Suite PreCure

Suite PreCure♪ (スイートプリキュア♪, Suīto PuriKyua♪), or Suite Pretty Cure♪, is a Japanese anime series and the eighth installment in Izumi Todo's Pretty Cure franchise. Produced by Toei Animation, the series is directed by Munehisa Sakai, who directed the One Piece anime series. Character designs were by Akira Takahashi, who previously worked on Kaidan Restaurant. The series aired on TV Asahi's ANN network between February 6, 2011 and January 29, 2012, replacing HeartCatch PreCure! in its initial timeslot and was succeeded by Smile PreCure!. A manga adaptation by Futago Kamikita was serialised in Kodansha's monthly Nakayoshi magazine.

The series theme is music, which influenced the names of the Cures and the magical devices they use.

Plot

In a place called Major Land, a Melody of Happiness is due to be played, spreading happiness throughout the world. However, an evil man named Mephisto steals the Legendary Score, plotting to turn it into a Melody of Sorrow to spread sadness across the land. Aphrodite, the queen of Major Land, scatters the Notes that make up the Legendary Score into the human world and sends a fairy named Hummy to Kanon Town in order to recover them. There, Hummy meets two girls, Hibiki Hojo and Kanade Minamino, who are chosen to become the Suite Pretty Cures in order to recover the missing Notes and protect everyone's happiness.

Characters

Suite Pretty Cures

Hibiki Hojo (北条 響, Hōjō Hibiki) / Cure Melody (キュアメロディ, Kyua Merodi)

Voiced by Ami Koshimizu

Hibiki is a 14-year-old student in the second year, class A of Private Aria Academy junior high. She has a bright personality, excels at sports and volunteers in all sport clubs, but isn't very good at schoolwork. Although her parents are musical celebrities, Hibiki thinks she has no musical talent even though she has absolute pitch. She played piano as a kid, but stopped for when she felt she let her father down after a performance. She also loves to eat sweet things, particularly the cakes from Kanade's family's shop.

After meeting Seiren, her potential as a Pretty Cure was awakened when she and Kanade were rendered immune to Seiren's attack, and through her musical score, she transforms into Cure Melody. As Cure Melody, her normally brown-orange hair tints light pink and becomes tied in extra long twintails. Her theme colors are various shades of pink, and her Fairy Tone is Dory. Her main weapon is the Miracle Belltier, which uses the Fairy Tone, Miry. In the movie, she gains an upgrade, Crescendo Mode, granted by Crescendo Tone, and in episode 47, all four members become Crescendo Pretty Cures.

She introduces herself as "Playing the wild tune, Cure Melody!" (爪弾くは荒ぶる調べ！ キュアメロディ！, Tsumabiku wa araburu shirabe, Kyua Merodi!). In Crescendo Form, she introduces herself as "Playing the heart's tune, Crescendo Cure Melody!" (爪弾くはこころのしらべ！クレッシェンドキュアメロディ, Tsumabiku wa kokoro no shirabe, Kureshendo Kyua Merodi!)

Kanade Minamino (南野 奏, Minamino Kanade) / Cure Rhythm (キュアリズム, Kyua Rizumu)

Voiced by: Fumiko Orikasa

Kanade is also a 14-year-old student in the second year of Private Aria Academy junior high. She is Hibiki's childhood friend and classmate. Kanade is an excellent student, but she is not good at sports like Hibiki. Her excellent grades and personality make her sort of a celebrity in her school. Kanade acts very mature, but she is sometimes stubborn. She belongs to the Sweets Club in Aria Academy. She dreams of becoming a pastry chef when she grows up and taking over her parents' pastry shop, the Lucky Spoon. She has a crush on the school's prince of music, Ouji. She also has a strong love for cats, especially Hummy, whose paw she likes to touch.

Her potential as a Pretty Cure was awakened when she and Hibiki were rendered immune to Seiren's attack, and through her musical score, she transforms into Cure Rhythm. As Cure Rhythm, her normally-dirty blonde hair tints platinum blonde and becomes knee-length. Her theme color is white, with light pink as a sub-color, and her Fairy Tone is Rery. Her main weapon is the Fantastic Belltier, which uses the Fairy Tone, Fary.

She introduces herself as "Playing the graceful tune, Cure Rhythm!" (爪弾くはたおやかな調べ！キュアリズム！, Tsumabiku wa taoyaka na shirabe, Kyua Rizumu!)

