about

Popular teenager Kisaragi Honey's life changes forever when her scientist father is kidnapped by the monstrous agency known as Panther Claw. Honey soon discovers that she is the maiden who wields the magical light of love, an ability which allows her to transform into countless different versions of herself including the deadly warrior, Cutey Honey! So now Honey not only has to deal with regular teenage woes, she also has to try and rescue her missing father and prevent Panther Claw from fulfilling their evil plans!

history

The story of the lovely warrior Cutey Honey has been around for many long years. Invented by Go Nagai, the original Cutey Honey was a large-breasted android who fought against the dimension-jumping creatures known as Panther Claw in a post-apocalyptic future. The original manga contained many violent scenes and explicit content (lesbian bondage springs to mind) but its popularity could not be denied and it was turned into a television anime series.

Since the 1970's Cutey Honey has been reinvented several times. Shin Cutey Honey, a sexed-up 90's OAV version of the original classic, Cutie Honey a live action movie released in 2004 and re: Cutie Honey a new direct-to-video series that elaborates on the recent live action film. In 2007/8 a twenty-five episode live action series entitled Cutie Honey The Live was also produced.

Cutey Honey Flash does not exactly fit with the other incarnations of Go Nagai's story. In essence it is a magical girl series- the once (very) curvy android warrior is now a confused adolescent. The violence and sexual themes that once popularised the character are toned down for the eyes of young girls (though Honey's clothes do still tear off in an amusing fashion). Honey now deals with troublesome school teachers, fencing club and mysterious (but oh-so-handsome) gentlemen. Quite the turn around.

While often criticised for its tweaking of the Cutey Honey concept, Flash did manage to strike a chord with a lot of people. Its charming dialogue, vibrant characters (including the very popular Flash-exclusive; Misty Honey) and sense of fun have allowed it to leave its mark on both the Cutey Honey-franchise & the magical girl genre.

series details

Cutey Honey Flash is both an anime and manga title. The anime (which ran for 39 episodes) was broadcast on TV Asahi from 15/02/1997 to 31/01/1998, assuming the time slot once held by the fan-favourite Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. Due to its popularity a 40-minute theatrical Cutey Honey Flash film was later released in cinemas during mid-1997 (alongside the Jigoku Sensi Nube movie.)

The series was a production between Dynamic Planning (Go Nagai's base studio) and Toei Animation. The opening theme song was "Cutey Honey" as sung by the artist SALIA, while the closing theme, "Nakechauhodo Setsunaikedo" was performed by Okamoto Maya . Music production was done through Columbia Music Entertainment.

The manga incarnation of the series was illustrated and written by acclaimed shoujo mangaka Yukako Iisaka and ran in Ciao magazine for young girls. It was compiled into 4 collected volumes and concluded in 1998.

Neither anime or manga has been licensed for distribution in the United States.

 

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