Habemus Curatus! Introducing Cures Zukyoon and Kiss!

On June 1 and 8, 2025, fans of the Pretty Cure series from all over the planet have witnessed the (reboot and) rise of the two warrior idols. However, this isn’t the usual stuff that we’ve seen in all the midseason Cures’ initial and fully maiden debuts since 2009.

Enter Purirun and Meroron, the two mascot fairies from KiraKiland that transform into Cures Zukyoon and Kiss, whose memories and experiences of the former and feelings of the latter have been literally locked in due to a very forbidden item called the Heart Kirari Lock. What the hell just happened?!!

Following two weeks of roller coaster of emotions and intense curiosity, Yoshino Nanjo (Eli Ayase in Love Live! and Shirabe Tsukuyomi in Symphogear) and Miharu Hanai (Tomoe Murakami in Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls and Twin Turbo in Uma Musume Pretty Derby) have been finally taking over as the first two seiyuus to play two midseason Cures in seven years since Nao and Yukari Tamura, and the first in two years since Aoi Koga, respectively.

The return of the mascot fairies-turned-Cures trope in the global action magical girl show’s Reiwa production era is very unprecedented and predictable as well as for the first time in 16 years of the midseason one, there are no sign of leaks circulating on the internet like the others, and so the guys at Toei Animation surprised us with those two gorgeous official arts of Zukyoon and Kiss which posted on May 30, 2025, two days before their pre-debut.

The two slayed and braved fluffy divas’ birthdays will be on October 9 and December 7 respectively.

In an interview with the Japanese otaku media site Animate Times, Nanjo and Hanai have shared their own thoughts and experiences of being part of a long running show like Pretty Cure with the former says that she was surprised, happy and pressured all at once. While the latter answers that she couldn’t believe that she got the job and her mind went blank.

“It felt like I was being handed the baton [pass message] that everyone who had been involved in the work up until now had cherished, and it was also the moment when I resolved to spend this year cherishing it with Purirun and Zukyoon, the cast and the You and Idol Pretty Cure [production] team,” Nanjo said.

“It was a very strange feeling to be able to be involved with Pretty Cure, which I had been watching and admiring since I was little. At the same time, I was of course happy that I could become a part of Pretty Cure, which had been my dream and goal, and I felt a sense of responsibility...!!” said Hanai, who’s also a longtime Cure fan.

The two seiyuus are also commented about their characters’ charms and recommended points, among other things as well.

Zukyoon and Kiss’ henshin sequence has been revealed on the current season’s 19th episode aired on Father’s Day, June 15, marking the first time to do so since Macherie and Amour. Also, we’re finally getting a short glimpse of Purirun and Meroron’s human forms in it, both animated by Nishiki Itaoka, with the latter being designed by the season’s character designer Miho Sugimoto. However, the celebratory official debut has been overshadowed by a gut wrenching scene when Uta Sakura aka Cure Idol (voiced by Misato Matsuoka) is shockingly learned that her beloved Purirun has lost her memories due to the after effects of the aforementioned forbidden item, as well as her wish to protect the said Cure leader at the cost of becoming a hero and turning her ribbon into gray, at the end of the episode.

Truly, what the hell just happened?! What do think about Cures Zukyoon and Kiss so far? Let us know in our comments here or on our socials.

ADDENDUM: We’re apologize for not posting new content on our blog due to numerous commitments for the first half of 2025, but we’ll be doing our best to make it active as possible, especially we have the upcoming Yona Kuromatoki’s Interactive Podcast Fan Favorite Awards 2025 and the Yona Kuromatoki Platform Top Cosplays Rank: The Philippines Cosplay Community and Industry Silver Anniversary Edition in December, with the usual voting period that’ll start by the late October.

In addition to these, we’re gonna do The Goddess’ Playlist segment posts and interviews with fella geeks again for this year, so keep on eyes out on them in the coming days.

