HappinessCharge PreCure!

HappinessCharge PreCure!
Cover for the first DVD volume released by Marvelous, featuring the 4 main cures and their fairy mascots.
ハピネスチャージプリキュア! (Hapinesu Chāji Purikyua!)
Genre	Magical girl, science fiction
Created by	Izumi Todo
Anime television series
Directed by	Tatsuya Nagamine
Produced by	Shigehaki Dohi Tomoko Takahashi Hiroaki Shibata
Written by	Yoshimi Narita
Music by	Hiroshi Takaki
Studio	Toei Animation
Original network	ANN (TV Asahi, ABC)
English network	HK: TVB
Original run	February 2, 2014 – January 25, 2015
Episodes	49 (List of episodes)
Manga
Written by	Izumi Todo
Illustrated by	Futago Kamikita
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Nakayoshi
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	March 2014 – February 2015
Game
HappinessCharge PreCure! Kawarun Collection
Developer	Bandai Namco Games
Publisher	Bandai Namco Games
Genre	Minigame
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Released	July 31, 2014
Anime film
HappinessCharge PreCure! the Movie: The Ballerina of the Land of Dolls
Directed by	Chiaki Kon
Written by	Yoshimi Narita
Music by	Hiroshi Takaki
Studio	Toei Animation
Released	October 11, 2014
Runtime	71 minutes

HappinessCharge PreCure! (ハピネスチャージプリキュア!, HapinesuChāji PuriKyua!), also called HappinessCharge Pretty Cure! or Happiness Charge PC is a 2014 Japanese magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation, and the eleventh installment in Izumi Todo's Pretty Cure metaseries, released to celebrate the franchise's 10th anniversary.^[1] It is directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, who previously directed HeartCatch PreCure!, and written by Yoshimi Narita, who previously wrote for Yes! PreCure 5,^[2] with character designs from Masayuki Sato of Air Gear.

It aired in Japan from February 2, 2014^[3] to January 25, 2015, succeeding DokiDoki! Precure in its timeslot. The series' main topic is love, with fashion styles and dance moves as the Cures' motifs. It features trading cards, mirrors, and changing forms as important key elements.^[4] It was succeeded by Go! Princess PreCure on February 1, 2015.

Plot

The ruler of the evil Phantom Empire (幻影帝国, Gen'ei Teikoku), Queen Mirage, and its generals begin their invasion on Earth using an army of Choiarks and powerful monsters called Saiarks. All across the world, Pretty Cures are dispatched to fight against the threat of the Phantom Empire. Hime Shirayuki, a princess from the Blue Sky Kingdom (ブルースカイ王国, Burū Sukai Ōkoku), which was taken over by the Phantom Empire, joins the fight as a Pretty Cure called Cure Princess, but is too timid to fight properly.

Upon receiving a Crystal of Love from the Spirit of Earth, Blue, who tells her to seek a partner to fight alongside her, Hime goes to the city of Pikarigaoka (ぴかりが丘) and randomly throws the crystal in the air, deciding to partner with whoever it lands upon. This person turns out to be Megumi Aino, a kind-hearted girl always looking to help others, who is recruited by Hime to fight by her side as Cure Lovely. Using the power of the PreCards and their changing forms, alongside Cure Honey and Cure Fortune, they form the Happiness Charge Pretty Cure team to collect the PreCards and protect the Earth from the Phantom Empire.

Characters

HappinessCharge Pretty Cures

The Pretty Cures are legendary Warriors of Light chosen to protect the Earth from evil. These Cures are assigned to different parts of the globe to fight against the Phantom Empire. The Pretty Cures chosen by Blue use a transformation item called the Pretty Change Mirror (プリチェンミラー, PuriChen Mirā), which uses cards called PreCards (プリカード, PuriKādo) to transform with the phrase, "Pretty Cure Rolling Mirror Change!" (プリキュアくるりんミラーチェンジ!, Purikyua Kururin Mirā Chenji!). Cure Fortune uses the Fortune Piano (フォーチュンピアノ, Fōchun Piano) to transform using the phrase "Pretty Cure Shining Star Symphony!" (プリキュアきらりんスターシンフォニー!, Purikyua Kirarin Sutā Shinfonī!). In addition to transformation, the PreCards can be used to change outfits in and outside of battle, offering new powers or abilities, and are said to grant wishes to those who gather enough of them.

HappinessCharge Pretty Cure, the protagonist team, consists of the four Cures currently active in Pikarigaoka of Japan. Cure Lovely and Cure Princess are armed with the LovePreBrace (ラブプリブレス, RabuPuriBuresu), which allows them to create their own attacks. Cure Honey uses the Triple Dance Honey Baton (トリプルダンスハニーバトン, Toripuru Dansu Hanī Baton) to attack while Cure Fortune, who previously used the Love PreBrace, uses the Fortune Tambourine (フォーチュンタンバリン, Fōchun Tanborin). They also can use the Shining Make Dresser, Axia's true form, to execute their group finishing attack. In addition to attack items and main forms, the Cures can undergo another transformation called Innocent Form through the power of the special PreCards. To activate this form, each Cure must have a reason to protect someone they cherish deeply.

