is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation and the twenty-third installment in the Pretty Cure franchise. Directed by Koji Kawasaki, it began airing on all ANN stations in Japan from February 1, 2026, succeeding You and Idol Precures timeslot. The series' main themes are mysteries and time-traveling, while its motif is detectives. It is the second time the Pretty Cure series has included kanji in its title.
Story
Anna Akechi is a 14-year-old second-year middle school student living in Makoto Mirai Town. On her birthday, guided by the fairy Pochitan and a pendant she finds in her room, she time-slips from 2027 to Makoto Mirai City in 1999. There, she meets Mikuru Kobayashi, a 14-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a detective. Suddenly, a robbery incident occurs, as someone has something precious to them stolen. Figuring that the "Phantom Thieves' Guild" may be responsible and driven by the feeling that "I canâÂÂt ignore someone in trouble", Anna and Mikuru transform into Cure Answer and Cure Mystique. Together, they become the Star Detective Precure, running the while solving mysteries and searching for a way for Anna to return to her original time.
Characters
Precures
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The main protagonist of the series. Anna is a second-year middle school girl who time-slipped from the year 2027 to 1999. Anna has a straightforward and honest personality and simply wants to help, as she cannot ignore people in trouble. Rather than thinking things through at length, Anna tends to rely on gut instincts and intuition to reach answers. After arriving in Makoto Mirai City in 1999, Anna meets Mikuru, and they begin living together while running the CUREtto Detective Agency. Her theme color is purple.
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Mikuru is a clumsy yet honest second-year middle school student from 1999, who joined the CUREtto Detective Agency in Makoto Mirai City with the goal of becoming a star detective. She has plenty of detective knowledge and works harder than anyone else. Rather than relying on gut instincts and intuition thinking, Mikuru prefers to think things through at length to reach answers. She loves cute things more than anything. Her theme color is pink.
A mysterious Precure.
Fairies
Jett is a cat-like fairy and self-proclaimed genius scientist, who invented the PreKit and supports the Star Detective Precure. He is embarrassed to be seen in his fairy form, so he often appears in human form. Despite this, Jett is a kind and caring boy who the girls adore, calling him . Jett's favorite things are candy and sweet things in general.
Pochitan is a panda-like fairy and Anna and Mikuru's fairy partner. A "space-time fairy" with the ability to transcend time and space, Pochitan used up all her power by time traveling and turned into a baby. If all the Makoto Jewels are collected, Pochitan may be able to return to her original form and return Anna to 2027. She loves fun things and has a childlike personality. Pochitan's favorite drink is milk.
Shushutan is a tanuki-like fairy and Cure Eclair's fairy partner.
Shinian is an elderly cat-like fairy and Jett's mentor.
Phantom Thieves' Guild
The are the main antagonists of the series. A group of evil fairies led by Usonoir, their main goal is to create a terrifying "world" blanketed in lies by exploiting the Makoto Jewels, crystallized feelings that dwell within objects people hold dear. Disguising themselves as various individuals, they secretly steal treasured possessions and the smiles connected to them without anyone noticing.
Leader
Usonoir is the leader of the Phantom Thieves' Guild and the main antagonist of the series. He is a phantom thief who acts according to the prophecies written in the Tome of Mirages. His aesthetic is that theft is magnificent, elegant, and dramatic, with the Guild's hideout resembling a theater reflecting his hobby.
Generals
Underlings of Usonoir. They use different methods to steal objects that contain a Makoto Jewel; Nijee and Ageseine disguise themselves as someone else to steal the object unnoticed, while Goemon takes the object by force. They possess the ability to corrupt a Makoto Jewel and transform it into a Hanninda by throwing a flower at the object they stole, taking away peoples' happiness. With the exception of Luluka, they are named after various criminals. They have bat wings on their body and wear a mask on their left eye. When they fails too many times, they will be sent to the trap room as punishment.
Nijee is the first general of the Phantom Thieves' Guild to attack. A pretentious general who always carries a rose, he is a master of disguise and prefers to steal things in an elegant manner. He is based on .
Ageseine is the second general of the Phantom Thieves' Guild to attack. A gyaru general who loves trendy things. Her favorite flower is the hibiscus, and her favorite phrases are and . She is based on "Arsène Lupin", a male crook and master of disguise, while her name is derived from , meaning "excited" and "elated".
Goemon is the third general of the Phantom Thieves' Guild to attack. A muscular, stylish, and cool general who takes it upon himself to help train any newcomers. Unlike Nijee and Ageseine, Goemon prefers to steal things by force instead of using disguises. His favorite food is dorayaki and his favorite flower is the cherry blossom petals. He is based on Goemon Ishikawa, the bandit leader in Azuchi-Momoyama period in Japan.
