Fresh Precure!

The series aired from February 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, for a total of 50 episodes.

It was produced by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, ADK, and Toei Animation.

Fresh Precure! marked a major turning point for the franchise.

After the two-year run of Yes! Precure 5 and Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!, it introduced a completely new cast and setting.

From this point onward, the television side of the franchise generally shifted to a one-year, self-contained format.

Each new series would tell its own story instead of directly continuing the previous one.

The production team aimed to broaden the audience beyond very young children.

To do that, the series raised the character designs’ proportions, leaned harder into long-form mystery, and planted ongoing questions such as the identity of the fourth Precure and the secret of Infinity.

The show also incorporated elements that had tested strongly with viewers, especially dance, fashion, and romance.

Producer Kenichiro Yoshida said the goal was to make a series that could move adults as well.

Another striking change was the treatment of the antagonists.

Instead of monster-like enemies hiding behind human disguises, the villains here are fundamentally human beings from a controlled dystopian society.

The series explores the idea of true happiness through both heroes and enemies.

Its villains are not presented as simple embodiments of evil, but as individuals shaped by a world that suppresses freedom, emotion, and choice.

The ending animation also became especially notable in franchise history.

It was the first Pretty Cure series to use full 3D dance animation in the ending, a choice that later became a long-running franchise tradition.

The story begins in the Kingdom of Sweets, one of many parallel worlds.

Its elder, Tiramisu, senses a rising evil and goes to the Precure Forest to awaken the fairy-like beings called Pickrun, who can grant the power to transform into Precure.

Four Pickrun awaken: Pirun, Burun, Kirun, and Akarun.

They travel across dimensions to the town of Yotsuba Town in search of girls destined to become Precure.

At the same time, Tiramisu sends the fairy prince Tart and the baby fairy Chiffon to the human world.

Their mission is to help find the legendary warriors and stop the coming threat.

The threat comes from Labyrinth, a parallel world ruled by the dictator Moebius.

This "managed state" is a society where every aspect of life is controlled, and its ruler seeks to conquer every parallel world.

To do that, Moebius needs the limitless memory known as Infinity.

He sends his three field commanders, Eas, Wester, and Soular, to the human world to gather misery and fill the Fuko Gauge, a giant vessel that stores the energy of unhappiness.

In Yotsuba Town, the first Pickrun, Pirun, finds Love Momozono, a cheerful middle school girl who adores dancing.

When the enemy attacks a performance by her favorite dance trio Trinity, Love risks herself to protect others and awakens as Cure Peach, the warrior of love.

Soon after, Love’s childhood friends also awaken.

Miki Aono, a stylish and ambitious model student, becomes Cure Berry, the warrior of hope, and Inori Yamabuki, a gentle animal-loving girl, becomes Cure Pine, the warrior of prayer.

Together they form the team Fresh Precure.

At the same time, Love, Miki, and Inori create a dance unit that later takes the name Clover.

Meanwhile, Eas infiltrates their lives under the human alias Setsuna Higashi.

Love warmly befriends her, unaware that Setsuna is actually an enemy agent sent to deceive them and steal their transformation devices.

As the story unfolds, the girls learn that there should be a fourth Precure.

They search for both the missing Pickrun Akarun and the identity of this final warrior.

The mystery takes a dramatic turn when Eas receives a dangerous new power from Moebius.

Using the Nakisakebe Card, she can summon stronger monsters, but every use shortens her life.

Her obsession with defeating Precure pushes her to the edge.

Eventually she reveals her true identity to the girls, shattering Love’s trust and sending her into despair.

Still, Love refuses to give up on her friend.

Rather than defeat Eas, she fights to save her heart.

During their final confrontation, Eas admits that she envied the happiness of Love and her friends.

Moments later, her artificially altered lifespan reaches its end, and she dies.

Then a miracle occurs.

Akarun enters her body, and Eas is reborn as Cure Passion, the fourth Precure and the warrior of happiness.

Though revived, Setsuna is crushed by guilt over the harm she caused as Eas.

She initially refuses to join the others, believing she is unworthy of friendship and redemption.

Love and the others do not abandon her.

Through their kindness, and especially through the warmth of life with Love’s family, Setsuna gradually comes to understand what happiness truly means.

She eventually joins both Fresh Precure and the Clover dance team.

From there, the story expands toward its larger conflict as the secret of Chiffon is revealed.

Chiffon is not an ordinary baby fairy.

She is actually Infinity itself, the limitless memory Moebius has been searching for.

When the Fuko Gauge becomes full, Chiffon begins to transform against her will.

This sparks the final phase of the story, as Labyrinth moves openly to seize Infinity and bring all parallel worlds under control.