Together, they introduce themselves as "Infused with happiness! Charged with glee! HappinessCharge Pretty Cure!" (ハピネス注入! 幸せチャージ! ハピネスチャージプリキュア!, Hapinesu Chūnyū! Shiawase Chāji! HapinesuChāji Purikyua!)^[5]

Megumi Aino (愛乃 めぐみ, Aino Megumi) / Cure Lovely (キュアラブリー, Kyua Raburī)

Voiced by: Megumi Nakajima^[6][7]

The main protagonist. A 14-year-old second-year student at Public Pikarigaoka Academy. She is happy-go-lucky and strives to help people when they are troubled or depressed, but sometimes unintentionally meddles in their issues. Though she is sometimes lacking in tact and her attempts at helping others often end in failure, she has a positive outlook and is skilled at seeing the good in people. She has an interest in fashion, but struggles with fashion sense. Her wish is to cure her sick mother, who influenced her to help others. Chosen by the Crystal of Love thrown by Hime, she transforms into Cure Lovely. As Cure Lovely, her dark magenta hair turns bright magenta and is worn in a ponytail. She uses the LovePreBrace to attack and change into the alternate forms Cherry Flamenco (チェリーフラメンコ, Cherī Furamenko), which uses fire-based attacks, Lollipop Hiphop (ロリポップヒップホップ, Roripoppu Hippuhoppu) which uses music-themed attacks, and her Innocent Form. Megumi has two other special forms: Super Happiness Lovely (スーパーハピネスラブリー, Sūpā Hapinesu Raburī) in the movie and Forever Lovely (フォーエバーラブリー, Fōebā Raburī) in the series finale. She introduces herself as "The big love spreading throughout the world! Cure Lovely!" (世界に広がるビッグな愛!キュアラブリー!, Sekai ni hirogaru biggu na ai! Kyua Raburī!) and represents love. As Super Happiness Lovely, she introduces herself as "Infused with happiness! Charged with glee! Super Happiness Lovely!" (ハピネス注入, 幸せチャージ！スーパーハピネスラブリー!, Hapinesu Chūnyū! Shiawase Chāji! Sūpā Hapinesu Raburī!) As Forever Lovely, she introduces herself as "The eternal love illuminating throughout the world! Forever Lovely!!" (世界に照らす永遠の愛！フォーエバーラブリー！！, Sekai ni terasu eien no ai! Fōebā Raburī!!) Her theme color is pink.^[8]

Hime Shirayuki (白雪 ひめ, Shirayuki Hime) / Cure Princess (キュアプリンセス, Kyua Purinsesu)

Voiced by: Megumi Han^[6][7]

Born as Himelda Window, Cure Queen of the Blue Sky (ヒメルダ・ウィンドウ・キュアクイーン・オブ・ザ・ブルースカイ, Himeruda Windō Kyua Kuīn Obu Za Burū Sukai), Hime is the 14-year-old princess of the Blue Sky Kingdom, which the Phantom Empire conquered after she released them from the Axia Box upon hearing a sad voice coming from inside. She is rather selfish and spoiled, and is currently living with Blue and Ribbon at an embassy in Pikarigaoka. She became a Pretty Cure to save the Blue Sky Kingdom from the Phantom Empire, though initially struggled because of her timid nature. Because of her shyness, she had trouble making new friends, but after meeting Megumi and becoming her partner, she starts to open up more and become more confident. Her wish is to restore her homeland, hoping that one day she will atone for her mistake. In episode 25, she develops a temporary crush on Seiji and worries about becoming Megumi's rival for his love, but later finds that she is happier to support Megumi and Seiji's relationship. As Cure Princess, her dark aqua hair becomes light blue and is worn in twintails. She uses the LovePreBrace to attack and change into the alternate forms Sherbet Ballet (シャーベットバレエ, Shābetto Baree) and Macadamia Hula Dance (マカダミアフラダンス, Makadamia Fura Dansu), and her Innocent Form. She introduces herself as "The blue wind dancing in the sky! Cure Princess!" (天空に舞う蒼き風!キュアプリンセス!, Tenkū ni mau aoki kaze! Kyua Purinsesu!) and represents courage. Her theme color is blue.^[8]

Yuuko Omori (大森 ゆうこ, Ōmori Yūko) / Cure Honey (キュアハニー, Kyua Hanī)

