User blog:GlitterInformer/Smile Pretty Cure!/Glitter Force SDC: Episode 4

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'Japanese title: A Straight-Up Bout! The Windy Cure March!'

English title: Here Comes Glitter Spring!

Both episodes begin with Miyuki/Emily recapping the past 3 episodes. Miyuki says she became a Pretty Cure on her first day at a new school, that Akane and Yayoi have transformed into Cure Sunny and Cure Peace, and that they’re going to find the fourth Pretty Cure. Emily says that what she thought was a dream turned out to be real and she’s part of the Glitter Force, that they have to fight fairy-tale villains, that Kelsey and Lily have joined her, and that she’ll have to convince the other two to join.

Both shows have their opening themes. Then, we start the episode for real at Miyuki/Emily’s house, where she’s doing her hair. Miyuki says that the weather is great, and that today’s going to be an ultra-happy day. Emily’s excited for another day of school, and thinks she looks good as a bun-head (someone with buns… what is Miyuki/Emily’s hair, anyway?).

In the sub, Candy says that she wants to dress up too. In the dub, I couldn’t hear what Candy was saying, so I had to turn on subtitles. She says that Emily’s bun-head looks good, and that they should both be bunny-heads. Candy then tells Miyuki/Emily to use the bunny Cure Décor/Glitter Charm from last episode to change her ears/hair. Miyuki/Emily does so, summoning a brush. She uses it to make Candy’s ears/hair bunny-shaped (silent in the sub, saying what she’s doing in the dub). In the sub, Miyuki says she’s so good and that she’s ultra-happy. In the dub, Emily says anything looks good on Candy. Then, Miyuki/Emily realizes she’s late and rushes out the door. In the dub, Candy says that Emily’s ruining her bunny head.

May I say that Candy’s voice acting actually isn’t bad in this scene? In fact, it’s good and cute. I hope it stays that way!

We cut to the Bad End Kingdom/Shadow Realm. Akaoni/Brute is taking his shorts/skirt/whatever off the clothesline. In the sub, he says they look good. When he puts them on, it feels so good that he’s ready to go out and fight. In the dub, he says he likes to soak them in swamp water to make them stinky and stiff. When he puts them on, he says they’re perfect for putting him in a bad mood, which is exactly what he wants to be in when fighting the Glitter Force. While both scenes are surprisingly mundane for supernatural villains, Brute’s weird tastes make the dub scene more interesting.

We then cut to school, where the three members of the team are having lunch. Yayoi/Lily’s lunch is shaped like Candy. In the sub, Candy excitedly says her name, and Yayoi says she made it herself. In the dub, Candy says it was before she got her bunny-head makeover (It’s really cute when Candy says “bunny-head.”) and Lily says she calls it her pixie platter (I had to turn on subtitles for this line. Not that I have good hearing, anyway.) Miyuki/Emily is amazed at Yayoi/Lily’s lunch-making skills. So is Akane/Kelsey, who takes a bite, making Candy upset because she’s eating her.

Akane/Kelsey really likes it, and Yayoi/Lily is surprised. But just as Miyuki/Emily is about to take a bite, two girls come over. They want the three of them to move, because they’re in our spot (they’re ruder about it in the dub). In the sub, Akane says it’s first-come, first-serve, to which the girls say that Akane and her friends are second-years (as in, second year in junior high. That’s the same as an 8th grader in America), and Akane asks what that has to do with anything. In the dub, the girls say that maybe they don’t understand because they’re new. Kelsey asks, “Since when?” and when the girls say they’ve always sat there, Kelsey asks, “Since prehistoric times?” The girls then say that they’re older than them, and Kelsey says that age has nothing to do with it.

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'Japanese title: A Straight-Up Bout! The Windy Cure March!'

English title: Here Comes Glitter Spring!

Both episodes begin with Miyuki/Emily recapping the past 3 episodes. Miyuki says she became a Pretty Cure on her first day at a new school, that Akane and Yayoi have transformed into Cure Sunny and Cure Peace, and that they’re going to find the fourth Pretty Cure. Emily says that what she thought was a dream turned out to be real and she’s part of the Glitter Force, that they have to fight fairy-tale villains, that Kelsey and Lily have joined her, and that she’ll have to convince the other two to join.

Both shows have their opening themes. Then, we start the episode for real at Miyuki/Emily’s house, where she’s doing her hair. Miyuki says that the weather is great, and that today’s going to be an ultra-happy day. Emily’s excited for another day of school, and thinks she looks good as a bun-head (someone with buns… what is Miyuki/Emily’s hair, anyway?).

