Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star (ふたりはプリキュア Splash Star), often shortened simply to PreCure Splash Star, is a magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation that aired on TV Asahi between February 5, 2006 and January 28, 2007. It is the third series in Izumi Todo's Pretty Cure metaseries, and follows a new story different from the previous two series that features the second generation of Cures. The series is directed by Toshiaki Komura, who previously directed Kinnikuman Nisei. The character designs were done by Akira Inagami, who previously worked on the character designs for the previous installments. The series' main motif is based on Nature, with its concept deriving from the Japanese idiom "flower, bird, wind, moon" (花鳥風月), which symbolizes the beauty of nature and the traditional themes of natural beauty in Japanese aesthetics.

Plot

Saki Hyuga and Mai Mishou met for the first time when they were both nine years old, after they followed two glowing balls that flew towards the Sky Tree, a big tree situated atop a mountain in their town. Five years later, they reunite at the Sky Tree and meet Flappy and Choppy, spirits from the Land of Fountains who reveal that they were the glowing balls they saw that day and that they were chosen to protect the Fountains hidden in their world, which they refer to as the Land of Fountains. Through Flappy and Choppy's power, Saki and Mai become Cure Bloom and Cure Egret respectively, and later on gain new forms called Cure Bright and Cure Windy from the power of the two spirits Moop and Fuup. Together, they fight against Dark Fall, who are searching for the Fountain of Sun, the last of the seven fountains that are connected to the World Tree - the source of life in all worlds. The leader of Dark Fall has set his sights on the Tree, and it is the Pretty Cure's job to protect it. In the Splash Star movie, Sirlion, a warrior from Dark Fall, opens up a gateway to the Land of Clocks using directions from Mai. He plans to freeze time by halting the Eternal (Infinite) Clock, which will cut off everyone's future. Saki and Mai were in disagreement after Saki overslept and Mai wandered into a nearby clock store, causing them to miss the sign-up for the karaoke singing contest. After being thrown into an endless maze, Saki and Mai have to work together to solve the maze's puzzles.

Characters

Pretty Cures

The Splash Star Pretty Cures are warriors chosen by the Land of Fountains to restore the Seven Holy Fountains and prevent Dark Fall from taking over the Land of Greenery. They both transform using the Mix Commune (ミックス・コミューン) through the phrase "Dual Spiritual Power" (デュアル・スピリチュアル・パワー！). Later on in the series, both Saki and Mai transform using the Splash Commune (スプラッシュ・コミューン), harnessing the powers of Moop and Fuup. After transforming, the duo introduces themselves with "We are Pretty Cure!" (ふたりはプリキュア!) with Mai saying "Those who defiled the Holy Fountains!" (聖なる泉を汚す者よ!) and Saki saying "We're here to stop your cruel behavior!" (アコギな真似はお止めなさい!).

Land of Fountains

Dark Fall

Throughout the whole series, Pretty Cure's enemies are the villains of Dark Fall (ダークフォール). In episode 41, Goyan used the Fairy Carafe to bring the previously killed villains (except Michiru and Kaoru) back to life to defeat Pretty Cure.

Cures' families

Yuunagi Middle School

Yuunagi Middle School (夕凪中学校) is a junior high school that the Cures attend.

Media

Anime

The series is produced by Toei Animation and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, having been broadcast across Japan via ABC and other ANN stations from February 5, 2006 to January 28, 2007. The opening theme for all of the episodes is "Makasete★Splash☆Star★" (まかせて★スプラッシュ☆スター★) by Yuka Uchiyae with Splash Stars. The ending theme used in episodes 1-30 is "'Warau ga Kachi' de GO!" (「笑うが勝ち!」でGO!) by Mayumi Gojo, and the ending theme for episode 31 and onwards is "Ganbalance de Dance" (ガンバランスdeダンス) also by Mayumi Gojo with Flappy and Choppy. Marvelous AQL also released several DVDs of the series before later being compiled into two DVD-Box sets by Pony Canyon. The first boxset is released on September 19, 2012 and the second in October 17, 2012.

Movie

A movie titled Futari wa Precure Splash☆Star Tick Tack Kiki Ippatsu! (ふたりはプリキュア スプラッシュ☆スター チクタク危機一髪!) was released on December 9, 2006. The heroines also appear in all Pretty Cure All Stars movies, starting with Pretty Cure All Stars DX: Everyone's Friends☆the Collection of Miracles! (プリキュアオールスターズDX みんなともだちっ☆奇跡の全員大集合!) (Released on March 14, 2009)

Video game

A side-scrolling beat-em-up video game, Futari wa Precure Splash☆Star: Panpaka Game Never Better! Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star: Panpaka game deji kojo! (ふたりはプリキュア Splash Star パンパカゲームでぜっこうちょう!) was released by Bandai for the Nintendo DS on November 30, 2006.