Cutie Honey Flash
Encyclopedia
is a 1997 anime
television series in the Cutie Honey
franchise. In its native Japan, the series assumed the timeslot of Sailor Stars
, the final story arc
of the long-running Sailor Moon
anime. Employing many of the same animation staff of Sailor Stars, including animation director
Miho Shimagasa, Flash features very similar character designs and fits the more traditional mold of magical girl
series, aimed at the Sailor Moon demographic. The series was also broadcast in Germany
.
before it, Cutie Honey Flash makes references to other series from Cutie Honey creator Go Nagai
. Recurring Honey characters Honey Kisaragi, Seiji, Danbei, Natsuko, Panther Zora, Sister Jill, and Miharu return here, along with Alphonne, Principal Pochi (as a dog), Gorgon Claw, a female version of Archduke Gorgon
of Mazinger Z
, and Freddy Claw, a female blend of Dr. Hell and Count Blocken
from Mazinger Z. Three boys from Honey's school are based on pilots from Getter Robo
and Getter Robo Go, and Great Mazinger
briefly appears on a TV screen early on in the series.
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The main protagonist of the series, as with other Cutie Honey
media, is Honey Kisaragi. However, unlike other Cutie Honey
incarnations, Honey is not an android but possesses a fully functional human body including reproductive capabilities (though she not exactly human either). Consequently, she is indeed a 16 year old girl at the beginning of the series, not a robot posing as one.
Honey studies at the boarding school
, St. Chapel Academy, along with best friend Natsuko Aki (who is nicknamed "Nat-chan") from the original 1970s versions of Honey. The academy's faculty includes former Honey characters as well: here, Miharu returns as a dreaded teacher, while Danbei Hayami is the academy's director. Later in the series, Alphonne, also from the original Cutie Honey, appears as Danbei's older sister.
Honey receives help, advice, and white flowers from a mysterious . Among the things the prince gives Honey are objects invented by her father, the scientist Takeshi Kisaragi. Honey can use the objects, by saying the phrase "Honey Flash", to transform in various ways. Honey can transform into a variety of personas in this series; she can change into versions of Hurricane Honey and Cutie Honey from the 1970s versions, as well as these:
; Prince Zera, a Panther Claw leader who jealously seeks Sister Jill's position in the group; and various henchmen. When fighting enemies, Cutie Honey uses attacks such as the Honey Boomerang, Honey Lightning Flare, Honey Rouge Arrow, and Honey Virginal Invitation.
A fourth character from the original Honey series, Seiji Hayami, appears as a detective
whose father was killed by the Panther Claw. Seiji often meets Honey in her Cutie Honey form, not knowing that she is Kisaragi
.
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The fourteenth episode of the anime introduces Misty Honey, a rival and self-proclaimed twin sister of Cutie Honey, whose name was chosen through a contest in Japan. Ironically, Misty Honey was one of her alter-egos in the original cartoon. Misty Honey, unlike Cutie Honey, cannot turn into anyone she wants; she can only change to Misty Honey. She has a band around her thigh that resembles Honey's choker which acts as the activator for her Airborne Element Fixing Device but she uses a ring to transform with the words "Honey Flash". Seira's heart was "poisoned" by Panther Zora. The darkness in her heart (and her flawed transformation device) creates Panther Claw minions. She can be seen as a negative version of Cutie, since Misty Honey has long blue hair and a more revealing outfit, while Cutie has short pink hair and a less revealing outfit. Her alter ego, Seira Hazuki, shares her given name with Seiji's child, who appears only in the 39th and final episode. While the anime and manga versions of the characters of Cutie Honey Flash mostly look similar, the two versions of Hazuki differ greatly in appearance. Misty Honey's attacks include Honey Sexy Dynamite.
animation; according to Shimagasa, the use of digitally-animated
characters on hand-painted backgrounds was planned and tested, but later rejected. Its theme music
was performed by Salia.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series in the Cutie Honey
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese media franchise created by Go Nagai. Cutie Honey first appears on volume 41 of the 1973 edition of Shōnen Champion. According to Nagai, she is the first female to be the protagonist of a shōnen manga series....
franchise. In its native Japan, the series assumed the timeslot of Sailor Stars
Sailor Stars
The following list of episodes of the Sailor Moon anime series covers , the fifth season of the series. Children's TV Asahi, Toei Agency and Toei Animation co-produced the episodes; Takuya Igarashi directed. The series originally aired on Children's TV Asahi between March 9, 1996 and February 8, 1997...
, the final story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
of the long-running Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon, known as , is a media franchise created by manga artist Naoko Takeuchi. Fred Patten credits Takeuchi with popularizing the concept of a team of magical girls, and Paul Gravett credits the series with "revitalizing" the magical-girl genre itself...
anime. Employing many of the same animation staff of Sailor Stars, including animation director
Animation director
An animation director is the director in charge of all aspects of the animation process during the production of an animated film or animated segment for a live-action film...