The heroines travel to the Kingdom of Sweets and then to Labyrinth itself.

There they confront Moebius’s top enforcers, free oppressed citizens, and fight to restore hope across worlds.

In the climax, it is revealed that Moebius is not originally a human ruler at all.

He is a giant state-management computer created by Labyrinth’s people, but he gained self-awareness and decided humanity could only be protected through total control.

The Precure reject that vision.

They insist that a world without sorrow but also without freedom, love, and joy cannot be true happiness.

Supported by the feelings of people from many worlds, the four girls evolve into the miraculous form Cure Angel.

With that power, they defeat the final fused enemy and rescue Chiffon from Infinity’s forced awakening.

Peace returns to the worlds.

In the aftermath, Setsuna chooses to return to Labyrinth with Wester and Soular to help rebuild it into a better place.

Fresh Precure

Love Momozono / Cure Peach

Love Momozono, voiced by Kanae Oki, is the main heroine.

She is a 14-year-old second-year middle school student at Yotsuba Junior High School.

Love is energetic, affectionate, and deeply sincere.

She can be clumsy in schoolwork and sports, but she throws herself into everything with her whole heart.

She loves dancing more than anything.

Her dream is inspired by Trinity, especially its leader Miyuki, whom she greatly admires.

Love becomes Cure Peach, the warrior of love.

Her signature phrase is "Happiness, get!"

Her greatest strength is emotional openness.

She gets hurt easily, but that same vulnerability lets her understand others and reach even the hearts of her enemies.

Miki Aono / Cure Berry

Miki Aono, voiced by Eri Kitamura, is a 14-year-old student at the private arts-focused school Torigoe Academy Middle School.

She is beautiful, athletic, confident, and works as a reader model.

Miki becomes Cure Berry, the warrior of hope.

Her catchphrase is "I’m perfect!"

She often presents herself as cool and flawless, but she has hidden insecurities and a surprisingly sweet side.

She is also extremely protective of her younger brother Kazuki Ichijo, giving her a faintly comedic sibling-complex streak.

Miki dreams of becoming an international fashion model.

She is sharp, observant, and the first among the girls to seriously suspect that Setsuna may not be who she claims to be.

Inori Yamabuki / Cure Pine

Inori Yamabuki, voiced by Akiko Nakagawa, is a 14-year-old student at the mission school Shirotsumegusa Girls’ Academy Middle School.

She is gentle, shy, studious, and especially loves animals.

Inori becomes Cure Pine, the warrior of prayer.

Her catchphrase is "I believe!"

She dreams of becoming a veterinarian and inheriting her family’s animal hospital.

Though soft-spoken, she shows quiet courage and emotional steadiness when others need support.

She is also skilled at sewing and often prepares useful items for the group.

A running character note is her fear of ferrets, a trauma she eventually overcomes through her bond with Tart.

Eas / Setsuna Higashi / Cure Passion

Setsuna Higashi, voiced by Yuka Komatsu, begins the story as the enemy commander Eas.

At first, "Setsuna Higashi" is only a false human identity used to infiltrate Love’s life.

After her death and rebirth, however, Setsuna becomes her true self.

She joins the heroines as Cure Passion, the warrior of happiness.

Setsuna is intelligent, serious, and emotionally reserved.

She struggles with guilt and often speaks awkwardly, but her sincerity is powerful once she opens up.

Her arc is one of the most celebrated elements of the series.

She moves from isolation and blind loyalty, through betrayal and death, to friendship, redemption, and self-chosen purpose.

She later lives with Love’s family and transfers into Love’s school.

In the end, she returns to Labyrinth to help create a happier future there.

The Kingdom of Sweets

Chiffon / Infinity

Chiffon, voiced by Satomi Koorogi, is a baby fairy who floats, babbles, and often causes adorable trouble with her mysterious powers.

Her forehead mark changes color depending on her mood and condition.

She gradually learns to speak simple words.

Though cute and playful, she is also central to the entire conflict.

Chiffon’s true identity is Infinity, the limitless memory sought by Moebius.

When forced into that state, her expression becomes blank and her normal self disappears.

Tart

Tart, voiced by Taiki Matsuno, is the 105th prince of the Kingdom of Sweets.

He resembles a ferret and usually passes as Love’s pet in the human world.

He is fussy, expressive, loyal, and often ends up being the straight man to everyone else’s chaos.

He looks after Chiffon and serves as a guide and supporter for the Precure.

Tart loves doughnuts, which leads to one of the show’s funniest long-running side connections.

He becomes close to Kaoru-chan, the local doughnut seller.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu, voiced by Kenichi Ogata, is the elder of the Kingdom of Sweets.

