It was revealed on January 11th that the motif of the 23rd installment of the popular anime series "Pretty Cure," "Detective Pretty Cure!", will be "detectives." While numerous detective anime have been produced in the past, such as "Detective Conan," "The Kindaichi Case Files," "Oshiri Tantei Detective," and "Sheron," the "Pretty Cure" series, which has been running for over 20 years since 2004, will see the birth of its first "Detective Pretty Cure." The story centers around a group of young girls who work as detectives driven by a desire to help those in need. Guided by a mysterious power, the protagonists travel back in time from the present day of 2027 to 1999. The story will depict the Pretty Cure's new encounters, friendships, and growth across time, making them more "thinking" than ever before. Information about the staff, voice actors, story, and more was all announced at once.
◇Theme and story
The theme is "See, feel, think for yourself, and find the true answer." In today's world, where we are overwhelmed with information, "truth" can become "lie" and "lie" can become "truth." Rather than relying on "someone else's" thoughts, children should think for themselves and come up with their own answers.
Anna Akechi, a 14-year-old second-year middle school student living in Makoto Mirai Town, is guided by a fairy named Pochitan who appears on her birthday and a pendant in her room, and travels back in time from 2027 to 1999 in Makoto Mirai City. There, she meets Mikuru Kobayashi, a 14-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a great detective. When someone is in trouble after having something important stolen by the Phantom Thieves, Anna and Mikuru transform into the great detective PreCure, determined not to let someone in trouble slip away. They solve the mystery, saying, "That mystery! Cure, solve it!"
Kanako Tada, producer at ABC Animation, which is working on the anime, explained about "Detective PreCure!", "We want the children to grasp the truth with their own power. That's the message we put into the work for children. In a society overflowing with information and undergoing dizzying change, it's important to carve out your future with determination and not lose sight of yourself. To speak and act with respect and consideration for others. To seriously confront your own "true feelings" = "truth." It's by no means easy. In "Detective PreCure!" the characters see, feel, think and find the "true answers" for themselves."
"What we value in this film is not being swayed by those around you and 'thinking things through for yourself.' The future you arrive at after that is your 'truth.' The 'truth' that a detective uncovers is unwavering at all times. But the 'truth' in life always changes 'up to you.' Our protagonist, Anna, travels back in time to 1999. How will she think, judge and act, and what 'truth' will she grasp in the future of 2027? Please watch with us until the end," they said.
Toei Animation producer Aramaki Soya commented, "When it comes to detective stories, there is usually one absolute, perfect detective who brilliantly solves difficult cases that no one else has been able to solve. However, this time we deliberately made a novice detective the main character. No one can solve a case alone. But with two of them... and with a friend by their side, they can solve even the most difficult case! They are not just detectives, but girls who never give up, who grow together with their friends, and who stand up to great evil! That is the kind of 'Detective PreCure' we wanted to portray."
"What kind of detectives and PreCure will they become as they grow up? And what kind of 'answer' will they ultimately arrive at? See, feel, and find the 'true' answer for themselves. In keeping with this theme, we've sprinkled many mysteries throughout the work. This is PreCure that 'thinks' more than ever before. We hope you will enjoy watching and having fun 'solving deductions' along with the PreCure."
◇Characters and voice actors
Akechi Anna has a straightforward and compassionate personality, and cannot lie, nor can she ignore people in trouble. She is the type of person who answers things intuitively rather than thinking, and she lives with Mikuru, whom she met in Makoto Mirai City in 1999, at the Cure Detective Agency. Her catchphrase is "Hanamaru!" She transforms into Cure Answer, saying, "I'll solve any mystery with a Hanamaru! Great detective, Cure Answer!" Her voice actor is Senga Hikari.
Mikuru Kobayashi is clumsy but straightforward. She has a wealth of detective knowledge, works harder than anyone else, and is the type to think things through rather than rely on intuition to find answers. She loves cute things more than anything. She transforms into Cure Mystic by saying, "Jump into a smile with layered deductions! Great detective Cure Mystic!" Her voice actor is Kaede Hondo.
Also appearing is the mysterious girl Moria Ruru, who, despite being a Pretty Cure, for some reason works as a member of the Phantom Thieves. She has a laid-back and unconventional personality and doesn't say much, but she actually has a passionate heart inside her. Her favorite food is ice cream. She transforms into Cure Arcana Shadow, shouting, "I'm Cure Arcana Shadow, wrapped in mystery and secrecy!"Nao Toyama is the voice actress. The mysterious Pretty Cure Cure Eclair, whose true identity is unknown, also appears.
Also appearing in the film will be Emiri Kato as Pochitan, the fairy companion of Cure Answer and Cure Mystic, Hitsujimiya Hina Yomiya companion, and Yuki Kaji as Jet Senpai, a self-proclaimed genius scientist who invents the Prekit that supports the Detective Pretty Cure. Jet Senpai is embarrassed to be seen in his fairy form, so he can also transform into a human. Cure Eclair's fairy companion, Shushutan, will also appear.
Kawasaki Koji, who has worked on "Run for Witchy Pretty Cure!" and "Star Twinkle PreCure," will be in charge of series composition, and Yano Akane, who has worked on "Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki" and "Prima Doll," will be in charge of character design. Ishii Ami will sing the opening theme, "Heart Hint! Detective PreCure!", while Kumada Akane and Masui Yuka will sing the ending theme, "Why? Mystery?! ANSWER."
The "Pretty Cure" series is an anime that depicts ordinary children transforming into Pretty Cure and facing various challenges. The first series, "Futari wa Pretty Cure," began airing in February 2004. The 22nd series, "You and Idol Pretty Cure," is currently airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. "Detective Pretty Cure!" will be broadcast on the same network from 8:30 a.m. on February 1st.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Series Director: Koji Kawasaki ▽ Series Composition: Isao Murayama ▽ Character Design: Akane Yano ▽ Art Design: Miki Imai ▽ Chief Art: Eiji Hamano ▽ Color Design: Satoshi Takezawa ▽ Director of Photography: Yoshiyuki Anzai ▽ Music: Erika Fukasawa, Misaki Mase
◇Previous titles of the "PreCure" series
"Futari wa Pretty Cure" (2004)▽"Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart" (2005)▽"Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash☆Star" (2006)▽"Yes! PreCure 5" (2007)▽"Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!" (2008)▽"Fresh Pretty Cure!" (2009)▽"Heartcatch PreCure!" (2010)▽"Suite PreCure♪" (2011)▽"Smile PreCure!" (2012)▽"DokiDoki! PreCure" (2013)▽"Happiness Charge PreCure!" (2014)▽"Go! Princess PreCure" (2015)▽"Witchy Pretty Cure!" (2016) ▽ "Kirakira☆PreCure A La Mode" (2017) ▽ "HUGtto! PreCure" (2018) ▽ "Star☆Twinkle PreCure" (2019) ▽ "Healin' Good PreCure" (2020) ▽ "Tropical-Rouge! PreCure" (2021) ▽ "Delicious Party PreCure" (2022) ▽ "Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure" (2023) ▽ "Wonderful PreCure!" (2024) ▽ "You and Idol Pretty Cure" (2025)
