Wonderful Pretty Cure!
Wonderful Pretty Cure! is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the twenty-first installment in the Pretty Cure franchise and its first entry with a title written in hiragana. It is directed by Masanori Sato and written by Yoshimi Narita, with character designs by Yoko Uchida and costume designs by NaSka. It began airing on all ANN stations in Japan from February 4, 2024, to January 26, 2025, succeeding Soaring Sky! Pretty Cures timeslot, and was succeeded by You and Idol Pretty Cure. The series' main theme is bonds and its main motifs are pets and animals in general.
Story
After the magical realm of Niko Garden is attacked, its animal inhabitants are corrupted and transformed into evil eggs. In Animal Town, where humans and animals live together, middle school student Iroha Inukai is walking her family's dog Komugi, who finds a stone-like object. When one of the eggs hatches into a mysterious monster called a Garugaru that begins rampaging, Komugi's desire to protect Iroha resonates with the Mirror Stone and causes the stone to transform into a Wonderful Pact, which grants her the power to become human and transform into a Pretty Cure. She purifies the Garugaru and returns it to its original form: a Niko Animal named Mey Mey. He tells her and Iroha what happened to Niko Garden and that they must purify the Garugaru and return them to Niko Garden. Together with Iroha, Yuki, and Mayu, Komugi works to save the Garugaru and Niko Garden.Later in the story, the Gaou-tachi, a pack of vengeful Japanese wolf spirits, are revealed to be responsible for attacking Niko Garden and transforming its inhabitants into Garugaru, as they seek revenge against humanity for causing their extinction.
Characters
Pretty Cures
;Komugi Inukai / Cure Wonderful;Iroha Inukai / Cure Friendy
;Yuki Nekoyashiki / Cure Nyammy
;Mayu Nekoyashiki / Cure Lillian
Pretty Cure Allies
;Daifuku Toyama;Satoru Toyama
Niko Garden
The Niko Garden is a magical realm where Niko Animals and Kirarin Animals live in peace. Prior to the events of the series, its ruler, Niko, created the realm and brought animals from Earth to live there happily. After Gaou attacked and damaged the Niko Diamond, he used its power to transform its inhabitants into Garugaru, whom the Pretty Cure must save.;Niko
;Mey Mey
;Niko Animals
Kirarin Animals
The Kirarin Animals are a special type of Niko Animal, which each grant a special ability to the Cures.;Kirarin Rabbit
;Kirarin Penguin
;Kirarin Lion
;Kirarin Bear
;Kirarin Fawn
;Kirarin Hamster
;Kirarin Fox
;Kirarin Panda
;Kirarin Swan
Gaou-tachi
Leader
;Gaou / SubaruGenerals
;Zakuro;Torame
Monsters
;Garugaru;Gaogaon
Cures' family members
;Youko Inukai;Tsuyoshi Inukai
;Sumire Nekoyashiki
;Takayuki Nekoyashiki
Animal Town residents
;Ema;Pon
;Inui
;Choco
;Mitsuko Okuma
;Nanami Kanie
;Youda, Torieda, Ushigome, Kamogawa, Takayama & Saruwatari
;Sho Ikari
;Kiyoshi Babazono
;Kitsunezaki & Tanukihara
;Karasuma
;Otsuru, Okame & Oshika
;Fuku
;Inuzuka
;Witt
;Mayor Washio
;Andy
;Keiichi
;Keiji
;Ayako Yuuki
;Kurihara
;Gaou
Others
;Yuma Chiran;Kotetsu
;Yuma's Mother
;Shinnosuke Nohara
;Shiro
;Buriburizaemon
;Sora Harewataru / Cure Sky
;Mashiro Nijigaoka / Cure Prism
;Tsubasa Yuunagi / Cure Wing
;Ageha Hijiri / Cure Butterfly
;Princess Elle / Cure Majesty
;Uta Sakura / Cure Idol
Movie characters
;Natsuki;Mujina
;Ponta & Pokota
Development
The series' trademark was first confirmed by Toei in November 2023, and the official website launched on November 30, 2023. The series was fully revealed on January 7, 2024, along with Toei announcing merchandise related to the series.The theme of animals was confirmed by ABC Animation producer Kanako Tada, who explained that "Nowadays, it has become common to bring various animals into our homes, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. For me, dogs are important companions. Irreplaceable animals that shower us with great love... Although they may not speak the same language, there is probably an indescribable bond between animals and their owners." He said the theme is also connected to the bond between humans and its pets as an animal becoming a Pretty Cure for the first time, stating "In this Pretty Cure series, the main character, the dog Komugi, changes into a human form, She speaks with its owner Iroha in human language. We will then communicate our feelings to each other and deepen our bond. However, in the real world, animals and humans cannot communicate with each other. Komugi's lines spoken in this work are beyond the realm of imagination. "This is what the dog is probably thinking." You may worry that this is just the human ego. However, precisely because we cannot communicate with each other, we need to think deeply about the feelings of animals. The important thing is to make an effort to get to know the other person. I believe that after that, "compassion" is born, wishing for the other person's happiness. The most important thing is to understand each other without imposing your feelings on others."
Maki Takahashi of Toei Animation said that the theme of bonds is important, as is the relationships between the main characters: "The theme of this work is the bond with animals. Think about someone important to you and act accordingly. The relationship of "family" and "best friends" is the same for both humans and animals. This idea is reflected in our catchphrase: to dream, never giving up, standing up on your own feet, sharing with your friends, believe in your friends, act for someone and thinking about someone. The power of the feelings depicted and connected in the history of Pretty Cure. Even if we look different, even if we don't speak the same language, if we have a caring heart, it will definitely reach our hearts. We will carefully depict such a "Pretty Cure" appearance through the bond with animals."
The lead characters' voice actors released statements discussing their roles. Maria Naganawa stated that "I never thought that I would become a Pretty Cure, so I felt like I couldn't believe it. Immediately after that, I burst into tears with so many emotions: happiness, desire to do my best, and gratitude." Atsumi Tanezaki, who previously voiced Puca in Pretty Cure All Stars F stated that "When it was decided that I would be appearing in the movie Pretty Cure All Stars F, I was very happy and honored to be able to work on Pretty Cure, but I never expected that I would be given this opportunity in the TV series as well. I watched many Pretty Cure characters in the movies, and felt the bond that everyone has created over the past year in each series, from the characters to the cast members. When I was recording for the movie, I couldn't see it with my eyes, but I could definitely feel it, and I was so jealous that I was so happy, and I thought, oh, I can do that too..."
Media
Anime
Wonderful Pretty Cure! aired from February 4, 2024, to January 26, 2025, on Japan's ANN stations, replacing Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure in its timeslot. Chihaya Yoshitake performs the opening theme, "Wonderful PreCure! Evolution!!". Moeha Nochimoto and Ami Ishii perform the first ending theme, "Fun Fun Wonderful Days!" and the second ending theme, "Happiness Evolution♡". Erika Fukasawa composes the series's music.Crunchyroll streamed the series with original Japanese audio and English subtitles.
Films
A movie based on the anime, Wonderful Pretty Cure! The Movie: A Grand Adventure in a Thrilling Game World!, was released in Japanese movie theaters on September 13, 2024. It features the Cures from Witchy Pretty Cure! and Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure.You and Idol Pretty Cure the Movie: For You! Our Kirakilala Concert!, was released on September 12, 2025.