Wonderful PreCure!

Wonderful PreCure! (Japanese: わんだふるぷりきゅあ！, Hepburn: Wandafuru Purikyua!)^[a] is an upcoming Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the twenty-first installment in the Pretty Cure franchise and its first entry with a title written in hiragana.^[1] It is directed by Masanori Sato and written by Yoshimi Narita, with character designs by Yoko Uchida and costume designs by NaSka.^[2][3][4] It will premiere on all ANN stations in Japan on February 4, 2024, succeeding Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure's timeslot. The series' main theme is bonds and its main motifs are pets and animals.

Wonderful PreCure!
Official promotional poster for the series.
わんだふるぷりきゅあ！ (Wandafuru Purikyua!)
Genre	Magical girl
Created by	Izumi Todo
Anime television series
Directed by	Masanori Sato
Produced by	Kanako Tada Maki Takahashi Rika Tone
Written by	Yoshimi Narita
Music by	Erika Fukasawa
Studio	Toei Animation
Original network	ANN (TV Asahi, ABC TV, Nagoya TV)
Original run	February 4, 2024 – present

Story

Iroha Inukai is a middle schooler who lives in Animal Town, where humans and animals live together in harmony. One day, while walking her pet dog Komugi, they are attacked by a mysterious creature called a Garugaru. Komugi's desire to protect Iroha allows her to become human and transform into a Pretty Cure. Joined by Iroha and other Pretty Cures, Komugi fights to protect everyone from the Garugarus.^[5]

Characters

Pretty Cures

Komugi Inukai (犬飼こむぎ, Inukai Komugi) / Cure Wonderful (キュアワンダフル, Kyua Wandafuru)

Voiced by: Maria Naganawa^[6]

The main protagonist of the series. She is Iroha's pet Papillon, who lives in Animal Town. Komugi is athletic and curious, loves going for walks, and is a glutton. After gaining a human form, she is able to talk to Iroha and loves to imitate her catchphrase, "Wonderful" (ワンダフルー, Wandafurū). During an attack from a Garugaru, Komugi's protective instinct for her owner alongside the power of the Kirarin Animals allow her to turn into a human and transform into Cure Wonderful using the Wonderful Pact. She is the first mascot character to be a lead character in the series. Her theme color is pink.

Iroha Inukai (犬飼いろは, Inukai Iroha) / Cure Friendy (キュアフレンディ, Kyua Furendi)

Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki^[6]

A honest and sporty second-year middle school student, who lives in Animal Town and is Komugi's owner. Iroha's daily routine is taking Komugi for morning walks. She has many friends who she loves to help out, and is well liked by animals. Her catchphrase is "Wonderful" (ワンダフルー！, Wandafurū). Iroha transforms into Cure Friendy using the Wonderful Pact and power from the Kirarin Animals. Her theme color is purple.

Cure Nyammy (キュアニャミー, Kyua Nyamī)

Voiced by: TBA

Cure Lillian (キュアリリアン, Kyua Ririan)

Voiced by: TBA

Allies

Satoru Toyama (兎山悟, Toyama Satoru)^[6]

Voiced by: TBA

Iroha's classmate, who is kind and good at studying. After learning that Komugi and Iroha are Pretty Cure, he uses his extensive animal knowledge to support them.

Daifuku (大福, Daifuku)^[6]

Voiced by: TBA

Satoru's pet rabbit.

Mayu Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷まゆ, Nekoyashiki Mayu)^[6]

Voiced by: TBA

A girl who recently moved to Animal Town.

Yuki (ユキ, Yuki)^[6]

Voiced by: TBA

Mayu's pet cat.

Villains

Garugaru (ガルガル)^[7]

Voiced by: TBA

The main monsters of the series.

Development

The series' trademark was first confirmed by Toei in November 2023, and the official website launched on November 30, 2023.^[8] The series was fully revealed on January 7, 2024, along with Toei announcing merchandise related to the series.^[9]

The theme of animals was confirmed by ABC producer Kanako Tada, who explained that "Nowadays, it has become common to bring various animals into our homes, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. For me, dogs are important companions. Irreplaceable animals that shower us with great love... Although they may not speak the same language, there is probably an indescribable bond between animals and their owners." He said the theme is also connected to the bond between humans and its pets as an animal becoming a Pretty Cure for the first time, stating "In this Pretty Cure series, the main character, the dog Komugi, changes into a human form, She speaks with its owner Iroha in human language. We will then communicate our feelings to each other and deepen our bond. However, in the real world, animals and humans cannot communicate with each other. Komugi's lines spoken in this work are beyond the realm of imagination. "This is what the dog is probably thinking." You may worry that this is just the human ego. However, precisely because we cannot communicate with each other, we need to think deeply about the feelings of animals. The important thing is to make an effort to get to know the other person. I believe that after that, "compassion" is born, wishing for the other person's happiness. The most important thing is to understand each other without imposing your feelings on others."^[6]