Miho Shimagasa, Flash features very similar character designs and fits the more traditional mold of magical girl
Magical girl
belong to a sub-genre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga. Magical girl stories feature young girls with superhuman abilities, forced to fight evil and to protect the Earth. They often possess a secret identity, although the name can just refer to young girls who follow a plotline involving magic...
series, aimed at the Sailor Moon demographic. The series was also broadcast in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Plot
Honey Kisaragi is a perfectly normal, beautiful high school student... until her scientist father is kidnapped by the evil organization Panther Claw, that is. However, her father left behind a device that she can use to transform into the red-haired sword-wielding heroine, Cutey Honey. Aided by Seiji, a private eye who specializes in Panther Claw, and the mysterious "Twilight Prince", she fights members of Panther Claw in order to rescue her father.Characters
Like New Cutie HoneyNew Cutie Honey
is a 1994 Japanese anime series in the Cutie Honey media franchise created by Go Nagai. Inspired by continued popularity of the original 1973 Cutie Honey television series, and first announced by Toei Video on October 1993, it remains the only Honey anime licensed for sale in the United States...
before it, Cutie Honey Flash makes references to other series from Cutie Honey creator Go Nagai
Go Nagai
, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
. Recurring Honey characters Honey Kisaragi, Seiji, Danbei, Natsuko, Panther Zora, Sister Jill, and Miharu return here, along with Alphonne, Principal Pochi (as a dog), Gorgon Claw, a female version of Archduke Gorgon
Archduke Gorgon
Archduke Gorgon was a villain who was seen primarily in the fictional giant robot anime Great Mazinger, but appeared several times in its prequel series, Mazinger Z, as well. He resembles a centaur somewhat, as from the waist up he is a green-skinned man, but below the waist has the body of a...
of Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
, known briefly as Tranzor Z in United States, is a Super Robot manga and anime series created by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. In...
, and Freddy Claw, a female blend of Dr. Hell and Count Blocken
Count Blocken
Count Brocken was a villain from the fictional robot story Mazinger Z. He was a cyborg whose head was hewn from his body during a car accident, and he carried it around with him. He sometimes carried it under his arm, but it had the ability to float on its own...
from Mazinger Z. Three boys from Honey's school are based on pilots from Getter Robo
Getter Robo
is a Super Robot manga series created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, as well as an anime series produced by Toei Animation. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4, 1974 to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes.- Plot :...
and Getter Robo Go, and Great Mazinger
Great Mazinger
is a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series...
briefly appears on a TV screen early on in the series.
Protagonists
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese media franchise created by Go Nagai. Cutie Honey first appears on volume 41 of the 1973 edition of Shōnen Champion. According to Nagai, she is the first female to be the protagonist of a shōnen manga series....
media, is Honey Kisaragi. However, unlike other Cutie Honey
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese media franchise created by Go Nagai. Cutie Honey first appears on volume 41 of the 1973 edition of Shōnen Champion. According to Nagai, she is the first female to be the protagonist of a shōnen manga series....
incarnations, Honey is not an android but possesses a fully functional human body including reproductive capabilities (though she not exactly human either). Consequently, she is indeed a 16 year old girl at the beginning of the series, not a robot posing as one.
Honey studies at the boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, St. Chapel Academy, along with best friend Natsuko Aki (who is nicknamed "Nat-chan") from the original 1970s versions of Honey. The academy's faculty includes former Honey characters as well: here, Miharu returns as a dreaded teacher, while Danbei Hayami is the academy's director. Later in the series, Alphonne, also from the original Cutie Honey, appears as Danbei's older sister.
Honey receives help, advice, and white flowers from a mysterious . Among the things the prince gives Honey are objects invented by her father, the scientist Takeshi Kisaragi. Honey can use the objects, by saying the phrase "Honey Flash", to transform in various ways. Honey can transform into a variety of personas in this series; she can change into versions of Hurricane Honey and Cutie Honey from the 1970s versions, as well as these:
- Hurricane Honey (bikerMotorcyclingMotorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
). A woman who rides her motorcycle like the wind. - Scoop Honey (paparazziPaparazziPaparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people...
). A woman who is ready with her film and cameraCameraA camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
acting as a reporter. - Stage Honey (singer). A woman who has her microphoneMicrophoneA microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
and her formal dress ready for an audienceAudienceAn audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
. - Nurse Honey (nurse). A woman who knows medical needs.
- Elegance Honey (bride). A woman who wears a white wedding dressWedding dressA wedding dress or wedding gown is the clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony. Color, style and ceremonial importance of the gown can depend on the religion and culture of the wedding participants.- Western culture :...
