Anime Alright, "Precure" fans out there... What do you feel is the best starting point[s] for a newcomer?

[Scotty]

I've been thinking of getting into this franchise for a LONG, long time as I enjoy a lot of magical girl anime. The only problem is that so many different installments have released within the last 20+ years—which leaves newcomers feeling a bit overwhelmed. Some fans have told me in the past that it really doesn't matter where you start as each new installment doesn't really connect with the previous iteration. However, I'm the type of person who likes to experience a franchise beginning with its roots and working my way up to the current installment.

So, with all that said, do you guys think I should start with "Futari wa Pretty Cure" or should I immediately jump into "Kimi to Idol Precure"?

 

[Jayonnaise6105]

You and me both, friendo.

 

[emotion_engine]

There's a bunch of YouTube videos with breakdowns of each season, but IMO it's like any other long-running franchise:
1. Start from the first. I haven't seen it in ages, but the OG PreCure holds up pretty well animation-wise. It's a magical girl classic, so just watching it without going headfirst into PreCure as a whole is a good way to get some anime cred/experience. Not sure how well it reflects the structure/writing of later PreCure series. Since this is what you're naturally inclined to, I think this is a perfectly fine option in this case.
2. Pick the one everyone really likes. I think this is going to be HeartCatch. It has a unique artstyle that really helps it stay timeless, and it's a little more similar to recent PreCures. Obviously, this gets controversial, and it's not always good to just start with the best one, especially if it relies on knowledge/nostalgia of previous entries to really elevate it.
3. Start with what's currently airing. I guess this is Idol PreCure? For the most part, every PreCure is independent from each other, so I doubt you'd really be missing anything. If you're just really impatient to see what PreCure is like and just want to jump into fandom discussions right away, then just start watching whatever's airing.
4. Pick one that interests you the most. Check out the seasons that are out there and see which one you think you might have the most fun with. This is all for fun, after all. Don't watch something just because it's highly-regarded/well-liked/popular. Of course, no one needs me to tell them this on a retro games forum.

Don't be afraid to skip around or drop a season and come back to it later. Just have fun, goshdarnnit. None of this stuff is going anywhere.

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

"Why Yes, my favorite Precure series are KiraKira☆Precure à la Mode and Mahoutsukai Precure. How could you tell?"

 

[Lyra29]

I recommend you start by watching one that appeals to you the most and if you like it, watch the others. I personally recommend to start with Heartcatch precure.

 

[afureru]

Honestly, considering how much I adore magical girls, I take a more holistic approach and just say any one but the sequels (Yes 5 GoGo and Max Heart). It's generally agreed upon that Heartcatch, Go Princess and Hugtto are considered among the best seasons, with seasons like Fresh, Smile and Mahoutsukai being close seconds. When it comes to big Toei franchises like this one, I like going from a more popular season to less talked about ones (for example, after I finished Go Princess (amazing anime in general btw), I went to Kirakira and Futari Wa). My style isn't a monolith for consumption obviously, but it's always there.
Fun fact, Heartcatch's unique characters designs are thanks to it sharing it's character design with that of one of Toei's previous magical girl franchises, Ojamajo Doremi, Yoshihiko Umakoshi. :3

 

[glokglakglak]

do NOT start with the latest one
it's the first Precure i actually dropped

everyone will say Heartcatch Precure and for good reason
overall it's just the best in terms of characters, story, artstyle, well not a fan of the hallelujah black choir 2nd ED but the original OP is a nice feel good song whether the episode is going to be a funny one or one filled with despair (in precure standards, don't ever expect despair like berserk level)

the older precures had a lot more violence compared to the recent "beat you with the power of love and hugs" which is why i have a softer spot for the older ones, although the story of the og Futari wa Precure isn't all that great (but it did have some really heavy and serious atmospheres in some episodes)