Siren (セイレーン, Seirēn) / Eren Kurokawa (黒川 エレン, Kurokawa Eren) / Cure Beat (キュアビート, Kyua Bīto)

Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi

Seiren is a female Cat-like "Fairy of Songs" and Mephisto's assistant. Although she was born in Major Land and is friends with Hummy, she became jealous when her title of the annual singer of the "Melody of Happiness" was given to Hummy instead and asked to be Mephisto's right-hand. As Seiren, she has powerful abilities and can create Negatones using her dark powers. She can also use the powers of her necklace to take the form of any person she wishes. In her normal human form, known as Eren, she is a strong fighter and can materialize notes to use as projectiles.

During Episode 21, her potential of Pretty Cure was awakened as she wanted to protect Hummy, who is captured by the Minor Trio. This caused her necklace to shatter, trapping her in human form of Eren Kurokawa and causing her to lose her power of transformation. After joining up with the Cures, she begins living with the Shirabes and attends school with Hibiki and Kanade. As Cure Beat, her dark purple hair turns bright purple and gains a side ponytail. Her theme color is blue, and her Fairy Tone is Lary. Her main weapon is the Love Guitar Rod, which uses the Fairy Tone, Sory. She is unique to the Pretty Cure franchise as being a former mascot and antagonist that later became a Pretty Cure.

She introduces herself as "Playing the soulful tune, Cure Beat!" (爪弾くは魂の調べ！ キュアビート！, Tsumabiku wa tamashii no shirabe, Kyua Bīto!)

Ako Shirabe (調辺 アコ, Shirabe Ako) / Cure Muse (キュアミューズ, Kyua Myūzu)

Voiced by: Rumi Ōkubo

Ako is a 9-year-old student in the third year of Public Kanon Elementary, who is in the same class as Kanade's little brother, Souta. She is very mature for her age, but also very cold and not above lecturing her elders, particularly Hibiki and Kanade. Unbeknownst to the Pretty Cures, she had masked herself as a mysterious fighter named Cure Muse who aids them using colorful piano keys to form barriers and restraints. She often assists the Pretty Cures if they are trapped, but leaves them to finish off the Negatones. She hides her status under the mask and does not speak, as her Fairy Tone partner, Dodory, does all the talking. She often declares that she will not partner herself with the Cures until the time is right.

During Episode 35, she reveals herself to be Major Land's princess, the daughter of Aphrodite and Mephisto. After her father goes missing, she runs away to Kanon Town and disguises herself, living with her grandfather, Otokichi. When Mephisto steals the Legendary Score, Ako's potential as a Pretty Cure awakens. As Cure Muse, her short orange hair grows to knee-length and gains two yellow ribbons on each end. In her masked form, her theme color is black, and in her true form, her theme color is yellow, and her Fairy Tone is Dodory. She doesn't have a main weapon, but she uses her secondary Fairy Tone, Tiry for her purification attacks. She is the youngest Pretty Cure.

She introduces herself as "Playing the Goddess' tune, Cure Muse!" (爪弾くは女神の調べ！キュアミューズ！, Tsumabiku wa megami no shirabe, Kyua Myūzu!)

Major Land

Hummy (ハミィ, Hamī)

Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi

Hummy is a female Cat-like "Fairy of Songs" and the partner of both Kanade and Hibiki. She is the singer of the "Melody of Happiness" this year, who tries to oppose Mephisto. She is sent into the human world to search for and collect the scattered notes of the Melody of Happiness until she meets both Kanade and Hibiki. She is able to use magic by clapping her hands, which she uses to purify Notes that were transformed into Negatones and subsequently defeated by the Pretty Cures. She is also able to use her magic to recover the Cure Modules if they are lost. Hummy is very friendly and close to her childhood friend, Seiren. Even after Seiren betrays her and her nation, she does not see her as a foe, which often causes trouble for the Cures.

Fairy Tones (フェアリートーン, Fearī Tōn)

Voiced by: Mayu Kudou

Seven special jewel-like fairies that came from Major Land along with Hummy. These fairies give Pretty Cure special abilities and powers when used by inserting them into their Cure Modules and Cure Belltiers. They are also in charge of collecting the scattered notes of the Melody of Happiness. Each of the Fairy Tone's names (excluding Crescendo Tone) are based on the Solfège scale (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti).