Voiced by: Rina Kitagawa

Megumi's 14-year-old classmate and best friend, who she nicknames "Yuyu". Coming from a family who runs a bento shop, she often practices cooking and enjoys tasting different kinds of food. She is also known for her homemade honey candy, which she gives to others to cheer them up. Her wish is to share delicious food with the people she cares about. She once had a dog and was inspired to cook food for the sake of people's happiness. In episode 10, she reveals herself to be the singing Pretty Cure, Cure Honey, who had received a Crystal of Love from Blue prior to the start of the series. She first appeared in Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eien no Tomodachi before her debut in the series, officially joining the team in episode 11. As Cure Honey, her straight brown hair turns blond and is worn in a ponytail. Her main weapon is the Triple Dance Honey Baton, which has three modes; Microphone Mode for singing soothing melodies that put her enemies in a trance, Ribbon Mode for restraining her opponents with ribbons, and Maracas Mode for healing her allies. Her alternate forms are Popcorn Cheer (ポップコーンチア, Poppukōn Chiā), Coconuts Samba (ココナッツサンバ, Kokonattsu Sanba), and her Innocent Form. She introduces herself as "The light of life flourishing on the earth! Cure Honey!" (大地に実る命の光!キュアハニー!, Daichi ni minoru inochi no hikari! Kyua Hanī!) and represents life. Her theme color is yellow.^[8]

Iona Hikawa (氷川 いおな, Hikawa Iona) / Cure Fortune (キュアフォーチュン, Kyua Fōchun)

Voiced by: Haruka Tomatsu^[6][7]

A cool purple-haired 15-year-old girl from Megumi's neighboring class and the head apprentice of her grandfather, the master of the "Hikawa Karate Dojo". She is known for her outstanding academic performance and determination. Her wish is to become stronger to defeat Phantom and rescue her sister. Her arch-rival is Phantom. In the beginning of the story, she appears as a Pretty Cure with a strong sense of duty and justice who works alongside her own fairy partner, Glasan. She is powerful and skilled at fighting, though also shows a gentle side to citizens. Unlike the other Cures, who received their powers from Blue, Cure Fortune received her powers from her older sister Maria, who was Cure Tender until she was defeated by Phantom and trapped inside a mirror. Having resolved to fight independently in her pursuit of Phantom, she slowly warms up to Megumi's words of teamwork and eventually reveals her identity to the group in episode 19. Iona initially held a strong grudge against Hime for releasing the Phantom Empire from their prison. During a battle with Phantom, she loses her PreCards and her ability to transform. However, after Hime apologizes and gives her her own PreCards to fill her PreCard File, Iona uses her wish to gain the power to transform again, making up with Hime and officially joining the group afterwards. After regaining her transformation, her transformation device is the Fortune Piano and her main weapon is the Fortune Tambourine. Her alternate forms are Anmitsu Komachi (あんみつこまち, Anmitsu Komachi), Pine Arabian (パインアラビアン, Pain Arabian), and her Innocent Form. She introduces herself as "The star of hope that glitters in the night sky! Cure Fortune!" (夜空にきらめく希望の星!キュアフォーチュン!, Yozora ni kirameku kibō no hoshi, Kyua Fōchun!) and represents hope. Her theme color is purple.^[8]

Blue Sky Kingdom

Ribbon (リボン, Ribon)

Voiced by: Naoko Matsui

Hime's mediator, who comes to Japan with her and serves as the fairy partner for her, Hime, and Yuko. Despite her cute appearance, she is silver-tongued and more gutsy than Hime. She has the ability to convert the positive feelings of those freed from the Phantom Empire's mirrors into PreCards. She often ends her sentences with "desu wa", "deshita wa", "masu wa" or "mashita wa".

Glasan (ぐらさん, Gura-san)

Voiced by: Miyuki Kobori^[9]

Iona's fairy partner, who is calm like her. Like Ribbon, Glasan can convert positive feelings into PreCards for Iona to use. She often ends her sentences with "da ze". She speaks in a rebellious language.

Blue (ブルー, Burū)

Voiced by: Shouma Yamamoto^[10]

The spirit of Earth, who resembles a handsome young man with light blue hair and is often referred to as "God" (神様, Kami-sama). He travels to different countries to find candidates for new Pretty Cures, bestowing Crystals of Love onto them to grant them powers. He usually surveys the Pretty Cures from within the mirror world, using magic mirrors to monitor the Phantom Empire. Originally staying in Blue Sky Kingdom for a long time, he comes to Japan along with Hime and Ribbon to aid them and their team in their battle against the Phantom Empire. Blue is later revealed to have known Queen Mirage when she was a Pretty Cure and unknowingly caused her descent into evil through Red, who is later revealed to be his estranged brother. After Red made peace with him, Blue decides to leave Earth in the Pretty Cures' hands as he leaves to help restore Red's planet.

King and Queen

Hime's parents and rulers of the Blue Sky Kingdom, who were trapped in the mirrors along with the other denizens when the Phantom Empire invaded. After Mirage's defeat, they and the kingdom's residents are released and they reunite with Hime.