The Goddess' Playlist: Fighter by Tali Golergant (Eurovision 2024 Entry for Luxembourg and Yona Kuromatoki Platform 10th Anniversary Song)

 

Single version cover

After a two-year hiatus, The Goddess' Playlist segment in this blog makes a wonderfully triumphant comeback, and yes we're so back to do impressions on our all time favorite songs, this time we go Eurovision with "Fighter" by the Israeli-Luxembourgish singer-songwriter Tali Golergant!

The first Luxembourgish Eurovision song in 31 years and also the first since the country's last participation in 1993 (of course it's my birth year, as said during the recent YKIP Live), it was released on January 9, 2024 under Bel Air Records, and composed by Dario Faini aka Dardust, who is also handling the music for another Eurovision 2024 song, "La noia" by Angelina Mango for Italy, and notable for doing the same with Mahmood's "Soldi" in 2019, together with Ana Zimmer and Manon Romiti, while the lyrics were written by the latter two and Silvio Lisbonne. The revamped version on the other hand was released on March 29, 2024 under the same label and Jo&Co. 

The song was competed in the inaugural Luxembourg Song Contest on January 27, 2024 and won the right to represent the Grand Duchy in Eurovision over the runner-up "Drowning in the Rain" by Krick by 13 points as well as six other finalists. In the super final of the national selection show, Golergant had received 94 points from the juries and 84 points from the televoters for a combined total of 178 points.

Eurovision version cover

According to Golergant, she states in interviews that the song is about how humans suffer, and how people persevere through suffering, in which the singer is used as an example of living in New York City and going through series of rejections within the music industry. It is indeed in the first stanza that the singer has struggled to get a break in the big city in her 20s, the age bracket where most people often go to parties and spend their money on lavish things.

On the Overthinking Eurovision YouTube channel's interpretation of the song meanwhile, the first refrain part has the word "siren" in it because sirens are monsters that lure sailors by seducting them with their voices to impending doom. Therefore in the aforementioned, the little siren voice wants the singer to come and take its hand towards an excited yet risky path of the industry she gets used to before going to the chorus, which is in English. In it, there is an inner cheerleader who encourages the singer to keep going as a fighter until it suddenly goes away from its outer counterpart.

Speaking of which, Fighter is a song of self-doubt in French with an assurance of self-confidence in English and we love it very much whether in either version. I mean, it has catchy beats with a powerful meaning of perserverance, determination and overcome trials as humans! Definitely a top ten on my bucket list for this Eurovision season.

Yona Kuromatoki Platform 10th Anniversary version cover. From left: Cure Sky (Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure), yours truly as Seiji Sagara (Happiness Charge Pretty Cure! aka the first cosplay featured in the platform) and Cure Wonderful (Wonderful Pretty Cure!)

As mentioned in the blog's previous post, the song becomes the Yona Kuromatoki Platform's 10th anniversary song, the second non-English to do so after MNL48's "First Rabbit" aka the fifth anniversary song of the platform, then known as the Yona Kuromatoki Cosplay Page, and it is also the first time to specially feature not only yours truly but two groundbreaking Pretty Cure leaders, Cures Sky and Wonderful, although neither the former nor the latter are written specifically for themselves too like Golergant.

In the anniversary version, the first stanza is now interpreted as myself still getting adjustments on adulthood and juggled with the hobbies I still have, while also being recently lost a mother and about to receive my downfall. Then, a siren voice calls me to come and bring to something that is adventurous but also risky before moving on to the chorus. Its self-focused version has the said siren voice, aka my inner self, wanting to keep me going and knowing that I'm a fighter because of my never give up spirit until I go crazy and don't know what to do after the voice itself leaves far away from me.

Meanwhile the second stanza, usually refers to the singer's complications on deciding her path and fight to conquer the world stage, is transformed into Komugi Inukai being a dog that distrusts and hesitates in mind, and Sora Harewataru's ambitious aspiration to become a hero of all worlds. The siren voice in the second refrain now refers to Iroha Inukai and Mashiro Nijigaoka in inner forms telling the two Cure leaders to come and go towards their respective destinies that are unstoppable, as both pairs have done the same yet in different ways in their own Cure seasons.

