Tropical Rouge Precure Ep 5 Review: Fiery Sempai! Cure Flamingo has arrived!

Hi, Everyone! This is my review of Tropical Rouge Precure Episode 5 and it is the introduction of our final member, Takizawa Asuka/Cure Flamingo!

Manatsu was walking to school when she was confronted by three ruffians and the leader mistake Manatsu's words of Tropic-Shine as a reference to his bald head. Asuka arrived and make easy work of the three ruffians who fled away after that. 

Laura saw her potential as a possible Precure and insisted on recruiting her. The next day, Manatsu and Sango found Asuka and Laura wasted no time in revealing herself. She wants Asuka to become a Precure but there was no reaction when she held the Tropical Pouch.

Asuka declined the offer and the two girls continued to trail her. The two girls were then approached by the head of the student council, Shiratori Yuriko who rejected their application for a new club stating there are no available rooms left. Asuka saw what is going on and claimed to Yuriko that she will help the girls to find a new room.

Poor Sango, somebody helps the little Cinnamon!

After some searching, Minori found a shed on the rooftop. Although the shed is in a mess, they decided to use it after their teacher approved of their usage. The girls started clearing up the room with Laura bossing everyone and Asuka felt that she is throwing her weight on everyone. But Laura claimed she has no legs so she can't do much either. During one of the trips to the rubbish dump, Asuka was looking at the school tennis court with some intensity but continue to act normal.

Manatsu bought some Mango Buns for everyone and Asuka told her is her favourite. She asked Manatsu why she insisted on creating a club and she explained that she has no friends of the same age on the island so she is determined to make friends and memories when she came to the city. 

The three Junior girls load up all the unwanted items and head off to the Recycle centre. Asuka decided not to join them and went to grab her bag. She saw a note written by Manatsu which she hopes that Asuka can join them again for some Mango Buns. 

At least, there are some physical fights in this episode which is always a good thing!

Numeri is also at the Recycle centre and turned a statue into a Yaranade. The girls saw what is going on and transformed. The Yaranade split into four parts and the girls are facing an uphill battle. Asuka saw the commotion and told Laura that she wants to become a Precure, not because of Laura's ambition but it is her choice.

Did anyone think of Ryoko from Kill La Kill?

Victory!!!

Asuka took the Tropical Pouch and a Ring appeared on her finger. She then transformed into Cure Flamingo and joined the fight. After reassembling the parts back into one Yaranade and taking back the Motivation power, Cure Flamingo was also given her own Heart Rouge Rod and her attack- Precure Buttobi Flamingo Smash purified the Yaranade!

Gals, what about the unwanted stuff behind you?

After the battle, Asuka was welcomed by the other three after she agreed to join their club and the team is finally assembled!

Asuka's introduction was expected as she is seems like a strong and kind Senior to her Juniors. Her confrontation with the Ruffians is definitely similar to Kino Mikoto/Sailor Jupiter's debut on she makes short work of the ruffians. You can also tell that Asuka has some history with Yuriko like how both of them did not acknowledge each other as they walked past and how Asuka looked at the school tennis court which I am suspecting that she used to be a tennis player.

Her conversation with Manatsu also indicates that she does not believe in friends or teammates and I am guessing that it has something to do with the tennis club. Even her attack- Flamingo Smash looked like someone smash a tennis ball with a racket. (By the way, her attack reminds me of the over the top attacks from Kill La Kill. Did someone from Studio Trigger came to do this episode?)

Cure Flamingo herself is pretty cool and she is the muscles of the team as shown how incredible her speed and strength compared to the other girls. I know it is a long shot but Yuriko who is voiced by Fukuhara Ayaka (Shibuya Rin from Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, Bismarck from Azur Lane) might be our Sixth Ranger Precure as she is the only character so far, with dark blue hair which compliments the rest of the girls but then it could be a red herring to throw the viewers off. 

I know many believe that Laura might be our next Precure which is nothing wrong although so far, her character is very outspoken and not much of a team player. Who knows, maybe she will realise the folly of her ways in the future when the girls faced their major crisis and she has to make a choice of whether to follow her ambition or to follow her conscience.

Overall, a great introduction to Cure Flamingo and with Team Tropical Rouge finally assemble, what is the purpose of having a Precure Club in the first place as the girls asked Manatsu in the next episode. What could be the answer? Until then, stay safe and see you in the next post!

Tropical Rouge Precure Ep 4 Review: My Story Begins! Cure Papaya is Here!

