And here we are. Now that I'm at the end of my Precure marathon, here's my final ranking of all the Precure seasons.
Do I regret going through every single Precure season? Eh, not really? I will say that I got pretty burnt out near the end, especially with how uneven the seasons got, but at its peak, Precure gave me some of my new favorite seasons of anime. This series is funny, endearing, action-packed, wholesome, and surprisingly emotional at a lot of points. It gave us so many wonderful characters in its eclectic lineup of Cures, and the sheer amount of quality seasons we got after 19 years will never not be impressive. So without further ado, let's get the big one out of the way first. Here's my ranking of all of the Precure seasons so far:
1. Fresh Precure
Fresh Precure is by no means a perfect series. Chiffon's infinity shtick can get annoying near the end, and the final arc is both overlong and a tad rushed, but that doesn't really matter to me. No other Precure show lives in my head rent-free like this, I'm not nearly as attached to any other cast like I am the Fresh cast. Their chemistry is simply unparalleled, they feel like a family more than they do friends. And it's not just the main Cures, the side characters are phenomenal too. Tarte is the best fairy in the series, Ayumi is the best mom, Westar and Soular are awesome antagonists, Kaoru-chan is peak comic relief, Miyuki is an amazing mentor, I love all of these dorks. The balance between plot and slice of life is also perfect, the standalone episodes are some of the most inventive and memorable in the franchise and the plot-driven ones are some of the most intense and emotional. The animation while simple is incredibly expressive and effective, and the soundtrack is Top 3 in the franchise for me. And of course, there's Cure Passion herself, my new favorite character of all time. Setsuna's arc is a high mark in the franchise, one of the best redemption arcs I've seen, and an affecting and beautiful story of found family. GoPri may be better written, but Fresh Precure flat-out made me tear up. That's how I know it's an all-timer.
2. Precure Splash Star
Once you get past that first episode, Splash Star quickly evolves into a wonderfully cozy and wholesome show that fixes pretty much all of Futari's issues, boasts a top-tier lineup of villains, introduces the first of many fantastic redemption arcs, has one of my favorite settings, and ends on hands down the best final arc in the entire franchise.
Once you get past that first episode, Splash Star quickly evolves into a wonderfully cozy and wholesome show that fixes pretty much all of Futari's issues, boasts a top-tier lineup of villains, introduces the first of many fantastic redemption arcs, has one of my favorite settings, and ends on hands down the best final arc in the entire franchise.
3. Go Princess Precure
Go Princess Precure just does everything right. The cast is fantastic across the board, with developed and likable Cures, fun side characters, intimidating villains, and even an enjoyable roster of fairies. The plot is engaging and tackles the princess theme in some really fascinating ways, the action and animation is on another level, and the final stretch is just plain masterful. Go Princess is the arguably best Precure season... but it's not my favorite.
Go Princess Precure just does everything right. The cast is fantastic across the board, with developed and likable Cures, fun side characters, intimidating villains, and even an enjoyable roster of fairies. The plot is engaging and tackles the princess theme in some really fascinating ways, the action and animation is on another level, and the final stretch is just plain masterful. Go Princess is the arguably best Precure season... but it's not my favorite.
4. Heartcatch Precure
Yeah, probably the biggest shift in my rankings. I need to apologize to Heartcatch Precure. I was riding off of the high of Fresh and its slow burn approach was not really what I wanted at the time, and it wasn't until that amazing final arc when I really got into Heartcatch's groove. So I felt it was only right that I gave it another chance and, man, I was way too harsh. It may be a bit of a slow burn, but the pay-offs truly make all of it worth it, even the victim of the week structure I used to keep trashing. Heartcatch has one of the best and carefully-crafted plots in the series, with a strong cast, interesting lore, an incredible final arc, and of course, the best artstyle in the series. It's very different from the other Precure shows, but in such a large franchise, that's by no means a bad thing.
Yeah, probably the biggest shift in my rankings. I need to apologize to Heartcatch Precure. I was riding off of the high of Fresh and its slow burn approach was not really what I wanted at the time, and it wasn't until that amazing final arc when I really got into Heartcatch's groove. So I felt it was only right that I gave it another chance and, man, I was way too harsh. It may be a bit of a slow burn, but the pay-offs truly make all of it worth it, even the victim of the week structure I used to keep trashing. Heartcatch has one of the best and carefully-crafted plots in the series, with a strong cast, interesting lore, an incredible final arc, and of course, the best artstyle in the series. It's very different from the other Precure shows, but in such a large franchise, that's by no means a bad thing.
