Anime with Precure References
Anime
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/52818 <- PT2 HERE
As one of the most successful and long-running Magical Girl franchises out there, Pretty Cure has resulted in many references in other works, especially anime. List compiled by tvtropes, precure wiki and partially myself.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ReferencedBy/PrettyCure
https://prettycure.fandom.com/wiki/Pretty_Cure_in_other_media_and_references
As one of the most successful and long-running Magical Girl franchises out there, Pretty Cure has resulted in many references in other works, especially anime. List compiled by tvtropes, precure wiki and partially myself.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ReferencedBy/PrettyCure
https://prettycure.fandom.com/wiki/Pretty_Cure_in_other_media_and_references
Aho Girl
AHO-GIRL
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Aho Girl has a Pretty Cure parody called PreChure, which Yoshiko gets theatre tickets for that Akutsu puts aside his hatred of her for so his little sister Ruri can watch it. The characters on the screen are a duo with the same color scheme as Blossom and Marine from Heartcatch Pretty Cure. Funnily enough, Yoshiko’s voice actress Aoi Yūki is a big Pretty Cure fan and later became a Promoted Fangirl when she was cast as Cure Grace in Healin' Good ♡ Pretty Cure.
Animegataris
Anime-Gataris
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Anime-Gataris has the PreFae franchise as one of the many, many references to other properties.
TV, 2016,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The girls transform and fight in the style of Pretty Cure heroines. To drive the point home, they even called themselves "Pure Blade" and "Pure Barrier" (though the collector's book included in the Blu-ray limited edition explains that the girls' transformations actually have no names, and calling out "Pure Blade" and "Pure Barrier" was a one-time expression of enthusiasm caused by eating the Peppy Potato).
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Episode 3 of Gundam Build Fighters Battlelogue is just one big shout-out towards Pretty Cure.
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru
My Dress-Up Darling
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The Flower Princess Blaze!! anime that Marin watches is a pastiche of many Magical Girl Warrior shows, with references to specific Pretty Cure seasons. Blaze’s transformation pose and speech evoke that of Heartcatch Pretty Cure!, her scene where she talks about her dream of being a princess directly mirrors Haruka’s scene from episode 38 of Go! Princess Pretty Cure, and Gojo observes that it has more Good Old Fisticuffs than he expected of the genre. It’s also mentioned to have been produced by Toh-A Animation when he looks it up on Wikipedia.
Boku no Hero Academia 4th Season
My Hero Academia Season 4
TV, 2019,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the sixth episode of Season 4, one character buys a toy from an anime called Mo-retsu! Puriyua 10, a cross between Happiness Charge Pretty Cure! and Heartcatch Pretty Cure! with a similar Word Salad Title to Yes! Pretty Cure 5. (Series creator Kōhei Horikoshi is also a fan of Pretty Cure, and has drawn fanart of seasons such as Go! Princess Pretty Cure. Yoshihiko Umakoshi was chosen to design the anime adaptation specifically because Horikoshi enjoyed his work on HeartCatch and other shows.)
Oniichan wa Oshimai!
Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Episode 4 contains a magical girl show called "Magical Girl Nicolala", whose protagonist has a rabbit theme like Cure Whip in addition to resembling her.
ONA, 2008,
22 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The first episode of Penguin Musume opens with Sakura watching a spoof of Yes! Pretty Cure 5. Later on in the episode, when she is discussing her interests, she shows off a dress that resembles Cure White's, but with a gigantic rotary telephone on the hip instead of the cellphone carrier the real one has.
Pokemon Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
TV, 2016,
146 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In episode 113 of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Mallow, Lillie, and Lana have Transformation Sequences based off of a mix of Hug tto! Pretty Cure and KiraKira★Pretty Cure à la Mode, a team theme based on Fresh Pretty Cure!, and a beam finisher not too different from Pretty Cure Marble Screw. They even have some cute Pokémons acting as their fairies.
Kanojo, Okarishimasu
Rent-a-Girlfriend
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Sumi Sakurasawa from Rent-A-Girlfriend and her own spinoff Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend is shown to be a fan of a particular magical girl anime for kids, which is apparently a Pretty Cure pastiche given that the heroines are named Cure Evidence and Cure Alternative. She later attempts to see a Cure Cure movie in a theatre, and her inner monologue mentions that the seasons try out new ideas to stay fresh, with the recent Gold Cure Cure being focused on capitalism.
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei
TV, 2007,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
There's a Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei bit where characters turn into Lily Cure and Itoshiki is the Big Bad.
TV, 2009,
143 eps
Me:-
Author:-
An episode of Let's Go! Tamagotchi! has Chamametchi transforming into Super Chama Girl, who resembles Cure Dream. Coincidentally, Bandai made the toys for both franchises.