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Luluka is a mysterious girl who works as a member of the Phantom Thieves. Luluka has a laid-back personality and does not conform to stereotypes. She does not say much, but has a passionate side to her that she hides within. Her favorite food is ice cream. Her theme color is black.
Mashutan is a fox-like fairy, who serves as Luluka's fairy partner and the mascot of the Phantom Thieves' Guild. A "fortune-telling fairy" who can accurately predict anything through her fortune-telling. Mashutan has a strong bond with Cure Arcana Shadow. She loves fashion and has an overly helpful personality. Mashutan's favorite food is marshmallows.
Monsters
The main monsters of the series. They are created from the corrupted Makoto Jewels. Their name is derived from , meaning culprit.
Makoto Mirai City residents
Eliza is a mystery novelist who is currently in high school. She seeks help from the Cures to search for her missing glass pen.
Taira is the owner of Patisserie ChuChu, who likes Japanese sweets.
Kurea is a pastry chef at Patisserie ChuChu.
Shiruku is a popular up-and-coming new Heisei actor in Makoto Mirai City.
Mari is the first client of the CUREtto Detective Agency. She seeks help from the Cures to search for the missing tiara, which her mother had previously worn at her wedding and which she had planned to wear at her wedding.
Tomoka is a friend of Mari, whose identity was assumed by Nijee to steal the tiara.
Shota is a photographer who came to photograph Mari Soda's wedding.
Taizo is an office worker who was at the place where the thieving old lady was hiding.
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Akita and Suzumi are a couple from Makoto Mirai City.
Harue is a Heisei gal, whose identity was assumed by Nijee to steal the glass pen.
Chiho is the owner of the Kamellia Interior, who seeks help from the Cures to search for the missing turtle figurine.
Takuya is the clerk of the Kamellia Interior, whose identity was assumed by Ageseine to steal the turtle figurine.
Junichi is a university student aspiring to be a manga artist. He seeks help from the Cures to search for his missing bag, which contains his manga drafts.
Mariko is a university student who seeks help from Anna to search for her sister, Keiko.
Morio is a florist, whose identity was assumed by Nijee to steal Jett's goggles.
Tomoki is a producer, whose identity was assumed by Ageseine to steal the dress.
Makoto Mirai Academy
Keiko is Mariko's younger sister and a student from Makoto Mirai Academy, whose identity was assumed by Nijee to steal the swallow statue.
Rei is the president of Makoto Mirai Academy's student council.
Rie is one of Mikuru's classmates from Makoto Mirai Academy. She is known to be a huge enthusiast with a passion for dramas, and her favorite food is Kouign-amann cakes.
Yumi is one of Mikuru's classmates from Makoto Mirai Academy who is part of the track and field club, where she specializes in high jump. She always carries a MD Player with her.
Momo is a member of the drama club who seeks help from the Cures to search for the club's missing dress.
Production
The series' trademark was first confirmed by Toei in November 2025, and the official website launched on November 27, 2025. The series was fully revealed on January 11, 2026, along with merchandise related to the series.
Regarding the theme, ABC Animation producer Tada Kanako explained, "We hope the children can find the 'truth' with their hands throughout the journey of this series. In this flood of information and a fast-changing society, donâÂÂt feel lost, having the will to bridge the future. Respect others, care about others, speak up, and take action. Having their 'true feelings' equals 'the truth'. This is not something easy to do. Star Detective Precure! is a series that makes you think and find 'the truth' through your observation, feelings, and consideration." Soya Aramaki of Toei Animation explained, "Speaking about Detective stories, there is usually one absolutely perfect detective who brilliantly solves difficult cases that no one else has been able to solve. But this time, we deliberately made a novice detective the main character. Nobody can solve a case alone. However, with two of them...if there is a friend by her side, they can solve even the most difficult case! This is not just some ordinary detective story, but a story with girls who never give up, grow together with their friends, and stand up to great evil! This is the kind of Star Detective Precure! we would want to portray."
The series premiered on February 1, 2026 on Japan's ANN stations, replacing You and Idol Precure in its timeslot, with Koji Kawasaki as director, series composition by , character designs by , and music by Erika Fukusawa and Misaki Umase. The opening theme song is by Ami Ishii, while the ending theme song is by Akane Kumada and YÃ
«ka Masui. Crunchyroll is streaming the series.
Episodes
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See also
- Super Hero Time and Nichi Asa Kids Time â The timeslot blocks by ANN in Japan, which the series is part of.
Notes
References
External links