CUREtto Case Open #2 — Cure Eclair VS. Usonoir, Arcana Shadow Secret Revealed?!
If you are interested, check the first part before moving on with this post. Keep in mind it contains spoilers up to episode 13 of TanPre.
The Veteran Precure from Makoto Mirai
There is only one veteran Precure that has been mentioned in the show. Still, the evidence points to two characters:
Cure Arcana Shadow declared the Detective Agency used to be hers. The fact that she owns a PreKit Gloss only solidifies her claim. However, Mikuru did not recognize her even though the newcomer seems to have made contact with the veteran Precure. As much as Cure Arcana Shadow could have changed forms, the latest developments draw attention to a different character just as mysterious.
Usonoir stated that the CUREtto Detective Agency intervened just as he was about to steal the Makoto Jewel. More specifically, he was interrupted by a blue beam of light, which reflected the image of a butterfly in his left eye. Earlier in the show, Mikuru mentioned a “pleasant smell” coming from the room previously occupied by the veteran Precure (seemingly referencing Cure Eclair’s “Scent of Truth” motif). Based on all this information, Cure Eclair is most likely the missing Precure from the CUREtto Detective Agency in Makoto Mirai as well as the one who confronted Usonoir.
Cure Eclair and Cure Arcana Shadow could have worked as a duo for the Detective Agency. If that is the case, then the London branch is currently concealing information from Jett, who is only aware of a single past Precure. The reason behind the lack of transparency could be either corrupted agenda or Cure Arcana Shadow purposely cleaning her records before leaving the agency.
Speculation concerning the altercation that resulted in the shattered Makoto Jewel:
When Usonoir arrived at the location where the Makoto Jewel was scheduled to appear, the representative of the Detective Agency in Makoto Mirai—Cure Eclair—came out to confront him.
Usonoir manipulated Eclair’s mind (similarly to what he did to the “Honey-Darling” couple in episode 13) so she would slowly lose access to her own powers. At that point, Cure Eclair realized she was about to be defeated in any case. In a desperate measure, she strikes the Makoto Jewel to pieces before Usonoir can get his hands on it.
It is interesting to note that Usonoir’s powers have a temporary effect, which means Cure Eclair should have returned to her senses as of now. For that reason, it is possible that Usonoir did more than only brainwashing, he also stole the token that comprises Cure Eclair’s identity and feelings: her personal Makoto Jewel.
Cure Eclair and Usonoir’s unresolved conflict might work as set-up for both of them to get back into action just in time for the July 1999 showdown. The parallel between both characters is highlighted through symbolic elements, drawing inspiration from the French Revolution Era designwise (Eclair’s Bergère hat and Usonoir’s 1700s-style peruque with side curls).
Luluka has things she must do
In episode 2, Jett said that “people can become Precures by materializing the Makoto Jewels within their hearts”. In other words, the transformation piece is inherent to each Precure and represents their feelings, rather than originating from physical objects. If Cure Eclair lost access to her Makoto Jewel, that could mean she lost who she is; that is, her memories.
The butterfly imagery represents a lingering soul waiting for rebirth. Even though Cure Eclair is still alive, she lost her deducing prowess, which is both the proof of human existence in modern philosophy and the Star Detectives’ power source in the show’s context.
Cure Arcana Shadow expressed interest in Pochitan’s power of transferring the Makoto Jewel’s fragments to a single location. Taking this into consideration, she might be trying to locate Cure Eclair’s Makoto Jewel.
The OP sequence features a brief moment in which Usonoir reaches out to Luluka with his hand Timestamp: 0:59. The cut suggests Luluka witnessed Cure Eclair being brainwashed; or perhaps, Luluka let Usonoir try to use his powers on her. The latter option would explain how she was able to infiltrate the Phantom Thieves’ Guild in order to get information on the prophecies and the whereabouts of Eclair’s Makoto Jewel. Luluka’s transition to her “Shadow Card” form and the “Reversed Major Arcana” reference may symbolize resisting change and defying the fate indicated by the Tome of Mirages—including Cure Eclair’s fate.
What are the Phantom Thieves afraid of?
The thieves were worried and even tried to stop Usonoir from leaving their headquarters when he was set to face the Precures. Their fear was justified since Usonoir proved to have enough power to destroy the world. In fact, Nijee says they need the fragments of the Makoto Jewel; otherwise, “the world will fall apart”.
The Phantom Thieves are willing to support Usonoir as he plans to envelop the world with lies, but they draw the line by the idea of the absolute doomsday. Above all, the fairies are implied to be from Earth instead of a magical dimension this time; and the generals were confirmed to be fairies, so it is reasonable if they worry about their homeland being destroyed. Apart from that, they possibly work with Usonoir because they believe his lies are the only hope in an apocalyptic scenario. Perhaps, the Phantom Thieves want the world to be saved, but at the same time, they want the world to be changed.
Each one of the generals might have made a request to Usonoir. Since their leader is capable of altering reality, they were presumably promised their wishes would be granted as the new “World of Lies” is shaped by Usonoir.
Goemon mocked the Precures and Jett, implying that “the CUREtto Detective Agency in London is keeping secrets from them”. On the face of it, the thieves were former members who left the Detective Agency for a specific reason, be it a disagreement or the discovery of dishonest behavior. Perhaps, the agency kept their knowledge concerning the end of the world hidden.
