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.

Yona's Rankings - Top Fairouz Ai Characters

 

It's the mid-year once again and Yona's Blog brings back my personal rankings, this time I'll jolt down the characters voiced by the wonderful Japanese-Egyptian seiyuu, Fairouz Ai! Speaking of which, it's her 28th birthday today, so I will send a big tropica-shiny felicitations to her for bringing these amazing characters to life!

And coz it's her special day, I'm gonna round up my top four Fairouz characters that I've seen so far right away!

4. Eripyo (OshiBudo)

The first Fairouz character I've seen during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic when OshiBudo was a very late addition to my 2020 winter anime season lineups, but since it tackled about idols and the wota culture, one thing quickly came into my mind was the crazily energetic part-time worker Eripyo.

The main heroine of the show, she has Maina as her kami oshi (the top favorite member) and the only one who supports the idol in various events, similar to some of my co-fans in the PH idol community with the same case. However, I have some very similarities to her in showing an unconditional adoration and wholesome love to my oshis, and I also attended various events like handshake events and concerts very often.

Eripyo is such a cool character and she depicts us fangirling over idols like crazy hippies. But other than that, she trusts and loves her co-wotas despite the differences in supporting their own oshis and is very passionate whenever Maina takes the spotlight before her presence.

3. Hibiki Sakura (How Heavy are the Dumbbells You Lift?)

Fairouz's breakthrough anime and the one that cemented her bumpy yet bloomed seiyuu career. I just took a few episodes into Dumbbells, but Hibiki is the definition of proper healthy living that all of us should inspire to and I like how she's working hard to achieve the almost impossible goal of having a very hot, sexy body alongside her schoolmates Akemi, Ayaka and Gina, and their teacher Satomi-sensei.

Her solid-like bond with the super muscular trainer Machio is one of my faves from the show although Hibiki had a crush on the latter at the beginning, but nevertheless they have a wonderful dynamic relationship. They also got some funny moments and I love the edutainment section about various workouts in each episode and the post-ending credits with Machio himself.

Hibiki may have a very rocky start since she started doing workouts both in and out of the gym, but her sheer determination, perseverance and having a never give up spirit to attain a hot but longer life-worthy body. Maybe I should do workouts too even though they're pretty tough, eh? We'll see.

2. Tokiwa Anzai (Mewkledreamy)

One of my favorites from Mewkledreamy and Fairouz's debut in the magical girl universe before being promoted to a bigger role that I'm gonna talk about in the last part. A probinsyana who moves to the city to start a new life and is Nene's Dream Partner, Tokiwa is an all-around talented person because she plays the piano, and is part of the choir and cheerleading clubs which the latter that Yume Hinata is also part of, yet also afraid of ghosts and scary stuff.

In the first season, we saw Tokiwa saved Nene from getting flew into the river before her move and a couple of episodes later, she was transferred to Yume's school only to get her dream caught by Yunicchi's Black Abyss. But her willingness to be part of the city life and Nene's encouragement triggered the gal to get out of the Black Abyss with Yume and Mew's help, and subsequently became partners from then on. Afterwards, Nene and Tokiwa are lending hands to Mew and Yume to protect people's dreams from the nightmares within them. However, things are getting tougher in season two as they faced new enemies, but also gaining a new ally.

Tokiwa is basically a precious cinnamon roll and who doesn't? I can't wait for her wider adventures with Mew, Yume and the gang as the show's season two is still rolling and kicking!

1. Manatsu Natsuumi/Cure Summer (Tropical-Rouge! PreCure)

Our current Cure leader who is super duper tropica-shiny and full of unlimited motivation! I love everything about and really enjoy Manatsu so far and I cannot underestimate the fact that she's not only putting a smile to our faces, but also encourage us to be motivated for true productivity in this planet.

I do love all the leaders coz they're my primary favorites in the show and Summer is no exception. Her relationship with her parents, especially her mom, is both touching and very nice to see which makes me miss my own parents so much, and with Sango, Minorin, Asuka and Laura is just so amazing! Speaking of the funny fighting mermaid, I can always tell from my inner thoughts that both Summer and La Mer have the very awesome dynamic relationship too, and you know? They're very something and unique!

I'm looking forward to see more of Manatsu and her gang in this current PreCure season, and they're surely treating us with more surprises and twists to come on the way.

Who is your favorite Fairouz character? Lemme know on the comments box below, or on my FB page or my Twitter.

The Tropical Fighting Mermaid! Introducing Cure La Mer!

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reference: Toei Animation Official Webpage for the Pretty Cure Series

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.