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Prétear | |
新白雪姫伝説プリーティア (Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Purītia) | |
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Genre | Magical girl, [1] reverse harem, [2] romance [3] |
Manga | |
Written by | Junichi Sato |
Illustrated by | Kaori Naruse |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
English publisher | |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | May 30, 2000 – July 18, 2001 |
Volumes | 4 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Junichi Sato (chief) Kiyoko Sayama |
Produced by | Kei Fukura Hirofumi Ōtsuki |
Written by | Kenichi Kanemaki |
Music by | Toshiyuki Ōmori |
Studio | Hal Film Maker |
Licensed by | |
Original network | WOWOW, TUT, ABS, KBS, SUN, KSB, GBS, Kids Station, TVN, TVQ, Tokyo MX |
English network | |
Original run | April 4, 2001 – June 27, 2001 |
Episodes | 13 |
Prétear (新白雪姫伝説プリーティア, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Purītia), also called Prétear - The New Legend of Snow White, is a manga series written by Junichi Sato and illustrated by Kaori Naruse. Spanning four volumes, the manga series was originally published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten from May 2000 through July 2001. It was published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
The series was adapted into a thirteen episode anime series by Hal Film Maker, Kadokawa Shoten, and Rondo Robe. It aired in Japan on WOWOW from April 4, 2001 until June 27, 2001. Geneon (now NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan) released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS video and DVD forms. ADV Films had licensed and released the anime series.
A high school girl named Himeno Awayuki is attempting to adjust to her new life after her widowed father remarries wealthy widow Natsue. While taking a short cut to school, Himeno jumps out of a bush and lands on Hayate, the Knight of Wind. After some arguing Himeno wants to punch Hayate, but he blocks her hand causing a powerful light. Later she meets the other Leafe Knights who tell her that the red snow that has been falling on the town recently is being caused by the Princess of Disaster who is awakening, and that she is using demon larva to absorb Leafe, the essence of all life. They ask Himeno to become the Prétear and help them protect the world. Himeno is initially reluctant, believing they are trying to play a trick on her. When a larva attacks them and begins stealing leafe, Himeno agrees to help. Hayate tells her to take his hand and she merges with him to become the Wind Prétear. After adjusting to her new powers, Himeno is able to defeat the larva.
As the series progresses, Himeno finds herself slowly falling in love with Hayate, who is initially cold and refuses to acknowledge her as the Prétear. Eventually she learns the Princess of Disaster was once a girl named Takako, who was the last Prétear. She had not enjoyed fighting, but did it anyway, also falling in love with Hayate. When he could not return her feelings, her anguish caused her powers to turn to evil, changing her into the Princess of Disaster.
Mawata, one of Himeno's stepsisters, has been overwhelmed with grief since the death of her father and holds herself distant from her family. She and Himeno temporarily connect over their shared feelings, but Mawata is hurt when she sees Himeno with Hayate. Mawata is in love with Sasame, but it is revealed that he was in love with Takako. He throws away his status as a Leafe Knight and joins Takako to become her Knight of Darkness. Takako uses Mawata's love for Sasame to hurt her even more, enabling Takako to use her to fuel the Great Tree of Fenrir.
The town is overrun by the Great Tree. To protect the rest of her family, Himeno reveals her Prétear powers to them, then begs them to escape while she rescues Mawata. Instead, the family refuses to leave Mawata behind and put themselves in great physical danger to rescue her. Hayate and Sasame engage in a battle to the death, and Himeno climbs the Great Tree of Fenrir. Himeno's family starts attacking the bubble holding Mawata, calling to her desperately. Himeno continues up the tree to confront the Princess of Disaster. Mawata is freed and safe in the arms of her family. Takako doesn't want her to go and becomes desperate calling out for Sasame who appears after beating Hayate in battle. Fenrir asks Sasame to kill both Hayate and Himeno, but he is convinced by Himeno not to. Believing that not even Sasame loves her, Takako tries to kill herself, but Sasame shields her and dies. Takako comes back to her true self realizing that she loved Sasame too. Out of control, the tree captures Takako. Himeno tries to save her and she's attacked by the tree. Hayate shields her and then he dies in her arms.