5. Kira Kira Precure A La Mode
The importance fans give the fights means there are a lot of great seasons that just don't get the praise they deserve, but Kira Kira gets it the worst, which is a damn shame considering how much it nails. Kira Kira is one of the most successful slice of life Precure seasons, with a colorful and lovable cast of characters with strong chemistry and incredibly mature and compelling arcs. On top of that, the presentation is phenomenal, with a clean-looking artstyle, fun direction, and banger vocal tracks.
The importance fans give the fights means there are a lot of great seasons that just don't get the praise they deserve, but Kira Kira gets it the worst, which is a damn shame considering how much it nails. Kira Kira is one of the most successful slice of life Precure seasons, with a colorful and lovable cast of characters with strong chemistry and incredibly mature and compelling arcs. On top of that, the presentation is phenomenal, with a clean-looking artstyle, fun direction, and banger vocal tracks.
6. Tropical Rouge Precure
As far as the comedy-focused Precure seasons go, Tropical Rouge is hands down the best. The central premise of the Tropical Club going around and helping people is so solid and leads to a wide variety of hilarious episodes, only aided further by the strong cast, lively animation, and chaotic vibe.
As far as the comedy-focused Precure seasons go, Tropical Rouge is hands down the best. The central premise of the Tropical Club going around and helping people is so solid and leads to a wide variety of hilarious episodes, only aided further by the strong cast, lively animation, and chaotic vibe.
7. Suite Precure
Suite isn't a super ambitious or memorable Precure series, but it's an incredibly consistent and solid one, with an intriguing plot, strong world-building, solid pacing, and a great sense of fun throughout. From Hibiki and Kanade's bickering, to Hummy and Siren's past, to the mystery of Cure Muse, Suite's ideas all worked for me, even if they may not have for everyone.
8. Doki Doki Precure
You might be surprised to see this one so high given all my criticism for the season in my review, but I don't know, I feel like I can't help but look back on this one super fondly. It's got a great plot, strong cast, some of the best comedic writing in the franchise, memorable standalones, stellar production values, underrated action, and a godly soundtrack. Cure Ace and Regina had pretty notoriously botched introductions for sure, but I did come around to both characters by the end, and it all feels purposeful in hindsight. As I said, this is the Sailor Moon R of Precure, a season that makes a rough first impression but I believe has aged gracefully the more I think about it.
You might be surprised to see this one so high given all my criticism for the season in my review, but I don't know, I feel like I can't help but look back on this one super fondly. It's got a great plot, strong cast, some of the best comedic writing in the franchise, memorable standalones, stellar production values, underrated action, and a godly soundtrack. Cure Ace and Regina had pretty notoriously botched introductions for sure, but I did come around to both characters by the end, and it all feels purposeful in hindsight. As I said, this is the Sailor Moon R of Precure, a season that makes a rough first impression but I believe has aged gracefully the more I think about it.
9. Smile Precure
While Smile's plot isn't all that great, the strong characters and many iconic standalone episodes really shine through for me, and the arc resolutions near the end really bring it all home. When this season is at its peak, it goes ridiculously hard. There's just something so comfy and reliable about this one, it may stumble along the way but tune into any episode of Smile and you'll have a good time.
While Smile's plot isn't all that great, the strong characters and many iconic standalone episodes really shine through for me, and the arc resolutions near the end really bring it all home. When this season is at its peak, it goes ridiculously hard. There's just something so comfy and reliable about this one, it may stumble along the way but tune into any episode of Smile and you'll have a good time.
10. Happiness Charge Precure
While Happiness Charge bit off way more than it could chew and definitely could've executed its romance elements better, the strong ideas at its core shine through. And even still, HapCha is a damn solid Precure show with a fun plot, stellar cast, strong humor, and hands down one of the best characters and arcs in the entire franchise.
While Happiness Charge bit off way more than it could chew and definitely could've executed its romance elements better, the strong ideas at its core shine through. And even still, HapCha is a damn solid Precure show with a fun plot, stellar cast, strong humor, and hands down one of the best characters and arcs in the entire franchise.
11. Futari Wa Precure
Futari is a classic through and through. Nagisa and Honoka are still an incredibly reliable pairing, the action is still some of the finest (and I forgot how shockingly violent it gets at points), and the urban setting is super memorable. However, the first half is way better than the second half due to its weaker villains, even if the final stretch does pack in some of the show's best episodes.
Futari is a classic through and through. Nagisa and Honoka are still an incredibly reliable pairing, the action is still some of the finest (and I forgot how shockingly violent it gets at points), and the urban setting is super memorable. However, the first half is way better than the second half due to its weaker villains, even if the final stretch does pack in some of the show's best episodes.