If my self-focused version of the chorus is about my inner self cheering me to keep going, the second focused one refers to the inner Iroha encouraging Komugi to come to her and never let the latter down because the "older" Inukai knows her fursister is a fighter. The inner Mashiron, on the other hand, notices that Soracchi's heart is holding the love around everyone and she knows she's basically one, a hero as in. Then, the two leaders are going wild to grab everything and nothing at the same time like two girls that are crazily wandering in the outskirts after questioning on the whereabouts of their inner formed partners from afar.

But the bridge part is kinda complicated because it may also be refer to me or either of the two Cure leaders. Nevertheless, it also interprets as the three of us just wanting to open our hearts by resonating the sound of our dreams and not our own fears to everyone, and that's truly meaningful.

Finally, the last chorus states that my inner version, and the ones of Iroha and Mashiron are started to fade away, much like Golergant's, before returning to our heads (well I'm sure that both secondary Cures won't be affected by that crazy inner mindness lols) and go crazy like wild beasts that are nothing to do but on a rampage.

Of course, Fighter is different from First Rabbit in terms of the language, genre and musical styles, but the message is clear for both songs: keep going, never stop to reach our dreams and fight for what we believe in even if we endure so much pain and suffering. Truly remarkable celebratories for the Yona Kuromatoki Platform!

Whether either interpretation of the song may be, then it's up to you. But both interpretations are cool as heck and way beyond our twinkle imaginations. Anyways, I wish the best of luck to Golergant at Eurovision and yesh, keep slaying!

What is your own interpretation of Golergant's Fighter? Let us know in the comments section below, on our Facebook page, X, Instagram or Threads accounts. Till the next Goddess' Playlist, lads and vadengs!

It's Krejza! It's Majestic! Introducing Cure Majesty!

On September 3 and 10, 2023, fans of the Pretty Cure series from all over the planet have been witnessed the birth of the fifth Hirogaru Sky Pretty Cure that is Ellee, the Sky Land princess who is also known as the Child of Destiny, transforming into Cure Majesty for the first time.

Following these two weeks of surprised excitement and anticipation, Aoi Koga (Shouko Komi in Komi Can't Communicate, Ange Le Carre in Princess Principal, Kaguya Shinomiya in Kaguya-sama: Love is War and Yuri Miyata in Two Car) has already been taking over from Ai Kayano, the woman who played Amane Kasai aka Cure Finale in the global action magical superhero show's previous season Delicious Party, as the fourth exclusive additional and the first late season Cure in the Reiwa era, and also the first since Ako Shirabe aka Cure Muse. Despite these slight changes, Ellee's birthday will still be on March 12.

Continuing the current season's groundbreaking trends as with her teammates-slash-surrogate family, Ellee is also the youngest canonically main Cure and the first mascot-turned-Cure who doesn't automatically default to a human form around the same age as the heroes.

In an interview from Anehime, Koga expresses her reason of becoming a voice actor through the franchise, and wanting to be part of it and its expanding history since childhood.

"As a child back then, I admired Futari wa PreCure, and after wanting to become a voice actor, I said to myself, 'I want to be in the PreCure series someday!', 'I want to become a Pretty Cure someday!' became my dream and goal.

That's why PreCure is a dream, a goal, and an admiration! Even now that I get to play the role of Cure Majesty, my feelings of admiration haven't changed, and I want to cherish this feeling."

The seiyuu also stresses about the stereotypes at the time of the first Cure season's airing, but then she said that with the season, it's okay for girls to be cool, refreshing to see fighting through it and it was also cool to see them working hard for their loved ones and friends.