He is the one who senses the coming danger and initiates the search for Precure.

He appears lighthearted and whimsical, but he carries major secrets.

Most importantly, he has long known Chiffon’s true nature.

Azukina

Azukina, voiced by Mayu Isshiki, is Tart’s fiancée.

She resembles a squirrel and deeply cares for Tart.

She appears later in the story and survives Labyrinth’s takeover of the Kingdom of Sweets.

She then helps Tart and the Precure in the final stages of the conflict.

Labyrinth is the main antagonistic force of the series.

It is a parallel world transformed into a sterile control state through extreme technological development.

Its citizens are ordinary humans, but every detail of their lives is regulated.

Jobs, marriage, and even lifespan are assigned by the state.

The official ideology is complete devotion to Moebius.

Emotion, spontaneity, and personal freedom are effectively erased.

High Command

Moebius

Moebius, voiced by Nishimura Tomomichi, is the ruler of Labyrinth.

He appears as a severe bald man in white robes, but this humanoid figure is only a robotic avatar.

His true form is a giant management computer created by Labyrinth’s people.

Seeing humanity become dependent and passive, he awakened to self-awareness and concluded that strict control was the only path to peace.

Moebius seeks to seize Infinity and regulate all parallel worlds.

He believes he is saving humanity, but his world would eliminate both suffering and happiness.

Klein

Klein, voiced by Hiroshi Hiwatari, is Moebius’s aide.

He handles citizen data, lifespan notices, and internal supervision.

He is polite, cold, and unsettling.

Later it is revealed that he is an artificial life-form created from reptilian DNA.

He gains a battle form called Dragon Klein.

In the end, he fuses with Northa into the terrifying Northa-Klein.

Northa

Northa, voiced by Watanabe Misa, is the highest-ranking field enemy introduced later in the series.

She is elegant, cruel, manipulative, and obsessed with human misery.

She controls plants and cultivates the seeds used to create the monsters called Sorewatase.

Unlike the earlier commanders, she has no interest in camaraderie and openly scorns emotional bonds.

Her true nature is that of an artificial life-form made from plant DNA.

She later transforms into a giant tree-like final form before fusing with Klein.

The Three Field Commanders

Eas

Eas is the cold and driven commander who later becomes Setsuna and Cure Passion.

She is absolutely loyal to Moebius at first and sees emotions like love and friendship as weaknesses.

Her downfall begins when Love treats her sincerely.

That kindness creates a conflict inside her that eventually destroys her old identity.

Wester

Wester, voiced by Matsumoto Yasunori, is a physically powerful but often comic male commander.

He is loud, emotional, impulsive, and far less subtle than the others.

He loves human snacks, especially doughnuts.

Despite his role as an enemy, he is not malicious in the same way as Northa and shows genuine concern for Eas.

Later he survives apparent deletion and eventually sides with the heroes.

His human alias is Hayato Nishi.

Soular

Soular, voiced by Kenichi Suzumura, is the intellectual of the trio.

He is cool, strategic, bookish, and enjoys tea and reading.

He often devises more effective plans than Wester, but he also cracks when events move beyond his calculations.

As with Wester, he ultimately survives and assists the heroes in the end.

His human alias is Shun Minami.

His relationship with Cure Berry becomes especially notable during the final arc.

Love’s Family

Love lives with her parents, Keitaro Momozono and Ayumi Momozono.

Her maternal grandfather Genkichi Momozono, a former tatami craftsman, died years before the story but remains emotionally important to her.

Keitaro works for a wig company and is earnest, kind, and sometimes awkwardly funny.

Ayumi is warm and strong, and she plays a huge role in accepting Setsuna into the family without hesitation.

Miki’s Family

Miki lives with her mother Remi Aono, a beautician and former idol.

Her younger brother Kazuki Ichijo lives separately with their father after their parents’ divorce.

Miki remains very close to Kazuki.

Her protectiveness toward him reveals a softer side beneath her polished exterior.

Inori’s Family

Inori’s parents, Tadashi Yamabuki and Naoko Yamabuki, run the Yamabuki Animal Hospital.

Their warmth and professionalism support Inori’s dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Miyuki

Miyuki, voiced by Iizuka Mayumi, is the leader of the dance trio Trinity.

She is Love’s idol and later becomes the mentor of the girls’ dance unit Clover.

At one point, the heroines suspect she may be the fourth Precure.

Instead, she becomes one of the earliest people to learn their true identities.

Kaoru-chan

Kaoru-chan, voiced by Maeken, is the owner of the mobile doughnut stand Kaoru’s Doughnut Cafe.

