You and Idol PreCure♪:The motif of the 22nd "Pretty Cure" series is idols. Idol Pretty Cure sings, dances and gives fan service.

On January 5th, it was revealed that the motif of the 22nd installment of the popular anime "PreCure" series, "You and Idol PreCure♪," will be "idols." The theme is "Because of you, I can shine and become stronger!", and the legendary saviors, Idol PreCure, sing, dance, and give "fan service" for "you," the people they love, the people they care about, the people who support them, the people next to them, and the people in front of them, and "you" make the Idol PreCure shine brightly and strongly. Misato Matsuoka will play Cure Idol/Sakura Uta, Minami Takahashi will play Cure Ink/Soukaze Nana, and Natsumi Takamori will play Cure Kyun Kyun/Shiu Kokoro. The show will be broadcast on ABC TV and TV Asahi every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. starting February 2nd.

◇Voice actors: Misato Matsuoka, Minami Takahashi, Natsumi Takamori

The 20th installment, "Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure," introduced "male Precure" and "new adult Precure," while the currently airing 21st installment, "Wonderful PreCure!", features the first appearance of a "dog Precure." The "Precure" series has a history of evolving and changing without being bound by conventional wisdom. The 22nd installment will introduce new themes such as "idols" and "fan service."

Ima Chiaki, who has worked on "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal," "Back Street Girls -Gokudols-," and "Happiness Charge PreCure the Movie! The Ballerina of Doll Country," will serve as series director, Kato Yoichi will be in charge of series composition, and Sugimoto Miho will be in charge of character design.

The main character is Sakura Uta, a second-year junior high school student who loves to sing, and her idol smile transforms her into a fan service-giving Cure Idol. The catchphrase is "Singing with you, my heart sparkles! Smiling, Cure Idol!" and the voice actor is Misato Matsuoka, who has played Tsubame Mizusaki in "Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!"

Uta Sakura meets Prirun, a fairy who came to search for the legendary savior, Idol Precure. Prirun's hometown, Kirakiland, has been plunged into total darkness by Darkine, the boss of the Chokkiri Gang. As the Chokkiri Gang steals the sparkle of the townspeople, Uta decides, "I want to make it sparkly and run! With my song!" and transforms into a Cure Idol.

Aokaze Nana, a second-year junior high school student in the same class as Uta, is a kind and intelligent girl who is good at playing the piano. She transforms into Cure Ink, a fan service character, by winking. Her catchphrase is "The courage of the heart that twinkles with you! Eyes snap, Cure Ink!". She will be played by Takahashi Minami, who has played the roles of Kazezawa Sora in "Aikatsu!" and Baba Konomi in "The Idolmaster Million Live!".

Kokoro Shiu, a first year junior high school student, is good at dancing and has a lot of passion inside her. Her catchphrase is "My heart is pounding!" Her pose transforms her into Cure Kyun Kyun, a fan service. Her catchphrase is "Dancing with you, the rhythm of my heart! My heart is pounding, my Cure Kyun Kyun!" and she is played by Takamori Natsumi, who plays Kome Kome in "Delicious Party PreCure" and Maekawa Miku in "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls".

Ami Ishii, Akane Kumada, and Chihaya Yoshitake will perform the opening theme, "Kimi to Idol PreCure ♪ Light Up!", while Cure Idol, Cure Ink, and Cure Kyun Kyun will perform the ending theme, "Trio Dreams."

◇An idol who shines and grows together with you

ABC Animation producer Nishimura Maino explained the concept of "Idol Precure with You" as follows: "The Precure series continues to take on new challenges every year. The theme of the 22nd installment is 'idols'! What do you imagine when you hear 'idols'? A stage lit by spotlights, costumes full of excitement, resounding singing voices... "Idol Precure with You" is packed with 'everything' you imagined. But that's not all this work has to offer. Within the theme of 'idols', we have poured the important feeling of "with you". It is because I have "you" who always supports me, and because I have "you" who stands next to me on stage, that I am able to shine. And that shine is not one-way. By returning the shine that I have received to "you", "you" and "me" will shine on each other... We will deliver a work in which all "you" and "I" can become 'Sparkle, Run, Run, Run,'" so will we. Are you all ready to get excited?! ``The performance of ``Idol PreCure with you♪'' is about to begin!'' he explained.

Toei Animation producer Murase Aki commented, "What would an idol PreCure be like...? Is there any problem more difficult than narrowing down the diverse images of an idol to just one. I was scratching my head, unable to find an answer, when an image came to mind. An ordinary middle school student suddenly finds herself standing on a glamorous stage one day, confused but doing her best. Making someone smile and sparkle. It may be a cliché, but the image of her working hard under the spotlight overlapped with the image of a 'PreCure' that I know. And thus 'Kimi to Idol PreCure♪' was born!"

"An idol is a charming being that everyone admires. However, if there was only one person in the world, then an 'idol' wouldn't exist. That's why it's 'I' and 'Idol PreCure♪'. I think our daily lives are also made up of many 'me's' and 'you'. The main character, Uta, meets 'you' through her favorite song, and shines and grows together with 'you'. I want all of you to shine brightly together with Uta! And you who love PreCure! And you who don't know PreCure yet! I would be happy if 'Idol PreCure and You' can be a presence that children can shine brightly together with! Sing, dance, give fan service, and 'Idol PreCure and You' has finally made its debut! Please enjoy watching the girls in action!"

The "Pretty Cure" series is an anime that depicts ordinary children transforming into Pretty Cure and facing various difficulties. The first series, "Futari wa Pretty Cure Pretty Cure," began in February 2004 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The 21st series, "Wonderful PreCure!", is currently airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi every Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

◇Staff (titles omitted)

Series Director: Kon Chiaki▽Series Composition: Kato Yoichi▽Character Design: Sugimoto Miho▽Art Design: Iida Rie▽Art Director: Chen Hyungnian▽Color Design: Yanagisawa Kumiko▽Music: Fukasawa Erika, Mase Misaki