Hug! PreCure


Hug! PreCure, also known as HUGtto! PreCure, is a Japanese magical girl anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the fifteenth series in the Pretty Cure franchise, released to in commemoration of its 15th anniversary. It is directed by Junichi Sato and Akifumi Zako and written by Fumi Tsubota. The character designs were done by Toshie Kawamura, who previously worked on Yes! PreCure 5 and Smile PreCure!. It began airing on ANN on February 4, 2018, succeeding Kirakira [Pretty Cure a la Mode|Kirakira PreCure a la Mode] in its timeslot. It was then succeeded by Star Twinkle PreCure on February 3, 2019. The series' main topic is destiny and future, with dress code as the Cures' main motifs.

Summary

13-year-old Hana Nono, a girl who aspires to be seen as a mature big sister figure, is beginning middle school in Hagukumi City when she encounters a strange baby named Hugtan and a hamster-like fairy named Harryham Harry, who appear from the sky. Amidst the encounter, Hana learns that they are being pursued by the Criasu Corporation, an evil conglomeration from the future who seeks the power of Hugtan's Mirai Crystal to alter the present to suit their needs. Hana's desire to protect Hugtan causes her to gain her own Mirai Crystal and PreHeart, which transforms her into the Pretty Cure of High Spirits, Cure Yell. Together with Saaya Yakushiji and Homare Kagayaki, and later joined by Emiru Aisaki and Criasu android Ruru Amour, they form the Hug! Pretty Cure team to protect everyone's future.

Characters

Pretty Cures

;Hana Nono / Cure Yell
;Saaya Yakushiji / Cure Ange
;Homare Kagayaki / Cure Etoile
;Emiru Aisaki / Cure Macherie
;Ruru Amour / Cure Amour
;Hugtan / Cure Tomorrow

Fairies

;Hariham Harry

Criasu Corporation

The Criasu Corporation
are the main antagonists of the series who originate from the distant future and aim to obtain the Mirai Crystals as part of George's scheme to freeze time. It is unknown when the corporation was founded, but its Azababu branch was founded in 2018. "Criasu" is derived from which can be translated as "Dark Tomorrow". The employees of the Criasu Corporation's Azababu Branch Office have the power to draw out energy from people by using the Negative Wave, allowing them to create monsters called Oshimaida.
;George Kurai
;Listol
;Daigan
;Papple
;Charaleet
;Gelos
;Dr. Traum
;Bicine
;Jinjin Takumi

Monsters

;Oshimaida

Cures' families

;Shintarou Nono
;Sumire Nono
;Kotori Nono
;Tanpopo Anno
;Sousuke Anno
;Shuji Yakushiji
;Reira Yakushiji
;Chitose Kagayaki
;Chiyo Kagayaki
;Kikuzou Kagayaki
;Haidon Aisaki, Miyako Aisaki
;Masato Aisaki
;Baku Aisaki

L'Avenir Academy

;Junna Tokura, Aki Momoi, Hinase Amano, Fumito Chise
;Uchifuji
;Umehashi

Others

;Ranze Ichijou
;Henri Wakamiya / Cure Infini
;Mogumogu
;Rita Yoshimi
;Yuka Uchifuji
;Mother Heart
;Nagisa Misumi Cure Black
The main protagonist from Futari wa Pretty Cure & Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart
;Honoka Yukishiro Cure White
A Cure from Futari wa Pretty Cure & Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart
;Hikari Kujo / Shiny Luminous
A Cure from Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart
;Mepple
Fairy from Futari wa Pretty Cure & Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart
;Mipple
Fairy from Futari wa Pretty Cure & Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart
;Nozomi Yumehara Cure Dream
A Cure from Yes! PreCure 5 & Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!
;Bunbee
A Cure Ally from Yes! PreCure 5 & Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!
;Love Momozono Cure Peach
A Cure from Fresh Pretty Cure!
;Tart
Fairy from Fresh Pretty Cure!
;Chiffon
Fairy from Fresh Pretty Cure!
;Megumi Aino Cure Lovely
The main protagonist from HappinessCharge Pretty Cure!
;Haruka Haruno Cure Flora
The main protagonist from Go! Princess Pretty Cure
;Mirai Asahina Cure Miracle
The main protagonist from Witchy Pretty Cure!
;Liko Izayoi Cure Magical
A Cure from Witchy Pretty Cure!
;Kotoha Hanami Cure Felice
A Cure from Witchy Pretty Cure!
;Mofurun
A teddy bear Fairy from Witchy Pretty Cure!
;Ichika Usami Cure Whip
The main protagonist from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Himari Arisugawa Cure Custard
A Cure from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Aoi Tategami Cure Gelato
A Cure from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Yukari Kotozume Cure Macaron
A Cure from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Akira Kenjou Cure Chocolat
A Cure from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Ciel Kirahoshi Cure Parfait
;Pekorin
A puppy-like Fairy from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Elder
A wise old Fairy from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode
;Hikaru Hoshina Cure Star

Movie characters

;Clover
;Usobakka Dark Onibi
;Miden
;Mizuki Yamamoto

Media

Anime

The series was first revealed through a trademark posting filed in September 2017. The series was officially announced on November 28, 2017 and began airing on All-Nippon News Network stations in Japan including ABC and TV Asahi from February 4, 2018, replacing Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode in its timeslot. The opening theme is called "We can!! HUG! Pretty Cure" by Kanako Miyamoto. The first ending theme is called "HUG! Future✩Dreamer" performed by Rie Hikisaka, Rina Honnizumi, and Yui Ogura, while the second ending theme is called "HUG! Yell For You" performed by the aforementioned three alongside Nao Tamura, and Yukari Tamura. The background music is composed by Yuki Hayashi, who previously composed the music for Kirakira PreCure a la Mode. The first official soundtrack for the series was released on April 25, 2018, with the title PreCure Sound For You!!, and the second was released on December 26, 2018, with the title PreCure Cheerful Sound!!.

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Futago Kamikita was serialized in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine between February 2 and December 28, 2018.

Films

The characters of the series appeared alongside characters from Kirakira PreCure a la Mode and Witchy PreCure! in the crossover film, Pretty Cure Super Stars!, which was released in Japan on March 17, 2018. In addition, a film honoring the franchise's 15th anniversary, titled Hug! Pretty Cure Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories, was released on October 27, 2018. The film featured characters from HUG! PreCure teaming up with the original Pretty Cures from Futari wa Pretty Cure, who also appear in episodes 21, 22, 36, and 37.
Pretty Cure Miracle Universe, was released on March 16, 2019.
Pretty Cure Miracle Leap: A Strange Day With Everyone!, was released on October 31, 2020.

Video game

A video game titled Nari Kids Park: HUG! PreCure, was released by Bandai Namco Entertainment for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on November 21, 2018.

Reception

Fans critically praised episode 19 for its message regarding gender stereotypes, and that children can become who they want to be regardless of their gender.
The film All Stars Memories topped Japanese box office records in its first release in theaters. It earned more than US$9.18 million in total ticket sales, and currently owns the Guinness World Record for "Most Magical Warriors in an Anime Film", with a total of 55 Cures.
Rina Honnizumi won the Best New Actress Award for her portrayal of Cure Ange at the 13th Seiyu Awards.
Cosplay marathoner Mitsunobu Saita ran in the 2018 Kobe Marathon as Cure Yell.