To stop the tree, Himeno by herself becomes the legendary White Prétear and pours out a massive amount of Leafe. The town is restored, the Leafe Knights healed, and Sasame and Hayate are brought back to life. Hayate awakens to find the others crying over Himeno's lifeless body, lying in the grass as if she were sleeping. In agony, he holds her, then kisses her, which restores her life and enables her to awaken. At the end of the series, Himeno and Hayate are a couple, Himeno and her family are closer, Mawata is happier, and Takako is seen quietly sitting with Sasame.
Forces of darkness eventually controlled by Fenrir that seek to drain the Leafe out of all other life forms similar to parasites. Although this is instantaneous toward plant life, more complicated organisms such as animals take over the course of hours to drain entirely.
Anime director Junichi Satou created Prétear out of his desire to work on a series for women that featured good-looking boys. Wanting to base the story on a fairy tale, he asked himself what Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would be like if the dwarfs were replaced with cute guys. As the story took shape, Leafe became the symbol of the apple in the story. It can pass on its life force to others, like a regular apple when eaten, or take away life as the poison apple did in the original story. Feeling that the concept of a woman being rescued by " Prince Charming" was old-fashioned and not fitting with modern girls, he decided to make Prétear's "Snow White", Himeno, a more assertive woman. [4]
Though an anime director himself, Satou did not the direct the anime adaptation of Prétear. Kiyoko Sayama directed the series, while Satou provided consultation and checked the scripts and storyboards before they were animated. The anime characters were designed by Akemi Kobayashi, who made changes to the characters for the new story. For example, Hayate's anime version has longer hair tied in a ponytail, while in the manga story, Hayate had cut off his longer hair before the start. The design of Kei is the most drastically changed in the adaptation, with the anime version bearing little resemblance to his manga original. [5]
Written by Junichi Satou and illustrated by Kaori Naruse, the four volume Prétear manga series was published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten. The first volume was released on June 1, 2000, and the final was released on July 21, 2001. [6] All four volumes have been published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | |
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1 | June 1, 2000 | 4-04-853203-0 | May 25, 2004 [7] | 978-1413901443 [7] | |
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2 | March 1, 2001 | 4-04-853329-0 | September 7, 2004 [8] | 978-1413901450 [8] | |
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3 | April 1, 2001 | 4-04-853342-8 | October 4, 2004 [9] | 978-1413901467 [9] | |
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4 | July 21, 2001 | 4-04-853392-4 | January 18, 2005 [10] | 978-1413901474 [10] | |
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Hal Film Maker, Kadokawa Shoten, and Rondo Robe collaborated to adapt the manga chapters into an anime series that premiered in Japan on WOWOW on April 4, 2001. It ran for 13 episodes until its conclusion on June 27, 2001. Geneon (now NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan) released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS video and DVD forms. ADV Films licensed and released the anime series. Funimation has re-licensed the series. [11]
The series uses two pieces of theme music. The song "White Destiny", performed by Yoko Ishida, is used for the series opening theme. "Lucky Star", sung by Sayuri Yoshida, is used for its ending theme.
# | Title | Original airdate | |
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1 | "The Wind of Fate" "Unmei no kaze" (運命の風) | April 4, 2001 | |
Himeno Awayuki struggles as she relives her life into nobility. When running late for school, she unexpectedly sees red snow falling from the sky. Though the other Leafe Knights want to search for the Prétear, Hayate disagrees with this idea. Himeno later bumps into Hayate, who realizes that she is the Prétear from touching her hand during their quarrel. Sasame tells her of her destiny, while Go explains her role with the Leafe Knights. She rejects what they say until a water demon appears and absorbs leafe energy, causing Himeno to run away. However, she returns to accept her fate, allowing Hayate to merge into her. | |||
2 | "Let Me Hear Your Heart Flutter" "Tokimeki wo kikasete" (トキメキを聴かせて) | April 11, 2001 | |
