#cherry miel

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Christmas poster from the December 1989 issue of Club Dorothée magazine. Featuring characters from Dragon Ball, Lady Georgie, Saint Seiya, Maison Ikkoku, Cutie Honey, Mahou no Mako-chan, Yume no Senshi Wingman, Urusei Yatsura, Hokuto no Ken, and High School! Kimengumi.

I came across this on eBay and just had to have it. It's so rare to see French Cutie Honey merchandise!

Scanned and edited by me. Please do not repost without my permission.

[kawaruwayo]

[majokkoradio]

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“Cherry Miel” - Cutey Honey - French Dub Opening

French Air Date: August 31, 1988

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Cherry Miel (Part 1)

In 1988, Cutie Honey was dubbed in French under the title “Cherry Miel.” All of the episodes were translated and have aired a handful of times over the years. Since only three episodes were officially released on VHS, this dub has become pretty rare over time. My good friend Constantine Riviere recently got a hold of the entire dub and shared some interesting details. Below I’ll list changes made for the French adaptation.

Names Changes

Honey Kisaragi/Cutie Honey = Cherry Miel*

* Her individual transformations do not have their own specific names (ex: Misty Honey, Fancy Honey). Instead she is always referred to as “Cherry Miel.” 

Dr. Takeshi Kisaragi = Professeur Kisagari

Seiji Hayami = Serge Tatami

Danbei Hayami = Dan Tatami, Monsieur Dan, Monsieur Tatami

Junpei Hayami = John Tatami, Junior

Natsuko Aki  = Nathalie

Alphonne Louis Steinbeck III = Alphonsine Louise Caraboeuf III, Mademoiselle Alphonne

Miharu Tsuneni = Mademoiselle Adolphe, Hystler

Principal Pochi = N/A

Naojiro Hayami = Neveu de M. Tatami (Mr. Tatami’s Nephew), Neveu Tatami (Nephew Tatami), Tatami

Goemon = Monsieur Goemon

Prinicpal = Le principal

Atmospheric Element Condenser = Catalyseur Multiplicateur (Multiplying Catalyst)

Panther Claw = Panthera, Panthere, la horde des Panthères Griffes (The hordes of Panther Claws), Panther Griffe (Panther Claw), Panthere Grise (Panther Grey)

Panther Zora = Panthère Zora

Sister Jill = Drastyca, Panthère Drastyca, Gil

Panthers = Panthères grises (Panther Greys)

The French dub is almost completely uncensored. The only real cuts were the episode title cards and eye catches. However, as the case with most French dubs, the production was rushed and the scripts had a lot of strange mistakes. Below the cut are a list of changes made for the first half of the series:

Episode 1: La griffe d'acier (The Steel Claw)  

Despite being renamed Cherry Miel, she still says Honey Flash and Honey Boomerang.

The choir singing at St. Chapel and Misty Honey singing the theme song were partially kept. Toei most likely didn’t give the dubbing company proper masters, so they had to source the songs from the Japanese audio. As a result, the songs are looped in some spots. 

Yogiri no Honey was removed from the scene where Honey swears revenge on Panther Claw.

The music placement is a bit different throughout the series. Scenes that were originally silent now have music, etc.

A dramatic sound effect added when Honey discovers her father’s lifeless body. 

Instead of saying he works for the Tonichi News, Serge mentions he’s “best journalist of Tokyo’s Tribune”.

Black Claw is renamed Griffe d'acier or Steel Claw.

 Episode 2:  Tout feu tout flammes  (All Fire, All Flames)    

This shot of St. Chapel Academy that happens right after the title card has been removed:

Junpei is renamed Junior. While he is primarily known as John in this dub, he will switch between the two names.

Fire Claw’s name is translated as La Griffe de Feu.

Alphonne’s full name, Alphonne Louis Steinbeck III is changed to Alphonsine Louise Caraboeuf III.

Episode 3: Le cadeau empoisonné (The Poisoned Gift)  

Tomahawk Panther is renamed Hache de Guerre or “Tomahawk.”

Tiheny Jewelers becomes Tiffany’s, just like the real jewelers.

Hache de Guerre has a different voice for her human disguise.

Starting from this episode, Cherry Miel transforms by saying “Cherry Miel Flash”. Most of her attacks and abilities are appropriately renamed going forward.

Episode 4: La chauve souris (The Bat)    

Badfly Claw is renamed Chauve-Souris Ouragan or “Hurricane Bat.”

Monsieur Tatami refers to himself as the Black Ninja, which will continue to be his nickname for the remainder of the series.