12. Healin Good Precure
Healin Good was the simple, back to basics show that I really needed after Hugtto and Star Twinkle. The grounded character writing is really thoughtful and well-executed, especially when it comes to Nodoka, and the villains while simple are very intimidating. If the pandemic hadn't cut it short and with a few more inventive one-offs, this definitely could've been a Top 10 contender.
Healin Good was the simple, back to basics show that I really needed after Hugtto and Star Twinkle. The grounded character writing is really thoughtful and well-executed, especially when it comes to Nodoka, and the villains while simple are very intimidating. If the pandemic hadn't cut it short and with a few more inventive one-offs, this definitely could've been a Top 10 contender.
13. Hugtto Precure
Hugtto is a very ambitious show that isn't quite able to pull off everything it's going for and drops the ball around the end, but much of its dramatic elements still work, and Emiru and Ruru's arc is still two of the best things this series has ever done, at least while it lasts.
Hugtto is a very ambitious show that isn't quite able to pull off everything it's going for and drops the ball around the end, but much of its dramatic elements still work, and Emiru and Ruru's arc is still two of the best things this series has ever done, at least while it lasts.
14. Yes Precure 5
For the most part, Yes 5 is as middle-of-the-road of a Precure show as it gets. It's got alright character development and a solid cast that's fun to hang out with, but it never really blew me away. It's just consistently solid from start to finish.
15. Maho Girls Precure
With a weak and minimal plot, awful villains, and poor action, Maho Girls is definitely a bit of a disappointment and a waste of its unique magical setting. However, it does have a stellar cast, and once the season grew into itself as a magical family-centric slice of life, it managed to be equal parts wholesome, charming, and genuinely heart-wrenching.
With a weak and minimal plot, awful villains, and poor action, Maho Girls is definitely a bit of a disappointment and a waste of its unique magical setting. However, it does have a stellar cast, and once the season grew into itself as a magical family-centric slice of life, it managed to be equal parts wholesome, charming, and genuinely heart-wrenching.
16. Yes Precure 5 Gogo
Gogo is a very uneven show. It's highs are remarkably high, and it's lows are incredibly low. The villains are alright, but the plot as a whole is incoherent. The characters lack any sort of arcs or development, but they're still a ton of fun to hang out with. It feels just as unnecessary as Max Heart, but at least it still has a beating heart to it, and it's so off the wall at points that it never gets boring.
Gogo is a very uneven show. It's highs are remarkably high, and it's lows are incredibly low. The villains are alright, but the plot as a whole is incoherent. The characters lack any sort of arcs or development, but they're still a ton of fun to hang out with. It feels just as unnecessary as Max Heart, but at least it still has a beating heart to it, and it's so off the wall at points that it never gets boring.
17. Star Twinkle Precure
The first of three Precure seasons I actively didn't like. Star Twinkle wasn't just boring, it straight-up angered me in ways no other Precure show did. Despite an awesome space aesthetic, some good characters, and a potentially strong core message, Star Twinkle wastes half its cast in exchange for the dull Hikaru, has some of the worst fight scenes in the franchise, morally simplifies all of its conflicts, and absolutely botches Yuni's arc in some truly regressive ways.
The first of three Precure seasons I actively didn't like. Star Twinkle wasn't just boring, it straight-up angered me in ways no other Precure show did. Despite an awesome space aesthetic, some good characters, and a potentially strong core message, Star Twinkle wastes half its cast in exchange for the dull Hikaru, has some of the worst fight scenes in the franchise, morally simplifies all of its conflicts, and absolutely botches Yuni's arc in some truly regressive ways.
18. Futari Wa Precure Max Heart
Genuinely awful. So bad that I almost quit and didn't get to all the good shows that came after it. The new characters are boring, the pre-existing characters lacked any semblance of personality, the plot is aimless and a waste of potential, and episodes often lack any sort of conflict. The finale was good, but otherwise, this is a truly soulless piece of media.
Genuinely awful. So bad that I almost quit and didn't get to all the good shows that came after it. The new characters are boring, the pre-existing characters lacked any semblance of personality, the plot is aimless and a waste of potential, and episodes often lack any sort of conflict. The finale was good, but otherwise, this is a truly soulless piece of media.
19. Delicious Party Precure
And somehow, neither of those seasons can match the one Precure season I just straight-up couldn't finish. The plot was sluggish, the theme was poorly utilized, the characters were dull, the comedy barely landed, the fight scenes were repetitive, this is a tired season that I had no willingness to slog through after haven't watching 18 seasons of Precure by this point.