Gokushufudou
The Way of the Househusband
ONA, 2021,
5 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The eponymous househusband’s wife Miku is a fan of an in-universe anime called PoliCure, which is evidently a police-themed version of Pretty Cure, and owns a figurine of the heroine from a season specifically titled CrimeCatch PoliCure. For bonus points, the anime adaptation plays a Suspiciously Similar Song to the Heartcatch Pretty Cure! opening when the season is brought up.
Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Yumiko is a big fan of a long-running magical girl show and aspires to voice in it, claiming that people who get a role in this anime have basically made it. This is the same as Precure, female voice actors aspire to have the opportunity to voice a Cure.
TV, 2011,
60 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In its anime adaptation's 27th episode, Angelica creates a group called Fairies of Light 5, which is a direct reference to Yes! Pretty Cure 5.
Clannad Movie
Clannad The Motion Picture
Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
There is a scene in the film where character Sunohara Youhei is reading Pretty & cure magazine, which is a reference to Pretty Cure series. The film was also made by Toei Animation which produces Pretty Cure.
Eiyuu Kyoushitsu
Classroom for Heroes
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In episode 7, the girls are having a cake decorated with characters that resemble Cure Precious, Cure Spicy, Cure Yum-Yum, and the Energy Fairies from Delicious Party ♡ Pretty Cure.
Coincidentally, this episode aired a year after Delicious Party ended.
Coincidentally, this episode aired a year after Delicious Party ended.
Youjo Shachou
Cute Executive Officer
ONA, 2021,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
There is a reference to Pretty Cure when Mujina Najimu gives Suda Tanryusai a Trashy Cure figure.
TV, 2023,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:4
In episode 18, Yuuzuki asks her sister, Akari if she is watching Pretty Cure. Akari then proceeds to quickly browse other channels, declaring that she's too old to be watching the show. Yuuzuki comments that she doesn't care if Akari is actually watching it.
TV, 2020,
67 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In episode 55 of the Digimon Adventure reboot, Mimi and Lilymon quote Go! Princess Pretty Cure as the latter digivolves to Rosemon. This quote is used again in Digimon Ghost Game when Jellymon (who shares her voice actress with Haruno Haruka) digivolves into Thetismon.
TV, 2005,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
In one of the Doraemon episodes, which aired on January 18, 2008, several of the magical girls that were summoned by Nobita in said episode bear strong resemblance to the Yes! 5 Cures' color schemes, while also having elements of Sailor Moon and other magical girls.
TV, 2018,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the 20th episode of Duel Masters, some female characters are dressed similarly to Cure Whip, Cure Custard, and Cure Gelato from KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode.
Later in the 29th episode, two of the characters are cosplaying as PurinLove Purincure, which is a reference to Pretty Cure.
There is also another team of magical girl warriors that appears to reference Pretty Cure in Duel Masters VS R episode 45, with its red-colored leader having design cues from Cure Blossom.
Later in the 29th episode, two of the characters are cosplaying as PurinLove Purincure, which is a reference to Pretty Cure.
There is also another team of magical girl warriors that appears to reference Pretty Cure in Duel Masters VS R episode 45, with its red-colored leader having design cues from Cure Blossom.
TV, 2006,
201 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In Episode 105, DANZEN! Futari wa Pretty Cure can be heard playing at the end of the episode on Hijikata's cellphone.
Gi(a)rlish Number
Girlish Number
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the Girlish Number anime, there is a magical girl franchise named Pure Para, which is a reference to Pretty Cure. There is also a Pure Para sketch in one of the episodes, with the characters strongly resembling most Cures from Pretty Cure. Also in the episode, there is a Pure Para all stars movie script, which is a reference to the Pretty Cure All Stars movies.
TV, 2015,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The entire 12th episode of the series is a shout-out to Happiness Charge Pretty Cure! with their magical girl designs and names, which are mainly based on Cure Lovely. Even its episode title is named Magical Girl Lovely Hurt♥.
Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
Nyaruko: Crawling With Love!
TV, 2012,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
This series has a lot of Pretty Cure references in most episodes and OVAs:
- Nyaruko used Kise Yayoi / Cure Peace's catchphrase from Smile Pretty Cure! in episode 14.
- Some characters referenced lyrics from a few Pretty Cure songs.
- Yasaka Yoriko (Mahiro's mother) and Distone Luhy does almost every lead Cure's pose (Cure Lovely's pose was excluded) in the hot springs OVA.
- Nyaruko used Kise Yayoi / Cure Peace's catchphrase from Smile Pretty Cure! in episode 14.
