What They Say:
Honey Kisaragi is ‘Cutie Honey’, scantily-clad warrior of love and justice, fighting against the evil Panther Claw organization, who kill Honey’s father, the keeper of the ‘Atmospheric Element Solidifier’, which Honey holds within herself. When Panther Claw begin to cause chaos and death throughout the city as a way of luring in Honey, will she be able to succeed against the ruthless clan of demonic divas and their matron leader, Sister Jill?
The Review
Content (Warning: Some of the portions of this review may contain spoilers):
Yuri has been a staple of Cutie Honey for a while now, especially with adaptations like Re: Cutie Honey completely embracing it and taking it as far as possible in the absurdity spectrum. Cutie Honey Universe is no exception, and this week’s episode uses it as a vehicle for the narrative, with mixed results.
Natsuko Aki, Honey’s best friend and possibly crush, is explored a bit more in this episode, previously left in the background. Genet, Honey’s investigation partner, gifts Aki a while rose and asks her out on a date, which kickstarts the conceit of the episode. Both them and the villains meet at this mall, where Panther Claw attempts to turn the shoppers into living sculptures, as a gift to Sister Jill.
Genet herself has been vague throughout the show, mostly acting deadpan or stoic. As hints of Sister Jill have been littered, though, it’s becoming increasingly clear that her and Genet are either the same person, or very blatantly connected in some way. Their poise and stature is the same, their demeanor and mannerisms as well, and today we get a very obvious parallel between them that Aki notices by the end of the episode. In fact, it’s so in-your-face that I’m certain one of two things will happen: Either Sister Jill and Genet will be revealed to be the same person/connected within the next two episodes, or all of this is a fog wall created to trick the viewer into thinking they’re related when they’re not.
Nevertheless, today’s episode is another batch of the ‘Monster of the Week’ formula that Cutie Honey is known for, nothing really that strings up so much that it becomes remotely interesting or noteworthy. It is very admirable that they’re integrating a more overarching and narrative-driven plot into these otherwise cookie-cutter, somewhat bland episodes. Props for that.
Also, the female bully gets a satisfying arc that builds up and pays off, even if it overstays its welcome in the end.
Summary:
Universe continues along its predetermined path with enough variation to be slightly intruiging, but never enough to garner excitement or investment from any viewer even remotely knowledgeable with the medium of anime. Structure is there, but there’s nothing distinct or eye-catching about it.
Grade: C-
Streamed by: HIDIVE