Posted on 5 February 2012 with categories: Some Quick First Impressions

Smile Precure

Short Synopsis: Our lead character battles against evil bad guys who turn everyone emo.
Do you k now why I love Heartcatch Precure? It’s because it immediately was awesome. Just show someone the first episode, and it’s immediately clear that it is a major step above the others. I mean, I heard that Suite Precure got better as it went along and all. But does that really warrant having to sit through what could be 26 episodes of boring stories and the most moronic bad guy goons ever, just to get to there? And that brings us to Smile Precure. I’ve seen quite a few first Precure episodes over the years, and while this one was nowhere as good as the Heartcatch Precure opening, I still have to say that it makes for the second place here. It unfortunately has a lot of Precure cliches, and the chemistry between the five main characters still consists out of overacting and annoying cliches. But this episode had a great sense of energy. This episode was fun to watch because of that, and the direction was consistently sharp.The character designs unfortunately are generic, but the animation is very good as well, and the music again is of a very high quality here. The big task for the next episode is to give me a reason to continue watching: give me a reason to care about these characters and make them more than just the cliches that they seem to be at first.
OP: Catchy?
ED: Are they ever going to stop doing these godawful CG Precure EDs?
Potential: 70%

8 Responses

  1. mezzoguitar says:

    Freaking CG EDs. I wish Toei gave us something more like the Cardcaptor Sakura EDs. At least this one made an effort to look more 2D, unlike the creepy Heartcatch EDs.

    This show might be good. I loved Heartcatch so I might check this one out later this year or so.

  2. Kiseki says:

    Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star doesn’t start off well. Now go watch it for the Nadja-tier writing.

    What’s so bad about the Precure CGI (EDs) though? They’re not half-assed; money is put into them and they’re very well-done. I would even say they’re beautiful. They’ve come a long way since the Fresh EDs (even if the songs have deteriorated since then). Is it just a matter of taste?

    Smile started off okay. It feels very much like a mix of Yes! 5 and Heartcatch, but the interactions between the characters aren’t as fun to watch (yet, I suppose).

    I have a feeling Smile will remain fairly lighthearted though. The director of Suite did say they changed the story into something more hopeful after the earthquake happened…? :(

  3. Scamp says:

    Those Precure ED’s are the main reason to watch that franchise

    • jreding says:

      Seconded. I dropped Suite Precure after a few episodes but I still like to watch the awesome ED just for the eye candy!

  4. Nys says:

    I watched this episode and missed Heartcatch, but maybe that’s because there are some similarities beyond the norms of this franchise that reminded me of it. I do like the look of the characters, but where will they take their personalities? I hope the second episode evolves differently than what they revealed in the preview (as a joke, right?) ’cause it reminds me of Yes! Precure 5. I think Heartcatch and Suite had much better explanations for who becomes Precure, than just “Hey, friend, I happen to know…”

    • elior1 says:

      myuki just transferd she didnt know reika and other 2 before unlike yes where 2 of the cures know each other since childhood so in smile it not the “hey freind”

  5. passerby says:

    This series seems to be having a little fun with the typical precure cliches. Hence, why they’re all present, and sometimes exaggerated.
    It’s a good, light comedy though.

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  • dango
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 08:59 AM)
    watching shangri la now ^^
  • Kaiser Eoghan
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:47 AM)
    So Zatoichi next, then cold fish maybe, that one any good?
    Forgot to mention I’ve seen confessions, which is a great Japanese movie and a few Takeshi miike movies.
  • Kaiser Eoghan
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:31 AM)
    @Bagel:I was looking into that but like with Godzilla theres a bajillion movies of it, wasn’t too sure where to start.
  • Jalapeno Bagel
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:30 AM)
    not sure why that movie came to mind all of a sudden lol.
  • Jalapeno Bagel
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:29 AM)
    on the topic of movies, in terms of samurai films, i have to say zatoichi with kitano takeshi was excellent. that was some unique style it had going.
  • Kaiser Eoghan
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:25 AM)
    @Bagel:In terms of actresses for catwoman Michelle pfeifer> Hally Berry =D
  • Jalapeno Bagel
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:18 AM)
    @Kaiser you should watch catwoman =D.
  • Kaiser Eoghan
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:06 AM)
    @Armpit: =( Everybody blames the bagel, greatest scapegoat in all of history lol
  • Armpit
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 07:02 AM)
    I’m going to start recommending you shltty movies and describe them as awesome so you watch.Then Bagel can take thanks for that too :)
  • Kaiser Eoghan
    (Friday, May 18. 2012 06:51 AM)
    @Bagel:I’m kinda going against that a bit with apollon though most cause I’m not sure if the manga will get fully adapted for certain. Halfway through man from nowhere and I’m loving this movie thanks Bagel =D

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