- Some characters referenced lyrics from a few Pretty Cure songs.
- Yasaka Yoriko (Mahiro's mother) and Distone Luhy does almost every lead Cure's pose (Cure Lovely's pose was excluded) in the hot springs OVA.
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the 9th episode of the Umaru TV anime, while at the store Anumate where Sylphnford and UMR visit, Sylphnford points out one of the series Precura, which is a direct reference to Pretty Cure itself. Sylphnford also picks up a toy that resembles Cure Beat's Love Guitar Rod.
It is also revealed in both Umaru and its spin-off Himouto! Umaru-chan R that Precura is a popular anime franchise in its setting. Many of its characters' designs are also inspired by different Cures, such as Cure Miracle, Cure Magical, Cure Felice, Cure Bloom, Cure Egret, Cure Black, Cure White, and even Mofurun.
Also, Heartbeat Precura! is a reference to Heartcatch Pretty Cure!.
It is also revealed in both Umaru and its spin-off Himouto! Umaru-chan R that Precura is a popular anime franchise in its setting. Many of its characters' designs are also inspired by different Cures, such as Cure Miracle, Cure Magical, Cure Felice, Cure Bloom, Cure Egret, Cure Black, Cure White, and even Mofurun.
Also, Heartbeat Precura! is a reference to Heartcatch Pretty Cure!.
Hoozuki no Reitetsu
Hozuki's Coolheadedness
TV, 2014,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
There is a series within the anime titled Oni Sodoshi Chinese Angel, which is heavily inspired by Pretty Cure. The three female characters' designs are inspired by different Cures, such as Cure Aqua and Cure March.
100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru
I'm Standing on a Million Lives
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The anime characters that exists within the in-series anime Futari wa Majiha Knight Majiha Purple and Majiha Pink are a pair of magical girl sisters. Their designs are heavily based on the aesthetics of the Doki Doki! Pretty Cure members and also Cure Miracle and Cure Magical from Mahou Tsukai Pretty Cure!.
TV, 2012,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the second episode, when Kukuru is thinking about imaginary baby names, she considers the option "Pret Tycure", which has the letters rearranged. This is a direct reference to Pretty Cure itself, only with the name tweaked to avoid copyright issues.
Cure Dream is also referenced as a silhouette in this series
Cure Dream is also referenced as a silhouette in this series
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the first episode of the series's anime adaptation, Kakushi Goto is asked by someone to draw Poly Cure characters, which both name-wise and design-wise allude to Pretty Cure.
TV, 2016,
47 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the 16th episode of the anime, Shuu's rivals Ryuta and Michiko do a pose that referances the one of Misumi Nagisa and Yukishiro Honoka at the end of Futari wa Pretty Cure opening DANZEN! Futari wa Pretty Cure during their introduction.
In the 44th episode of the anime, Mirai and Amazing's transformation, which uses the dress Promin Fukumin, is also a reference to the Pretty Cure franchise. Mirai's magical girl form also foreshadows the introduction of the HUGtto! Pretty Cure character Aisaki Emiru's Cure alias Cure Macherie.
In the 44th episode of the anime, Mirai and Amazing's transformation, which uses the dress Promin Fukumin, is also a reference to the Pretty Cure franchise. Mirai's magical girl form also foreshadows the introduction of the HUGtto! Pretty Cure character Aisaki Emiru's Cure alias Cure Macherie.
Watashi ga Motete Dousunda
Kiss Him, Not Me!
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the eighth episode of Kiss Him, Not Me, a stage show referencing Pretty Cure by the name of Puri Puri Moon is played.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In its eighth episode, Yes! Pretty Cure 5 GoGo! is indirectly mentioned as Pretty Five GoGo when the group of protagonists are struggling on their unit naming.
Uramichi Oniisan
Life Lessons with Uramichi-Oniisan
TV, 2021,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the anime's 3rd episode, a little girl tells Uramichi that Usao said Uramichi can do anything, such as drawing KiraPure, which is a reference to Pretty Cure, precisely KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode name wise. Like Pretty Cure, it is a magical girl anime that airs on Sunday mornings. While Uramichi fails to draw the characters, Iketeru is able to fulfill the little girls' wishes on illustrating the characters Pure Pink and Pure Blue.
Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
TV, 2020,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Season 1 Episode 4: The Uncharted Path, Setsuna mentions a plot very similar to Doki Doki! Pretty Cure episode 21 to Rina, though the names are tweaked to avoid copyright issues.
Later in Season 2 Episode 5: Dreamland Is Now Open!↑↑（＊'▽'）, Doki Doki! Pretty Cure is again referenced, being the show that Setsuna mentioned in The Uncharted Path, which is revealed to be called "Galaxy Shojo Squad / Tokimeki Rainbow".