Phantom Empire

The Phantom Empire (幻影帝国, Gen'ei Teikoku) are the main antagonists of the series. Having conquered the Blue Sky Kingdom after being released from Axia (アクシア, Akushia) by Hime, they set up their base of operations there and set their sights on Earth by having their Saiarks terraform the environment and replace love and happiness with sorrow and misfortune. It is eventually revealed that they were being used by Deep Mirror, who used Mirage as a bewitched figurehead to act through before she is purified. Red then summons the Red Planet in a plot to conquer the world with his army of Saiarks, only to repent once defeated.

Leaders

Red (レッド, Reddo) / Deep Mirror (ディープミラー, Dīpumirā)

Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue

The main antagonist of the series and the ruler of the Phantom Empire, Red is a spirit who once oversaw the Red Planet until its people died, causing him to become hateful and aim to turn the world under the protection of his brother Blue into a place of hatred. Red assumed the alias of Deep Mirror for most of the series, appearing as a silhouette within a mirror. While he presents himself as Queen Mirage's advisor and often gives orders to the commanders, his true role in the Phantom Empire is revealed when he intervenes to stop the commanders from being purified. He influences Mirage through her love-spurred anger towards Blue before she is eventually purified. This forces Red to take a more active approach in destroying the Pretty Cures, using Seiji as his new servant while summoning the Red Planet for a worldwide attack. But after losing his follower, Red personally battles the Pretty Cures before being defeated by Megumi as Forever Lovely. After his defeat, Red reconciles with Blue and decides to restore his planet to its former glory with the aid of his brother and Mirage. He is based on the Magic Mirror from Snow White.

Mirage (ミラージュ, Mirāju) / Queen Mirage (クイーン・ミラージュ, Kuīn Mirāju) / Cure Mirage (キュアミラージュ, Kyua Mirāju)

Voiced by: Mariko Kouda^[11]

The secondary antagonist of the series and the queen of the Phantom Empire, who has wings like a butterfly and wields a staff. She detests loves and happiness. As the Pretty Cures learn, she was a shrine maiden of Pikarigaoka who met Blue 300 years ago and developed feelings for him as she fought by his side as Cure Mirage. But after Blue left her, Mirage fell under Red's influence and ended up in her current state after he augmented her anger towards Blue. Her Saiarks creates fog and chaos. The Cures eventually manage to defeat Mirage and restore her to her original form in episode 43. In episode 48, she transforms into Cure Mirage again to help the other Pretty Cures in stopping Red's invasion. She later decides to accompany Blue in helping his brother Red restore his planet. Mirage's motif is based on the costume Kyary Pamyu Pamyu wore in the promotional video of Tsukematsukeru.^[12] Her outfit has similar colors to Regina's outfit from Doki Doki PreCure.

Commanders

They serve as Mirage's elite minions, and each of their Saiarks create a different environment. Namakelder, Hosshiiwa and Oresky form a group called the Oresky Trio (オレスキートリオ, Oresuki Torio), while Phantom and Madam Momere act independently. They have the power to trap people in mirrors to create Saiarks, which take away their love and happiness.

Oresky (オレスキー, Oresukī)

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu

The leader of Phantom Empire's three main commanders, he is a strict and egotistical militant who wears glasses resembling a Saiark on his hat. His Saiarks turn the environment into barren wastelands with dark clouds. In episode 29, he is almost purified, but is saved by Deep Mirror. He is fully purified by Cure Fortune during the final battle. Oresky's name is derived from the phrase ore suki (俺好き, "I like it") and his motif is based on Ranba Ral from Mobile Suit Gundam.^[12] In the finale, he, along with Namakelder and Hosshiwa, are reborn, and he is shown to be a police officer in Pikarigaoka who is seen helping Mitsuya.

Hosshiwa (ホッシーワ, Hosshīwa)

Voiced by: Akemi Okamura

One of the Phantom Empire's three main commanders, she is a selfish, greedy, and wealthy lady with an apple-shaped hat who carries an umbrella. Her Saiarks turn the environment into sweets and desserts. In episode 29, she is almost purified, but is saved by Deep Mirror. She is fully purified by Cure Honey during the final battle. Hosshiwa's name is derived from the word hoshii (欲しい, "desired") and her motif is based on Marie Antoinette.^[12] In the finale, she, along with Namakelder and Oresky, are reborn, and she is shown to be a kindergarten teacher named Ms. Hoshi.

Namakelder (ナマケルダ, Namakeruda)

Voiced by: Tetsuo Kanao

One of the Phantom Empire's three main commanders, he is an intelligent and lazy man with a grasshopper's antennae coming out of his hat who carries a cane. His Saiarks spread mold everywhere and are immune to Cure Honey's song. In episode 29, he is almost purified, but is saved by Deep Mirror. He is fully purified by Cure Princess during the final battle. Namakelder's name is derived from the word namakeru (怠ける, "to laze around") and his motif is based on the grasshopper from the fable The Ant and the Grasshopper.^[12] In the finale, he, along with Hosshiwa and Oresky are reborn, and he is shown to be a businessman named Namase (生瀬).