Episode 5: La Panthère-Tarentule et le trésor égyptien (The Panther Tarantula and the Egyptian Treasure)    

Taranche Panther is translated as Panthere Tarentule. From this episode forward, almost every villain will have Panthere as the first part of her name.

Panthere Tarentule has a different voice for her human disguise.

Episode 6: La Panthère-Ciseaux   (The Panther Scissors)

Yogiri no Honey is kept in the beginning of the episode. Most likely because there was no additional dialogue in that scene.

The animation in the first scene is slightly different from the Japanese home video releases. There is a shot that zooms out more and Honey’s expression changes. It’s possible the French dub used the original TV masters. There are several animation differences throughout the series, which I will point out. Here is a comparison of the shot:

Scissors Land is simply referred to as an amusement park. 

Princess Dirty Marie is Princesse de Toreado or “The Princess of Toreador.”

Nanny Mastodon is renamed Gouvernante or “The Governess.”

Originally, Flash Honey said she worked for the Weekly Next Day. In the French version, the publication is renamed La Petite Semaine or “The Short Week.” 

At the end of the episode Iron Shadow is mistakenly called Panthere Pieuvre or Panther Octopus.

Episode 7: Le bouddha disparaît (The Buddha Disappears)    

Episodes 7 and 8 were aired out of order. Mostly likely due to the production number order. This creates a few continuity errors.

For some reason, this shot of Django and Iron Shadow was removed:

Iron Shadow is not given a name despite being called Panthere Pieuvre in episode 6.

Django retains his name.

Octo Panther is translated as Octo Panthere.

Episode 8: La Panthère-Pieuvre (The Panther Octopus)

Octo Panther is translated as Panthere Pieuvre despite being called Octo Panthere in the previous episode.

Episode 9: Les oiseaux attaquent (The Birds Attack)        

Jumbo Panther is translated as Jumbo Panthère.

Episode 10: Dans l'enfer de la magie (The Dark Side of Magic)        

Zora refers to the organization as la horde des Panthères Griffes or “The Horde of Panther Claws” instead of Panthera. 

Cutter Claw is referred to as “Panthera.”

The scene where Honey imitates Alphonne has no audio. It’s very likely they meant to remove the scene (which has Honey grabbing her breasts) but forgot.

Mami is renamed “Mimi.”

Episode 11: La ville engloutie (The Submerged City)        

Pochi is not given a name and it is implied she’s the science teacher. In the French dub, Hystler is the principal instead of Pochi.

Originally, Alphonne explained this was her first time driving since she received her license 10 years ago. In the French version, she says she learned how to drive because her father was a mechanic. Amusingly, this fixes a continuity error from the Japanese version.

Breast Claw is not given a name.

Episode 12: La vengeance de la sirène (The Mermaid’s Revenge)    

Sea Panther is translated as Panthère des Océans or “Panther of the Oceans”. Her mermaid name, Malala becomes “Marina” while her dead sister Tylulu becomes “Aurora.“

Translation mistake: Drastyca orders Zora around.

For some reason the mermaid’s haunting singing is removed from several scenes. It’s kept in the scene where Sea Panther summons her phantom ship.

Panthera is again referred to as Panthères Grises.

Serge and John refer to their father as Monsieur Tatami, as if they aren’t related to him.

Episode 13: Le secret de Cherry Miel (Cherry Miel’s Secret)    

Blade Panther is unnamed, which was the same in the Japanese version.

Panthera is once again called Panthères Grises.

Chery Miel mentions Panther Zora twice, while in the original Honey doesn’t know who she is yet. This will create a plot hole in the final episode. 

Drastyca is mistakenly called Gill. 

Dynamite Claw is referred to as La Panthère au Pieds Légers or The Light Footed Panther.

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Cherry Miel (Part 2)

Part two of the Cherry Miel changes. A big thank you to Constantine Riviere once again!

Read Below:

Episode 14: La perte d'une amie (The Loss of a Friend)   

Dynamite Claw is not given a name in this episode.

Episode 15: Junior photographe (Photographer Junior)

Snake Panther is unnamed.

Misty Honey’s singing is left intact. 

Alphonne retains her original name in this episode only.

Episode 16: Une clé pour un royaume (The Key to The Kingdom)

The Kingdom of Manaco becomes Siraco.

Originally, the hijacked plane was heading for Copenhagen. In the French dub, the original destination was changed to Berlin. 

Spin Claw is unnamed.

Episode 17: Aventures au cercle polaire (Adventures in the Arctic Circle)

Aurora Panther is translated as Panthère Aurora.

Episode 18: Histoires volcaniques (Volcanic Stories)

Coral Claw is translated as Panthere de Coraille.

Originally, Jill was paying Zora a visit in the Amazon. This isn’t mentioned in the French dub.