Later in Season 2 Episode 5: Dreamland Is Now Open!↑↑（＊'▽'）, Doki Doki! Pretty Cure is again referenced, being the show that Setsuna mentioned in The Uncharted Path, which is revealed to be called "Galaxy Shojo Squad / Tokimeki Rainbow".
TV, 2007,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the ghost story within Episode 6 about the bus driver singing without realizing there were passengers, the mentioned song is DANZEN! Futari wa Pretty Cure.
TV, 2009,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Mysterious figures who resemble Cure Peach, Cure Berry and Cure Pine appear in the last episode of the first season.
Masamune-kun no Revenge
Masamune-kun's Revenge
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In both the light novel and anime of Masamune-kun's Revenge, There is an anime called Hadapure. Also, Adagaki Aki was cosplaying as Yukishiro Honoka / Cure White from Futari wa Pretty Cure when she was going on her first date with Masamune Makabe.
TV, 2012,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In episode 3 of Medaka Box, Kurokami Medaka, the main protagonist, does a striking pose that resembles Cure White's from Futari wa Pretty Cure
Kyuujitsu no Warumono-san
Mr. Villain's Day Off
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the manga and anime, there is a magical girl anime called Magical Girl Angel Anima, which is a reference to Pretty Cure.
Natsu no Arashi!
Summer Storm!
TV, 2009,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In episode 5 of the second season, Sayaka cosplays as Cure Mint from Yes! Pretty Cure 5
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the anime, there is a magical girl anime titled Magical Girl Moon Ranger (Moon Rangers in episode 2 of season 1), which is a reference to Mahou Tsukai Pretty Cure!. The two female protagonists' witch theme and clothes seem to be based on Mirai and Riko's Magic School uniforms and Magic Brooms, and their clothes' color schemes are similar to Cure Black and Cure White's, while their rabbit mascots appear to be based on the fairies Kirarin and Pikario from KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode.
The reference itself even has songs and they have concerts where the voice actors perform for, which is a reference to Pretty Cure concert featuring the characters voice actors.
The reference itself even has songs and they have concerts where the voice actors perform for, which is a reference to Pretty Cure concert featuring the characters voice actors.
TV, 2012,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In Episode 8, when Araragi Koyomi is arguing with his sister Karen, he suddenly shouts, "I don't believe this!", which is the catchphrase of Misumi Nagisa, and his silhouette is also depicted as a Pretty Cure character from Futari wa Pretty Cure
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In Episode 6, when Natsumi tries bonding with Hotaru, she brings up the anime Pretty Cute which Hotaru also enjoys. They start chatting about the dialogues and the plot twist in the finale, though Hotaru adds that a new series Twinkle Sisters replaced it afterwards before starting to blabber more about this successor excitedly.
ONA, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the second episode of the Obey Me anime, a poster with characters resembling Pretty Cure characters can be seen on Leviathan's wall.
Ojarumaru
Prince Mackaroo
TV, 1998,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
In one of the Ojarumaru anime's episodes, Ono Komachi dresses up herself by giving herself a hairstyle that resembles Cure Grace's.
TV, 2013,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In the anime's 8th episode, Kanou Shinichi uses a fanbook called "Cure Kosette Punishment" to distract the palace guards in order to bring Petralka Anne Eldant III to the royal bath. The cover of this fanbook shows Cure Kosette, a reference of Cure Rosetta from Doki Doki! Pretty Cure.
Also in the anime's 10th episode, the scene of Petralka Anne Eldant III having a declaration and meeting up with Piece-chan references how Yotsuba Alice vows to protect her friends and then transforms into Cure Rosetta with Lance's help in Doki Doki! Pretty Cure episode 10. Petralka Anne Eldant III's magical girl transformation prior to her freaking out is also a direct reference to Cure Rosetta's transformation sequence.
Also in the anime's 10th episode, the scene of Petralka Anne Eldant III having a declaration and meeting up with Piece-chan references how Yotsuba Alice vows to protect her friends and then transforms into Cure Rosetta with Lance's help in Doki Doki! Pretty Cure episode 10. Petralka Anne Eldant III's magical girl transformation prior to her freaking out is also a direct reference to Cure Rosetta's transformation sequence.
TV, 2006,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:-
In one of its episodes, two girls, who ask for their photos being taken, are based on Cure Black and Cure White.
Rougo ni Sonaete Isekai de 8-manmai no Kinka wo Tamemasu
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The eighth episode of the anime directly references Futari wa Pretty Cure with two magical girls who resemble Cure Black and Cure White.