Koga also said that her favorite Cure is Nagisa Misumi aka Cure Black, the first hero and leader, due to being lively and has a strength that makes everyone want to follow her naturally, and the coolness that makes decisions to which she admires. She even learned about lacrosse because of Nagisa and the latter was the key to steadily overcome her shyness as a kid.

What do you think about Aoi Koga as Ellee and Cure Majesty? What are your thoughts about the mythical hero so far? Let us know in the comments section on the blog, and our FB page, our Instagram and the Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast X accounts.

Interview source: https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/anehime/news/interview/HAOLN

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.

Insights From a Goddess (and Mates): A Geek's Impressions About Being a Pretty Cure Fan and Amane Kasai/Cure Finale

The Insights From a Goddess (and Mates) segment of this blog makes a delicious smiled return after almost two years and to commemorate its comeback, I was stumbling to a geek that I just met during ToyCon PH 2022 day 3 and he's actually also a fan of the Pretty Cure series since Star Twinkle! Moreover, he quickly recognized my newly-debuted Cure Macherie cosplay and I got his approval to take some selfies that day. 

Introducing Limuel Oco, the dude who is quickly included into the small yet very delighted Cure fan community in the Philippines and wanting to share his own experiences as a fan as well as his impressions about the newest midseason Cure heroine, Amane Kasai aka Cure Finale from Delicious Party. 

Yona's Blog: How did you get into the Pretty Cure series? 

Limuel Oco: I got into the Pretty Cure series when I saw a clip from Star Twinkle☆PreCure that they are transforming, it finds me more interesting since they are singing while becoming Cures and it looks fun! 

YB: What was the first season that you've watched regularly? 

LO: The first season that I've watched was Star Twinkle. 

YB: Kirayaba (Twincool)~~!! 

YB: What is your favorite season and why? 

LO: Star Twinkle, likewise. 

YB: Do you have a favorite Cure from each season? 

LO: Yes. 

• Nagisa Misumi aka Cure Black (Futari wa and Max Heart)

• Mai Mishou aka Cure Egret and Windy (Splash Star)

• Milk/Kurumi Mimino aka Milky Rose (Yes! 5 and Yes! 5 GoGo!)

• Setsuna Higashi aka Cure Passion (Fresh!)

• Yuri Tsukikage aka Cure Moonlight (HeartCatch!)

• Kanade Minamino aka Cure Rhythm (Suite)

• Miyuki Hoshizora aka Cure Happy (Smile!)

• Aguri Madoka aka Cure Ace (Doki Doki!)

• Iona Hikawa aka Cure Fortune (Happiness Charge!)

• Towa Akagi aka Cure Scarlet (Go! Princess)

• Ha-chan/Kotoha Hanami aka Cure Felice (Mahou Tsukai!)

• Aoi Tategami aka Cure Gelato (KiraKira☆A La Mode)

• Homare Kagayaki aka Cure Étoile (HUGtto!)

• Yuni aka Cure Cosmo (Star Twinkle)

• Asumi Fuurin aka Cure Earth (Healin' Good)

• Laura Apollodoros Hyginus La Mer aka Cure La Mer (Tropical-Rouge!)

• Amane Kasai aka Cure Finale (Delicious Party) 

YB: Wonderful choices! Who are your favorite main fairy mascot from each season? 

LO: Kururun (if applicable) from Tropical-Rouge! I find her cute even though that she can't speak, just she said her name. 

YB: Napaka-funny talaga si Kururun (Kururun is really funny) eh. 

LO: True. 

YB: Anyways, who is your favorite villain general (redeemed or not)? 

LO: My favorite villain general is Lock from Go! Princess PreCure. 

YB: Okay, how about your favorite main villain (redeemed or not)? 

LO: The Witch of Delays from Tropical-Rouge! 

YB: 'Yung backstory nila (Their backstory) with [the season's ancient heroine Aunete aka Cure] Oasis was so sad. 

LO: True ang sad nun, pero it also ended na nakakaiyak (it's so sad, but it also ended tearfully). 