Hi, Everyone! This is my review of Tropical Rouge Precure Episode 4 and it is the introduction of Ichinose Minori/Cure Papaya in this episode!

Minori has finished reading her favourite book-The Little Mermaid in the library alone. Meanwhile, Manatsu is relaxing with Sango at the Pretty Holic Saloon as she is pounding on what club should she choose. Laura suggested creating a new club that could fulfil Manatsu's desires and suggested a Precure Club.

You know, Laura, sticking out your head like that is creepy...

Maybe a red herring but what if she is the sixth ranger?

The two girls then asked Laura what is a Precure in the first place. She explained they are legendary warriors from Gran Ocean who protect both Ocean life and Humans. Manatsu then suggested going to their school library to find more about Precure. 

Reaction or Fiction?

The next day, the two girls looked around in the library and bumped into Minori who was holding the Little Mermaid book. She passed it to Manatsu who was filled with excitement. Manatsu then asked Minori if she likes Mermaids and Fairies which she quietly said yes. However, she claimed they are only stories and left in a hurry.

Maybe Minori's secret is being a Titan Slayer?

Behold! The Legendary Papaya!

The two girls wondered if Minori could be a Precure although Laura sensed that she doesn't have it in her. They later heard from their teacher that Minori is a top grade student and even wrote an essay for the literacy club. The girls found the essay and enjoyed her story. Minori saw the essay and felt uneasy. Manatsu praise her story and wanted to know more about it. However, Minori had a flashback of how her seniors claimed her story was boring and threw away her script.

That is not a Mermaid!

Minori was very upset and left them. Later, Manatsu went to the aquarium and met Hirabayashi who gave her tickets to the Mermaid exhibition in the local museum. The two girls with Laura went to the exhibition although Laura was outraged at how Mermaids are portrayed. They saw Minori (Laura blend into one of the exhibits) and she explained that she enjoyed the story of the Little Mermaid despite how the ending was a tragic one. 

I find this Yaranade very cute with its droopy eyes.

Laura couldn't take it anymore and exposed herself in front of Minori. She was shocked at meeting Laura and was reluctant to touch her tail. Manatsu wants her to become a Precure but there was no reaction from the Tropical Pact. Manatsu wants to give her self confidence by trying to apply her lipstick on Minori when suddenly the new general, Numeri appeared and create a Yaranade from the Dogu Statue.

Manatsu and Sango transformed in front of Minori who was awed by them. However, the Yaranade's strength was overwhelming for the two girls. Laura told off Minori that she needs to step out from her setback and move forward which finally awaken a Tropical Ring for Minori. 

Photon Beams!

Cure Papaya's Victory pose is hilarious!

She then transformed to Cure Papaya and aid the two girls. Her feelings also create a new Heart Rouge Rod and her finisher-Panpaka Papaya Shot purified the Yaranade. 

After Numeri retreated and everything went back to normal, Minori has a new sense of beginning and joined the rest. She finally touched Laura's tail which she commented that it is real and Laura was a bit annoyed that she only gave a normal comment and nothing more...

Similar to Sango's debut last week, we get to know more about Minori and her love of Mermaids and Fairies. She loves to write about fantasy stories however because of her senior who criticise that her story is boring and not real, she suffered a setback and could only keep her interests a secret. It was until Manatsu praised her essay and Laura's words gave her the courage to get back on her feet that she finally became Cure Papaya. I also loved the use of shadows whenever Minori appeared since it showed how she refused to take the first step in a bigger world and when she finally became Cure Papaya, everything around her was filled with brightness. (Very similar in Huggto Precure to how Ruru talked to Papple before her betrayal later in the episode) 

Cure Papaya is probably Minori's inner child awaken as she is full of life and energy. Her dress is similar to many of the yellow or younger cures before her but I like that she has a ponytail that is hidden behind her hair. Her Eyebeam is still fun to watch and her finisher-Panpaka Papaya shot reminds me of Miyako from Princess Connect with her magic that turned people into puddings with eyes and mouths included. 

The new general, Numeri  (which is a pun on the word Nume or Sleep in Japanese) is the doctor who reluctantly takes charge after Chongire suffered an injury in the kitchen. So the villains in this season have no choice but to appear because of injuries and not the usual "it's my turn to prove" cliche. 

Overall, a great introduction to Minori/Cure Papaya. So one more to go before Team Tropical become full with Takizawa Asuka appearing as Cure Flamingo in the next episode. Until then, stay safe and see you in the next post!