. She uses a bouquetFlower bouquetA flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement. There are different kinds including nosegay, crescent, and cascading bouquets. Flower bouquets are often given for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. They are also used extensively in weddings. Traditionally...
when she's in danger. - Escort Honey (tour guideTour guideA tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
). A woman disguised as a flight attendantFlight attendantFlight attendants or cabin crew are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.-History:The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar...
. - Hyper Honey (heroHeroA hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
ine). The hearts of Honey and Seira combine to take this form, resembling Cutie Honey but with a different outfit and far more power.
Panther Claw
In Cutie Honey Flash, Honey must deal with a version of the Panther Claw organization, composed of Panther Zora, a stone figure that reigns over the group; Sister Jill, who is Zora's second-in-commandSecond-in-command
The Second-in-Command is the deputy commander of any British Army or Royal Marines unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. He or she is thus the equivalent of an Executive Officer in the United States Army...
; Prince Zera, a Panther Claw leader who jealously seeks Sister Jill's position in the group; and various henchmen. When fighting enemies, Cutie Honey uses attacks such as the Honey Boomerang, Honey Lightning Flare, Honey Rouge Arrow, and Honey Virginal Invitation.
A fourth character from the original Honey series, Seiji Hayami, appears as a detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
whose father was killed by the Panther Claw. Seiji often meets Honey in her Cutie Honey form, not knowing that she is Kisaragi
Secret identity
A secret identity is an element of fiction wherein a character develops a separate persona , while keeping their true identity hidden. The character also may wear a disguise...
.
Misty Honey
- Seira's family name "Hazuki" is the classical/romantic Japanese name for the eighth month of the lunar calendar. In contrast, Honey's family name "Kisaragi" is the classical/romantic Japanese name for the second month of the lunar calendar. "Kisaragi" corresponds to March/April (Spring), while "Hazuki" corresponds to September/October (Autumn) of the solar calendar, representing the opposing characteristics of the twin sisters.
Production
Cutie Honey Flash uses hand-drawnCel
A cel, short for celluloid, is a transparent sheet on which objects are drawn or painted for traditional, hand-drawn animation. Actual celluloid was used during the first half of the 20th century, but since it was flammable and dimensionally unstable it was largely replaced by cellulose acetate...
animation; according to Shimagasa, the use of digitally-animated
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
characters on hand-painted backgrounds was planned and tested, but later rejected. Its theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
was performed by Salia.
Season one
- In the Name of Love! the Maiden transforms
- A Young Woman's Determination! A Flower in the Sunset
- A Girl's Dream! For Whom is the Wedding Dress?
- The Tear of the Mermaid Princess! The bond between Father and Daughter
- Overcome your fate! The Girl of the seven-colored Rainbow
- Can't Transform! Honey Trapped
- The Sea of Sorrow! Seiji's Recollection of His Father
- The Sweet and Perilous Scent! Protect a Maiden's Pure Heart
- Prince is in Danger!? A Rival Appears!!
- Lighting Flare Defeated!? Honey's Desperate Battle
- The Encroaching Terror!! Honey targeted
- Honey Cornered! Jill's Electric Shock Attack
- Fight with the Power of Love! The Final Battle with Jill
Season Two
- The Entrance of a Mysterious Fighter!! Overture to a New Fate
- The Act Begins! The Super Battle between Two Honey's
- The Entanglement of Love and Hate! The Sisters' Tennis Match
- The Shocking Truth! Father reveals Honeys' secret
- Scorching Memories! Seira's Past
- The Competition in Swimsuits! Battling Skeletons on a Ghostship
- The Seal of Panther Claw! The Secret of Seira's Breast Mark
- For the Sake of Love! The Last Battle between the Two Honey's
- Seira Perishes in a Sea of Flames! holding her Father's Love to her bosom
- The Finale of Love! Honey's Love that Shines through Fate.
Season Three
- School Destroyed! The Threat of the Resurrected Panther Claw
- Honey brings up Baby
- An "Idol" Panther? The Battle of the Singing Divas
- The Queen of the Circuit! The Dangerous Ultra-High-Speed Race
- The One called the "Devil": The Tear of a Panther Warrier
- Big Adventure on an Uninhabited Island. Much ado about a Treasure Hunt
- There is No Getting Off! The Train Speeding toward Hell
- Passion and Love Persist! The Days of Father's Youth
- The Worst Day for Hungry Private Eye, Seiji Hayami
- The Trap in Outer Space! Honey's Biggest Crisis
- Honey's Choice: Seiji vs. Prince
- Have Faith in Me! The Power of Love at Full Maximum
- Battle of Courage! The Electrifying Pro-Wrestling Match
- The Last Holy War! (Part 1) Love confronts Fate
- The Last Holy War! (Part 2) The Triumph of the Power to Dream
- Honey the Bride! The Light of Love is Forever