Qoutas

Since the earliest days, magical girls have been harnessing the power within them to transform into heroes. I can think of few magical girl series that use this concept better than Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure, which is the 20th entry in the long-running franchise. Each of the three treatments that have appeared so far (at least one more will appear in an upcoming episode) have shown their power from deep-rooted desires, and the accompanying images make it clear they’ve always had it. kind of power. This, along with an exceptionally inclusive official cast, makes Soaring the Sky one of the most compelling magical girl series in recent years, as it delivers on the genre’s promise that anyone given the chance Everyone can change.

As a Pretty Cure franchise 20th anniversary collection, this approach was a good choice, as it reminds people of the power of the genre. The fact that we also have the first official boy Cure and a young adult Cure later in the series speaks to the Pretty Cure and the staying power of the magical girl genre as a whole. The Cure Wing appeared in three-quarters of the series, and it’s no exaggeration to say that Black Pepper (and other male sidekicks) paved the way for the Cure Wing’s arrival. He immediately became an integral part of the team rather than an addition. It’s also interesting that his regular form is unusual: he’s a Skylandian bird that can turn into a human. Again, this feels like a nod to the younger sidekicks we’ve seen in previous iterations of the franchise, especially Cure Parfait’s brother in Kira Kira Pretty Cure a la Mode, who had a brief flash but eventually And there’s no real separation of teams. (Of course there are earlier examples; I’m using this because it has an official English version.) It’s also important to see Tsubasa become Cure Wing with regards to gender roles and outdated norms, as it emphasizes that magical girls are more tender, magic-based Power is not reserved only for girls. Boys can be fighters without punching people in the face or undergoing physical training. (In fact, Sora does it in episode 12, and that’s because she actively wants to, not because it’s strictly necessary.) When the fourth cure arrives, it reminds us that we Don’t have to grow and enjoy from our things, a message we don’t hear much.

Ascension! The plot of Pretty Cure stands up. The story, like Delicious Party Pretty Cure before, took the time to assemble the cast and spread the message. Sora, as Cure Sky, is the only Cure in three episodes, and then the Cure Wing doesn’t appear until episode 9. This way, we get to know Sora and Mashiro while giving them time to develop a strong friendship and team dynamic. The two girls complement each other well, with Sora’s cocky demeanor tempered by Mashiro’s more reserved personality. At first, Sora misunderstood Mashiro’s reservations, marking her as someone in need of protection. Mashiro comes as Cure Prism to remind her that power comes in many forms and she has the power to stand up and fight too. The two girls form two halves of a whole, similar to Futari wa Pretty Cure the original black and white. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the Cure Prism’s color is white rather than the typical blue or pink. The two form the vanguard of the team, and the Cure Wing is literally the wing.

Kabaton’s extremely low vigilance as a villain works for him since he’s likely just the first of several villains; near the end of the session we learn he’s working for someone(* ) work, but don’t know who that person is. That’s not to say he’s not dangerous. He’s — let’s be honest — anyone trying to kidnap a baby is bad news. We’re not sure why he and his boss needed Princess Elle, but it wouldn’t be a good thing. Interestingly, no one in the town of Mashiro cared about a giant purple pig and a screaming Mohican, probably because Cure Sky was quick to take care of him when he first showed up. The townspeople also know about Cures, and at least one of them, Ageha, a college student who took care of Mashiro, knows the secret of who Cures is. Not that it’s all that hard to figure out, because they don’t bother rounding a corner to change. Even more unusual, Ageha knows that Tsubasa is also a bird; she seems amused by everything about him, much to his chagrin.

At this point, the main cast is still together, and the interactions between the characters drive the story forward. Sora is essentially an otherworldly hero who came to Earth from another world and had to learn to live with it. While she does this gracefully, it’s still challenging in many ways, and the story isn’t shy about showing her homesickness or the overwhelming responsibilities she carries as Elle’s guardian. (She gives some to Mashiro’s grandmother, but still feels it’s mostly her duty.) When Mashiro compares herself to Sora’s exploits and considers herself ordinary, she feels a little inadequate. We also later learn that Tsubasa is conflicted about being a flightless bird. As the three grow closer, they help each other discover their worth and form a warm, beating heart at the heart of the series.

The classic magical girl story is about discovering the power within yourself and using it to make the world a better place while becoming more confident.

Ascension! Pretty Cure succeeds in the best possible way. While the overall storyline moves slowly, it more than makes up for it with its obvious fondness for its characters and genre.