Phanphan (ファンファン, Fanfan) / Phantom (ファントム, Fantomu) / Cure Unlovely (キュアアンラブリー, Kyua Anraburī)

Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima (Phanphan/Phantom), Megumi Nakajima (Cure Unlovely)

Phanphan was Cure Mirage's fairy partner, similar to Ribbon and Glassan. But when Mirage fell under Red's influence, Phanphan transformed into a human version of himself and came to be known as Phantom, a youthful swordsman in a white coat who has a gauntlet on his left arm. He gained notoriety as the Pretty Cure Hunter (プリキュアハンター, Purikyua Hantā) by defeating many Pretty Cures and sealing them away in mirrors in the Pretty Cure Graveyard. His Saiarks turn the environment into amethyst mines and crystal. Phantom holds a strong grudge against Blue for breaking Mirage's heart, and intends to destroy anyone he sees as harmful to his mistress. Phantom accepts Cure Fortune as his arch-rival after he targets her and the other Pikarigaoka Pretty Cures, and in episode 30 he uses his powers to absorb Megumi's shadow and become Cure Unlovely. Eventually, after the Pretty Cures treat his injuries after losing to him, Phantom begins to have second thoughts as Yuko allows him to return to Mirage's side. Deep Mirror later influences Phantom to attack the Pretty Cures before they purify him to his original form. In episode 49, he chooses to stay with the Pretty Cures on Earth and is now working at Yuko's father's bento shop. His overall armament was inspired from Monster Hunter.^[12]

Madam Momere (マダム・モメール, Madamu・Momeiru)

Voiced by: Kenji Hamada

One of Phantom Empire's commanders, he is a flamboyant, cool-headed and charismatic man with an androgynous appearance who has a beard and wears lipstick and jewelry. He enjoys seeing people argue among themselves rather than helping each other. His Saiarks turn the environment into frozen lands. Unlike the other commanders, who target Pikarigaoka, Momere is assigned to conquer Hawaii and deal with the Aloha Pretty Cure duo.

Saiark (サイアーク, Saiāku)

Voiced by: Takuya Masumoto

The monsters of the series, who wear sunglasses and scarves. They are summoned when a commander of the Phantom Empire traps an innocent human within a dark mirror, reflecting their happiness into darkness and suffering. When they are defeated, the trapped human is freed and their positive feelings are converted by a fairy into PreCards. Their name is derived from the Japanese word saiaku (最悪, "worst"). While most Saiarks possess scarves reflecting the member of the Phantom Empire who summoned them, Red possesses his own personal legions of red-colored Saiarks.

Choiark (チョイアーク, Choiāku)

Voiced by: Takuya Masumoto

A group of underlings that work for the Phantom Empire and resemble a weaker form of a Saiark, wearing black suits, white gloves and boots, and red sunglasses. They never speak proper sentences, only saying 'choi, and take orders from the commanders. Their names are derived from the Japanese word choi (ちょい, "little"). They turn white when they get purified by a Pretty Cure's attack in their Form Change.

Pikarigaoka Residents

Seiji Sagara (相楽 誠司, Sagara Seiji)^[13]

Voiced by: Ryosuke Kanemoto, Yayoi Sugaya (child)

Megumi's neighbor and classmate. A 14-year old boy who has been friends with Megumi since childhood and understands her strengths and weaknesses. He is an apprentice at the local "Hikawa Karate Dojo" that Iona's family owns, and enjoys diligently training everyday. Though being somewhat popular among girls, he claims to have no romantic interest, yet secretly has feelings for Megumi. In fact, while helping them after learning of Megumi being a Pretty Cure, Seiji kept his emotions bottled up as she failed to notice his feelings for her. In episode 45, Red brainwashes Seiji by taking advantage of his feelings of hatred and anger towards Megumi. During her showdown against him in episode 46 and 47, Megumi expresses her own feelings of love towards Seiji for everything he did for her and their friends, which helps to free him from Red's influence. While fighting Red, he, along with Ribbon and Glasan were imprisoned into a mirror while protecting Megumi.

Miyo Masuko (増子 美代, Masuko Miyo)

Voiced by: Sachiko Kojima

An eager reporter who hosts a TV show titled Pretty Cure Weekly, which reports news about Pretty Cures from around the world. Having been saved by a Pretty Cure in the past, she desired to become one herself and dedicated herself to learning everything about them. She comes to learn of the HappinessCharge Pretty Cure's identities after Megumi offers to help her become a Cure. Although she was given a Crystal of Love by Blue, it did not react to her, which Blue believes is because she already has a role in this world. She is based on the Yes! PreCure 5 character, Mika Masuko, and like her, her name is a pun on "mass communication" (マスコミ, masukomi).

Kaori Aino (愛乃 かおり, Aino Kaori)

Voiced by: Kyoko Donowaki

Megumi's mother. She spends most of her time with Megumi while her husband is away on business trips. Despite having a weak body and constantly having to take medicine, she maintains a positive attitude and is the one who influenced Megumi to help others out.