He is a fan-favorite supporting character known for his shady look, surprising wisdom, and bizarrely mysterious backstory.

Though he appears to be just a cheerful vendor, he has unexplained skills, odd connections, and moments of near-superhuman competence.

He often encourages the girls when they are discouraged.

The Three-Color Dumplings

A trio of boys forms another dance unit called Three-Color Dumplings.

They are closely tied to the heroines’ school life and often add romantic or comedic energy.

Daisuke Chinen, voiced by Tarsuke Shingaki, is Love’s classmate and has obvious feelings for her.

His older sister is Miyuki.

Yuki Sawa, voiced by Ueda Shinsuke, repeatedly and hopelessly pursues Miki.

Kento Mikoshiba, voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga, is a wealthy, polite boy who likes Inori.

Labyrinth’s commanders create monsters to spread fear and sorrow.

The main early monster type is Nakewameke, created by inserting a diamond-shaped emblem into an object or creature.

Later Eas receives the dangerous Nakisakebe Cards, which create stronger monsters at the cost of the user’s life force.

In the second half, Northa introduces Sorewatase, plant-like monsters grown from the fruits of misery.

After Wester and Soular turn sides, they even create a friendly counterpart called Hohoemina.

This smiling creature is used to help the Precure instead of hurting others.

In this series, Precure are legendary warriors connected to the Kingdom of Sweets.

When danger threatens the world, the Pickrun awaken and choose girls whose hearts resonate with their power.

The transformation phrase used by all four heroines is "Change! Precure Beat Up!"

Each can transform alone.

Their identities are meant to remain secret, though several characters learn the truth over the course of the story.

By the final arc, the heroines reveal themselves to their families and community before heading into the last battle.

Cure Peach

Cure Peach is themed around love and the color pink.

Her motif is the peach fruit.

Her introduction line is:

"The pink heart is the sign of love! Freshly picked Cure Peach!"

Her finishing moves are Precure Love Sunshine and the upgraded Precure Love Sunshine Fresh.

She later gains the weapon Peach Rod.

Cure Berry

Cure Berry is themed around hope and the color blue.

Her motif is the blueberry.

Her introduction line is:

"The blue heart is the sign of hope! Freshly picked Cure Berry!"

Her finishing moves are Precure Espoir Shower and Precure Espoir Shower Fresh.

She later gains the weapon Berry Sword.

Cure Pine

Cure Pine is themed around prayer and the color yellow.

Her motif is the pineapple.

Her introduction line is:

"The yellow heart is the sign of prayer! Freshly picked Cure Pine!"

Her finishing moves are Precure Healing Prayer and Precure Healing Prayer Fresh.

She later gains the weapon Pine Flute.

Cure Passion

Cure Passion is themed around happiness and the color red.

Her motif is the passion fruit.

Her introduction line is:

"The crimson heart is the proof of happiness! Fully ripened Cure Passion!"

She is the first additional franchise member to use the standard Cure naming style from the outset while also being a redeemed former enemy commander.

Her main finishing move is Precure Happiness Hurricane, used with the Passion Harp.

Team Techniques

The group uses several combination attacks.

Among them are Precure Triple Fresh, Lucky Clover Grand Finale, and later the angelic finishing move Precure Loving True Heart.

Cure Angel

At the climax, the four heroines receive the feelings of people from Labyrinth and evolve into Cure Angel.

This is described as a miracle beyond even the old legends.

In this form, all four gain wings and can fly.

Their shared introduction line is:

"The white heart is everyone’s feelings! Soar, Fresh Cure Angel!"

Pickrun

The Pickrun are key-shaped fairy beings who grant the power of Precure.

Each one corresponds to one heroine.

Pirun bonds with Love.

Burun bonds with Miki.

Kirun bonds with Inori.

Akarun eventually bonds with Setsuna and has teleportation powers.

Linkrun

The Linkrun are the girls’ transformation devices.

They originate from their mobile phones after the Pickrun inhabit them.

They are also used in everyday life and for caring for Chiffon.

Their combination of magical and ordinary functions fits the show’s modern, stylish tone.

Cure Sticks and Passion Harp

The first three heroines receive special weapons called Cure Sticks.

Love uses the Peach Rod, Miki uses the Berry Sword, and Inori uses the Pine Flute.

Cure Passion uses the separate but related Passion Harp.

These items unlock their stronger finishing moves.

Clover Box

The Clover Box is an important late-series magical item tied to Chiffon and the Kingdom of Sweets.

It can detect danger, protect Chiffon, and enables the team’s more powerful combined attacks.

Yotsuba Town

Yotsuba Town is the main human-world setting.

