Animate Times reports: "Idol Pretty Cure: You and Me ♪ Thanksgiving Festival" concludes with a grand finale! A tear-jerking reading drama set five years after the final episode, with all voice actors making a surprise flower presentation.

original:https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1776299859

Original Title: "Thank you for meeting us!" – One year walking together with "You." A report on the "You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ Thanksgiving Festival," featuring a reading drama set 5 years after the finale and surprise messages

On February 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday), 2026, the "You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ Thanksgiving Festival" was held at Kanadevia Hall (TOKYO DOME CITY HALL) in Tokyo. With the message, "The most special thank you for this encounter. Let's bloom the stage of our promise—" taken from the lyrics of the latter-half ending theme song "Kimi to Rurara," the "You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ Thanksgiving Festival" was a culminating stage to deliver feelings of gratitude to all the "Kirakki Ranrans" (the fan nickname) who had supported You and Idol Pretty Cure♪.

The event was held twice a day, split into Family Performances and Premium Performances. The Family Performance featured not only the Idol Pretty Cures but also opening theme song singers Ami Ishii, Akane Kumada, and Chihaya Yoshitake, delivering an original show and live performance. Additionally, Cure Answer and Cure Mystic from Detective Pretty Cure! appeared, along with Yuka Masui (ending theme song singer).

Meanwhile, the Premium Performance featured the Idol Pretty Cures, the three opening theme song singers, and the voice cast: Misato Matsuoka (Cure Idol / Uta Sakura), Minami Takahashi (Cure Wink / Nana Aokaze), Natsumi Takamori (Cure Kyun-Kyun / Kokoro Shigure), Yoshino Nanjo (Cure Zukyoon / Purirun), and Miharu Hanai (Cure Kiss / Meroron). Like the Family Performance, Cure Answer, Cure Mystic, and Yuka Masui from Detective Pretty Cure! also appeared. The Premium Performance featured not only the original show and live segments but also a talk session by the cast, live dubbing, and a reading drama depicting the story after the final episode—a truly packed program. This report covers the final day's Premium Performance.

Following announcements by Purirun, Meroron, and Tanaka (Tanakaan), the venue heated up with call practice before the show opened. After a transformation sequence into the Idol Pretty Cures, a video played showing them heading to the Final Live, continuing from Episode 49, "Together with You! Kirakki Ranran♪"

Then, the voice cast and the Idol Pretty Cures performed "Kimi to Rurara," and the Final Live began.

A major feature of this Thanksgiving Festival was the seamless fusion of the "Final Live"—a continuation of Episode 49 "Together with You! Kirakki Ranran♪"—with character shows, reading drama, and live dubbing. Also, similar to the You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ LIVE2025 You&I＝We're IDOL PRECURE held in October 2025, the structure where the anime's continuation unfolded directly on stage before the audience's eyes was unique to You and Idol Pretty Cure♪, a series deeply connected to music.

After performing "Kimi to Ribbon," the voice cast temporarily withdrew backstage.

The Idol Pretty Cures then greeted the audience: "Once again, welcome to the 'You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ Final Live'!" Cure Idol said, "Thank you for coming to our Final Live today!" "This is our promise—the five of us—the Final Live! It's our last concert! Please enjoy!"

Then, evoking memories of the film You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ the Movie: For You! Our Kirakilala Concert!, Cure Idol declared, "The first performer is me, Cure Idol!" and launched into "Egao no Unison♪." This was followed by Cure Wink's stage song "Mabataki no Gosenfu" and Cure Kyun-Kyun's stage song "Kokoro Revolution," further raising the venue's excitement. Then, following the exchange, "I'm so glad I became Cure Zukyoon." "So am I, sister," Cure Zukyoon and Cure Kiss performed "Awakening Harmony." Stage songs continued one after another.

Then, following the exchange, "I'm so glad I became Cure Zukyoon." "So am I, sister," Cure Zukyoon and Cure Kiss performed "Awakening Harmony." Stage songs continued one after another.

