Impression
This is probably the first time I am so lost as to where to even start with Happiness Charge. The episode started out as cute and charming (and naturally corny) to puzzling. The first half was so cute that I decided I would ship Iona x Yuuya, just because they were so adorable and Yuuya was smooth as hell. Like damn, you would have never guessed this was his first date ever. But when Namakelda showed up and the events unfolded with the Shining Dresser responding to Iona’s innocence, I was staring at the screen trying to figure out why something felt off. I couldn’t and still can’t grasp how I feel about it.
For starters, I think we can all recognize that there was definitely a whole different air to the episode. The first thing the crossed my mind was, “The techniques they used and the way it has been directed makes it feel almost cinematic.” The cinematography was what stood out the most today. Toei Animation went all out playing with how the scenes were framed, the colors and the filters as well as the sounds. Obviously their mission was to convey that innocence, with silence and exchanges instead of doki doki heartbeats.
Then we had the Shining Makeup Dresser big reveal. Okay, so it wasn’t that big of a deal- and much to my surprise, it’s Iona of all people being the first to experience and take on the Shining Makeup Dresser’s Innocent form. Now, I have a lot of mixed opinions about this. While earlier on a lot of us were concerned that Iona would be shoved aside and forgotten after her mega upgrade thanks to being granted her wish to become a Precure Warrior… now at this point, I can’t help but feel like she is being spoiled. I honestly wished that they had all four of them be blessed with that power all at the same time. It’s not like I hate Iona’s character, (because I don’t) but it just feels almost unfair to the other characters. I think had all four them gone through it at the same time, I would have enjoyed it more rather than frowning at the screen saying to myself, “Hmmm…. I don’t know how I feel about this.”
I found it hilarious how Blue didn’t say a word about Iona going on a date and having been confessed to, in fact he knew this is what they needed to draw out the innocence. But isn’t it ironic? Love of all things to convey that innocence! Blue your love is forbidden rule is contradicting your whole mission to saving the world. Whatever, it’s another one of those things I can look past.
Next week, more fillers. Not to excited about it to be honest since it’s Megumi going around doing odd jobs to help people out. Who knows, maybe something else will come out of it to draw out her innocence.