Masaru Aino (愛乃 勝, Aino Masaru)

Voiced by: Teruaki Ogawa

Megumi's father, who is often away on business trips while his wife spends time with Megumi.

Mao Sagara (相楽 真央, Sagara Mao)

Voiced by: Yayoi Sugaya

Seiji's younger sister, who is quite friendly with Megumi.

Hiroko Sagara (相楽 ひろ子, Sagara Hiroko)

Voiced by: Yukiko Iwai

Seiji and Mao's mother. Her work as a courier leaves her little time with her children, who usually have dinner with the Aino family.

Yoko Omori (大森 ようこ, Ōmori Yōko)

Voiced by: Mari Adachi

Yuko's mother. She runs the bento shop "Omori Gohan" with her husband and two daughters.

Takeo Omori (大森 たけお, Ōmori Takeo)

Voiced by: Satoshi Taki

Yuko's father.

Ai Omori (大森 あい, Ōmori Ai)

Voiced by: Asami Yano

Yuko's older sister.

Yonezo Omori (大森 米蔵, Ōmori Yonezō) & Ine Omori (大森 イネ, Ōmori Ine)

Voiced by: Shigeru Ushiyama, Mami Horikoshi

Yuko's grandfather and grandmother. They live and grow rice in the nearby Pikari Mountain, which is directly supplied to "Omori Gohan".

Izumi (和泉)

Voiced by: Yayoi Sugaya

Megumi's homeroom teacher, who is capable of managing her students, even if they can be a handful.

Elena Shiina (椎名 えれな, Shīna Erena), Kana Furuta (古田 かな, Furuta Kana), Rei Takano (高野 れい, Takano Rei) & Rin Ishigami (石神 りん, Ishigami Rin)

Voiced by: Mami Ozaki, Asami Yano, Miki Hase & Miyuki Kobori

Megumi's classmates.

Kenta Yamazaki (山崎健太, Yamazaki Kenta)

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki

Megumi, Hime, Yuko and Seiji's classmate and a member of the baseball club, who usually has the lowest test scores in their class.

Kazumi (かずみ)

Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura

Megumi's classmate, who is a member of the karate club and Iona's fellow apprentice.

Yuya Kaido (海藤裕哉, Kaidō Yūya)

Voiced by: Kōki Uchiyama

Seiji's classmate. He becomes interested in Iona and wants to date her, but they have a rough relationship.

Other Pretty Cures

Unlike previous seasons, Happiness Charge is unique in that it has multiple active Pretty Cure teams in addition to the main team. Blue has granted the power of Pretty Cure to girls all over the world to combat the global threat of the Phantom Empire. The teams range from having one member to multiple members and operate in their own country, though some large countries, such as the United States, have multiple teams active over different areas. The Cure's outfits are all designed around the same standard theme, but have variations based on their culture. It is unclear how many Cures are active in total, but in episode 21, Phantom reveals that when he defeats a Cure and traps them in a mirror, he sends them to the Pretty Cure Graveyard, where there are over one hundred defeated Cures. After Mirage's defeat, they are released from the mirrors.

Maria Hikawa (氷川 まりあ, Hikawa Maria) / Cure Tender (キュアテンダー, Kyua Tendā) / Dark Tender (ダークテンダー, Dāku Tendā)

Voiced by: Sanae Kobayashi

Iona's older sister, who was defeated by Phantom whilst protecting Iona from his attack. After Phantom defeated her and trapped her in a mirror, Iona used her Pretty Change Mirror to become Cure Fortune. Her disappearance is explained to her close friends and family as being studying abroad. Later, Mirage releases her and brainwashes her into her servant, sending her to fight her sister and the other Cures as Dark Tender. The Cures manage to save her from Mirage's influence using Innocent Purification, and she decides to go to America to visit her parents and aid the other Cures. She later returns to Pikarigaoka to defend it from Red's Saiarks along with the other Cures, while the Happiness Charge Cures travel to the Red Planet to fight Red.

Bomber Girls Pretty Cure (ボンバーガールズプリキュア, Bonbā Gāruzu Purikyua)

Voiced by: Miyuki Kobori, Mariko Kouda, Akemi Okamura

America's Pretty Cure team, consisting of three Cures. The pink Cure has blonde hair worn in a curly ponytail and wears a cowboy hat. The blue Cure has red hair worn in curly pigtails with a star hair accessory. The yellow Cure has loose silver hair with a brown headband and a feather in her hair. Their theme is the Wild West, and their group attack is Star Boomerang (スターブーメラン, Sutā Būmeran).