Here, invited by the Idol Pretty Cures, Ami Ishii, Akane Kumada, and Chihaya Yoshitake appeared at the Final Live. Together they announced, "We are the Precure Singers, who love Idol Pretty Cure!" "We've performed together before!" (Cure Idol), "And we made a promise then! That we'd definitely stand on the same stage again" (Cure Wink), "That promise has come true!" (Cure Kyun-Kyun), "Yes! We're so happy! Thank you for inviting us!" (Ishii). With this exchange, the live shifted to the Precure Singers' turn. Incidentally, the three had been looking at photos from You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ LIVE2025 You&I＝We're IDOL PRECURE in the dressing room, and those memories were shown on the monitors. "It's a little sad that today is the final one" (Kumada), "But we're going to hype things up even more from here!" (Yoshitake).

With that as the cue, they energetically performed the live-themed image song "Iza! Idol." However, during "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!", eerie smoke began to drift across the stage, and something happened to the three Precure Singers.

"I can't become Kirakki Ranran..." "I'm so lonely... I keep looking at the photos I took on my phone..." "I don't want it to end like this..." "I don't want it to end!"

Eventually swallowed by the darkness of loneliness, the three, now clad in black, gave birth to "Owaranaindā." The atmosphere turned ominous, a stark contrast to their earlier radiance.

"Everyone in the audience, don't worry! We Idol Pretty Cures will protect you!" The Idol Pretty Cures rushed to the front, but the overwhelming power of the newly performed song "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Dark Down↓" pushed them back, escalating the tension. Just then, Tanaka, returning from the restroom, called out to the audience: "We have no choice but to borrow the power of everyone here!" The call-and-response of "Idol Pretty Cure, ganbare—!" practiced before the show echoed through the venue, and the Idol Pretty Cures, receiving that support, stood up again.

"Ami-chan! Akane-chan! Chihaya-chan! Because it's the Final Live, because it's the last one, you feel lonely. You feel sad. But that's okay. It's natural to have those feelings. That's exactly why we're here. No matter how dark it gets, we'll make sure you can become Kirakki Ranran!"

Then, with the words, "The climax is ours!" the Idol Pretty Cures and the audience sang "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!" together. The voices resounding through the venue became power, and the three returned to their original forms with a "Kirakki Rattā!" Learning what had happened, the three expressed their gratitude to the Idol Pretty Cures and the audience, and performed the remainder of "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!" once more. Their voices, now carrying a different kind of brilliance, spread throughout the venue, creating a stage full of sparkling radiance. The three Precure Singers said, "From now on, let's keep singing together forever!" strengthening their bonds even further. "Even if time passes, as long as you remember us, we will always be Kirakki Ranran, always with you." These words quietly resonated in the heart, leaving a touch of bittersweetness.

In that lingering atmosphere, the Idol Pretty Cures performed the theme song of You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ the Movie: For You! Our Kirakilala Concert!, "♪HiBiKi Au Uta♪." The feelings that seemed to continue a thousand years into the future resounded gently and powerfully, as the glow of penlights swayed in waves. Next, the first-half ending theme "Trio Dreams" was performed by Cure Idol, Cure Wink, and Cure Kyun-Kyun. Call and response filled the air, creating a sense of unity unique to live performances.

"Now for a special guest! New Pretty Cure friends have come!" The Detective Pretty Cure! team took the stage.

Ishii performed the opening theme "Heart ni Hint! Detective Pretty Cure!" Furthermore, Kumada and Yuka Masui—making her Precure Singer debut with this work—performed "Naze? Nazo?! ANSWER" alongside Cure Answer and Cure Mystic. A fresh stage that signaled the beginning of a new story was delivered. Cure Answer cheerfully exclaimed, "Hanamaru suteki—!" after their performance. When the song ended, Kumada called out, "Keep enjoying the Idol Pretty Cure live!" and the venue's excitement carried over to the next segment.