In the sub, Candy says that she wants to dress up too. In the dub, I couldn’t hear what Candy was saying, so I had to turn on subtitles. She says that Emily’s bun-head looks good, and that they should both be bunny-heads. Candy then tells Miyuki/Emily to use the bunny Cure Décor/Glitter Charm from last episode to change her ears/hair. Miyuki/Emily does so, summoning a brush. She uses it to make Candy’s ears/hair bunny-shaped (silent in the sub, saying what she’s doing in the dub). In the sub, Miyuki says she’s so good and that she’s ultra-happy. In the dub, Emily says anything looks good on Candy. Then, Miyuki/Emily realizes she’s late and rushes out the door. In the dub, Candy says that Emily’s ruining her bunny head.

May I say that Candy’s voice acting actually isn’t bad in this scene? In fact, it’s good and cute. I hope it stays that way!

We cut to the Bad End Kingdom/Shadow Realm. Akaoni/Brute is taking his shorts/skirt/whatever off the clothesline. In the sub, he says they look good. When he puts them on, it feels so good that he’s ready to go out and fight. In the dub, he says he likes to soak them in swamp water to make them stinky and stiff. When he puts them on, he says they’re perfect for putting him in a bad mood, which is exactly what he wants to be in when fighting the Glitter Force. While both scenes are surprisingly mundane for supernatural villains, Brute’s weird tastes make the dub scene more interesting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">We then cut to school, where the three members of the team are having lunch. Yayoi/Lily’s lunch is shaped like Candy. In the sub, Candy excitedly says her name, and Yayoi says she made it herself. In the dub, Candy says it was before she got her bunny-head makeover (It’s really cute when Candy says “bunny-head.”) and Lily says she calls it her pixie platter (I had to turn on subtitles for this line. Not that I have good hearing, anyway.) Miyuki/Emily is amazed at Yayoi/Lily’s lunch-making skills. So is Akane/Kelsey, who takes a bite, making Candy upset because she’s eating her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Akane/Kelsey really likes it, and Yayoi/Lily is surprised. But just as Miyuki/Emily is about to take a bite, two girls come over. They want the three of them to move, because they’re in our spot (they’re ruder about it in the dub). In the sub, Akane says it’s first-come, first-serve, to which the girls say that Akane and her friends are second-years (as in, second year in junior high. That’s the same as an 8th grader in America), and Akane asks what that has to do with anything. In the dub, the girls say that maybe they don’t understand because they’re new. Kelsey asks, “Since when?” and when the girls say they’ve always sat there, Kelsey asks, “Since prehistoric times?” The girls then say that they’re older than them, and Kelsey says that age has nothing to do with it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Before the argument can go any further, Nao/April (the green one) butts in. In the sub, Nao says politely that the courtyard is for everyone, so it’s illogical that the two girls are bullying the others. In the dub, April says more brashly that the girls should stop bullying the others and find somewhere else to sit. When the girls protest, April raises her voice and says that they can’t reserve the courtyard and anyone can sit wherever they want.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In the sub, Miyuki inner-monologues that Nao is cool. In the dub, Kelsey says, “You tell ‘em!” and Emily inner-monologues that just like in her dream, she’s perfect for the Glitter Force. Then, the student council president goes up behind the girls and says that Nao/April is right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Name Change: In the sub, the president is Irie (though that’s probably his family name). In the dub, he’s Jared.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">The two girls, who seem to be infatuated with Irie/Jared, agree and apologize to the trio. They follow him away and ask if he eats lunch in the courtyard. In the sub, Irie says he’s patrolling there for “Keep the School Clean Week,” while in the dub, Jared says that he’s too busy to eat lunch. Reika/Chloe (the blue one) happily watches them walk away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Miyuki/Emily thanks Nao/April, and Akane/Kelsey congratulates her. While Nao says that she just said the obvious thing, April says that she thought they needed a hand. Then, Nao/April runs off to practice. Miyuki/Emily is amazed. In the sub, she says she’s decided, and in the dub, she says, “Glitter-tastic!” implying that she wants Nao/April on the team.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">We cut to after school, where the three girls watch Nao/April play soccer. They’re amazed by her speed, with which she blocks the ball. The part where Nao/April runs for the ball is darkened in the dub. I assume they do this every time there’s quick motion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Name Change: In the sub, Nao transforms into Cure March, possibly referencing M ärchenland. The Pretty Cure Wiki also says that it could be because March is the start of spring and the windiest month of the year (at least in the northern hemisphere), and that marching has to do with courage. In the dub, April transforms into Glitter Spring. Not only is March half-winter anyway, but Spring better coveys the life theme she has in the dub.