Created by Izumi Todo, the magical-girl anime franchise Pretty Cure remains a powerhouse for Toei. Its 23rd series, Star Detective Precure!, premiered this year and has already won over plenty of fans, proving that the long-running flagship franchise still has serious staying power.
This year’s theatrical release, Star Detective Precure! The Movie: The Mysterious Garden and the Secret of the Two, also delivered the best box-office performance in franchise history. A behind-the-scenes panel was held in Tokyo on October 29, featuring director Hanako Ueda, Toei Animation producer Mao Nakagawa, and ABC Animation producer Kanako Tada. Tada, who has worked on Pretty Cure for many years, discussed why the franchise has remained so beloved and the ideals it hopes to share with viewers.
Tada said she has been involved with the Pretty Cure franchise for around 16 or 17 years. During that time, she has had countless opportunities to consider what Pretty Cure truly is, why the franchise has endured for so long, how it has continued producing so many new installments, and what its ultimate goal should be.
Sharing her thoughts on the secret behind its longevity, Tada said, “I believe one major reason is that Pretty Cure has never stopped sharing positive messages, even when those ideals might seem overly optimistic. To me, that is one of the most important factors.”
She continued, “To be honest, in today’s world, that kind of idealistic positivity can often feel tiresome. People may not want to hear it because it can come across as preachy. But Pretty Cure, no matter the circumstances, has always remained committed to sharing those ideals.”
Tada then drove the point home with an even bolder statement: “I believe that if Pretty Cure ever stops sharing those ideals, the world will head toward destruction. The day the Pretty Cure franchise ends may well be the day the world ends.” She also addressed the audience directly: “I hope everyone will continue imagining a world where Pretty Cure keeps sharing these ideals forever, with that spirit reaching countless children and staying with them into adulthood.”
She concluded, “Even if only the roughly 400 people here today carry that belief in their hearts, the world will begin to change, little by little.”
Of course, longtime Pretty Cure fans already know that every series places its heroines in difficult situations and uses uplifting messages to connect with its core audience of children. Its stories have also evolved alongside the times, helping the franchise retain devoted longtime fans while continually welcoming new generations of young viewers.
Tada’s declaration that “the day the Pretty Cure franchise ends may well be the day the world ends” might sound a little dramatic. Still, if the franchise can hold on to that conviction, Pretty Cure may have plenty more years ahead of it.