Here, the Idol Pretty Cures appeared wearing flower crowns and veils, just like the key visual of the Thanksgiving Festival. "The Final Live is approaching its end. We've written letters to express the 'thank you' in our hearts and the feelings we want to convey to you." Each of them read aloud their words of gratitude. Cure Idol said, "The reason I can be Cure Idol right now is because of you! Thank you so much!" She then conveyed earnestly: "For us Idol Pretty Cures, this is our last live. After this Final Live, we will be taking a break from our activities. From now on, we'll each move forward to our own stages, toward a Kirakki Ranran future! But don't forget. When you take your next step forward, we'll be cheering you on."

"We'll always be together. We and you are Idol Pretty Cures. No matter how dark it gets, you can become Kirakki Ranran. Beyond that, let's bloom the greatest stage. That's our promise! To you, who are so Kirakki Ranran, to you, to you..."

From those words, they transitioned a cappella into "Egao no Unison♪," creating a sense of unity. Then, taking a breath, they announced, "Now, this is our last song!" and performed the final number, "Kimi to Rurara." With the radiance they had given each other throughout the year, they illuminated one another. A song filled with emotion, worthy of closing the Final Live, resonated through the venue.

After Cure Idol sent a cheer of "Kirakki Ranrān!" to every corner of the venue, Tanaka's closing announcement echoed: "Today's performance has now concluded. I, Tanaka, sincerely thank you for all your passionate support." A heavy sense of "it's really over" settled over the venue.

...But then, the sound effect changed, and a voice asked, "However, everyone! Isn't there one big thing we've forgotten?" "What we want to find now! What we want to know now! There must be a real forgotten thing. That is, yes! What kind of days did the five Idol Pretty Cures spend after the Final Live?"—the "story after that" was announced to be revealed here for the first time, drawing a huge cheer from the audience.

With the cue, "The continuation of the five's story, revealed here for the first time," an episode set five years later was delivered as a reading drama by the voice cast.

Five years after the anime's main story ended. The scene depicted was a reunion between Nana and Kokoro after idol Uta Sakura's solo live at Hanamichi Stadium. When asked for her thoughts on the live, Kokoro said, "There were about 120 heart-pounding moments," a heartwarming depiction of her unchanged passion from five years ago. It was also revealed that Uta had performed a new song composed by Nana at the live.

Then Purirun and Meroron appeared. It was explained that after five years, the Heart Tree had grown, allowing travel between Kirakira Land and Hanamichi Town. Following Uta's suggestion, "Let's all become Idol Pretty Cures again for the first time in a while!" the transformation bank played, and the five reunited as Idol Pretty Cures.

The exchange, "We're perfectly in sync even though it's been a while!" "Of course! Because five years ago we did it about 49 times in a year!" and Meroron's poem, along with meta-commentary about the "transformation scene," drew laughter from the audience.

They also spoke about their respective paths over the five years. Purirun and Meroron had been active as Idol Pretty Cures in Kirakira Land, holding many lives. The anecdote about them performing in day shows (Family Performances) and night shows (Premium Performances) drew laughter from the audience, echoing the Thanksgiving Festival itself. It was also mentioned that Tanakaan had become Chief Manager, Cutting and Zacklin were Managers, and Chokkirin was a Trainee Manager. Chokkirin was apparently a "friend who looks just like Chokkirīnu" born later, and when Cure Kyun-Kyun asked, "Could she be Chokkirīnu's reincarnation?" Cure Kiss replied, "There are various theories about that."

Meanwhile, Kokoro had established an Idol Research Club in high school and later worked as an influencer. Nana continued playing piano and entered a music university, where she began providing songs for Uta. Uta remained true to her stance of "singing because she wants to sing," continuing her path as an idol. When Cure Idol spoke of her Kirakki Ranran dream, Cure Kyun-Kyun delivered a sharp retort: "...That's what she says, but I think the one who pushed Uta-senpai forward was none other than Hibiki Kaito."

The scene in the dressing room was "replayed" as a "let's look back!" VTR (laughs). While the others paused and interjected with playful comments, the exchange revealed that they recognized and supported each other (incidentally, Kaito appeared on stage in this scene). The two had promised to "meet again." Kaito made a promise: "—I want to see you again. Next time, on the same stage."