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In the sub, Cure March introduces herself by saying, “Intense courage! A straight-up bout! Cure March!” In the dub, Glitter Spring introduces herself with, “A force as strong as life itself! I’m Glitter Spring!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">As March/Spring is shocked at her clothes and hair, Happy/Lucky and Candy excitedly welcome her to the team. Sunny says March/Spring’s catchphrase is much better than Peace’s, to which Peace protests. There’s no time to rest, though, as Akaoni/Brute sends the monster after all four of them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">March/Spring doesn’t let it faze her. She runs with super-speed at the monster, blowing wind in the other three’s faces. In the sub, she says she won’t let Akaoni break the bonds of her family, while in the dub, she says, “Let’s see what this outfit can do.” Unfortunately, March/Spring is going too fast; she can’t even stop before she hits a column on a bridge. The force knocks Akaoni/Brute over. The others are concerned for March/Spring, but she just brushes the blow off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">The Akanbe/Buffoon starts shooting at March/Spring (saying “Buffoon Barrage!” in the dub), but she outruns its gunfire, runs up a column, and kicks it into the ground. As the other three congratulate her, Candy tells her to put her spirit into her Smile/Glitter Pact and finish the monster off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Name Change: March’s attack is called March Shoot, while Spring’s attack is called Sparkle Shot, which is grammatically more appropriate.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">March/Spring puts spirit into the Pact by gripping it tightly (saying “Spirit, spirit, spirit!” in the dub). Akaoni/Brute commands the Akanbe/Buffoon to finish March/Spring off. But it’s too late for him; March/Spring kicks a soccer ball of wind right at the monster, defeating it and freeing the Cure Décor/Glitter Charm. As the other three cheer, March/Spring is gasping, having run out of stamina.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In the sub, Akaoni complains that he got his pants dirty. In the dub, Brute complains that he went boom on his butt. While the original line wouldn’t fit because Brute likes his pants dirty, that’s just a really weird and somewhat gross line. I love to think about troll butts!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">The sky turns back to normal, and the Cure Décor/Glitter Charm falls into Happy/Lucky’s hands. In the sub, Candy says it’s a butterfly-shaped Cure Décor. In the dub, she says that the Glitter Force won her another Glitter Force, and Spring gets excited that they win prizes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">The four girls, now de-transformed, watch Nao/April’s siblings play soccer. In the sub, Miyuki and Nao start calling each other by their first names and Nao says they make a great team. She wants to help them because they saved her family and she thinks it’ll be fun. Nao asks if they can be friends, and Miyuki wholeheartedly agrees.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In the dub, Emily worriedly asks if April will stay in the Glitter Force, and April agrees and says she beat her to the punch. She’s wanted to help them for a long time (since today, or since the first day of school? And with what if she didn’t know about the Glitter Force?), and says she’ll think of them as her second family.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">As Candy and the girls celebrate, Miyuki/Emily gets hit in the face with a soccer ball. Even though she falls over, she’s fine (in the sub, she’s ultra-happy because she made a new friend, and in the dub, she asks for help). Everyone laughs, and the episode ends.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Overall: I felt that this was a great episode! Nao/April was really cool, though lacking in flaws. I mean, Miyuki/Emily’s a ditz, Akane/Kelsey can be rude when she tries to be funny, and Yayoi/Lily struggles with shyness and not being the best artist. Hopefully Nao/April’s character will develop more over the course of the story.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In terms of voice acting in the dub, this is likely the best episode yet. April’s voice actress does a great job, rivaling her Japanese counterpart as well as Kelsey and Ulric, the other best-voiced dub characters. The others are mostly good, but there are some not-as-good patches here and there. Even Candy’s voice actress is catching up! She does a much more convincing job at emoting, and has become really cute in her own non-standard way. I hope that Glitter Force will continue its upward track.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Finally, the fight scenes, for which Pretty Cure is renowned. I’ve heard some say that the Smile Pretty Cure fight scenes are toned down, but I think they’re great, especially this episode. The power-related challenges March/Spring faces (and Miyuki/Emily in episode 1) are creative, and when the team takes the offensive it’s great. I have high hopes for episode 5.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Next time: Reika/Chloe freezes the team in its final position as Cure Beauty/Glitter Breeze!