User blog:GlitterInformer/Smile Pretty Cure!/Glitter Force SDC: Episode 36 (Sub)

Return to Episode 35 (Sub), 28 (Dub) | Return to the Table of Contents | Advance to Episode 37 (Sub), 29 (Dub)

'''Japanese tile: “Hot-Blooded!? Akane’s First-Love Life!!”'''

We have hit a milestone here, guys. This episode here? It’s the last one left out of Glitter Force. Everything from here on out (except for the movie) will be subbed and dubbed! Hooray!

Why was this episode left out? Well, Akane gets a crush on an English-speaking boy, and she has to learn English to be able to talk with him. This sort of episode has been dubbed before. Let’s take an example from a more infamous dub: Mew Mew Power, the 4Kids English dub of Tokyo Mew Mew. The sixth episode of Tokyo Mew Mew (which is the seventh episode of Mew Mew Power) has its Japanese protagonist meet an English-speaking American woman. The dub, which takes place in America, has the woman speak Spanish instead.

Could Glitter Force have done this? Saban had access to non-English-speaking actors, which I know because there are versions of Glitter Force in other languages, such as Spanish and French. (And don’t worry, I’ll have an article dedicated to them!) Could this episode be too dependent on the English language for them to have done that? Let’s find out!

The episode starts with Akane practicing volleyball when she trips and falls. An English-speaking boy then comes up and offers to help her get back up. It turns out he speaks at least some Japanese, given that he asks in Japanese if he’s hurt. However, he says the rest of his dialogue in English.

Akane refuses his help and says that she’s fine. As the boy leaves, she seems confused about her feelings. Then, we get the opening theme. Most of the footage is replaced with footage from the upcoming movie.



Wolfrun turns a pendant one of the lovers is wearing and turns it into a Hyper Akanbe. The girls try to fight him, but Wolfrun has the upper hand. He tells the team that he’s out to destroy romantic couples and their ridiculous love. After they tell him off and defend love, Wolfrun realizes that one of them must be experiencing it themselves. He tells them that it will only end in a break-up, which gets to Sunny. She falters and is beaten up.

Happy retorts that just because love may end in a break-up doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Sunny agrees and jumps back into the fight. To help her, Candy uses the Sports Décor to summon a kendo stick. Sunny tells Wolfrun that even if she and Brian can’t be together, the memories she shares with him won’t fade. Then, she sets her stick on fire and gets into an EPIC SWORDFIGHT with the Hyper Akanbe. Man, it’s been so long since we last had an EPIC FIGHT!

After Akane finishes beating up the Akanbe with her fire sword, the team defeats it with Royal Rainbow Burst, setting the Royal Clock to 5 and netting them the Star Décor. Wolfrun teleports away, the Bad End disappears, and Akane runs to the airport.

The other girls all help her get there. When the bus leaves without Akane, Nao runs to catch it and Reika gives Akane money to ride it. When the bus gets stuck in traffic, Miyuki gives Akane her bike and Yayoi gives her a map. Akane bikes as fast as she can, but she ends up breaking Miyuki’s bike and having to run.

Despite tiring herself out, Akane is too late to meet Brian, and she collapses and starts to cry. However, Brian is still there. He missed his flight so he could wait for Akane. Brian thanks Akane for everything she taught him, and Akane thanks Brian for having fun with her and teaching her English. They hold hands, and the episode ends.

Overall: This was a really sweet episode. Brian was a good character, and his enthusiasm (and lack of knowledge at first) of Japanese culture was cute. Unlike other love interests in the franchise, I feel that he had a distinct personality. And man, was that ending heart-wrenching. Overall, the characters were great, the story was great, the fight was great, the art was great, and everything about this episode was great. If only it got dubbed… though that would have involved a lot of rewrites.

Next episode: Reika/Chloe runs for student council president against the villain trio!

But first: It’s time to review the ''Smile Pretty Cure! ''movie!!