Episode 4: The Pretty Cure Combination Dissolves that Fast?
The strongest duo is formed!
"I have your Tact right here. I heard about you girls, but I see that adding another Precure still makes you two the weakest Precure ever."
— Kumojaki
The Pretty Cure Combination Dissolves that Fast? (早くもプリキュアコンビ解散ですか？, Hayaku mo Purikyua Konbi Kaisan Desu Ka?) is the 4th episode for the season Heart Catch Pretty Cure as well as the 296th episode of the Pretty Cure franchise overall.
The episode focuses on Pretty Cure's friendship, why Tsubomi became Cure Blossom and the introduction of Kumojaki.
Tropes:
- Action Prologue: The episode opens with a Desertrian on a rampage with Cures Blossom and Marine in hot pursuit.
- Affectionate Nickname: Erika calls her friend Mao Mao-chin
- Always Second Best: The crux of this episode’s conflict is Tsubomi’s insecurities towards Erika.
- Badass Boast: Kumojaki makes a cocky one to Sabaku early one.Kumojacy: Even if there are two Precure, as long as the great Kumojaki is here, even 100 Precure is nothing.
- Combination Attack: Blossom and Marine create one in this episode’s conclusion - the Floral Power Fortissimo.
- Establishing Character Moment: Kumojaki asserts himself as a tough and masculine antagonist looking for a good battle.
- Fair-Play Villain: While Kumojaki disguises it to the Cures as seeing them as Not Worth Killing, he admits to Sasorina that he dislikes underhanded tactics.
- Face Framed in Shadow: Kumojaki is presented this way to audience when he first appears.
- Heroic BSoD: Tsubomi goes into one after being on a losing streak.
- Imagine Spot: Tsubomi has one of Erika dramatically leaving her for another partner.
- Innocently Insensitive: When Mao is on the outs with Ayumi, Erika tells Mao to let it go and ends up hurting both Mao and Tsubomi’s feelings.
- Insert Song: Tsu.Bo.Mi ~Future Flower~
plays near the end of this episode. - I Work Alone: Kumojaki reveals that this is his philosophy and looks down on the Cures’ teamwork.
- Lap Pillow: Mao wakes up to one from her friend Ayumi after being purified.
- The Load: Tsubomi worries she is becoming this to Erika and her fears have some basis in reality.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Erika manages to push Mao and Tsubomi both into a Heroic BSoD after being her usual Innocently Insensitive self.
- Not Worth Killing: Kumojaki states this is why he will return Blossom’s Flower Tact.
- On the Next: Cobraja makes his appearance.Tsubomi and Erika: We’ll catch your hearts!
- Please, Don't Leave Me: Mao begs Ayumi yo not do this.
- Poor Communication Kills: If Erika and Tsubomi and Mao and Ayumi had talked out their feelings there wouldn’t have been much of a conflict in this episode.
- The Power of Friendship: This is what fuels the Cures and leads to the birth of the Floral Power Fortissimo.
- Rebuilt Pedestal: Tsubomi initially was not impressed by Coupe-sama in the least but in this episode she tearfully cries into his cheat for comfort.
- Relationship Upgrade: A platonic version. Erika and Tsubomi go from good friends to best friends.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: Marine asserts that she and Blossom are the strongest duo to Kumojaki’s taunts.
- Small Steps Hero: Blossom shows that she prioritize saving civilians over defeating her opponents.
- This is Deconstructed when this act causes Blossom to lose her Flower Tact.
- Title Drop: Twice.
- The first time is when Chypre says the title after Tsubomi runs away.
- The next time is when Blossom and Marine say “Heartcatch!” after their Floral Power Fortissimo.
- Transformation Sequence: We see Blossom and Marine transform together for the first time.
- Trash Talk: These are the first words out of Kumojaki’s mouth.
- Ungrateful Bastard: Played for Laughs. The little boy Blossom saves and was prepared to take the bullet for finds Marine more impressive.
- Villain Respect: Kumojaki gives his acknowledgment to the Cures as he retreats.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are
- Kaoruko gives one to Tsubomi in the greenhouse.
- During their battle against Mao’s Desertrian, Marine gives one to Blossom.