YB: I mentioned sa podcast ko (Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast) that both the Witch and Oasis were similar kina [Manatsu Natsuumi aka Cure] Summer and La Mer yet in different ways (I mentioned in my podcast (Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast) that both the Witch and Oasis were similar to [Manatsu Natsuumi aka Cure] Summer and La Mer yet in different ways). 

LO: Ooohh I see! 

YB: Yeah. Tsaka the reason na na-delay n'ya was because gusto n'ya palang makipagkaibigan kay Oasis (And the reason why she delayed it was because she actually wanted to make friends with Oasis). Not knowing the latter had died so many years ago pa (already). 

LO: True, almost 100 years n'ya dinelay 'yung battle nila (she (the Witch) delayed their battle for almost 100 years). 

YB: Mm, yet at least nag-reunite sila (they're reunited) and nagsama na sila (they've been joined) into the heavens. 

LO: True. 

YB: That was why, from what I observed, gumawa ng memory wiping machine (the memory wiping machine was made) from a mermaid whose human friend had died due to short life span. So in short yes, semi-immortal ang mermaids/merfolks (mermaids/merfolks are semi-immortals). 

LO: True. 

YB: Anyways, let's move on sa (to the) next question! Do you collect various Cure merchandises? 

LO: Not yet but looking forward to, but right now I have PreCure Juu-Style dolls. The first one is Cure Star, then second is Cure Fontaine that I bought yesterday from ToyCon PH 2022. (BLOGGER'S NOTE: This online conversation was taped on July 11, 2022) 

YB: What is your initial impression on Amane Kasai? 

LO: I like her, but I expected that she is the midseason Cure. 

YB: As a baddie, what did you think of her as Gentle? 

LO: What I think her is as Gentle is she is a badass girl with a gentle heart for Recipepes. 

YB: We already learned her past about loving parfaits and meeting the Parfait Recipepe since childhood kasi, but after becoming a baddie everything has changed. However, as I did to some past midseason Cures that came before, I know that Amane isn't really bad at all. 

LO: True, she is not talaga (she is really not). 

YB: Seeing the Recipepe again alongside her made me so happy. 

LO: Yaaass!! 

YB: 'Yung regrets n'ya (her regrets) about what she has done reminds me of the almost same scenarios dati kina (before to) Passion, Beat and Scarlet. 

LO: Yes, me too. 

YB: What is your first impression about Amane as Finale? 

LO: Amazed because I didn't expect her design was so good. 

YB: Ako din (Me too)! Na-overjoy ako (I was overjoyed) that she overcomes 'yung doubts n'ya (her doubts). Well, enough with the overjoying stuff because we're down to the last three questions before I let you go. 

LO: Go! 

YB: What are the things you looking forward for our dear golden parfait girl and her friends in the coming episodes? 

LO: Getting to know more of her story and what she can offer as the new midseason Cure. 

YB: How does it feel that Ai Kayano is voicing a Cure? 

LO: To be honest I'm not familiar with the seiyuus. But I know that they are bringing our Pretty Cures to life, and giving them emotions and strengths to make more of the characters to be loved by the fans. 

YB: Last question before you really go, what are your fan messages to both Kayano and Amane/Finale? 

LO: My message will be good luck and you are slaying it from just one episode, and looking forward to see you more until the season finale! 

YB: Yay! But also no pun intended, anyways thank you for your time and you're always welcoming back to the blog, and probably we'd love to have you as a guest in Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast in the future! 

LO: Thanks for the info and looking forward to that! 

YB: Do you have social media accounts so that everyone can follow you? 

LO: I do have socmeds, but it's personal so I don't have any of them with PreCure/anime content. But I have another account that has my hobbies content. 

YB: What is your hobby account? 

LO: It's @toyluvzz21 on Instagram. 

YB: Again, thank you so much for the time in this blog! 

LO: You're welcome and thanks for the oppurtunity! 

YB: No problem!

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

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!

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.