Returning to the present, they decided to hold a "revival live" as the five of them, saying, "Since we're all here, let's do a live together." Cure Idol said with a smile, "Because we promised at the Final Live! That someday, we'd bloom the stage with you again!"

"Today, welcome to our Idol Pretty Cure Revival Live!" The live opened immediately. The phrase from the self-introduction song "We are! You & IDOL PRECURE"—"To your (Hi!!) today (Hi!!) I've come to see you (Yeah!!)"—resounded as if prepared for this very day. On this stage where fiction and reality overlapped, the message reached each and every audience member straight to the heart.

In the next day's scene, they spoke of how "We all fulfilled our promise!" while Purirun was shown happily eating octopus sausages. Uta mentioned the "promise" from the Final Live. Nana said, "Actually, when Uta-chan made that promise at the Final Live, it was so sudden I was a little surprised, but I always hoped it would come true!" According to Uta, the words had just naturally come out.

"With the five of us, I'm sure we can overcome anything and fulfill our promises. Just like back then!" The scene shifted to a flashback from Episode 48, "Final Live! Inviting Dark Ine!" The scene leading up to the "promise" was delivered through live dubbing. "By fulfilling that promise back then, we've come so much further now" (Nana), "Yeah, all five of us together" (Uta), "We'll be together forever, Mero" (Meroron), "Promise Puri!", "Yes! Let's make that promise!" (Kokoro)—the five of them made a new promise to create a Kirakki Ranran future together.

The structure, where live dubbing and reading drama were integrated to deliver the story, was a rare attempt. While depicting what came after the "Final," the reading drama made the audience feel not an ending but "continuing days," earning much applause. Many audience members were seen wiping away tears.

This was followed by a talk corner with the voice cast. The cast members expressed that their passion for You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ was no less than the enthusiasm of the "Idol Pretty Cure Research Club" founded by Kokoro. They asked the audience to wave their fans or penlights if they agreed with each person's "recommendation points." Takahashi gave the example of Uta and Kaito's interaction five years later as her recommendation point, drawing a big reaction from the audience. Meanwhile, the cast members themselves couldn't help but start analyzing, drawing laughter.

In the first topic, "Recommended Songs," Takahashi, Takamori, and Hanai each passionately discussed their favorite songs. Takahashi chose "Trio Dreams," commenting that being surrounded by everyone's sparkling lights at the live venue made "this song shine even brighter in my heart." Regarding the lyric "The one and only live begins, Enjoy Together," she said it synced with her own desire to enjoy this year together with "you," making it "a particular favorite."

Takamori selected "We are! You & IDOL PRECURE♪." She praised its fun as a self-introduction song, along with its dialogue-style parts and playful composition, and recalled the excitement at the live. Hanai chose the character song for Purirun and Meroron, "Nakayoshi J♡YFUL," saying she loved its "joy that lets you empty your mind and just enjoy"—a rare quality these days. The talk, which once again highlighted the diverse musical charm of You and Idol Pretty Cure♪, was met with many glowing penlights from the audience.

The next theme was "Recommended Episode." Matsuoka and Nanjo both picked Episode 21, "The Best! Miracle Unison!" They recalled the scene where they sang "Egao no Unison♪" together, and Nanjo said she cries every time at the scene where Uta cries in her room, even as she clings to remaining feelings despite losing her memories. They shared how, through these ups and downs, the relationship between the two evolved from "friends" to "soul-connected best friends," leaving a strong impression. Listening to this, Hanai seemed on the verge of tears—uttering "Meramera Mero"... rather than actually crying.

And "Meramera Mero" came up in the final topic, "Recommended Lines." Hanai chose that very phrase. She noted it was a phrase often used early in the series but became rarer as relationships changed—a "rare line"—and praised it for capturing Meroron's emotional richness.

Nanjo then introduced the line from Episode 48: "Because I was the first one to find Uta's sparkle!" She said it was a line that brought back all the feelings from their first meeting in Episode 1. "I watched Episode 1 the other day and cried again. When she came to an unfamiliar town alone and was anxious about not finding the Idol Pretty Cures, Uta was singing right there with such a sparkling smile. Of course Purirun would fall in love with Uta. It was so warm and made me feel saved," she reflected. When she said, "I want to watch it all over again. I feel like I could do an audio commentary by myself," the other cast members chimed in, "We want to watch too!"

