best to her and keep rocking always, also a big shout out to her seiyuu, Nao Tamura, for bringing us this lovable heroine to life! I'm still pushing to cosplay her and have a con/shoot debut once this godforsaken pandemic will be cleared.

Thanks for reading another special post on my blog! What's your birthday wish for Emiru? What are your favorite moments from her? And if you have a merch of her, please do a share on the comment box below, on my FB page or my Twitter @goddessyk13.

#TwinLove: My Top 5 Emiru Aisaki/Cure Macherie and Ruru Amour/Cure Amour Moments!

Aye yo what's up, guys?! Yona here once again and welcome to the last two weeks of The Road to Cure Earth Watchalongs and also, welcome to the second half of 2020 yeet~! Well, as we all know that Healin' Good PreCure had just resumed last Sunday and the best thing for our mates in the Americas and Oceania, the season will be streamed on Crunchyroll! Plus, the recent scans and text translations (shout out to Cure Wiki's Bikki for the latter) regarding Cure Earth's debut make me sooooo freaking excited for her even more and also, the plot twist is very surprising aye?! Well, that would be on my next post.

Before we're moving on, let's finish these last two pre-watchalong special posts as we travel back to 2018 aka the so advanced 15th anniversary of the PreCure series and we have not one, but two mid-season Cures debuting in the same episode! I'm talking about Emiru Aisaki and Ruru Amour aka Cures Macherie and Amour from Hugtto! PreCure.

Emiru is the third grade schooler that became a Cure after Ako Shirabe/Cure Muse from Suite and Aguri Madoka/Cure Ace from Doki Doki!, the very first to do so from planet Earth, and the third mid-season Cure from the blue planet after Itsuki Myoudouin/Cure Sunshine from Heart Catch! and Iona Hikawa/Cure Fortune from Happiness Charge!

Meanwhile, Ruru is the fourth redeemed Cure after Setsuna Higashi/Cure Passion from Fresh!, Ellen Kurokawa/Cure Beat from Suite and Towa Akagi/Cure Scarlet from Go! Princess, and the very first robotic Cure heroine, in which the latter part has a quite nice call back and tribute to two of the Cure series' classic spiritual mahou shoujo predecessors, Toei Animation's Miracle Shoujo Limit-chan and Cutie Honey.

As always in the past pre-watchalong proper posts, here are my top 5 Macherie and Amour moments!

5. Same misunderstanding, different case

Episode 22 with Cures Black and White as special guests, and it quickly reminded me much of episode 8 of Futari wa having the same software with Emiru and Ruru yet with different cases, and that it's okay to be misunderstood at each other and that makes them stronger even more.

4. Concert in the pool

When Hana was on a blink of crippling depression due to George Kurai, our cutie idols came to the rescue for a mini concert for everyone, and to snapped our cheering leader out of her senses and fought back harder.

3. Friendship never ends

Episode 19 was another wonderful moment from these two and when Emiru learned about Ruru being an android, by in which the latter said that someone like her couldn't be a Cure. However, the two decided to be heroines together then we had a first hear on "Friends With You" as the ending for that episode.

2. A twinning maiden debut full of love

Speaking of which, Macherie and Amour's maiden debut was soooo lit and also we had got a first hear of their signature character song which quite reminded me of the fighting BGMs in Symphogear though. Also, I like how Mother Heart splitting the last PreHeart into two all thanks to their wishing of becoming Cures together with a brilliant miracle and it was amazing to see that way.

1. An emotionally timey wimey reunion

The season finale episode got me a lot of feels and the epilogue was all going wibbly wobbly timey wimey since the future had changed 12 years later! That aside, the grown-up Emiru got an emotional reunion with a little Ruru, though the latter hadn't have any memories of them which made me so sad. Anyway, I got emotionally brink up when they sang "Friends With You" again together and it was so touchable to watch at least.

That concludes my top 5 Macherie and Amour moments! What are your favorite moments from them? Comment here, on FB page or on my Twitter @goddessyk13.

The Goddess' Playlist (Blog Comeback Edition): "Kimi to Tomodachi (Friends With You)" by Nao Tamura and Yukari Tamura

Ruru Amour (left) and Emiru Aisaki (right) singing together outside the Beauty
Harry shop (the Hugtto Cures' secret base), as seen in Hugtto! PreCure
episode 18

After more than two years of absence, guess who's back with a new post?

Welcome to the bigger, bolder and better than ever blog of Yona Kuromatoki and this time, I'm going to do the revamped Goddess' Playlist featuring one of my favorite songs from the currently aired Hugtto! PreCure, "Kimi to Tomodachi (Friends With You)" by Nao Tamura and Yukari Tamura as their characters Emiru Aisaki/Cure Macherie and Ruru Amour/Cure Amour.

First heard as an instrumental-slash-humming version in the 15th episode of the current Cure season, the song was used as an ending theme for the 18th episode aired on June 3, 2018 and included in the season's first vocal album, ~Powerful Yell~, just last July 4 under Marvelous, Inc. Written by Fumi Tsubota, the head writer of Hugtto!, with arrangements and compositions done by Masayuki Fukutomi and Noriko Fujimoto, "Kimi to Tomodachi" reminded us on how the friendship between Emiru and Ruru become very sweet and touching despite their differences (that's right, darlings, Emiru is a human like us and Ruru is an android and a time traveler), and at the same time, one of the relaxed songs I've heard in the anison sub-genre. Surely, you won't get sick and tired of listening and singing this song that in which is perfect while getting stuck on the current traffic jam situation.

Anyway, enjoy this latest blog entry of mine and yep, welcome back to the blog scene!

PS. I'm now writing the Filipino translated version of the song, but boi this is kinda as tough as my winning piece in the Pinoy Otaku Festival's Tagalized Star karaoke contest! But either way, wish me luck.

--XX--

Japanese Romaji

Todoketai koto aru nda
Kimi no koto suki nanda
Futari no hāto ribon de musubu
Tomodachi ni narou yo
Egao
(Egao)
Namida
(Namida) Gyutto suru mune no oku
Soko ni kokoro kirameku
Kimi to watashi dekoboko
Zenzen chigau futari dane
Keredo hāto hagu kasanetara
Māruku okkē dayo
Zutto zutto
(Zutto zutto)
Tomodachi
Hāto wo ribon de musubou

English Translation

I have so many things to say to you
Such as all the things I love about you
Tie our hearts together with a little ribbon
That lets you and I become friends
Your smile
(Your smile)
And tears
(And tears) squeezes something so deep inside
Right there, where our hearts are shining bright

You and I may be a strange pair
As well as completely different people
But maybe if we hug our hearts together
Everything will be okay
We'll forever be
(We'll forever be)
The best of friends
Whose hearts are tied together by a ribbon

Special ending video

Audio version with lyrics