This year's 23rd installment in the Pretty Cure series, "Detective Pretty Cure!", has been generating significant buzz from its title reveal and character introductions all the way to its premiere, drawing even more fans into this excellent, long-running IP.
Since recent episodes, and especially with today's (the 13th) 33rd episode titled "The Path of a Great Detective Starts with a Single Step," one particular villain has been consistently stealing the spotlight: the dashing phantom thief Goemon (ゴウエモン). He's maintained a uniquely different villainous style since his debut. Following this week's broadcast, the internet erupted with emotional, tearful reactions, pushing him to the #1 spot on X's trending topics.
▼ After this morning's broadcast, he immediately became the top trending search on X!
While Goemon is a member of the Phantom Thief Group, he stands apart from other villains. He prefers to fight the Pretty Cure fair and square, directly challenging them without resorting to cheap tricks.
In the 33rd episode, Anna and her group were showing Ruruka, who had just joined the "Angel Detective Agency," around a cute beauty store. That's when Goemon suddenly appeared, as if to challenge them. Goemon told Ruruka, "You're my apprentice," and "I can't just let you go off on your own," before activating a mechanical maze.
After Ruruka solved the puzzle, Goemon reminisced about their time together and, under the guise of "apprentice graduation," presented her with a "graduation certificate."
Witnessing Goemon's profound care for his apprentice, Ruruka, netizens flooded the comments section with remarks like: "He even accommodates his apprentice's preferences and eats ice cream with her—he's just too good..." "Goemon cried... he really is a good man after all." "It's not about whether Goemon is good or bad; he's just the kind of guy who makes you think, 'What a stand-up guy!' I really like him."
Fans have even compiled a list of Goemon's most likable actions so far:
・Treats his junior to ice cream
・Even if his junior is hiding something important from him, he thoughtfully chooses not to report it to his superiors
・Despite taking the throne of his junior's respected superior, he still interacts with his junior as usual
・After leaving the organization, he even specially held a private graduation ceremony for his junior
If this guy truly has no hidden agenda, he's practically a saint-level boss!
He even imitates Anna and Kobayashi's transformation poses.
It must be said, "Detective Pretty Cure!" truly excels in character design. Not only do the Pretty Cures each have distinct personalities, but even the villains are incredibly captivating.
With the story now entering its mid-to-late stages, we'll have to wait and see how "Detective Pretty Cure!" unfolds from here.