Maki Takahashi of Toei Animation said that the theme of bonds is important, as is the relationships between the main characters: "The theme of this work is the bond with animals. Think about someone important to you and act accordingly. The relationship of "family" and "best friends" is the same for both humans and animals. This idea is reflected in our catchphrase: to dream, never giving up, standing up on your own feet, sharing with your friends, believe in your friends, act for someone and thinking about someone. The power of the feelings depicted and connected in the history of Pretty Cure. Even if we look different, even if we don't speak the same language, if we have a caring heart, it will definitely reach our hearts. We will carefully depict such a "Pretty Cure" appearance through the bond with animals."^[6]

The lead characters' voice actors released statements discussing their roles. Maria Naganawa who voiced Shizuka Yoshimoto in The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, stated that "I never thought that I would become a Pretty Cure, so I felt like I couldn't believe it. Immediately after that, I burst into tears with so many emotions: happiness, desire to do my best, and gratitude." Atsumi Tanezaki, who previously voiced Pooka in Pretty Cure All Stars F and also voiced Anya Forger in Spy × Family, and Frieren in Frieren, stated that "When it was decided that I would be appearing in the movie Pretty Cure All Stars F, I was very happy and honored to be able to work on Pretty Cure, but I never expected that I would be given this opportunity in the TV series as well. I watched many Pretty Cure characters in the movies, and felt the bond that everyone has created over the past year in each series, from the characters to the cast members. When I was recording for the movie, I couldn't see it with my eyes, but I could definitely feel it, and I was so jealous that I was so happy, and I thought, oh, I can do that too..."^[10][11]

Media

Anime

Wonderful PreCure! will premiere in February 4, 2024 on Japan's ANN stations, replacing Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure in its timeslot. Chihaya Yoshitake will perform the opening theme "Wonderful PreCure! Evolution!!" (Japanese: わんだふるぷりきゅあ！evolution!!, Hepburn: Wandafuru Purikyua! Evoryūshon!!) while Moeha Nochimoto and Ami Ishii perform the ending theme "Fun Fun Wonderful Days!" (Japanese: FUN☆FUN☆わんだふるDAYS！, Hepburn: Fan☆Fan☆Wandafuru DAYS!). Erika Fukasawa composes the series's music.^[12]

Merchandise

Bandai Namco Holdings, under the Bandai branding, handles merchandising for the series, which includes toys and related goods. The fourth incarnation of the Pretty Holic cosmetic goods will also be released upon the anime's debut.^[13]

See also

• Super Hero Time and Nichi Asa Kids Time - The timeslot blocks by ANN in Japan, which the series is part of.

Notes

1. Wonderful is a pun on "Wonderful" and "Wan", the Japanese otomopemia for a dog's bark, tying it to the series' main motif of pets and animals.

References

1. "『プリキュア』シリーズ第21弾のタイトルは『わんだふるぷりきゅあ！』に決定！　キャッチフレーズは【みんな なかよし！わんだふる～！】". Animate (in Japanese). from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
2. "『『わんだふるぷりきゅあ！』では飼い犬がプリキュアに。声優やスタッフ解禁。キュアワンダフルは長縄まりあ、キュアフレンディは種崎敦美". Famitsu (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
3. "長縄まりあ：「わんだふるぷりきゅあ！」で"犬のプリキュア"キュアワンダフルに　出演決定に涙". Mantanweb (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
4. "Wonderful Precure! Anime Reveals February 4 Premiere in Promo Video, Cast, Staff, Theme Songs & Artists". Anime News Network. from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
5. Corporation, Asahi Television Broadcasting. "わんだふるぷりきゅあ！｜朝日放送テレビ". www.asahi.co.jp (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
6. "「プリキュア」最新作「わんだふるぷりきゅあ！」シリーズ初"犬のプリキュア"誕生！ 長縄まりあ＆種崎敦美がキャストに". Anime Anime (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
7. "トピックス". Toei (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
8. "Precure Franchise Announces Wonderful Precure! Anime". Anime News Network. 2023-11-30. from the original on 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
9. "史上初、犬のプリキュア誕生！キュアワンダフルは長縄まりあ、キュアフレンディに種崎敦美". Natalie (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
10. "「わんだふるぷりきゅあ！」声優に長縄まりあ&種崎敦美！犬＆飼い主がプリキュア変身". Cinema Today (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
11. "長縄まりあ『プリキュア』新作出演で「わんだふる～!」 犬のプリキュア・キュアワンダフル役". Oricon (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
12. "Wonderful Precure! TV Anime Unveils Character Visuals, Voice Cast Members, Theme Song Performers". Crunchyroll. from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
13. "Pretty Holicから 『わんだふるぷりきゅあ！』のコスメが新登場！ | Topics | Pretty Holic｜バンダイ公式サイト". Pretty Holicから 『わんだふるぷりきゅあ！』のコスメが新登場！ | Topics | Pretty Holic｜バンダイ公式サイト (in Japanese). from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-08.

External links

• Official website
• Wonderful PreCure! (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

Preceded by Power of Hope: PreCure Full Bloom

Wonderful PreCure! 2024

Succeeded by Witchy Pretty Cure 2