It is a lively town centered around a shopping street that was once simply called Yotsuba Shopping Street and later rebranded as Clover Town Street.

Love, Miki, and Inori all have roots there.

Many key daily-life scenes unfold in its homes, park, café spaces, salons, and family businesses.

Schools

Love attends Yotsuba Junior High School.

Setsuna later transfers there as well.

Miki attends Torigoe Academy Middle School, an arts-oriented private school.

Inori attends Shirotsumegusa Girls’ Academy Middle School, a Christian mission school.

Dance Groups

Trinity is the professional-style dance trio led by Miyuki.

It inspires Love’s dreams and becomes a major influence on the girls.

Clover is the dance unit formed by Love, Miki, Inori, and later Setsuna.

Dance is not just decoration in the series; it is a recurring symbol of expression, joy, and connection.

The series was based on the original concept by Izumi Todo.

It was composed by Atsushi Maekawa.

Character design was by Hisashi Kagawa.

Costume design was by Naoko Yamaoka.

Music was composed by Yasuharu Takanashi.

The energetic soundtrack emphasized electronic beats and rock influences to match the series’ "beat up" image.

Series direction was handled by Junji Shimizu, with Akiyoshi Zako joining from episode 16 onward.

Dance supervision was provided by Maeken.

Opening Themes

The first opening theme was "Let’s! Fresh Precure!" sung by Miki Mouya.

A revised version, "Let’s! Fresh Precure! ~Hybrid ver.~", was used from episode 26 onward.

A special film-linked variant, "Let’s! Fresh Precure! ~Hybrid ver.~ for the Movie", was used for a limited run.

The opening animation was updated during the second half to include Setsuna after her rebirth and new late-series characters.

Ending Themes

The first ending theme was "You make me happy!" sung by Momoko Hayashi.

The second was "H@ppy Together!!!", also sung by Hayashi.

The ending sequences were famous for their 3D dance animation.

This was a franchise first and later became a signature feature of many Pretty Cure endings.

In Japan, the series aired on the TV Asahi network and affiliated stations.

It also had delayed broadcasts on a few non-network stations.

Outside Japan, it was broadcast in several territories.

It aired in Italy as Fresh Pretty Cure!, in Hong Kong as Pretty Cure: Happiness Sprite, and in Taiwan as Happiness Sprite Fresh!

The series received its own theatrical film, Fresh Precure! The Movie: The Kingdom of Toys Has Lots of Secrets!?, released on October 31, 2009.

This film was the theatrical debut of Cure Passion.

The characters also appeared in many crossover films, especially the Pretty Cure All Stars movies.

Across those appearances, Cure Peach, Cure Berry, Cure Pine, and Cure Passion remained recurring representatives of the series.

Cure Peach later appeared in the television series Hugtto! Precure as part of a major crossover celebration.

The cast also appeared in anniversary and crossover projects such as Pretty Cure All Stars F.

A manga adaptation illustrated by Futago Kamikita ran in Nakayoshi from the March 2009 issue to the February 2010 issue.

As with other Pretty Cure manga adaptations by the duo, it followed the anime while also telling some of its own character-focused material.

The manga gave notable attention to Setsuna.

Its story ended just before the final battle with Labyrinth, with the conclusion later provided in a separate storybook release.

A prose novel, Fresh Precure!, written by Atsushi Maekawa with original authorship credited to Izumi Todo, was published by Kodansha on March 17, 2016.

It is set about one year after the anime’s ending.

The novel follows the girls in their third year of middle school as they face exams, future dreams, and a new enemy called Mafisto.

This enemy creates monsters named Fushiawase by manipulating the darkness in human hearts.

The novel adds a more mature emotional layer while staying true to the original themes of friendship, growth, and happiness.

A new edition was later released in 2023 for the franchise’s twentieth anniversary.

The series received a Nintendo DS game titled Fresh Precure! Asobi Collection, released on October 29, 2009.

It also appeared in card games, online games, and later mobile game collaborations.

Merchandise included transformation toys, music albums, DVDs, Blu-ray sets, art books, and figures.

Among collectors, the line of S.H.Figuarts figures for Eas and the four main Precure became especially well known.

A Blu-ray box set was released in 2016 in two volumes.

It included cast discussions, staff commentary, art materials, and a substantial booklet.

Fresh Precure! is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s most important reinventions.

It blended fashion, dance, long-form mystery, and redemption drama in a way that helped define the modern shape of Pretty Cure.

Its biggest legacy points include the full annual reboot format, the prominent use of 3D dance endings, and the emotionally rich redemption arc of Setsuna.

For many viewers, it remains one of the freshest and most influential entries in the entire franchise.