And somehow, neither of those seasons can match the one Precure season I just straight-up couldn't finish. The plot was sluggish, the theme was poorly utilized, the characters were dull, the comedy barely landed, the fight scenes were repetitive, this is a tired season that I had no willingness to slog through after haven't watching 18 seasons of Precure by this point.
Now let's rank some of the other stuff. Here's my Top 10 Precure midseason and finale arcs:
- The Man Behind Dark Fall (Splash Star Finale)
- Cure Passion (Fresh Mid-Season)
- Dune & Yuri's Family (Heartcatch Finale)
- Noble Academy War (Go Princess Finale)
- Emiru & Ruru (Hugtto Mid-Season)
- Michiru & Kaoru (Splash Star Mid-Season)
- Cure Beat (Suite Mid-Season)
- Cure Scarlet (Go Princess Mid-Season)
- Two Worlds (Maho Girls Finale)
- Vs Noise (Suite Finale)
Here's my Top 10 favorite fight scenes:
- Cures Vs Goyan (Splash Star 49/50)
- The Entire Final Arc (Heartcatch)
- Cure Beauty vs Joker (Smile 43)
- Flora Vs Close (GoPri 50)
- Cure Lovely Vs Mirage (HapCha 43)
- Alice Vs Helicopter (DokiDoki 33)
- Hana's run (Hugtto 4)
- Nagisa & Honoka Vs Seeds Of Darkness (FwPC 42)
- All of Episode 29 (Tropical Rouge)
- Cure Peach Vs Eas (Fresh 23)
Here's my Top 10 Precure OPs:
- Alright Heartcatch Pretty Cure (Heartcatch)
- Shine! KiraKira Pretty Cure A La Mode (Kira Kira)
- Leave It To Us Splash Star (Splash Star)
- Miracle Go Princess Pretty Cure (Go Princess)
- Let's Go Smile Pretty Cure (Smile Precure)
- Danzen Futari Wa Precure (FwPC)
- Sparkle Star Twinkle Pretty Cure (Star Twinkle Precure)
- Pretty Cure 5, Full Throttle Go Go (Gogo)
- La La La Suite Pretty Cure (Suite)
- Happiness Charge Pretty Cure Wow (HapCha)
Here's my Top 10 Precure EDs:
- Shubidubi Sweets Time (Kira Kira)
- Hope Rainbow (Suite)
- You Make Me Happy (Fresh)
- Love Link (Doki Doki)
- Ganbalance De Dance (Splash Star)
- Get You Love Love (FwPC)
- Beyond The Sky (Doki Doki)
- Dreaming Princess Pretty Cure (GoPri)
- Ganbalance De Dance (Gogo)
- Let's La Cookin Showtime (Kira Kira)
Here's my Top 10 Precure scores in general:
- Doki Doki Precure
- Splash Star Precure
- Fresh Precure
- Heartcatch Precure
- Healin Good Precure
- Go Princess Precure
- Happiness Charge Precure
- Futari Wa Precure
- Suite Precure
- Tropical Rouge Precure
And finally, here's my Top 10 Cures:
- Cure Passion/Setsuna (Fresh) - Are you really surprised?
- Cure Princess/Hime (Happiness Charge) - Hime carried this show hard. She's the first non-pink Cure to be the main focus for at least part of the show, her character arc is stellar, she's absolutely hysterical, and her social anxiety is incredibly relatable.
- Cure Grace/Nodoka (Healin Good) - Already the best pink Cure for her kind and genuine personality and great character arc, but only solidified it when she killed Dariuzen. Also, she's Madoka.
- Cure La Mer/Laura (Tropical Rouge) - Consistently a joy to watch, great character arc and every single one of her expressions is utter gold.
- Cure Macherie/Emiru & Cure Amour/Ruru (Hugtto) - So lovable and fun that they single-handedly carried Hugtto, great characters on their own and even better together.
- Cure Marine/Erika (Heartcatch) - Such a fun and charismatic gremlin, and a very flashy fighter, she could carry a show all on her own.
- Cure Flora/Haruka (Go Princess) - Easily the most developed and engaging pink Cure in the franchise, her sheer determination is incredibly admirable.
- Cure Moonlight/Yuri (Heartcatch) - One of the best character designs in the series, and such a compellingly tragic Cure.
- Cure Rosetta/Alice (Doki Doki) - Literally just Cure Batman. She's got a great fighting style, and her arc is really cool.
- Cure Flamingo/Asuka (Tropical Rouge) - Badass design that rivals Yuri, great subplot, and an absolute MOOD. She also resembles one of my own characters to a tee, so I do also have that bias.
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