Cure Earl (キュアアール, Kyua Āru)

Voiced by: Asami Yano

The sole member of France's Pretty Cure team, Merci Pretty Cure (メルシィプリキュア, Merushi Purikyua). She has long blonde hair worn in worm tails and wears a pink hair accessory. Her weapon is a giant paintbrush with a red ribbon. Her theme is art, and her solo attack is Pinceau Arc-en-ciel (パッソーアルカンシエル, Passō Aruk An Shieru)

Wonderful Net Pretty Cure (ワンダフルネットプリキュア, Wandafuru Netto Purikyua)

India's Pretty Cure team, consisting of two Cures. The orange Cure has short orange hair tied up with a yellow head scarf, and wears a green jewel head accessory on her head. The green Cure has long up-tight green hair and wears a short white head scarf. She wears an orange jewel and a gold oval on her forehead and in her hair. Both Cures wear glasses in their Cure form. Their theme is technology, and their group attack is Optical Wave (オプティカルウェーブ, Oputikaru U~ēbu)

Alo~ha Pretty Cure (アロ～ハプリキュア, Arōha Purikyua)

Hawaii's Pretty Cure team, consisting of twin sisters Ohana and Olina, who are Cure Sunset and Cure Wave respectively. Together, they introduce themselves as "The two lights sparkling in the southern lands! Alo~ha Pretty Cure!" (南国にかがやく２つの光! アロ～ハプリキュア!, Nangoku ni kagayaku futatsu no hikari! Aro~ha Purikyua!). Their duo attack is Hawaiian Lino Ahua (ハワイアン リノアフア, Hawaian Rino Afua).

Ohana (オハナ) / Cure Sunset (キュアサンセット, Kyua Sansetto)

Voiced by: Hitomi Yoshida^[14]

The elder twin of the Alo~ha Pretty Cure, who wields the power of the sun. As Cure Sunset, she introduces herself as "The red setting sun is a vow for tomorrow, Cure Sunset!" (赤い夕日は明日への誓い、キュアサンセット!, Akai yūhi wa asu e no chikai, Kyua Sansetto!).

Olina (オリナ, Orina) / Cure Wave (キュアウェーブ, Kyua Wēbu)

Voiced by: Sayaka Nakaya^[14]

The younger twin of the Alo~ha Pretty Cure, who wields the power of waves. As Cure Wave, she introduces herself as "The eternal melody of the rhythmic splashes, Cure Wave!" (よせては返す悠久の調べ、キュアウェーブ!, Yosete wa kaesu yūkyū no shirabe, Kyua Wēbu!).

Aloalo (アロアロ, Aroaro)

Voiced by: Seria Fukagawa

Ohana and Olina's fairy partner. She ends her sentences with lolo.

Unidentified International Cures

Much about them is unknown besides their appearance and current location.

England's Pretty Cure team consists of one known Cure, Cure Continental (キュアコンチネンタル, Kyua Konchinentaru). Cure Continental has bright yellow hair held with a blue bow and blue eyes. She also wears white spade-shaped earrings and a blue and white outfit that resembles the Alice in Wonderland dress.

Russia's Pretty Cure consists of one known Cure, Cure Katyusha (キュアカチューシャ, Kyua Kachūsha). She is seen in episode 14 as one of Phantom's victims. Her Cure name, Katyusha, is a shortened form of the Russian name Ekaterina.

Australia's only Cure is Cure Southern Cross (キュアサザンクロス, Kyua Sazankurosu). Her name likely refers to the Southern Cross constellation, which is featured on Australia's flag.

Italy has two Cures - Cure Gonna (キュアゴーンナ, Kyua Gōn'na) and Cure Pantaloni (キュアパンタローニ, Kyua Pantarōni), which means Cure Skirt and Cure Trousers in Italian. They are identical twins who have blonde-orange hair worn in a ponytail and orange eyes.

Cure Nile (キュアナイル, Kyua Nairu) is the only known Cure from Africa, who comes from Egypt. She has blue hair worn in a ponytail and wears a crown with a blue gem and a yellow transparent cloth. She wears a black vest with a blue collar which has a white design and resembles a crop top, with long puffy white sleeves. She also wears a white skirt with golden v-shaped lining and a yellow cloth hanging in front. She wears transparent loose yellow leggings and yellow sandals. Her attack is Nile Stream (ナイルストリーム, Nairu Sutorīmu).

Movie Characters

Tsumugi Orihara (織原つむぎ, Orihara Tsumugi)

Voiced by: Yui Horie

A girl who wishes to become a ballerina dancer. She lost the use of her legs because of Black Fang, who told her she could stay in the Doll Kingdom and be able to dance if she defeated the Pretty Cure. In reality, he planned to absorb her despair to fuel his power.

Prince Zeke (ジーク王子, Jiiku Ouji)

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono

A prince from the Doll Kingdom who is shown to have feelings for Tsumugi, and is actually one of her dolls brought to life.

Black Fang (ブラックファング, Burakku Fangu)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

The main antagonist of the film and a commander of the Phantom Empire. A demonic man who created the Doll Kingdom to deceive Tsumugi into staying there. He uses Tsumugi's despair to fuel his power and conquer Earth but he was defeated by Cure Lovely in her Super Happiness Lovely form.

Funassyi (ふなっしー, Funasshī)^[15]

Voiced by: Himself^[16]

A yellow mascot from Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.

