If you've already read my Cure Passion analysis, I think you can already tell my selection for my favorite character. However, that's boring to talk about her again, so I'll add my other top 5 characters alongside her.
5th favorite - Cure Fortune
Number one, fuck you if you're one of the people who horribly mischaracterize Iona as a narcissistic bitch towards Hime. I mean, can you imagine having your sister get kidnapped and have literal hell released upon the world because a child was fucking around? If you ask me, Iona is actually the most complex and well written character in this absolute dumpster fire of a season. She has very strong and real motivations as a PreCure, and learns to grow more fond of Hime, finding it in herself to let go of her grudge. I do think she's very overhated, for no good reason. Also voiced by queen Haruka Tomatsu, so that's a bonus.
First of all, Ako has to be up there for one of the most badass preteens ever! And just such a cutie :)). As much as I wish we got more of her, what we did see of her in Suite was pretty cool. The moral ambiguity in her character is done really well - being split between protecting a person you love that's doing misdeeds vs. saving the lives of many people and forcing yourself to fight against the one you love. That's a story beat I really hope PreCure explores more of someday, because it does make for some very interesting discussions. Again, my only complaint is that she was introduced way too late. An episode 36 debut is far too late of a debut for a midseason character.
3rd favorite - Cure Moonlight
The Heartcatch writers really did not do her justice with her backstory, she's really is just their punching bag lmao. Though seriously, I love Yuri so much. She is the perfect embodiment of guilt, and her arc about coming to terms with that guilt is excellently written. This is an excellent lesson to be teaching the audience as well - your guilt may always stick and linger around you, but you shouldn't let that hinder you from moving forward. Don't let it consume you: learn how to live with it and learn from those failures. As Yuri says herself:
"The cycle of sorrow can only be broken if you're willing to let go and move on."
This may be surprising, but I absolutely LOVE Karen. I have a bit of a soft spot since she was my first favorite character when I first got into PreCure. Her aloofness in her introduction episodes is something I relate to on a personal level, as well as her initial arc about failing to become a PreCure because of her mindset of doing everything by herself. She fails to become a PreCure at first because her desire to become one doesn't come from a place of genuine desire to protect those that are dear to her, but rather from a place of obligation. Of course she eventually learns that she doesn't have to handle things on her own, and joins as a PreCure. Most importantly, I love how her desire to care for other people manifests in her overall arc of finding her dream career as a doctor, which is very fitting as it's a career devoted to caring for other people and she's a very damn hard worker.
Also Karen is just super pretty. And smart. And badass! Seriously, I want to be like her <3
1st favorite - Cure Passion
Wow, who could've guessed? I don't want to spend too much time talking about her - if you want more of that, just read my Setsuna analysis. To summarize, her arc is just phenomenally done. Her redemption arc is done with such a delicate amount of care. There are so many layers to her character, making her equal parts tragic and complex, and I hesitate to use the word "flawless" to describe a character, but really, I can't think of anything about Setsuna I don't like. I love her so much, and I'm waiting for the day a character is able to top her.
You know now that I'm looking back on what I've just written, I just realized they're all from older PreCure seasons. I guess I've got a thing for them, huh?
