Kurokawa Ellen

Kurokawa Ellen (黒川エレン)^?, officially spelt as Kurokawa Eren, is one of the four main Cures in Suite Pretty Cure♪. She later attends Private Aria Academy as a second-year student and is in the same class as Hibiki and Kanade.

Her previous alter ego was the cat fairy Siren (セイレーン, Siren)^?, who became brainwashed by Mephisto but was eventually freed.

Ellen's alter ego is Cure Beat (キュアビート, Cure Beat)^?. Her catchphrase is "Can't stop my heart's beat!" (心のビートはもう止められないわ！, "Can't stop my heart's beat!")^?.

Bio[]

Appearance[]

As Siren, she is a dark indigo cat with slanted lime eyes that have dull purple note-shaped markings on top, a black nose, periwinkle fur around her neck, and gold rings on her front left paw and tail. On her forehead and back is a hot pink heart made by two curved marks, one larger pair and a smaller one inside, and around her neck is a gold collar with a silver pendant featuring a heart made by two swirled marks and a matching shape that's upside-down below it, and a curved piece hanging below said pendant.

As Ellen, she is a human girl. Her eyes stay the same while her hair is dark purple similar to her fur color. It reaches the chest and is neat and curvy, the bangs being open in the middle with a long length like the back of her hair, but notably shorter. There are few thinner strands at the sides, with two beside the right side of her bangs where the left strand is shorter than the right one. On the top left side of her head is a gold ornament with large swirly pieces sticking out at the top and bottom. She wears a white long-sleeved shirt under a long black sleeveless knee-length jacket with pockets at the bottom, a black miniskirt and stockings with thick magenta lines with triangular patterns inside on the tops of the socks, as a sash, and around the collar, a silver beaded necklace and gold choker, and a pair of dark olive boots with darker soles and charcoal gray straps. She also wears charcoal gray wristbands.

After switching sides, she wears a side-tail with a yellow scrunchie. Her lilac long-sleeved top has a dark red design featuring a big and small heart together to match the ones on her unbuttoned black vest, a multiple layered ruffled lavender miniskirt with a black belt that has silver studs at the left side and tip sticking out, black thigh-high stockings, and gold boots with darker soles and a single strap. She changes her necklace for a cerise pendant necklace and gains black bracelets with light gray studs at the sides.

In the movie, she wears a long-sleeved purplish-grey top beneath a dress whose top is white with black thin stripes, bordering, and straps, a black skirt with a purplish-grey petticoat, black socks with purplish-grey frilly cuffs on top, and white sneakers with beige soles. She has black bracelets, a pink choker, and a tiny pink ribbon on the chest. At some point in the movie, she also wears a pale pink kimono with pale blue stripes, thick black lining on top, a dark magenta obi with gold trimming and obijime with a knotted ribbon in the middle, pale blue bandages around her legs, and white socks with brown sandals and beige soles.

As Cure Beat, her eyes are more gold while her hair grows longer and turns lavender, worn in a curled knee-length ponytail on the left with a distinctive strand that curls on the top right side of her bangs, with a few more downward curved ones below it, and shorter upward curved ones at the left side. She wears a hair accessory with a blue heart lined in white with two white feathers on top, pale blue ruffly fabric below, and indigo ribbon tails beneath. She has an indigo choker, and blue heart-shaped earrings with a blue heart hanging from the bottom with a chain linking them together. Her outfit consists of an indigo short-puffy-sleeved blouse, which has navy V-shaped lining on the torso with a lower halved white front, the neckline ruffly and pale blue to accent her sleeve cuffs that are split with navy bands on top, the Cure Module positioned above a pale blue knotted bow with navy V-shaped stripes and an indigo ruffle jutting on top. Her frilly tutu consists of a two-layered white petticoat, with three more ruffly layers on top; a white one on the bottom, a pale blue one in the middle, and an indigo pleated one on top with navy trimming and a V-shaped navy waistline with white ruffles jutting below, a thin pale blue ribbon on the back with long foot-length tails. She also indigo thigh-high boots with split tops to reveal equal-length pale blue ruffly socks, a navy thick vertical stripe in the middle that splits down at the toe with white bands wrapped around the foot to form a ribbon in the back, and indigo wristbands with white trimming and bracelets, pale blue ruffles at the top, and a pale blue heart with navy lining on top of the center.

As Crescendo Cure Beat, her hair turns lighter and is tightly curled at a more higher position, the wings on her hair accessory growing in length with sharper tips while the ribbon tails lighten below the fabric. Her outfit turns pale blue and white, with various ribbons of her outfit slightly growing in size. The sleeve ruffles grow in length, and the ribbon is pale blue with dark blue lining. Her boots' stripe is no longer split at the bottom and is a single vertical part stopping at the foot, while her top skirt layers are simplified into two ruffly layers with a split in the middle, the top one pale blue and the bottom white with dark blue lining, both of which grow out with gold feathery cape-like feathers sticking out from the front below to match the wings she obtains, which are very large with curled protrusions at the bottom with the lower wing parts. Below the skirt is a pale blue ruffly layer and her petticoat. Her arm protector ruffles grow in length as well, losing the heart design.

Personality[]

Before her brainwashing, Siren was shown to be a very kind and caring cat who took care of Hummy and enjoyed her company. But when she began to get envious of others' achievements, she found herself growing cold towards Hummy and she took Mephisto up on his offer. In this time, she became cold, calculative, and kept to herself. She lacks sympathy and is unwilling to talk about her pain. However, it was obvious that she was still good deep down, and after Hummy was able to convince her that she was blindly following Mephisto and was letting him manipulate her, she broke free from his control.

After becoming Ellen, she underwent a dramatic personality change. She has become more upbeat and cheerful and regained her kindness. However, she gained the naivety she used to show concern for Hummy having, shown fears that people consider childish or being emotional. She is excited to learn more about the new world she has been brought to, and she shows that she is a passionate and dedicated girl who desires to gain more knowledge and friendships.

Relationships[]

Hummy: Siren was Hummy's friend since childhood and they grew up together. But after Aphrodite asked Hummy to sing the coveted song instead of her, Siren felt envious and became Mephisto's right hand. She tends to yell at Hummy and argues with her, until she snaps out of her brainwashing and realizes the error of her ways, apologizing to her beloved friend. Since becoming Ellen, she is shown bonding closely with Hummy, often talking to her, holding her, or petting her. She often seeks advice from her on how to become friends with Hibiki and Kanade better, and even after the change in form, Hummy tends to call her by her real name.
Hojo Hibiki: After becoming Cure Beat, she struggled to get close to her although Hibiki took to her fairly quickly. She appreciates her and her kindness and is happy to learn more about her and to support her with her dreams.
Minamino Kanade: After becoming Cure Beat, she struggled to get close to her, while at times she has difficulty relating to Kanade because of Ouji and due to their differences. She appreciates their friendship and Kanade's kindness, and is happy to learn more about Kanade. She is also supportive with Kanade's dreams.
Ouji Masamune: Ellen was saved by him when she was about to be hit by a car in her cat form and developed a bond with him. In episode 15, Ellen feigned injury in order to get his attention, and after everything she did to him, he is still shown genuinely caring about her, causing her to blush and run away, indicating that she likes him. Later in the series, she is shown going to him for advice, and he helps to calm her down.
Shirabe Otokichi: While living in Kanon Town, Otokichi has assisted Ellen in fitting in and living among its inhabitants. In episode 28, it is shown that he is the one that gives Ellen the uniform for Private Aria Academy, as well as a school bag. Because of this, Ellen is able to go to school with Hibiki and Kanade. In episode 31, Otokichi also lends her some books. He is shown to be understanding towards her, whether he's helping is out of obligation or out of kindness.

Etymology[]

Siren: The term "Siren" refers to a figure from Greek mythology, particularly from the story of the Odyssey. In this myth, a group of beautiful mermaids known as the "Sirens" would sing enchanting songs to lure sailors to their doom by causing their ships to crash into the rocky shores of their island. Additionally, the word "siren" also refers to a device that emits a loud, prolonged sound as a signal or warning.

Kurokawa (黒川, Kurokawa)^?: The name Kurokawa has two terms. Kuro means black in Japanese, which fits Siren's theme color while Kawa means river. Her name can be roughly translated as Black River.

Ellen (エレン, Ellen)^?: is taken from the word "electric" (エレクトリック, "electric")^? when written in katakana, parallel to Ako's "acoustic."

Cure Beat: A beat is the basic unit of time, the pulse (regularly repeating event), of the mensural level.^[1]

History[]

Past And Betrayal[]

In the past, Siren and Hummy were best friends, with Siren being the big sister figure of Hummy. She used to sing the Melody of Happiness for Major Land, until the day when Aphrodite selected Hummy to sing instead of her.

Siren, feeling betrayed by Aphrodite because she chose Hummy to sing the Melody of Happiness, goes to Mephisto of Minor Land pledging her loyalty. On the day that Hummy was due to debut as the new singer of the Melody of Happiness, Mephisto attacks stealing the Legendary Score and rewriting the notes to create the Melody of Sadness. He then called forth Siren to sing the new melody. Aphrodite was shocked over her betrayal as she began to sing causing the crowd to start crying and feeling sad. Mephisto sends Siren and the Trio the Minor after the notes that Aphrodite spread to the land where warriors are born.

First Encounter With Pretty Cures[]

Siren, in the disguise of Ellen, meets Hibiki first and is eager to take the G Clef sealed in her heart. Hibiki runs outside only to see Kanade holding a record the two girls used to listen to together. Siren sees Kanade has the same G Clef as Hibiki and orders the Trio the Minor to take Kanade's while she takes Hibiki's. Before they even reached the G Clefs, the emblems suddenly shone, throwing back Siren and Trio the Minor. As she regains her footing, she sees one of the notes from the Legendary Score on the record and quickly transforms it into a Negatone which calls forth a monster to attack the city and spread the sorrow. Hibiki and Kanade were angered by this, and the emblems in their hearts came out and transformed into Cure Modules, which allowed the two girls to transform into Pretty Cure.^SPC01

Betrayed Again[]

Siren was injured and was about to get hit by a car until Ouji saved her. In his presence, she cannot reveal her true nature to him but seemed to have developed a bond with Ouji. The next day, Siren hesitates due to his presence and one of her subordinates, Bassdrum, transforms the gifts Hibiki and Kanade received into Negatones which they defeat. Afterward, Bassdrum denounces Siren as their leader.^SPC10 Later, Mephisto declares Bassdrum as the new leader due to Siren's sudden change.^SPC11

The Big Lie And Being Brainwashed[]

Siren sees Hummy telling Hibiki and Kanade about the times when they were still friends. Hummy is able to reach her heart and Siren begins to cry. Then, Falsetto and Baritone appear in disguise and inform the girls that there is a "Negatone" wreaking havoc in the town. Once Hummy and the girls are out of the way, Siren sees one of the old contestants who tells her that Hummy told the judges for the audition that Siren had given her a fake score. Mephisto appears and tells her the same thing, but Siren still believes in Hummy. She then tried to oppose him but Mephisto brainwashed her again, making sure he erased her memories of being with Hummy and becoming a tool to serve him.^SPC13

Rebirth And Regret[]

After Siren obtains the Fairy Tones and the scattered notes, Mephisto invades Kanon Town and sets up a stage to perform the Melody of Sorrow. Aphrodite speaks with Hibiki and Kanade, asking them to believe in Hummy. However, Hummy is kidnapped by Mephisto and is given headphones to amplify the Melody of Sorrow. As Hummy nonetheless expresses her words of friendship to Siren and sings, Siren remembers the good times she spent with her and is moved to tears. As Mephisto tortures Hummy with the Melody of Sorrow, Siren turns against him and tries to free the Notes, but Mephisto turns them into a Negatone. Hummy manages to free herself and the Fairy Tones, allowing the girls to transform. As Mephisto targets Hummy yet again, Siren calls out and transforms into the Pretty Cure of Miracles: Cure Beat, whilst Cure Melody and Cure Rhythm defeat the Negatone. Cure Beat, however, is unable to take everything in and runs off.^SPC21

Everyone becomes curious as to how Siren became a Pretty Cure, especially Siren herself, who realizes that she can no longer transform into a cat or change her disguise, as her pendant was destroyed after she became a Pretty Cure, leaving her permanently "stuck" as a human. She is confused about where to go but finds comfort at the church with Mr. Otokichi. Hummy finds her, but Ellen feels she doesn't deserve to be forgiven so easily. As Hummy follows her around, and with Hibiki and Kanade offering their friendship, they are approached by the Minor Trio who create a Tree Negatone. The Pretty Cure ends up in trouble and Hummy is captured. Ellen stands to protect and produces a Cure Module, allowing her to transform into Cure Beat. Using her new abilities, she rescues Hummy and defeats the Negatone. After the battle, Ellen is still unable to forgive herself and runs off again.^SPC22

Being Forgiven And Joining The Team[]

Now known as Ellen, she continues to reject Hibiki and Kanade's offer of friendship as she is still unable to forgive herself. She encounters a boy named Mamoru who is hiding from his father. He explains that he ran off with his bag after hearing he was going to work abroad for a year. As Hibiki and Kanade have conflicting ideas about Ellen, they go to search for the father whilst Ellen leaves with Mamoru, who soon discovers a stuffed animal inside the bag that his father made him and decides he wants to return, helping Ellen realize she's not alone as well. However, just as father and son are reunited, Bassdrum spots a Note inside the doll and creates a Negatone from it. As Bassdrum tries to waver Ellen's feelings, Hummy helps her build up the courage to join in the fight as a Pretty Cure. After defeating the Negatone, Ellen overcomes her worries and officially joins the Pretty Cures.^SPC23

Kurokawa Ellen[]

Kurokawa Ellen is Siren's human alter ego, which she uses to disguise herself at some points in the story to lower the Harmony Power of the Pretty Cures and to make sure she can get the scattered notes, before becoming her permanent human form. In this form, however, she has demonstrated that she's a strong fighter, capable of materializing notes and using them as projectiles.

Cure Beat[]

"Strumming the soul's tune! Cure Beat!"
爪弾くは魂の調べ！キュアビート！
Tsumabiku wa tamashii no shirabe! Kyua Bīto!

Cure Beat (キュアビート, Kyua Bīto)^? is the Pretty Cure alter ego of Ellen. In order to transform, she needs her Cure Module and the light blue Fairy Tone Lary.

Cure Beat's attack and purification item is the Love Guitar Rod. With the help of Lary, she can perform Beat Barrier and Beat Sonic. With Sory, she modifies her item into "Soul Rod Mode", and can perform purification attack Heartful Beat Rock.

Crescendo Cure Beat[]

Crescendo Cure Beat

Crescendo Cure Beat is the upgraded form that Cure Beat attains in episode 47. The Crescendo Tone is required for this transformation upgrade; in the TV series, as the Crescendo Tone was sealed up by Noise, the eight Fairy Tones Dory to Dodory combined to become the Crescendo Tone to allow the Cures to transform. In this form, the Cures can perform Suite Session Ensemble Crescendo Finale.

Transformation[]

Let's Play! Pretty Cure Modulation!: Lary flies up and inserts into Ellen's Cure Module. Ellen shouts the phrase "Let's Play! Pretty Cure Modulation!" and draws a clef, and her glowing body is wrapped in light blue ribbons. Her top half's accessories and blouse appear, followed by her back's ribbon and skirt. Her hair extends and turns into a lighter shade of purple, then her headpiece appears to tie her hair up into a long ponytail. Her gloves subsequently appear on both of her arms, followed by her boots on her legs. Beat then does a strumming, while introducing herself and concludes her transformation by striking a pose.

Attacks[]

Heartful Beat Rock (ハートフルビートロック, Heartful Beat Rock)^? is her first attack that requires the Love Guitar Rod and the green Fairy Tone Sory. She first used it in episode 22.
Beat Barrier (ビートバリア, Beat Barrier)^? and Beat Sonic (ビートソニック, Beat Sonic)^? are her sub-attacks that require the Love Guitar Rod and the light-blue Fairy Tone Lary.
Suite Session Ensemble (スイートセッションアンサンブル, Suite Session Ensemble)^? is a group attack that she performs with her teammates Melody and Rhythm. They first used it in episode 31.
- Suite Session Ensemble Crescendo (スイートセッションアンサンブルクレッシェンド, Suite Session Ensemble Crescendo)^? is the upgraded version of Suite Session Ensemble where Muse is also needed.
Cure Beat can also use a basic attack called Suite Harmony Kick, together with Cure Melody and Cure Rhythm.
Pretty Cure Passionate Harmony (プリキュア・パッショナートハーモニー, Pretty Cure Passionate Harmony)^? is a special group attack Cure Beat can perform with Cure Melody, Cure Rhythm and Cure Muse in the Suite Pretty Cure♪ novel. It is only used once to destroy the villain Vanish.

Songs[]

Siren / Ellen's voice actor, Toyoguchi Megumi, has participated in several image songs for the character she voices. Many of them include duets with Koshimizu Ami, who voices Hibiki Hojo, Orikasa Fumiko, who voices Minamino Kanade, and Ōkubo Rumi, who voices Shirabe Ako.

Can't Stop My Heart Beat!
BEAT LOVE

Group songs[]

The Promised Melody (Along with Koshimizu Ami and Orikasa Fumiko)
ONE~Hearts As One~ (Along with Koshimizu Ami, Orikasa Fumiko and Ōkubo Rumi)
Door of Dreams (Along with Koshimizu Ami, Orikasa Fumiko and Ōkubo Rumi)

Trivia[]

As Siren, she is the first villain to be a fairy before she is turned into a human permanently, due to becoming a Pretty Cure and thus losing her original form.
- Ellen is also the first fairy in the franchise to permanently lose her original form.
Ellen is the only Suite♪ Cure not to have any parents.
Siren has the greatest number of Negatone summons, 15 summons in total. Bassdrum made two double summons, so they share the same number of summoned Negatones, though the Negatone at the beginning of episode 5 could be summoned by her, increasing her number of summoned Negatones to 16.
In episode 25, it is revealed that Ellen is actually afraid of ghosts.
According to episode 28:
- Ellen likes singing.
- Her favourite color is blue.
- She likes Kanon Town.
- Her favourite food is cupcakes.
- She likes cats.
Ellen appeared as Cure Beat to give the 10th Anniversary Congratulatory Message at the beginning of episode 26 of Happiness Charge Pretty Cure!.
As Cure Beat, her hair can produce electric guitar sounds when she flicks a strand of it. This is also demonstrated in her 10th Anniversary Congratulatory Message.
In the Suite Pretty Cure♪ novel, Ellen is one of the victims that is affected by Vanish due to Hibiki's sadness. She is later saved by Pii-chan and along with her friends defeat Vanish with the special attack "Pretty Cure Passionate Harmony".