The 44th episode of Wonderful Precure!, the 21st series in the Precure franchise, titled "So Many Happy Memories," aired on December 8 on ABC TV and TV Asahi networks. The episode addressed the themes of pet mortality and the inevitability of death, prompting terms like “pet death” and “mortality issue” to trend on X (formerly Twitter), sparking significant reactions.

Episode Highlights

The story begins with Iroha (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki) and Komugi (voiced by Maria Naganawa) encountering Otsuru, who is out walking her dog Fuku in a stroller. Fuku, nearly 18 years old, is visibly elderly. Inspired by childhood memories of playing with Fuku, Iroha decides to celebrate Fuku’s birthday, enlisting the help of her friends Yuki (voiced by Satsumi Matsuda), Mayu (voiced by Reina Ueda), and Satoru.

During the preparations at Otsuru’s home, Iroha notices an old photograph of a younger Otsuru with another dog named Rin, who had passed away when Otsuru was in high school. Since Rin’s death, Otsuru had refrained from keeping pets until meeting Fuku 18 years ago. The episode poignantly depicts Fuku's final moments, as Otsuru bids farewell with Iroha and friends witnessing the emotional goodbye.

Addressing Pet Mortality

The episode acknowledges the natural lifespan of pets, noting that an 18-year-old small dog is equivalent to over 80 human years. It openly confronts the inevitability of death. Iroha appeals to Niko-sama to save Fuku, but Niko-sama gently reminds her, “Iroha, you already understand this,” urging her to accept the universal truth of mortality.

On social media, viewers reacted strongly to the episode. Terms like “pet death” and “mortality issue” trended, with comments such as:
“Fuku and Otsuru’s story... I can’t believe they tackled such a heavy theme of mortality and pet death on a Sunday morning show.”
“The depiction was so straightforward that even someone who isn’t directly involved, like Iroha, would feel this emotional.”

Praises and Reflections

While some viewers found the theme heavy, others praised the show for its honest portrayal:
“It was painful, but I’m glad they didn’t gloss over the reality of pet death.”
“It teaches us that life is precious because it’s finite. Even after a life ends, the memories remain.”

Others noted the importance of tackling such themes:
“Addressing pet death in a story like this feels necessary.”
“Although the translation and Niko-sama’s abilities are unrealistic, these elements were essential to depict the theme of pet death in Wonderful Precure!”

Comment from Producer Kanako Tada (ABC Animation)

“Welcoming animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds into our homes has become increasingly common. I consider my dog an irreplaceable partner. Despite the language barrier, there is an unspoken bond between animals and their owners.

In this series, the main character’s dog, Komugi, transforms into a human and communicates with her owner, Iroha, in human language, deepening their bond. However, in the real world, we cannot exchange words with animals, making us rely on imagination to understand their feelings.

This requires us to think deeply about what animals might feel, fostering empathy. This effort to understand and care for one another leads to compassion. What’s most important is not imposing our feelings but striving for mutual understanding.

While this story revolves around animals and humans, the same principles apply to human relationships. I hope viewers come away with a renewed appreciation for empathy and understanding. My wish is for everyone on Earth to experience “Wonderful” days filled with kindness and connection.”

Source : ORICON NEWS