• Dory (ドリー, Dorī) - Pink in color. Allows Hibiki to transform into Cure Melody. When played in a Cure Module, it allows its user to have sweet dreams.
• Rery (レリー, Rerī) - White in color. Allows Kanade to transform into Cure Rhythm. When played in a Cure Module, it renews its user's willpower.
• Miry (ミリー, Mirī) - Orange. Allows Cure Melody to summon her Miracle Belltier.
• Fary (ファリー, Farī) - Yellow. Allows Cure Rhythm to summon her Fantastic Belltier.
• Sory (ソリー, Sorī) - Green. Allows Cure Beat to summon her Love Guitar Rod. When played in a Cure Module, it powers up the Pretty Cures.
• Lary (ラリー, Rarī) - Aqua. Allows Seiren to transform into Cure Beat.
• Tiry (シリー, Shirī) - Blue. Only allows Cure Muse to attack, but no weapon usable.
• Dodory (ドドリー, Dodorī) - Purple. Allows Ako to transform into Cure Muse. Its origin is still unknown.

Crescendo Tone (クレッシェンドトーン, Kuresshendo Tōn)

Voiced by: Kumiko Nishihara

A large Gold "Fairy of Sounds" responsible for creating all sounds in the world and the other Fairy Tones, who resides in the mystical Healing Chest.

Aphrodite (アフロディテ, Afurodite)

Voiced by: Noriko Hidaka

The wise and benevolent empress of the nation "Major Land" and Ako's mother. She hosts the anniversary of the "Melody of Happiness" to pray for the peace of all worlds but is forced to scatter the Notes to protect them from Mephisto. She asks Hummy to go to the human world in search of people who can become Pretty Cures to collect the scattered notes.

Otokichi Shirabe (調辺 音吉, Shirabe Otokichi)

Voiced by: Keiichi Sonobe

The mysterious and eccentric tuner in Kanon Town, often found working on the town's organ. He comes and goes like a ghost in any music activity. During episode 36, it is revealed that Ototkichi is Aphrodite's father, and has kept watch over actions between Pretty Cures and enemies. He loves Ako, his granddaughter, very much and tends to gush with love when she is mentioned. He once fought against Noise and managed to seal him away in a fossil, and has since been working on the organ which can produce saintly notes should he awaken again.

Minor Land

Mephisto (メフィスト, Mefisuto)

Voiced by: Ken'yu Horiuchi

The former main antagonist of the series, Mephisto is a childish and melodramatic emperor of the nation "Minor Land". He attempts to make the "Melody of Happiness" into a "Melody of Sorrow" to make all worlds tragic and reflect his musical taste. Mephisto has the power to brainwash others into doing his bidding using headphones that sound the Noise of Evil, but later it turns out that Mephisto is a victim of the Noise of Evil himself, who was Aphrodite's husband, the prince consort of Major Land. After being ambushed and controlled by Noise when he goes to retrieve the Healing Chest in the cursed forest, he establishes Minor Land. In Episode 36, Ako manages to defeat the evil in his heart and return him back to normal. Like his father-in-law, Mephisto tends to gush about Ako.

Trio the Minor (トリオ・ザ・マイナー, Torio Za Mainā)

The loyal servants of Mephisto. Although they live to serve Mephisto, they often squabble with each other over who gets to be the leader. In episode 26, Mephisto uses the hypnosis earplugs to increase their powers, as well as make more powerful Negatones. While the Trio the Minor came from Major Land and worked for the royalty, only Falsetto willingly allied himself to Noise while Bassdrum and Baritone were placed under the being's spell to serve him. The three were eventually absorbed by Noise, with Falsetto consumed for being annoying while Bassdrum and Baritone sacrificed themselves to protect Hibiki.

Falsetto (ファルセット, Farusetto)

Voiced by: Tooru Nara

The tenor of "Trio the Minor" who sings in a high pitched and very off-key voice. After his powers are upgraded, he gains enhanced hearing along with a whip-like weapon. After Mephisto is freed from Noise's spell, Falsetto is revealed to be a willing follower of the Noise of Evil as he takes over Minor Land operations to complete Noise's resurrection.

Bassdrum (バスドラ, Basudora)

Voiced by: Atsushi Ono

The bass of "Trio the Minor" who sings in a deep, booming voice. He is the eldest one and constantly argues about having bragging rights as leader. After his powers are upgraded, he gains a heightened sense of smell for finding notes. After Falsetto assumes leadership, he transforms Bassdrum into a frog-like monster, who is prone to inflating.

