Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure
Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the twentieth installment in the Pretty Cure franchise and was released in commemoration of the franchise's 20th anniversary. Koji Ogawa serves as the series' chief director, with Ryunosuke Kingetsu as head writer, Atsushi Saitō as character designer, and Hajime Watanabe as sub-character designer. It began airing on all ANN stations in Japan from February 5, 2023, to January 28, 2024, succeeding Delicious Party Pretty Cure
Story
On the birthday of Ellee, the princess of Skyland, Sora Harewataru, a resident of Skyland, heads to the mainland for the celebration. Meanwhile, Empress Underg, the current leader of the Underg Empire, plots to sacrifice Ellee as revenge for her ancestor, Princess Elleelain, injuring her and killing her father, Emperor Underg, and out of fear she can oppose the Empire as Elleelain did during a war between Skyland and the Underg Empire. When one of the Empress's agents, Kabaton, attempts to kidnap Ellee, Sora intervenes and pursues him, only for her and Ellee to warp to Sorashido City on Earth, where middle school student Mashiro Nizigaoka and her grandmother, Yoyo, rescue them. Sora must return Ellee home while fighting the Underg Empire alongside Mashiro, Tsubasa, Ageha, and Ellee, who also become Pretty Cure.At the climax of the series, Skearhead, the right-hand man of Empress Underg, reveals himself to be the mastermind behind the war between Skyland and the Underg Empire and the one responsible for manipulating Empress Underg, having killed Emperor Underg and framed Elleelain by implanting false memories in her mind.
Characters
Main characters
;Sora Harewataru / Cure Sky / Dark Sky;Mashiro Nijigaoka / Cure Prism
;Tsubasa Yuunagi / Cure Wing
;Ageha Hijiri / Cure Butterfly
;Princess Ellee / Cure Majesty
Skyland
Skyland is a land in the sky where Sora and Tsubasa come from, which the King and Queen rule over. According to Yoyo, several years ago they and the Underg Empire were at war, and they have not been in contact since then.;Skyland King & Skyland Queen
;Princess Elleelain / Cure Noble / Morning Star
;Captain Shalala
;Ariri
;Beryberie
;Dragon Tribe
;Tasan
Underg Empire
The Underg Empire is the series' main antagonists, whose generals answer to Empress Underg. According to Yoyo, several years ago they and Skyland were at war, and they have not been in contact since. This is later revealed to be because Elleelain and Empress Underg helped to establish peace between the Empire and Skyland, which is broken after the Empire's attempt to kidnap Ellee for the sacrifice. Their goal initially is to kidnap Ellee and sacrifice her, as Empress Underg believes she is Elleelain from 300 years ago. However, after learning about Ellee's true power as Cure Majesty, they now aim to destroy her at all costs before she destroys them.Leader
;Empress Underg;Emperor Underg
;Skearhead
Generals
;Kabaton;Battamonder
;Minoton
Monsters
;RanborgCures' family members
;Remi Harewataru;Shido Harewataru
;Red Harewataru
;Yoyo Nijigaoka
;Akira Nijigaoka & Mahiru Nijigaoka
;Kakeru
;Puwa
;Maria Saotome & Kaguya Saotome
Sorashido City residents
;Midori Miyata;Ryota Miyata
;Takeru Osanai
;Takeru's Grandmother
;Natsumi
;Rena, Yuuki & Ryou
;Shoko Amano
;Shoko's Parents
;Kako
;Riho
;Satsuko
;Shiro
Sorashido Private Academy
;Osamu Zokibayashi;Tsumugi Nakata, Rui Yoshii & Asahi Karuizawa
;Tamaki Shinomiya
;Kaname Ōgi
Others
;Pinkton;Marron
Movie Characters
;Preme / Cure Supreme / Supreme / Supreme Beta;Puca / Cure Puca
;Arc
;Lesser Arc
Development
The series' trademark was first confirmed by Toei in November 2022, and the official website launched on the same date. On January 8, 2023, Toei revealed the main characters, three of the voice actors, and the series' setting and theme.Takashi Tanaka of the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation said the theme of "heroism" was to honor the series' twentieth anniversary, adding that "in the history of Pretty Cure, which evolves and expands in various ways, one thing has remained unchanged: the heroines who have paved difficult paths with their own hands, leading the way and encouraging others. I chose this theme with that thought in mind." He also said the following:
