The title of the 22nd installment of the popular TV anime 'Precure' series (ABC TV, TV Asahi, airing every Sunday at 8:30 AM) has been announced as 'You and Idol PreCure♪' (set to air in 2025). The inclusion of the "♪" symbol in the title marks the first time since the 8th installment, 'Suite Precure♪' (aired in 2011), that it has been used again after 14 years. Details about the characters, cast, and storyline will be revealed at a later date.

The 'Precure' series, which began in 2004 with 'Futari wa Pretty Cure' is currently airing its 21st installment, 'Wonderful Precure!' themed around "bonds with animals." The show features protagonist Iroha's pet dog, Komugi, who transforms, marking the series' first canine Precure, which has generated buzz. The emphasis on caring for pets also led to a collaboration with 'Crayon Shin-chan,' in which Iroha and Komugi appeared alongside Shin-chan and his dog Shiro, both transforming into Precures, making headlines.

In recent years, the 'Precure' series has focused on introducing many "firsts." The 20th installment, 'Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure,' featured the first protagonist with blue as their signature color, as well as the first male Precure and an adult female Precure. The 18th installment, 'Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure,' introduced the first mermaid Precure, while the 16th installment, 'Star☆Twinkle Precure,' introduced the first extraterrestrial Precure.

Toei Animation Executive Producer Takashi Washio, known as the "father of Precure" and involved in the launch of the first series 'Futari wa Pretty Cure,' shared his thoughts in a 2023 press interview. He revealed that he gets nervous each time a new series is about to air, admitting, "My legs start trembling! Right before it airs, I have dreams where I'm being scolded by the station's staff for low ratings—I've had such dreams many times." He added, "Sometimes I wonder in my dreams, 'Will it be okay this time?' The pressure is intense, and it's tough. But when I hear children or viewers say 'It was great,' I always feel it was worth it." He also confessed to watching each first episode with nervous excitement: "My hair has gone completely white. Twenty years ago, it was black..."

The upcoming series is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see what kind of Precure will appear next to surprise them.

Series List

2004 - 'Futari wa Precure'
2005 - 'Futari wa Precure Max Heart'
2006 - 'Futari wa Precure Splash☆Star'
2007 - 'Yes! Precure 5'
2008 - 'Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!'
2009 - 'Fresh Precure!'
2010 - 'Heartcatch Precure!'
2011 - 'Suite Precure♪'
2012 - 'Smile Precure!'
2013 - 'Doki Doki! Precure'
2014 - 'HappinessCharge Precure!'
2015 - 'Go! Princess Precure'
2016 - 'Maho Girls Precure!'
2017 - 'Kira Kira☆Precure a la Mode'
2018 - 'Hugtto! Precure'
2019 - 'Star☆Twinkle Precure'
2020 - 'Healin' Good❤Precure' (Note: ❤ = Heart Mark)
2021 - 'Tropical-Rouge! Precure'
2022 - 'Delicious Party❤Precure' (Note: ❤ = Heart Mark)
2023 - 'Hirogaru Sky! Precure'
2024 - 'Wonderful Precure!'
2025 - 'You and Idol PreCure♪'

Source : ORICON NEWS