Read the title to my post and you have just comprehended my core argument for this article. You are probably skeptical. "But it's a magical girl show!" "but I'm a manly man!" "But I only love moe moe wife-chans!" Allow me to back it up, won't you?
It Has a Solid Premise That Doesn't Falter After Three Episodes
Okay, there have been quite a few previous Pretty Cure seasons before this one, and so now they have the structure down pat. Every episode has it's own self-contained plotline and monster to overcome, as well as a distinct message and a small addition to the overarching plotline. In this case, some magical tree has died, and at the same time some assholes are running around stealing peoples hearts in order to wreck the world. It's pretty nuts. In each episode you are introduced to the dilemma of the week, see it escalate, watch a fight scene, and then the epilogue rolls. It also helps that the intentions of both the villains and the heroines is outright stated and acted upon from the very first episode, allowing you to get into the action right away. No filler bullshit here.
The Characters Are Awesome
Well written and lovingly crafted characters can make a premise come alive and this rule holds true for Heartcatch Precure, especially the main heroines. Sure, the side characters are forgettable, but they are side characters, geez. The villains, as usual for a Precure series, are awesome and a real treat to see in action with their quirky personalities. In particular you have Cure Dark, who is one of the most dangerous antagonists in the show and who, in a rare break from tradition, is a real credible threat to the main cast without a shadow of a doubt. Plus she looks badass.
The Animation Director of Heartcatch Precure Worked on Casshern SINS
Casshern SINS had amazing art direction and fight scenes. It appeared that the muted colours of the post apocalypse from SINS have caused Yoshihiko Umakoshi to rebel, making Heartcatch the most vibrant thing you will have seen for a long while. The colours are absurdly saturated, almost to a surreal degree that makes the magical girl premise almost seem normal when you look at the hyper colourful setting. Also, the fights own. They have since the first Precure series, mostly because they have a focus on physical attacks rather than just having dumb heroines yell "constipated moon shower beaaaaammmmuuuuuu~" and ending the fight after 4 seconds. There are still stock animation magical attacks, but only after a sweet-ass fight scene.
The Intro is Like a Drug
Seriously that thing is like crack or something, it's really hard to get out of your head after hearing it the first time.
[wpaudio url="http://www.fightbait.com/audio/heartcatch.mp3" text="Aya Ikeda - Alright! Heartcatch Precure!" dl="0"]
There is Fuck All Else to Watch
Have you seen the current anime season programming? It's looking pretty wretched from where I am standing, and even if you find a show or two to watch I am sure you animation hungry people have gaps in your viewing schedules. Do yourself a favour and watch this. It owns!
Podcast: Download