The main character, Sora, is a girl who yearns to be a hero. With the desire to become a hero, she pushes forward beyond the boundless blue sky. She grows up while discovering her identity as a "hero" by leaving the world where she was born and raised and meeting Mashiro and her many friends. Through her, I would like to carefully draw a Pretty Cure-like hero image. To dream, to never give up, to forgive others, to believe in friends, to be positive. Working hard, and sharing that moment...Series creator and producer Takashi Washio also stated in an interview the following regarding the series:
The Pretty Cure series, which started with Futari wa Pretty Cure in 2004, has reached its 20th work! I would like to thank all of you for your support that has made it possible for us to continue for such a long time. Thank you very much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Up until now, Pretty Cure has been based on many themes and motifs, but this time, the theme is "hero" and the motif is "sky". The endless "sky", a magnificent world that is clear, blue, and full of transparency. The main character of this work is a character that embodies the "sky" that you imagine."The voice actors for the main characters commented on their roles in the series. Akira Sekine said "I will cherish this baton that I received from all the seniors who were involved in Pretty Cure, and I will do my best to spread courage and energy to everyone together with Sora! I will!". Ai Kakuma, who voiced Rabirin in Healin' Good Pretty Cure, said "I was in charge of voicing Rabirin for Healin' Good Pretty Cure for a year, but all the time and experience I had with Pretty Cure became my treasure." Aoi Koga said on her role in the series: "Even before I became a voice actor, it was my dream and goal to appear in the Pretty Cure series, so I was incredibly happy. I couldn't calm down, thinking, 'Isn't this still a dream?' I was grateful to be able to be involved in a work I had dreamed of, and to be able to live in the world as Ellee-chan, and face each episode with care. I think so!" On February 2, the voice actors for both Cure Wing and Cure Butterfly were revealed in an official press release. Cure Butterfly was revealed as the first adult Pretty Cure, while Cure Wing was revealed as the first male Pretty Cure to be part of a main lineup. Washio stated in that press conference, when asked by a reporter, "I have said before that when the time comes, Pretty Cure does not have to be limited to women, and I think this may be the right time. This year is also our 20th anniversary year, and with everyone's cooperation, we decided to introduce a male Pretty Cure."
Media
Anime
Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure premiered on February 5, 2023, and airs on all ANN stations in Japan. Ami Ishii performs the series' opening theme "Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure ~Hero Girls~" and the ending theme "Hirogarhythm" along with Chihaya Yoshitake. Yoshitake performs the 2nd ending theme "Dear Shine Sky". Erika Fukasawa composes the music for the series.Crunchyroll streamed the series with original Japanese audio and English subtitles.
Films
A theatrical film titled Pretty Cure All Stars F was released in Japanese theaters on September 15, 2023 as part of the Pretty Cure All Stars series of films to commemorate the franchise's 20th anniversary. The film is directed by Yuta Tanaka and written by Jin Tanaka. Machico and Ami Ishii perform the film's opening theme, For "F". Chisato Yoshitake, Karin Isobe, Rie Kitagawa, Yuri Komagata, Machico, and Kanako Miyamoto perform the film's insert theme, "All for one Forever". Ikimonogakari performs the film's ending theme, "Ureshikute". It is currently the highest grossing Pretty Cure film to date, with its opening week earning ¥591 million and grossing a total of ¥1.19 billion at the Japanese box office with a total of 978,000 tickets sold.Wonderful Pretty Cure! The Movie: A Grand Adventure in a Thrilling Game World!, was released in Japanese movie theaters on September 13, 2024.
You and Idol Pretty Cure the Movie: For You! Our Kirakilala Concert!, was released on September 12, 2025.