You and Idol PreCure is centered on Uta Sakura, a middle school girl who has a deep love of singing. One day, Uta comes across the plush toy-like fairy Purirun who is searching for the legendary Idol PreCure. Purirun is from another world called Kirakiland, which has been plunged into darkness by the evil Team Chokkiri. Now, Team Chokkiri has invaded Uta’s home of Hanamichi Town and are targeting it next!
When someone’s Kirakilala, their sparks of joy, is cut by Team Chokkiri, they turn into a monster called a Makkuranda. The host’s source of joy is corrupted and converted into a force of destruction. The very first Makkuranda that appears is based on a manga artist who just made her debut. It uses the very pages and brushes of her trade to attack the town and its inhabitants.
In order to protect both Kirakiland and her home world, Uta agrees to help Purirun and becomes Cure Idol! Uta is not alone on her quest in You and Idol PreCure. By the third episode, Uta’s school friend Nana Aokaze joins her and Purirun as Cure Wink. Once the seventh episode premieres, their other classmate Kokoro Shigure will make her debut as Cure Kyun-Kyun! With the power of their songs, it’s up to the three Idol PreCures to stop Team Chokkiri’s villainous plot!
Behind The Scenes
The PreCure franchise has reigned strong in the realm of magical girl anime since 2004’s Futari wa PreCure. In its over twenty year lifespan, PreCure had not approached idols as a main motif until You and Idol PreCure. Music and singing are far from new concepts to PreCure; 2011’s Suite PreCure has music as its main motif. However, many of PreCure’s main competitors have been idol-themed magical girl-esque series, such as Aikatsu! and the Pretty Rhythm Series. PreCure had experimented with direct idol imagery in 2023 with Soaring Sky PreCure as its secondary motif.
You and Idol PreCure fully embraces its identity as an idol-themed entry. The transformation sequences have the Cures encouraging the viewer to speak back to the screen in a typical call-and-response sequence. The finisher attacks the Idol PreCures unleash upon the Makkuranda are concert performances. Each Cure has her own dedicated solo in addition to their voice actresses singing the ending song in character. You and Idol PreCure is a rare instance where the Cures’ solos were released onto streaming before the season’s finale. Uta’s solo is “Smiles In Unison♪”, Nana’s is “Winking Score”, and Kokoro’s is “Heart Revolution”.
Most of the voice actors cast in You and Idol PreCure have experience in other idol series such as Love Live! Both Nana and Kokoro’s actresses, Minami Takahashi and Natsumi Takamori, were previously cast in The iDOLM@STER franchise. The character of the legendary idol Kaito Hibiki is voiced by real life J-Pop idol Daisuke Sakuma. Uta’s actress, Misato Matsuoka, has previously acted in similar music projects such as Uma Musume Pretty Derby. Even most of the minor characters are played by actors involved in other idol-themed projects.
An Idol’s Power
Although the Cures are pop idols this time around, that doesn’t stop them from kicking butt! You and Idol PreCure features the power of song in battle in addition to throwing punches and kicks. The previous season, Wonderful PreCure, took a different approach to battles. As its monsters were almost all animals, the battles took the form of chases as to not endorse animal cruelty. So You and Idol PreCure goes back to basics in having the Cures engage in hand-to-hand combat with their magic.
Fists, kicks, and magic aren’t the only weapons in these Cures’ arsenal! In order to convert a Makkuranda back to its human self, the Idol PreCure fight with the power of song. The Makkuranda is transported into a seat in front of a stage where one of the Cures performs her solo. Once she is done singing, she unleashes a final attack that purifies the victim out of their monstrous state.
Music is important in and out of battle in You and Idol PreCure. It’s used as a weapon against Team Chokkiri and the Makkuranda, but it’s also a form of connection. If someone is feeling down, Uta’s first instinct is to sing them a song to cheer them up. Nana forms a relationship with Uta and her family through playing the piano. A defining moment in episode four is when Uta finds Kaito singing alone on a beach and joins his song. Music and song are used to forge and develop bonds between each of the characters in You and Idol PreCure. It is foundational to every character on an individual and interpersonal level.
Together We Shine!
You and Idol PreCure is off to a great start with its initial episode lineup. The animation is done by Toei Animation, also known for anime such as One Piece and Dragon Ball. The director for You and Idol PreCure is Chiaki Kon, who has directed and storyboarded for PreCure since 2013. True to both the studio’s and PreCure’s legacy, the fight scenes are fluid and invigorating to watch. The color palette of You and Idol PreCure is vibrant and eye-catching but not bright enough to hurt the eyes.
As one would expect from a music-focused series, You and Idol PreCure’s soundtrack is ear candy. Series veterans Erika Fukusawa and Misaki Umase are in charge of You and Idol PreCure’s original score. Umase is credited with composing and arranging each of the Cures’ debut solos with lyricist Saori Kodama. Each song is tailored to the respective Cure’s personality and unique style. Uta’s solo is the most like a typical pop song; it’s as energetic and spry as she is. Meanwhile, Nana’s solo is slower-paced and calming – it makes use of Nana’s signature instrument, the piano.
In all, You and Idol PreCure is proving to be a promising new entry in the PreCure franchise. If you’re a fan of the magical girl genre or are a music lover, give it a shot! It’s perfect to watch on your own, with friends, and perfect to show to a child or younger sibling. Though, if you’re looking for something more grounded, check out my previous article about Honey Lemon Soda! Both are licensed by Crunchyroll.