Baritone (バリトン, Bariton)

Voiced by: Youhei Ōbayashi

The baritone of "Trio the Minor". He is the most cool-headed, but is quite narcissistic. After his powers are upgraded, he gains superhuman sight, as well as telekinesis. After Falsetto assumes leadership, he transforms Baritone into a fish-like monster.

Negatones (ネガトーン, Negatōn)

Voiced by: Youhei Ōbayashi

The Negatones are the series' monsters of the week. They are created when a scattered Note is exposed to the Melody of Sorrow, combining with a nearby item to form a monster that spreads the Melody of Sorrow, causing people to despair. When they are defeated by the Pretty Cures, they return to the original item while the Notes are purified by Hummy and stored inside one of the Fairy Tones.

Noise (ノイズ, Noizu)

Voiced by: Ryūsei Nakao

Noise is a powerful bird-like demon and the main antagonist of the later part of the series, created from the sorrow of humanity. He is responsible for turning Mephisto evil, as his song can brainwash whoever hears it. Though Otokichi sealed Noise away inside a fossil, Falsetto has been trying to revive him by playing the Melody of Sorrow to draw energy from those who fall into sorrow listening to him. After Noise breaks free from the seal upon hearing an incomplete Melody of Sorrow, he assumes a chick-like form that Ako named P-chan (ピーちゃん), and used this form to get close to the Cures and steal their Notes. However, he was soon discovered to be Noise after he attempted to attack Otokichi. Once the Melody of Sorrows is completed, Noise's resurrection is completed as he resumes his attack on Major Land. After absorbing Bassdrum and Baritone, Noise assumed a more human-like form to overpower the Cures. But the Cures manage to purify Noise, who they found in Kanon Town as a newborn chick born from the joy of humanity.

Minor characters

Dan Hojo (北条 団, Hōjō Dan)

Voiced by: Tomoyuki Dan

Hibiki's father, the music teacher of Private Aria Academy and consultant of Orchestra Club. He believes "It's not music if you don't enjoy playing it", which leads Hibiki to feel spited and not get along with him well. He occasionally offers German sayings that confuse those around him.

Maria Hojo (北条 まりあ, Hōjō Maria)

Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino

Hibiki's mother, a famous violinist who is constantly on tour overseas, though she occasionally talks to her family via video chat. She is beautiful and confident, making her popular among young boys.

Sousuke Minamino (南野 奏介, Minamino Sousuke)

Voiced by: Tōru Ōkawa

Kanade's father, the owner of the "Lucky Spoon" cupcake store. He is active in the development of recipes.

Misora Minamino (南野 美空, Minamino Misora)

Voiced by: Yuka Imai

Kanade's mother, the client of "Lucky Spoon". She and her spouse endlessly flirt with each other.

Souta Minamino (南野 奏太, Minamino Sōta)

Voiced by: Yumiko Kobayashi

Kanade's little brother, Ako's classmate in Public Kanon Elementary. He is somewhat responsible for helping at the "Lucky Spoon" but often acts mischievously and provokes his sister. He is good friends with Ako and cares about her solitude.

Masamune Ouji (王子 正宗, Ōji Masamune)

Voiced by: Hisafumi Oda

A third year student of Private Aria Academy, the leader of Orchestra Club. He is very popular with girls, particularly Kanade, who has a crush on him.

Seika Higashiyama (東山 聖歌, Higashiyama Seika)

Voiced by: Yōko Nishino

A student in the third year of Private Aria Academy, the leader of Sweets Club. Her baking ability is the best in the school, earning her the nickname of "The Princess of Sweets".

Waon Nishijima (西島 和音, Nishijima Waon)

Voiced by: Yūko Gibu

Student in the second year of Private Aria Academy, Hibiki and Kanade's classmate, also Hibiki's partner in all sport clubs. She has blue eyes and short blue spiky hair and is always quick to respond to Hibiki's call.

Movie characters

The following characters appear in the movie, Suite PreCure♪ The Movie: Take it Back! The Miraculous Melody that Connects Hearts.

Suzu (スズ)

Voiced by: Omi Minami

Ako's friend from school in Major Land.

Major 3 (メイジャー３, Meijā Surī) is a group who serve as Howling's elite minions to help him take all the music away. Their names refer to the type of notes related to the pitch sound.

Sharp (シャープ, Shāpu)

Voiced by: Kouichi Toochika

A member of the Major 3. He can transform into a red dragon-like monster and possesses fire attack called "Mega Fire".

Flat (フラット, Furatto)

Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono

A member of the Major 3. He can transform into a toad-like monster and shoot fireball called "Tera Fireball".