Himeno, using Hayate's wind sword, breaks through the core of the water demon, thereby destroying it and restoring the leafe energy. Himeno is surprised to find out from Kei and Go that the Leafe Knights act as a sword or shield for the Prétear in battle. Sasame merges into Himeno as a trial run, in which she is able to hear sounds from far distances and project a sonic arrow from her mouth. Himeno views Sasame as one who encourages her to become stronger, different from how she views Hayate. Meanwhile, it is seen that Mawata Awayuki feels depressed over the death of her previous father, questioning the meaning of existence. She later encounters a trash demon that arises inside an alley. Sasame merges into Himeno, being able to defeat the trash demon. | |||
3 | "The Way of Becoming Prétear" "Tokimeki wo kikasete" (トキメキを聴かせて) | April 18, 2001 | |
Hayate tests Himeno of her worthiness by her using a kendama, however she fails at the attempt and causes a disappointed Hayate to leave. Sasame later shows her how a kendama can help increase concentration skills. Go, after merging into her, trains Himeno to use fire powers in combat. Even when Hayate seems impressed after her training, he still shows hostility towards her, causing her to accidentally say that she does not need him anymore. Himeno, after sensing a bicycle demon nearby, allows Go to merge into her and uses a fire ax to defeat the bicycle demon, thanks to Hayate. | |||
4 | "A Promise Made Under the Sunlight" "Youdamari no yakusoku" (陽だまりの約束) | April 25, 2001 | |
Himeno is reluctant to find out that Hayate has been hired to work at the mansion. As a demon larva is sensed somewhere in the mansion, Mannen, Hajime and Shin alert Himeno about this. Mr. Tanaka allows himself to tag along in their search in the forest, but not to much help. The children get separated from Himeno, but they find her after she is chased by several animals. As a soil demon emerges from Himeno's garden, Himeno allows Hajime to merge into her. Himeno uses a water attack to destroy the soil demon. | |||
5 | "The Smile of Darkness" "Yami no bishou" (闇の微笑) | May 2, 2001 | |
Takako mysteriously appears at a bridge in Himeno's dream. The next day at school, transport demons hover in the sky, absorbing leafe energy to be sent back to Takako. Himeno wanted to apologize to Hayate for disregarding his concern in guarding her, but she ends up being distracted by her father Kaoru Awayuki. Himeno, sensing a demon larva when a blackout occurs throughout the city, brings Hayate to the bridge where Takako soon appears. While Takako leads Hayate to a cathedral, an electric demon forms and attacks Himeno. The other Leafe Knights come to the rescue. Himeno allows Mannen to merge inside of her, and she shoots a blast of ice through the electric demon. Takako promises that she will kill Himeno the next time they meet. | |||
6 | "The Rouge Secret" "Ruuju no himitsu" (紅(ル−ジュ)の秘密) | May 9, 2001 | |
Himeno waits for Hayate to return as she is reminded of what Takako plans to do to her. Kei gives her a good luck charm and Go serves her a dessert, both in effort to cheer her up. When Kaoru asks Mawata to make clay sculptures with him, she reminisces about when her previous father taught her how to sculpt. Mikage, the maid of the mansion, advises Himeno to address the cause of her worries. Himeno, desperate to know more about Takako, asks Mannen, Hajime and Shin to take her to where Takako was first imprisoned. When they return, Kei mentions that Takako was born as a human. A building demon soon appears, and Himeno allows Kei to merge into her. Himeno, before destroying the building demon, is then surprised to find out that Takako was formerly the Prétear before she decided to become the Fenrir. | |||
7 | "I Can't Protect Anyone Anymore" "Mou daremo mamorenai" (もう誰も守れない) | May 16, 2001 | |
Takako, when she was the Prétear, fell in love with Hayate, who encouraged her to get stronger, though she endured much fear in battle. However, as Hayate was unable to return that love, she became the Fenrir, which urged the Leafe Knights to seal her away in imprisonment long ago. Figuring out that the powers are based from emotions, being influenced either positively or negatively, Himeno never felt that being the Prétear was any of her business or being dragged into the cause. Instead, she says that the Leafe Knights should be in agreement in order to combine their powers together. The next day, Himeno tries to have a positive attitude despite injuring herself several times. Meanwhile, the Leafe Knights spot a few building demons lurking in separate areas of the city, yet they are seen as decoys. At the cathedral, Himeno is overwhelmed upon seeing Takako again, soon learning that she is unable to allow Hayate to merge into her. | |||
8 | "The Time of Awakening" "Mezame no toki" (目覚めのとき) | May 23, 2001 | |
