Interest
Precure Anime Series Welcomes Its First Magical Boy
posted on by Kim Morrissy
Episode 42 of Hugtto! Precure, which premiered on Sunday, became the first episode in Precure's 15-year history to feature a magical boy. Titled "Ēru no Kōkan! Kore ga Watashi no Ōen da!!" (lit. 'Yell's Switch-Off! This is My Support!!'), the episode shows Henri Wakamiya, a male figure skater and model, becoming a Precure and defeating a classmate-turned-monster. After transforming for the first time, Henri receives an official Cure name "Cure Infini."
The Precure franchise has previously shown male characters in sidekick roles, but not as official Precures. Fans have been waiting for years to see a male Precure; an episode of Kirakira ☆ Precure a la Mode previously caused a stir among fans in November, when speculation spread that the first male Precure could be about to appear.
Viewers have been mostly surprised and delighted by the appearance of the first male Precure.
Henri had an earlier episode dedicated to his gender non-conformity, which also resonated with Japanese audiences. In episode 19, Henri is shown dressing as a girl and defends himself from a bully, saying, "I'll have the appearance that I myself want. People set limits in their own hearts. That's a waste of time and life."
Hugtto! Precure first premiered in February, and it airs on Japan's ABC, TV Asahi, and affiliated stations on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
