Kara Dennison
January 29, 2025 
Wonderful Precure!, the latest installment in Toei’s long-running magical girl franchise, came to an end this weekend. The series had a strong focus on pet care and friendship, as well as respect for animals in general. And while this wasn’t the first season to feature an animal transforming into a magical girl, it was the first with that transforming animal in the lead!
As we look ahead to next week’s You and Idol Precure, we’re also looking back on the wonderful adventures of Komugi, Iroha, and the other residents of Animal Town. Every season of Precure is special in its own way, but here are just a few reasons this season really shone!
More Than Just Cats and Dogs
The two animal stars of Wonderful Precure! were the papillon puppy Komugi and the elegant white cat Yuki. But cats and dogs weren’t the only animals to take center stage. Daifuku, Satoru’s beloved pet rabbit, got plenty of screentime. And even more pets, wild creatures, and other cared-for animals had their turn in the spotlight!
Each of the central cast’s classmates has extra appreciation for certain animals. Ookuma, for example, works on a farm and cares for her family’s cows. Kanie, as her name and crab-claw hairpieces suggest, adores her pet crabs. There’s also a whole episode about Chiran, a friend of Mayu’s, and her pet chinchilla. There are so many ways humans and animals can be friends, and the series takes time to consider as many as possible.
The Fights Aren’t “Fights”
It’s not uncommon for Precure and other magical girl shows to focus on healing rather than fighting. But Wonderful Precure! goes the extra mile, with the weekly “battles” being more akin to rescue missions. After all, the majority of the Garugaru they fight are actually wild animals who are out of their element. The Cures’ powers are largely defensive, allowing them to corral and approach the creature safely. Satoru’s knowledge of all sorts of animals helps them decide how to interact with each “monster.”
While the “mundane” act of each episode talks mostly about how we interact with pets, the “fight” segments represent the care needed when helping frightened wild animals. Even in the girls’ massive final battle, the goal is to protect, heal, and help the creatures get home.
Magical Boys!
Soaring Sky! Precure and the stage show Dancing Star Precure finally established that magical boys are here to stay. And it took pretty much all year, but Wonderful Precure! finally let Satoru and his pet rabbit Daifuku transform. These magical boy outfits appeared in the series’s feature film, but episodes 49 and 50 mark their first and only appearance in the show.
Precure has had a broad fanbase for nearly as long as it’s existed, and last year marked a major sea change. Prior to Soaring Sky! and Dancing Star, male Cures were a one-and-done conceit at best and a slapstick joke at worst. We’ve seen Satoru lament his inability to fight with his friends all season. And we’ve all felt like Daifuku was more than just your average bunny. So seeing them both get to join the fray, marking more magical boys in Precure, was a real treat.
All of Wonderful Precure! is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