In the French dub, Serge says the island is an illusion created by the Panthers. In the original version, he just says it’s a trap.

Episode 19: Cherry Miel au pays du Far West (Cherry Miel in the Wild West)

Susan is renamed Suzanne.

Johnny is not given a name and is merely called “the sheriff.”

Puman Claw is translated as Panthère Puma.

Crocodile Claw is translated as Crocodile Panthère.

Episode 20: L'île au trésor (Treasure Island)

The lost continent of Mu is renamed Mong.

Episode 21: Une victoire bien méritée (A Well Deserved Victory)

All of the Japanese text is subtitled. However, all mention of “yen” is translated to “francs.”

Twin Panther is translated as Panthère Jumelle.

Pochi and Miharu are referred to as the “Principal and the Dean” in the French version. It’s never made clear which is which. 

Great Claw is renamed Panthere Star.

Episode 22: École chic, traitement de choc (Classy School, Shock Treatment)

Naojiro is not given an actual name. He is simply referred to as the nephew of Mr. Tatami. 

Paradise Academy is not given a name. It is merely compared to a paradise.

The French version adds in a joke about how Naojiro was originally blonde as a child. 

Originally, Naojiro explains the school used to be co-ed but all the girls ran away. In the French version, he explains all female students must be crucified when they enroll. 

In this episode only, Mademoiselle Adolf is referred to by her Japanese nickname, “Hystler.”

Great Claw is renamed Panthere Gypsy despite being called Panthere Star in the previous episode. 

Originally the students asked Fancy Honey if she was from France. In the French version, they ask if she is the new science teacher. 

Episode 23: Sous le signe du scorpion (Under the Sign of Scorpio)

Originally, Seiji worked for the newspaper called Modern Times. In the French version, it is Le Monde Moderne or The Modern World.

Episode 24: Honnêteté et bravoure chez l'ennemie (The Enemy’s Honesty and Bravery)

Drill Claw is translated as Panthère Drille.

Episode 25: Mort de la Panthère Gil (Death of Panther Jill)

The episode title refers to Sister Jill as “Panthere Gil” despite the fact her name is Dratysca in the French dub.

In the French dub, there is a narrator for the first scene. Originally, it was just a voice over of Eagle Panther swearing she will lure Honey to Jill’s castle.

Eagle Panther is translated as Panthere Rapace or Panther Raptor. 

In the French version, Paradise Academy is having their “end of the school year field trip”. Originally, there was no specific occasion given for the trip. 

Honey Beam becomes Cherry Miel Laser. 

Originally, Honey was emotional over the fact she killed Jill and was hoping her father saw her victory. In the French version, she thinks her battle may finally be over. This is a plot hole, since the French version established she knew who Panther Zora was back in episode 13.

The scene of Junpei groping Honey is cut, as well as her reaction and a transition to the next scene:

Honey’s final lines are changed. Originally she referenced her vow to avenge her father’s death, swearing to wipe out all of Panther Claw. In the French version, she swears to defeat Panther Claw to save humanity. 

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I also got the AB Kid Cherry Miel vinyl. The one side has the French intro, which is extremely goofy and feels totally inappropriate for the series. The other side has another original song, which was never used in the actual French dub. It’s more downbeat, so I wonder if it was supposed to be used for the ending credits?

Also I love the main image they’ve used, which I recently found out was from a 1975 Toei Animation calendar. Discotek used this same image for their DVD release. AB Kid did throw in a random still of Honey from episode 1 which really ruins the image IMO.

Very happy to add this to my collection!

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I just attempted to listen to my Cherry Miel cassette tape. It’s extremely weird, and FYI I do not understand French.

So the tape is an audio retelling of the first two episodes, well, mostly episode 1 but for some reason they swipe out Black Claw for Fire Claw. All of the actors are completely different from the actual French dub. I assumed they were just gonna rip audio from the actual anime, but instead they recorded a brand new audio drama. New music and all.

Since I don’t speak French, it was kinda hard to follow, but some scenes were directly from the anime: Honey transforming for the first time, Honey’s father revealing her secret, etc.

Anyway... I’ll look into digitizing this at some point.

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I found some TV rips of the French Cutie Honey dub that I had on a disc. The dub entitled “Cherry Miel” was released in 1988 and has become lost media in the last decade. I have episodes 1, 2, 24, and 25 saved.

This is the ending to the last episode, entitled Mort de la Panthère Gil (Death of Panther Gil). The episode title is weird since Sister Jill was renamed “Drastica” in their dub. What’s interesting is that this was the only episode with actual censorship! The scene where Junpei gropes Honey is removed completely. You can see the skip scene in the above clip.