Tag Archives: Pretty Cure

Hugtto! Precure – Episode 12

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Folks, I am very excited to return to Hugtto! Precure! It’s been some time since our last episode, at least from my perspective, but I still remember it quite clearly. Hugtto’s eleventh episode was one of its strongest segments yet, elevating Hana’s relatable anxieties through isolating yet beautiful layouts, and culminating in a fight sequence that somehow embodied the terrifying, inhuman energy of an Evangelion battle. That climax ended on Hana resolving her doubts through a confident declaration of selfhood, as she refused to actually strike down her opponent, and instead chose to express herself through what she’s always done best: cheering people on, and inspiring them to reach their greatest selves.

That conclusion also served as a reiteration of Hugtto’s own themes, from its focus on finding a fulfilling path to careers and adulthood, to its insistence that we are stronger if we build each other up, rather than exploit each other for personal gain. And of course, by framing that contrast in terms of the distinction between the Precures and their corporate-themed antagonists, Hugtto also furthered its perhaps inadvertent message of “fuck capitalism.” I kinda doubt this entirely capitalism-grounded production, which is designed to sell children’s toys, is also promoting a deliberately anti-capitalist message, but hey, inadvertent subtext is also fine with me. Either way, I’m eager to see what Hana and her friends get up to in one more Precure!

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Hugtto! Precure – Episode 9

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I’ve checked the stars, sifted through the tea leaves, and consulted with the Old Ones, and it is abundantly clear that it is time for more Hugtto! Precure. In the show’s last episode, the introduction of Henri prompted Homare to reconsider the trajectory of her life, and her decision to step back from the rigorous training demands of a classic professional skater trajectory. Henri frankly and convincingly argued that taking a break at this point could easily be detrimental to her career prospects – and in response, Homare argued with equal certainty that it was the close support of her friends that had given her the courage to return to the ice at all, and that their continued support gave her a kind of strength unreachable through personal effort alone.

Henri ultimately ceded to this argument, because Henri’s a pretty great character. The episode’s treatment of Henri was likely its greatest strength, from its positive framing of his androgynous, multiracial identity to the way it managed to cast him as an “episode antagonist” while still keeping his position consistently sympathetic. It was an episode that clearly demonstrated the strengths of Hugtto’s storytelling, and I’ve been eager to watch the next one for far too long. Let’s see what’s in store in the ninth Hugtto! Precure!

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Hugtto! Precure – Episode 8

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At long last, we return to Hugtto! Pretty Cure. I’ve been greatly enjoying our journey through Hugtto!, both appreciating how it illustrates the evolution of the magical girl genre, and also enjoying it as a charming, good-hearted, and visually compelling production in its own right. While standout episodes like Homare’s big introduction have been genuinely stunning, episode-of-the-year level aesthetic objects, even the show’s usual mode is energetic and visually appealing and an altogether endearing time. And as a standard-bearer for its genre, Pretty Cure essentially slots in between Ojamajo Doremi and Nanoha, blending its life lessons with falcon punches while offering an unexpectedly forward-thinking focus on the difficulties of integrating into adulthood.

Our last episode was Saaya-focused, and featured a rival from her glamorous Veggie Girl past coming back to challenge her commitment to acting. With that resolving on the refreshing “I genuinely don’t know what I want yet, but I’d like to keep acting in order to find out,” we find ourselves immediately bumping into an old friend from Homare’s past. Homare’s focus episodes have been the show’s strongest yet, and though I’m not necessarily expecting another aesthetic triumph on the scale of her first appearance, I’m still excited to see what the show can pull together next. Let’s dive into Hugtto’s eighth episode!

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Precure Hugtto – Episode 1

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Holy crap folks, we’re watching some Precure. If you’re not in the know, Precure is short for Pretty Cure, one of the most enduring magical girl franchises of recent years. Pretty Cure isn’t a Madoka or Nanoha-style property aimed at older audiences – like Ojamajo Doremi, it’s genuinely intended to be a show for children. Also like Ojamajo Doremi, it has a pretty sturdy reputation among anime fans as a genuinely great property, with its many seasons varying in quality, but always attracting a solid crowd of western fans.

As one of Toei’s signature series, Pretty Cure has turned out to be the proving ground for a wide variety of talented anime creators, from creative action animators to Rie Matsumoto, whose Heartcatch Pretty Cure film is considered a resounding highlight of her early career. Many key artists on works like One Piece and Dragon Ball have also contributed heavily to Pretty Cure – hell, the show’s first season was directed by the same guy who directed the first two hundred episodes of Dragon Ball Z.

Personally, my own experience with Precure is very limited. I basically know what I know via osmosis from more knowledgeable friends on twitter, and though I’ve long been interested in checking the series out, its substantial length and the implausibility of turning this into a work project made that a tough prospect. Fortunately, you generous readers are picking up the slack this time, and so we’re at least watching through the first episode of Precure’s highly regarded current season. Let’s check out Precure Hugtto!

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