Takako drains all of Sasame's leafe energy before she disappears. While Go restores his leafe energy, Himeno returns home, blaming herself for what happened. While Himeno crosses a street, Mawata cries out her name before she almost gets hit by an oncoming car. The two head toward the beach, where Mawata mentions that living alone prevents any hurt and Himeno admits that she is clumsy and troublesome. Hayate reunites with Himeno at the beach, embracing her and worrying about her safety. Soon after, they encounter Takako, who has consumed the leafe energy of the remaining Leafe Knights. Believing in herself, she successfully allows Hayate to merge into her, which restores the leafe energy of the Leafe Knights. Himeno wounds Takako in battle, causing the latter to fall back. | |||
9 | "Unreachable Melody" "Todokanai merodii" (届かない旋律(メロディー)) | May 30, 2001 | |
Mawata has been staying inside her bedroom ever since she witnessed Himeno and Hayate hugging each other at the beach. Himeno senses the presence of Takako somewhere in the mansion, and the Leafe Knights split up to go search after her. Her family, as well as Yayoi Takato, believe that a ghost is hiding, so they go on a hunt, but not to much luck. Himeno ponders how Hayate feels about her. Mawata tells Mikage about her previous father, whom she had felt most connected to before he died. Mikage then advises her to accept her feelings and be honest with herself to others. Sasame, after realizing that Mikage is actually Takako, not only confesses his love for her, but also chooses to side with her. | |||
10 | "At the End of Memories" "Omoi no hate ni" (想いの果てに) | June 6, 2001 | |
Takako rejects Sasame's feelings for her before she disappears. While Mannen, Hajime and Shin help build a house for Himeno, Hayate tells her to return to the mansion to bid farewell to her family. Takako, setting Mawata in a trance, tries to absorb the hatred from her heart, yet Mawata is still tied to her affection for Sasame. Takako commands Sasame, who has destroyed the house, to assassinate Hayate in order to win her over, though Sasame seems hesitant. Takako allows Hayate to live and gives Sasame the power of darkness. | |||
11 | "Eyes of Glass" "Garasu no hitomi" (ガラスの瞳) | June 13, 2001 | |
Sasame still wants to be with Takako, despite her planning to destroy all of the leafe energy. Hayate apologizes to Himeno for giving her the responsibility of becoming the Prétear. Mawata, having mixed feelings, is soon visited by Sasame, who has come to take her away. Meanwhile, Himeno allows Hayate to merge into her, using a wind sword to defeat demon larvae that were approaching the mansion. Mawata, rejecting Natsue Awayuki to have cherished her as a daughter, says that she has felt alone until her first encounter with Sasame. However, after Takako kisses Sasame in front of Mawata, Takako reaches into her heart again, in which this time she becomes the nucleus of the Great Tree of Fenrir that has grown. | |||
12 | "Warmth, Once More" "Mekumori wo mouichido" (ぬくもりをもう一度) | June 20, 2001 | |
Kaoru and Natsune arrive with Mayune Awayuki, who is eager to save her little sister. Himeno, along with the three, try their best to break Mawata free from the Great Tree of Fenrir, striving to never give up. Mannen, Hajime and Shin help evacuate the city, while Kei and Go fend off lurking demon larvae. Sasame interjects and tells Himeno that she was absentminded of how much pain that Mawata has suffered all this time. Hayate decides to part from Himeno and take on Sasame by himself. Himeno climbs to the top of the tree and confronts Takako to be willing to forgive the betrayal and forget the past. Himeno manages to past through the barrier and convinces Mawata to release her hatred, thereby freeing herself. As Sasame defeats Hayate, he hesitates when Takako orders him to kill Himeno. When Takako prepares to kill herself via the vines and roots of the tree, Sasame shields her from the attack. | |||
13 | "The Legend of White Snow" "Shiroi yuki no densetsu" (白い雪の伝説) | June 27, 2001 | |
Takako, after weeping tearfully as Sasame begins to die, becomes engulfed in the Great Tree of Fenrir, wreaking havoc in the city. Himeno allows Hayate to merge into her in order to save Takako. The other Leafe Knights then give up their leafe energy in an attempt to strengthen Himeno. Hayate, as Himeno is being attacked by the vines and roots, shields her from getting hurt, greatly weakening him. She then transforms into the White Prétear and releases a lot of leafe energy, rescuing Takako and reviving Sasame as white snow falls from the sky, restoring the city. As Himeno gravely lies on the ground, Hayate kisses her, miraculously resurrecting her. |
Pretear is a reverse harem, magical girl shojo series loosely inspired by classic fairy tales like Snow White.