Production

The series was first filed by Toei in the Japan Patent Office for a variety of goods on October 2, 2013, and made public on October 24, 2013.^[17] In an issue of Nikkan Sports' PreCure Shimbun newspaper, Dokidoki! PreCure's producer, Hiroaki Shibata, confirmed the series and series writer Ryota Yamaguchi confirmed Dokidoki! PreCure's 49 episode run^[18][19] and that HappinessCharge Precure! would debut in the beginning of February 2014.^[20] The project was then officially revealed in the January 2014 issue of Kodansha's Tanoshi Yochien Magazine.^[21] The anime's form changing is also used in the ending and would make use of advanced 3D/CGI graphics and motion capture, which was used in the previous series' dancing ending themes.^[22]

On January 3, 2014, Megumi Nakajima of Macross Frontier fame announced that she will voice the series' main character, Megumi Aino. She stated that Pretty Cure was something she has adored for a long time, so it was like a dream to be allowed to star in it herself.^{[23][24][25][26]} It is the first time she took another lead anime role after previously announcing an indefinite hiatus from her music career at the end of March 2014.^[27] A day later, the first commercial for the series was aired at the end of episode 46 of DokiDoki PreCure!, showcasing Cure Lovely and Cure Princess' transformations.^[28] On January 26, the trailer for the first episode was aired at the end of the final episode of DokiDoki PreCure!.^[29]

Media

Anime

The series began airing on ABC and other ANN stations from February 2, 2014, replacing DokiDoki! Precure in its initial timeslot with the Broadcasting System of San-in broadcasting on February 8, 2014. The first 34 episodes feature a special 10th anniversary message presented by one of the previous Pretty Cures in the franchise including the HappinessCharge Cures themselves.^[30][31] DVDs and Blu-rays of the series were released in volumes.

Film

The main characters of the series also appeared in the film Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eternal Friends on March 15, 2014.^[32][33] The movie's single and soundtrack was released three days prior to the movie's premiere.

A spinoff movie of the series has also been revealed, titled HappinessCharge PreCure! the Movie: The Ballerina of the Land of Dolls (映画ハピネスチャージプリキュア！人形の国のバレリーナ, Eiga HapinesuChāji PuriKyua! Ningyō no kuni no barerīna)^[34] was released on October 11, 2014.^[35] The single and soundtrack for the movie was released on October 8, 2014, along with the anime's second ending theme single.

Music

The series uses three pieces of theme music, one opening theme and two ending themes. The opening theme is "HappinessCharge PreCure! WOW!" (ハピネスチャージプリキュア!WOW!, Hapinesu Chāji Purikyua! WOW!) by former AKB48 member Sayaka Nakaya.^[36] The ending theme for the first 26 episodes is "PreCure Memory" (プリキュア・メモリ, Purikyua Memori) by Hitomi Yoshida, whilst the theme for episode 27-49 is "Party Has Come" (パーティ　ハズカム, Pāti Hazukamu) by Yoshida.^[37] The single containing both songs was released by Marvelous AQL (later, Marvelous Inc.) on March 5, 2014. All of the theme songs are composed by Yasuo Kosugi except for Party Has Come, which is by Hizashi, and the background music is by Hiroshi Takaki, who previously composed DokiDoki! Precure's background music. The first original soundtrack was released on May 21, 2014, with the title PreCure Sound Charge!! Also, the first vocal album was released on July 23, 2014, with the title Hello! Happiness Friends! featuring songs performed by the main characters of the anime along with the theme songs. On October 8, 2014, the single for the anime's second ending theme was released. The anime's second official soundtrack was released on November 5, 2014, with the title Precure Sound Big Bang!! Also, the second vocal album was released on November 19, 2014, with the title Shining ☆ Happiness Party. In addition, a vocal best album was released on January 14, 2015.

Manga

Like the series before it, a manga adaptation by Futago Kamikita began serialization in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine in March 2014.

Video games

The Pretty Cures debuted in HappinessCharge PreCure! were added in the new update of the Pretty Cure All Stars Data Carddass arcade game in February 2014. This update included compatibility with the collectible PreCards. A video game based on the series, titled HappinessCharge Precure! Kawarun Collection (ハピネスチャージプリキュア! カワルン☆コレクション), developed by Bandai Namco Games, was released on the Nintendo 3DS on July 31, 2014.^[38] The game features all the Pretty Cures from previous series, with early editions including a download code to unlock all the Cures from the start and three exclusive PreCards.^[39]

Merchandise

Throughout the anime's run, merchandise was released, including watches, weapons, transformation items, cards, bags, and more. Most of this merchandise was distributed by Bandai, the main sponsor of the series. Special PreCards were also released during the anime's run, beginning with promotional cards included in McDonald's Happy Meals in January 2014.^[40]

References

External links

• Official website at Toei Animation (in Japanese)
• Official website at Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (in Japanese)
• HappinessCharge PreCure! (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

This page was last edited on 22 March 2024, at 00:02