Natural (ナチュラル, Nachuraru)

Voiced by: Jun'ichi Kanemaru

A member of the Major 3. He can transform into a blue lizard-like monster and attack with lighting attack called "Giga Thunder".

Howling (ハウリング, Hauringu)

Voiced by: Tesshō Genda

A servant of Noise and the main antagonist of the film, who attempts to stop the Pretty Cures and aid in Noise's revival. He possesses Aphrodite in order to steal all the music in Major Land. He was defeated by Cresendo Melody before the other Cures finish him with Suite Session Assemble Cresendo.

Media

Anime

The anime began airing on ABC and other ANN stations from February 6, 2011, replacing HeartCatch PreCure! in its previous timeslot. For the first 23 episodes, the opening theme is "La♪ La♪ La♪ Suite PreCure♪" (ラ♪ラ♪ラ♪スイートプリキュア♪, Ra♪ Ra♪ Ra♪ Suīto Purikyua♪) by Mayu Kudou while the ending theme is "Wonderful↑ Powerful↑ Music!!" (ワンダフル↑パワフル↑ミュージック!!, Wandafuru↑ Pawafuru↑ Myūjikku!!) by Aya Ikeda. From episodes 24-48, the opening theme is "La♪ La♪ La♪ Suite PreCure♪ (ラ♪ラ♪ラ♪スイートプリキュア♪～∞UNLIMITED∞　ver～, Ra♪ Ra♪ Ra♪ Suīto Purikyua♪ Unlimited ver.) by Kudou, while the ending theme is "♯Rainbow of Hope♯" (♯キボウレインボウ♯, ♯Kibō Reinbō♯) by Ikeda.

Aside from the DVD releases, Suite PreCure is the first Pretty Cure series to gain an exclusive Blu-ray Box Set release by Marvelous AQL and TC Entertainment (a Group company of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings (TBS) and Mainichi Broadcasting System or Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting). Four Blu-ray Box Sets were released between October 28, 2011 and June 22, 2012.

The Blu-ray Version shows all of the episodes in true High-Definition as well as fixing several errors present in the TV broadcast version.

Manga

A manga adaptation by Futago Kamikita began serialisation in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine from March 2011 to February 2012.

Films

A movie based on the series, Suite Precure♪ The Movie: Take it back! The Miraculous Melody that Connects Hearts (映画 スイートプリキュア♪ とりもどせ! 心がつなぐ奇跡のメロディ♪, Eiga Suīto PuriKyua♪: Torimodose! Kokoro ga Tsunagu Kiseki no Merodi!) was released in Japanese cinemas on October 29, 2011.

The heroines also appear in the Pretty Cure All Stars movies, starting from Pretty Cure All Stars DX3: Deliver the Future! The Rainbow~Colored Flower That Connects the World! (プリキュアオールスターズDX3 未来にとどけ！世界をつなぐ☆虹色の花, Ōru Sutāzu Dirakkusu Surī: Mirai ni Todoke! Sekai wo Tsunagu Niji~Iro no Hana!) (Released in March 19, 2011) and Pretty Cure All Stars DX: 3D Theatre (プリキュアオールスターズDX 3Dシアター, PuriKyua Ōru Sutāzu Dirakkusu: Surī Dī Shiatā) (Released in August 5, 2011)

Soundtracks

The music was composed by Yasuharu Takanashi and the soundtracks are based on the show. The first original soundtrack is called PreCure Sound Fantasia, which includes 36 songs from the first half of the anime. The second soundtrack, PreCure Sound Symphonia, includes 28 more songs from the second half. Three vocal albums in this show were performed by its voice actors and singers. The movie has its own soundtrack.

Other media

An educational software title, Suite PreCure♪: Happy Oshare Harmony☆ (スイートプリキュア♪ハッピーおしゃれハーモニー☆, Suīto PuriKyua♪: Happī Oshare Hāmonī) was released by Bandai for the Sega Beena on May 26, 2011. A video game, Suite PreCure♪: Melody Collection (スイートプリキュア♪メロディコレクション, Suīto PuriKyua♪: Merodi Korekushon) was developed by Bandai for the Nintendo DS and released in Japan on August 25, 2011.^[1]

References

External links

• Toei Animation's Suite PreCure♪ site (Japanese)
• Suite PreCure site by ABC (Japanese)
• Suite PreCure: Melody Collection DS game site (Japanese)
• Suite PreCure (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia