Kenjou Akira (剣城あきら?) is one of the six main Cures in KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode. She is a second-year transfer student at Ichigo Field High School. She is gentle and has a strong sense of justice like a "dog".
Akira's alter ego is Cure Chocolat (キュアショコラ?), the Pretty Cure of strength and love, and she is based off chocolates and dogs. Her catchphrases are "Are you okay?" (大丈夫？?) and "There there" (よしよし?).
Bio[]
Appearance[]
Akira is a tall teen with sharp red eyes and short hair. She wears a brown top under a beige and red button-up, with blue jeans, a brown belt, and tan boots. On her neck is a dog tag. For summer she switches to a white T-shirt with a red vest and red and white sneakers. For winter she wears a long-sleeved red collared shirt with a tan sweater and dark brown boots, sometimes adding a red pea coat and gloves.
In the movie, she wears a bluish-grey sweater vest over a white long-sleeved shirt, dull brown pants, and brown boots. At the party, she wears a red sleeveless jumpsuit, white gloves, and red shoes.
As a child, she wore a long-sleeved, beige shirt beneath a red t-shirt with denim jeans and white-red sneakers.
After she becomes a student at a medical institute in the future, she now ties her grown hair into a ponytail.
As Cure Chocolat, her vibrant hair becomes spiked with a single brown lock and she gains red pointed dog ears and tail. She wears a chocolate top hat, silver earrings, and a dark brown choker with a silver tag. Her outfit consists of a red and brown jacket with the upper sleeve puffed and the cuff white, accenting the chest. On the chest is a yellow and brown piece of fabric hanging from a chocolate charm. Her furry cream collar matches that of her burgundy boots, which have a paw-like toe section, and pleat skirt. She also wears dark brown shorts, a chocolate cape, and white gloves and stockings.
As Super Cure Chocolat, her outfit turns white and brown, the chest stripe and lower sleeves being red. The collar of her jacket is pointed to accent the dark brown and white peplum over her skirt. Her cape is now gold and brown, and her shorts crimson. Her boots are pale brown with an alternate cuff.
In her A La Mode Style, she gains a pale red fluffy hood and her hat has a large red feather. Her jacket loses the lower sleeve while the top turns pale red and fluffy. Her chest ornament is now a chocolate heart with pale cream fabric, and the base of her jacket is now crimson and yellow to match her thigh-length boots. She gains a fluffy pale red skirt with a pointed, dark brown layer over it, along with a long flowing pale red layer with crimson spheres around the bottom. She also gains crimson gloves.
Personality[]
Akira is a kind and youthful high school student in her second year. She is fiercely loyal and always stands by her loved ones, with a strong sense of justice like a dog. Akira has a rational mind and knows her way around places, making her a reliable person.
Her caring nature extends to her younger sister Miku, who is sick. Akira often gives her chocolate to cheer her up and once even sacrificed her own Kirakiraru to rescue her. Despite being referred to as a boy by those around her, Akira doesn't mind KKPCALM06 and can even be a bit of a show-off at times.KKPCALM36
Relationships[]
- Usami Ichika: Ichika and Akira are neighbours and good friends. When Akira moves next to the Usami household, Ichika is smitten with the gentle high school student, and also initially believes Akira to be a boy. Akira opens up to Ichika about her sister and teases her to ease up her nervousness. KKPCALM06 After Akira becomes a Cure, Ichika becomes outspoken around Akira and openly praises her. Ichika is flustered when Akira nurses her during a cold. KKPCALM36
- Kotozume Yukari: They go to the same school, and are very popular with the other students. Their personalities initially clash, with Yukari criticizing Akira's selflessness and Akira being at odds with Yukari's fickle nature. After Akira witnesses Yukari's kindness and Yukari recognizes Akira's passion and tenacity, they become very good friends. KKPCALM10 They are often seen spending time with each other afterwards. Akira and Yukari's relationship has developed in a romantic way over time, notably in episodes 25 and 29. Their duet is a love song as well.
- Kenjou Miku: Akira is very close to her little sister whom she considers as her spiritual pillar, even bringing her chocolate whenever she visits her. In episode 15, it is shown that Miku loves Akira very much, and longs to see her smile with happiness instead of concern. When Miku's Kirakiraru were robbed by Julio, she was infuriated with the harm Julio had done to her sister.
- Salty Pepper: Akira encounters Salty Pepper who is robbing Ichigozaka's chocolates' flavors, but ends up being kidnapped by her during the fight. She desperately tries pleasing Salty Pepper, going as far as transforming into Chocolat in front of the villain, but all of her attempts to satisfy Salty Pepper fail and she only gets physically abused by Salty Pepper further. However, after being saved by Macaron, Chocolat finally decides to stand up against the villain and teaches Salty Pepper to let go of her obsessive perspective of love.
Etymology[]
Kenjou (剣城?): Ken (剣?) means 'sword' [1] while Jou (城?) means 'castle'. [2] Ken is also a possible reading for 犬 (Inu?), such as when referring to dog breeds.
Akira (あきら?) is a name often used by men, and less frequently, also used by women. The name means 'bright', 'clear' or 'intelligent'. [3] It can be used as "never give up", which is just a pun to her name.
Cure Chocolat is French for Chocolate. The word itself is also derived from the Nahualt language "Chocolatl".
History[]
First Appearances And Transforming Into Cure Chocolat For The First Time[]
Akira made a cameo appearance in the first episode, where she sees a vision of a chocolate bar in the sky after an eruption at Ichigoyama. She appears again by saving Ichika from falling on the sidewalk, causing Ichika to develop a crush on her. At the time, Ichika thought Akira was a boy. KKPCALM05
Later, Ichika learns that Akira had moved in next door to her, and she started falling for Akira even more. The other Cures join her at her house to learn more about the mysterious boy next door. Akira looks on from the balcony and asks Ichika if she knew of any good shops that sold chocolates. Ichika shows her one with a book she flipped through. The two of them head into the shopping district the next day to the store in question and bought chocolate, one as a gift for Akira's ailing little sister Miku, who was in the hospital, and another for Ichika as a thank-you present. As Akira explains to Ichika about her sister, a Kirakiraru Thief named Bitard attacks and steals the chocolates intended for Miku, leaving Akira shocked. Ichika tries and fails to get them back. Upset by this, Ichika comes up with the idea of having her and Akira make their own chocolate instead. At the patisserie, they make a chocolate doghouse with a strawberry resembling a dog's head as the other three watch. While making them, Himari and Aoi figure out that Akira is actually a girl when she called it "cute". Just then, as they finish up, Bitard appears again to take the homemade chocolate, but Ichika transforms into Cure Whip in front of Akira to defend it. However, like last time, she was easily defeated and de-transformed. Seeing this and the other Cures also struggling against Bitard increases Akira's desire to protect the chocolate even more. One of the dog chocolates then reacts, turning into an Animal Sweet and a Sweets Pact. With this, Akira transforms into Cure Chocolat for the first time and used her heightened sense of smell to track down Bitard easily, eventually defeating him and restoring the stolen Kirakiraru he stole from the chocolates. That night, Ichika visits Akira again when her father Genichirou appears and reveals to her that Akira is actually a girl, not a guy like she thought, causing Ichika to become shocked. KKPCALM06
Rescuing Her Sister[]
In episode 15, Akira's sister Miku is discharged from the hospital, much to her surprise. Akira then advises Miku not to develop high standards that she can't withstand, and tells Miku to inform her if not feeling comfortable. However, she starts to realize Miku is feeling disappointed with not being the best assistant, and wonders why Miku wants to give her a hand until Yukari tells her that Miku hopes to repay her kindness and care. But right after she tastes the poodle chocolate Miku made for her, Kuroki Rio appears before her and steals Miku's Kirakiraru. A fierce battle between her and Julio commences, and Chocolat is originally at the lower hand as her friends are confined and she is injured by one of Julio's attacks. But upon recalling how Miku wishes her to feel the same happiness and worry less, she frees herself from Julio's dark orb with the power of the cake, and rescues her sister after she and her friends defeat Julio. On the bus ride of sending Miku back to the hospital, the two sisters share a smile with each other and promise to make sweets together when they meet again.
In episode 30, Akira initially hopes to spend time with Miku and their grandmother during her class's cultural festival, but her responsibilities for the festival prevents her from doing so. Suddenly, Elisio shows up and drains all of the Kirakiraru, captures all of the festival-goers, and holds Miku hostage. He proceeds to guilt trip Chocolat by saying that she cares more about other strangers than her sickly sister after trapping her in a trial bench, and adds that by protecting something, other things are put at risk. The hardships of trying to protect a loved one eventually chips away at a person; so he thinks she just needs to save her sister and let everyone else suffer. However, Chocolat tells him that even if she has contradictory feelings, she refuses to let anyone, including Miku suffer from that. Her resolve to protect her sister and everyone else makes not only her dog Crystal transform, but also has Chocolat regains the strength to fight back. In the end, with Miku and the other civilians rescued, she finally has the chance to balance her time, and gets to exchange cookies with Miku.
In episode 44, she rescues Miku once again after Miku is kidnapped by Elisio. Transported to another dimension of Noir, she faces off Elisio, who powers himself up with an armor and has trapped Miku inside a monstrous snowman. Although originally at a disadvantage, Chocolat overcomes her difficulties via her love and courage. When Miku tells Akira that she's holding Akira back, Chocolat reassures her that she has found her own capabilities and hugs Miku. In the end, at the Kamakura festival pop patisserie, Miku and Akira spend time sharing chocolate treats.
Relationship With Yukari[]
As she begins working at KIRAKIRA Patisserie, Akira spends more time with Yukari as well. They have some clashes owing to their different perspectives, but they soon learn to appreciate each other's strengths with the time they spend together.
The most notable development in their relationship happens in episode 25, when Prince Nata attempts to win Yukari over while mistaking Akira to be a boy. She is then challenged by him in multiple competitions, which she all gets the disadvantages because of the Prince's cheating, and almost has the Patisserie demolished by the Prince. In the beginning, Akira isn't confident with her own dancing until Yukari offers to be her dance partner. As she gets used to it, the Prince interferes who then falls into the pool. Akira feels sorry for the Prince and asks Yukari to drop the act, though Yukari rejects her suggestion by pointing out that the battle between her and Nata isn't over. After Yukari allows the competition to proceed, Akira calls out the former for toying with Nata's feelings, but is then upset when Yukari somehow chooses to go to the Kingdom of Confetto and runs away from her.
The following day, when Ciel advises her to tell Yukari that she's being selfish, Akira replies that she didn't realize Yukari is a sensitive person and is sorry for being straightforward. After Ciel further advises her to speak about how she feels no matter how much she and Yukari seem to understand each other, she and Yukari are paired up to make chocolate macarons together. Yukari then admits about her imperfections and vulnerability to Akira that surfaces after the confrontation with Kuroki Rio with sadness, yet Akira still accepts her weaknesses and tells her to stop hiding. When Elisio manipulates Nata's Kirakiraru, Akira transforms into Chocolat to fight against him, only to be backstabbed and confined, which worries Yukari. Nonetheless, Chocolat's desire to protect Yukari ultimately helps her break through the bars, and is apologetic for concerning Yukari. With Macaron's assistance, Chocolat is able to hit the monster thanks to their strong bond. As Nata who still considers Akira as a male, entrusts Yukari to her and makes a pact between them before departing, she is embarrassed though also oblivious to Yukari's growing feelings for her.
Standing Up For Herself[]
When Noir's subordinate Salty Pepper is robbing the town's chocolates' flavors, Chocolat and her friends decide to stop her crime, only for her to be chosen and kidnapped as Salty Pepper's hostage. But no matter how Akira tries to satisfy Salty Pepper's desires, going as far as transforming in front of her, the villain remains dissatisfied, and Chocolat even gets violently hurt and chained by her. As her friends arrive to rescue her, Chocolat begs Salty Pepper to leave them alone, only for her words to fall on deaf ears.
Having enough, Chocolat finally vows to Salty Pepper that she is the one to decide for herself who she chooses to love. But due to her defiance, Salty Pepper proceeds to encase Chocolat in chocolate and she is about to throw Chocolat into a boiling pot of fondue that she also intends to jump into herself. Fortunately, Macaron comes to Chocolat's rescue and tells Salty Pepper off, which finally awakens Chocolat from the encased chocolate and motivates her to protect Macaron from Salty Pepper. In the end, Chocolat teaches Salty Pepper to learn to let go of her obsessive love, despite not fully realizing her own growing romantic feelings for Yukari.
Epilogue[]
Years later, Akira has grown up, and begins her study as a medical intern in a hospital.
Cure Chocolat[]
Cure Chocolat
強さと愛を！レッツ・ラ・まぜまぜ！キュアショコラ！できあがり！
Tsuyosa to Ai wo! Rettsu・Ra・Mazemaze! Kyua Shokora! Dekiagari!
Cure Chocolat (キュアショコラ?) is the Pretty Cure alter ego of Akira. In order to transform, she needs the Sweets Pact and her Animal Sweets. In this form, she has a heightened sense of smell like a dog.
Transformation[]
Cure La Mode・Decoration!: The sequence begins with Akira's Sweets Pact opening up and her reflection is shown in the mirror. She is now wearing a red top and shorts and she then shouts "Cure La Mode・Decoration!". Her Animal Sweet appears and she then shouts "Chocolate!" as she grabs it and inserts it into the pact. Then a small light pink beater-like pen appears, which she takes and presses the light pink stars, saying "strength" when pressing the first one and "love" after pressing the second one. Beams of orange and pink-colored light respectively shine from the small bowl-like part of the pact after she presses them. She then shouts "Let's・La・Mix It All Up!" as she uses the stylus to mix the two lights together, which spin around and coalesce into cream.
She uses the stylus to draw lines with it, which them forms into a giant chocolate bar with the cream careening on the cracks. The bar dissolves into tiny squares that, along with the cream, start to form her outfit. The cape appears first before the top, shorts, and socks. Akira draws a cross, which forms into the square-shaped brooch and ribbon protruding at the bottom. She is then surrounded by more chocolate that breaks away to form her boots. She then waves the pen over her head, which makes her top hat appear. It lands on her head as her hair lengths and becomes bright red with a dark brown streak. After stroking the brim with her fingers, her earrings appear. She then takes more of the chocolate and draws her Animal Sweet, which then causes her ears and tail to appear. She leaps into the air as her pact closes and the carrying pouch appears. Chocolat then lands on a staircase and introduces herself before walking down two steps and striking her finishing pose.
Attacks[]
- Kirakira♪Kiraru♪: The main method of attack used by the Cures, which manifests in the form of magical batter within the Sweets Pact. As Cure Chocolat, Akira has shown she has the ability to:
- Shield herself with a swipe of batter.
- Create force fields shaped like chocolate bar squares.
- Shoot a homing stream of energy that immobilizes the foe.
- Kirakirakirarun♪Kirakiraru♪: A more powerful version of the original incantation, giving Chocolat the ability to fire a large blast of red energy that encases the foe in what resembles a chocolate egg, which implodes and sends them flying.
- Three・2・Wonderful A La Mode! (スイー・２・ワンダフルアラモード！?) is the group attack Cure Chocolat performs with the other four Cures. To perform it, she must use the Candy Rod.
- Chocolat Aromase (ショコラアロマーゼ?) is the first sub attack Cure Chocolat uses in episode 15. To perform it, she needs the Candy Rod.
- Animal Go Round! (アニマルゴーランド！?) is the group attack Cure Chocolat performs with the other five Cures. To perform it, she must use the Kirakiraru Creamer and her Crystal Animal.
- Fantastic Animale (ファンタスティックアニマーレ！?) is the group attack Cure Chocolat performs with the other five Cures. To perform it, she must use the Kirakiraru Creamer and her Crystal Animal and be in her A La Mode Style.
Songs[]
Akira's voice actress, Mori Nanako, has participated in several image songs for the character she voices. Many of them include duets with Miyama Karen, who voices Usami Ichika, Fukuhara Haruka, who voices Arisugawa Himari, Muranaka Tomo, who voices Tategami Aoi, Fujita Saki, who voices Kotozume Yukari, and Minase Inori, who voices Kirahoshi Ciel.
Duets[]
- Macaronage of Love and Excitement (Along with Fujita Saki)
- Let's・La・Cookin'☆Showtime ~KIRAKIRA☆Patisserie・Version~ (Along with Miyama Karen, Fukuhara Haruka, Muranaka Tomo, Fujita Saki and Minase Inori)
- Mémoire・Mille-feuille (Along with Miyama Karen, Fukuhara Haruka, Muranaka Tomo, Fujita Saki and Minase Inori)
Trivia[]
- Akira's birthday is in September 24th, making her Zodiac sign Libra.
- Many aspects about Kenjou Akira - including her design, her voice, her personality and her transformation sequence - reference the extravagant Broadway-style musicals performed by the Takarazuka Revue, in which women play all possible roles of the musical.
- Her masculine design and personality fit the otokoyaku (男役?) (literally "male role"), the male part played by actresses in Takarazuka productions. This is especially apparent with her Cure design, with its ornate uniform/suit-like style, the top hat and the princely puffed sleeves and cape.
- In her transformation sequence, she stands on an ookaidan (大階段?), the "grand staircase" being a trademark of the musicals since 1927 and usually rolled out in the finale for the actresses to dance on. Her hand motions in the sequence are also typical.
- Her voice actress, Mori Nanako, used to play the otokoyaku role under the stage name Saeki Chihaya in fifteen Takarazuka Revue musical productions from 2005 to 2009.
- Cure Chocolat is the first Cure to be based on Takarazuka musicals, and the first character in Pretty Cure overall to be based on them, even with the musicals being a common motif in shojo productions such as The Rose of Versailles, Princess Knight and Revolutionary Girl Utena.
- Incidentally, juxtaposed with Cure Chocolat, the feminine Kotozume Yukari seems to reference the musumeyaku (娘役?) (literally "daughter's role") - the actresses playing the women in the musicals.
- In Animage's monthly character poll for its 2017-06 issue, Akira placed 9th in "Best Character Overall".
- Early character exploration art by Ino Marie, the character designer, shows her to be scared of bugs and ghosts. This was eventually scrapped.
- Akira shares her given name with Miura Akira, a minor character from Heartcatch Pretty Cure! and Nijigaoka Akira, a minor character from Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure.
- According to the Ino Marie Toei Animation PreCure Works artbook, Akira, along with Yukari, is twenty-three in the epilogue.
Gallery[]
- Main Page: Kenjou Akira/Image Gallery