Takamori chose "I'm so heart-pounding!" reflecting that it was a phrase she had said countless times throughout the year, one that symbolized the character itself. With "Kyun koso mono no jouzu nare" as her driving force, she passionately said, "I'm so happy to have been given a line that represents everything. With just this one line, you understand everything about Kokoro."

Takahashi selected the line from Episode 40, "Please Listen! Nana-colored Melody": "I want to do so many things I want to do!" She explained that it was born when Cure Kiss asked Nana, "What do you want to do, Nana?" and that it was a line reflecting Nana's growth through various encounters and experiences. "Every time I say it, I feel like I'm going to cry. I cried when I practiced it at home. I'm so glad I met everyone. It's my favorite line, one that makes me feel our bond."

Matsuoka chose "I sing when I want to sing! That's who Sakura Uta is!" once again conveying the charm of Uta as the core of her existence. "It's a line that really symbolizes Uta. When she feels happy, when she wants to make someone Kirakki Ranran. The first thing that comes to mind is 'singing'—that's what's so wonderful about Uta-chan." She also noted that behind those words, one can feel the warmth of the environment she grew up in and her family, highlighting the kindness at the root of Uta's character. She laughed, "From now on, I want to say this in my private life too." With each cast member sharing the background and feelings behind their chosen lines, the talk made everyone feel the depth of You and Idol Pretty Cure♪, and the audience shone with many sparkles.

"Chatting so happily like this makes me realize once again how much we truly love 'You and Idol.'" After these words, a highlight video recapping the year of "Idol Pretty Cure You and Me ♪" played on the screen. At that moment, the voice actor lineup appeared on stage.

"Through You and Idol Pretty Cure♪, we met so many of 'you' and walked together. We've come to love 'you' who stayed with us. May you continue to be yourself, smile, and shine Kirakki Ranran from now on. We sing with all our hearts." The five voice cast members performed the mid-tempo number "GARDEN." The penlights, waved in their own ways, shone as if embodying the lyric "You will bloom your own flower," gently illuminating the venue. The audience was filled with smiles and a circle of emotion.

The Precure Singers were invited on stage, and everyone gathered. Just as they were about to say, "Well, it's about time..." a surprise video message arrived from Keiichi Hirokawa (MONACA), who composed and arranged the opening theme "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!" for the Precure Singers.

Hirokawa noted that the three had sung the song throughout the year, praising their growth: "With each episode, they made it their own." He said he could feel that their confident singing, showing no sign of the trial and error during recording, had delivered dreams and energy to many people. He mentioned that the three singing were truly idols, and together with the audience singing and dancing along, they had built a "Kirakki Ranran world." "As a composer, there is no greater joy than knowing this song will continue to live in the hearts and memories of many people." While marking the Thanksgiving Festival as a milestone, he concluded with words connecting to the future: "If we have the chance to work together again, let's create the best music once more. Then, let's meet again in the studio, at the live." The three Precure Singers were moved to tears, their emotions welling up.

Here, Tanakaan interjected: "Everyone, may I have a moment? Actually, I have a message for the cast from someone else who has walked alongside Idol Pretty Cure for this past year. To me as well, they are an irreplaceable person." With that, a surprise video message from Junichi Suwabe, the voice of Tanaka/Tanakaan, was shown.

He offered words of appreciation to the five cast members: "You've really worked hard." He also mentioned the atmosphere at the recording studio, recalling how they faced the work and characters with sincerity in a warm, friendly environment. "I've appeared in many works, but I believe how much the main cast loves the work and characters greatly affects the quality of the work," he said, asserting that this love was certainly present in You and Idol Pretty Cure♪. Incidentally, for the scene in the final episode where Tanakaan returns to Kirakira Land, series director Chiaki Kon apparently gave the direction to "be more matter-of-fact." Sharing behind-the-scenes stories, he said with feeling, "I'm glad I could create You and Idol Pretty Cure♪ together with you. It has become a great treasure for me too," and ended with the call of "Kirakkī!" "Ranran—!" The cast showed expressions of surprise and emotion at the unexpected surprises.

