The middle stretch of You and Idol Precure♪ (episodes 25–36) leans into two clear ambitions: make the Cures believable pop idols and keep the franchise’s magical-girl heart beating. Those ambitions don’t always lock together cleanly. There are genuinely effective character moments and classic magical-girl beats here, but the season still struggles to fuse idol life and world-saving heroics into a coherent single identity. Below I break down what works, what doesn’t, and why the final cour will need to tighten its focus if the series is to finish strongly.
Cover: You and Idol Precure♪ (episodes 25–36)
Table of Contents
Idol life and magical duty: two halves that rarely intersect
One of the series’ central promises—melding idol drama with the magical-girl formula—feels under-realized. Frequently the show oscillates between concert rehearsals, social-media lessons and fan events, then abruptly switches to monster-of-the-week fights. The result is often two parallel shows in one: an idol slice-of-life and a Precure action series that coexist but rarely influence each other in meaningful ways. When the series does try to connect the two—either through character motivations or thematic stakes—the moments land. Unfortunately, those moments are spaced unevenly across the cour.
Villains and redemption arcs: familiar yet effective
Cutty and Zakkuri — from corrupted minions to sympathetic figures
Cutty and Zakkuri began as Darkine’s pawns who erased sparkle from people’s lives. Episodes 25–36 reveal their true origin as fairies, victims of their own stolen kira kira. Their corruption becomes a narrative device to show both Darkine’s cruelty and the franchise’s redemptive impulse: if those touched by darkness can be reclaimed, then the Cures’ mission is as much rescue as defeat. Their potential redemption hints at larger stakes, especially with the arrival of a new antagonist who may have personal ties to the past.
Jogi — a villain with echoes of someone lost
The new threat, Jogi, is introduced with visual and narrative links to a character fans know well. His resemblance to Hibiki and his cryptic remarks about missing someone suggest a layered backstory, positioning him as more than a disposable boss — potentially a tragic figure whose salvation could require all the Cures to coordinate. That setup follows classic magical-girl conventions: defeat isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and communal.
Meroron’s arc: complexity beneath the cute exterior
Meroron stands out as one of the cour’s best-developed threads. Their design intentionally incorporates black—a rare choice among the otherwise bright fairy cast—and that aesthetic choice maps directly onto their story. Meroron is less saccharine than Purirun and not driven by altruism like Tanaka; their motivation is the selfish, obsessive affection they feel for Purirun. This makes them a fascinating pivot point between light and dark.
Darkine’s attempt to recruit rather than outright transform Meroron creates much stronger drama. The fact that Meroron has agency—to refuse the darkness and choose friendship—turns a potentially predictable sub-plot into a genuine turning point. Episode 32’s human transformations (Meron Tanaka and Purin Tanaka) feel earned because Meroron’s growth is deliberate and emotionally coherent.
Team dynamics and the strength of Nana
Within the group, Nana has quietly become the emotional anchor. Her skill at creating safety for others makes her central to several redemptions on-screen: Meroron’s turn toward the group and Zakkiri’s liberation are both emotionally linked to Nana’s steady presence. Her arc—rooted in wanting to be the person she lacked—gives the ensemble a relatable core and strengthens the series’ claim that friendship is the true power.
Where the season still needs to improve
The show’s pacing and priorities remain uneven. For every episode that digs into character interiority, two feel like filler—idol events that showcase the industry trappings (fan signings, promo work, concert logistics) but do little to advance the themes or plot. That imbalance makes the idol elements feel sometimes ornamental rather than integral. To make the “idol-magical girl” concept stick, the series must make idol success and heroism interdependent: the Cures’ identities as performers should matter to how they fight and how they’re able to heal those around them.
Small improvements that would tighten the experience
- Integrate idol mechanics with battlefield stakes (e.g., fan emotions affecting kira kira, or social-media reach as a plot device).
- Give more sustained focus to Uta and Hibiki’s relationship development so the emotional beats don’t feel rushed late in the cour.
- Reduce episodic filler in favor of multi-episode arcs that let redemption arcs breathe.
Where this cour succeeds
When the show leans into character-driven redemption—particularly with Meroron and the reformed villains—it sings. The core magical-girl values of friendship, forgiveness and inner light remain intact, and the series demonstrates that it can produce touching, transformative moments. If the final cour capitalizes on these strengths and better integrates the idol elements, the show can close on a satisfying note.
Final thoughts
You and Idol Precure♪ episodes 25–36 are a mixed bag: strong character beats and classic Precure themes are undercut by an inconsistent marriage of idol and magical-girl storytelling. There’s clear potential—especially in the redemption arcs and Meroron’s development—but the show needs to make its two halves matter to one another to truly succeed. If the final cour doubles down on emotional payoffs and ties idol life to the team’s ability to save others, this season could still become a memorable entry in the franchise.
Related reading: official franchise information at Toei Animation and character details on the Precure fandom wiki Precure Wiki.