Go! Princess Precure is thematically the best Precure because it's about Princesses, which is truly a very Precure and little girl thing to admire

but personally, i'd recommend Star Twinkle Precure just so you can watch the movie because i truly believe the Star Twinkle Precure movie is the best Precure anything you could ever ask for
i never expected to cry
it's also the only Precure series where they sing during transformation (of all the ones i've watched so far)

the problem with Precure most of the time is the big bad villain usually appears in the last few eps and is dealt with so quickly, like there's probably almost never a time when the main antagonist goes out themselves to fight the Precures on multiple occasions, which would be a good show of power scaling, so there's no tension

if you want super fun and just good times with lots of cute and funny expressions, Tropical Rouge Precure is your summer themed one and at the time i really thought it was the best Precure series, but as usual, the endings tend to be kinda hamfisted
it also has some pretty good animation

 

[nyka]

do they all have...like creature companions? >//< I keep seeing some of the designs on precure and I've been curious about checking it out but I'm coming from a place of vpet/tamagotchi love so maybe its something completely different to that ^^:

 

[glokglakglak]

do they all have...like creature companions? >//< I keep seeing some of the designs on precure and I've been curious about checking it out but I'm coming from a place of vpet/tamagotchi love so maybe its something completely different to that ^^:

there are some cute pet-thingies in some

Fresh Precure has this meerkat rodent thing (haven't watched it yet but i saw them make cameos in movies and some series)

Tropical Rouge Precure has this really cute baby seal which is the pet of the mermaid girl on the right

Futari wa Precure! Splash Star (this is kinda like Toei's attempt at rebooting the og Precure series, and although it's not as memorable as THE OG PRECURE, i do find it better objectively)
the 2 creturas at the bottom are especially cute, they're called Moop and Foop

Star Twinkle Precure
okay i'll be real honest, the main mascot (the white cloud puff) is kinda annoying, but i really like Puruns, the mini-UFO-riding jellyfish on the right

Yes! Precure 5 (the first precure with 5 members, it's pretty fun i'd say, i really love the characters and how they interact)
there's another cute looking one but with an attitude

her name is Milk

 

[Jayonnaise6105]

there are some cute pet-thingies in some

Fresh Precure has this meerkat rodent thing (haven't watched it yet but i saw them make cameos in movies and some series)
View attachment 98410

Tropical Rouge Precure has this really cute baby seal which is the pet of the mermaid girl on the right
View attachment 98411

Futari wa Precure! Splash Star (this is kinda like Toei's attempt at rebooting the og Precure series, and although it's not as memorable as THE OG PRECURE, i do find it better objectively)
the 2 creturas at the bottom are especially cute, they're called Moop and Foop
View attachment 98412

Star Twinkle Precure
okay i'll be real honest, the main mascot (the white cloud puff) is kinda annoying, but i really like Puruns, the mini-UFO-riding jellyfish on the right
View attachment 98413

Yes! Precure 5 (the first precure with 5 members, it's pretty fun i'd say, i really love the characters and how they interact)
the 2 squirrels in front are the original forms, but they can transform into bishounen guys
there's another cute looking one but with an attitude
View attachment 98414
her name is Milk
View attachment 98415

Alright, Milk has me sold!

 

[nyka]

there are some cute pet-thingies in some

Fresh Precure has this meerkat rodent thing (haven't watched it yet but i saw them make cameos in movies and some series)
View attachment 98410

Tropical Rouge Precure has this really cute baby seal which is the pet of the mermaid girl on the right
View attachment 98411

Futari wa Precure! Splash Star (this is kinda like Toei's attempt at rebooting the og Precure series, and although it's not as memorable as THE OG PRECURE, i do find it better objectively)
the 2 creturas at the bottom are especially cute, they're called Moop and Foop
View attachment 98412

Star Twinkle Precure
okay i'll be real honest, the main mascot (the white cloud puff) is kinda annoying, but i really like Puruns, the mini-UFO-riding jellyfish on the right
View attachment 98413

Yes! Precure 5 (the first precure with 5 members, it's pretty fun i'd say, i really love the characters and how they interact)
there's another cute looking one but with an attitude
View attachment 98414
her name is Milk
View attachment 98415

Oh these critters are lovely <3 and that reply is very educational tysm :3 I will absolutely have to check out some precure