Seeing them, Tanakaan grinned, "I'm as happy as if it were my own news" (laughs).

The surprises continued. "For the final performance, this person has also come!" Chiaki Kon, dressed in a striking red dress, took the stage. She had apparently told the cast she "couldn't make it today," so the cast erupted in surprised and delighted cries of "Kon-san!" Some cast members broke down in tears at the sight of her. Yoshino Nanjo quipped, "I've cried so much my makeup is gone and I'm just plain Yoshino Nanjo," drawing soft laughter from the venue. Kon-san also teared up, saying, "The passionate feelings of all the Kirakki Ranrans truly make me so happy...".

She then revealed, "At the final episode recording, I received words from everyone but couldn't respond—that's been my regret." She had prepared letters for each of them. From among them, she read aloud the letter addressed to Matsuoka as a representative.

The letter recalled, "When Matsuoka-san took time off from recording, 'You and Idol' without Matsuoka-san felt so lonely, like an anime without its main character." It expressed that, as everyone says, Matsuoka-san is truly the embodiment of "Uta herself." She conveyed her gratitude for Matsuoka's leadership as the lead of the work, while also revealing that she had no idea about the interaction with Kaito five years later, which drew laughter. She also said to all the voice actors, "Each of you nurtured your own character," expressing her thanks for these accumulated efforts.

"To me too, 'KimiPuri' is a precious treasure. I love everything about it. Let's meet again! I want to see you again. Promise me!" The cast exchanged the word "promise" together. Afterward, gratitude was also conveyed to the singers, creating a moment heavy with the significance of the past year. "Idol Pretty Cures, COME ON!" The Idol Pretty Cures and Tanakaan presented flowers to the performers. They told the cast and audience, "Once again, thank you for this past year!"

The Thanksgiving Festival was finally reaching its climax. Each person delivered a message. First, opening theme singer Ishii. From her position of supporting the work through many songs, including the opening theme "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!", she spoke of what she felt standing on stage and her gratitude for the year walking with "you." Reflecting on how she was influenced by the Idol Pretty Cures' way of delivering their feelings straight to each person, and how she was supported by the words "together with you," she smiled and said, "Even when apart, I felt connected, and I was able to do my best together with you." She also reflected on how, over the year of singing "Kimi to Idol Pretty Cure♪ Light Up!", she "became able to sing in her own way," feeling the accumulation of that time. As she spoke of her gratitude to Kumada and Yoshitake, with whom she had worked together, she teared up. She concluded, "I truly love You and Idol Pretty Cure♪, the Idol Pretty Cures, and 'you'!"

Next was Kumada, whom Ishii described as the "mood maker." She opened with a smile, saying, "I'm back from Dark Down↓," but also showed a hint of loneliness, honestly stating, "Precisely because I know the brilliance of the light, I want to be together forever." She looked back on her debut year as an Idol Pretty Cure singer. She admitted to having anxieties initially, and regarding dancing, which she wasn't good at, she said, "Even if I thought I might not be able to do it, I still wanted to try." The driving force that supported her was the pure desire to "convey this to 'You'." She said, "The 'You' here are my idols." She also mentioned her respect for the voice actors and her relationship with Ishii and Yoshitake, recalling, "The moment our three voices overlapped was truly, truly joyful." She appealed, "I want to continue singing together from now on."

Yoshitake Chihaya looked back on her journey so far and this past year, saying, "This was a year that made me rethink what this stage means to me." She revealed that she viewed "Idol Pretty Cure You and Me ♪" from two perspectives: as a supporter and as a performer on stage.

For Yoshitake, the line from the opening theme lyrics, "Shine! It's because of you that I can shine now," was an important pillar that supported her this year, and she also mentioned how the presence of "You" became the power behind her performances. Regarding her relationship with Kumada and Ishii, she said, "Kuma-chan is truly, truly my contemporary, and I'm really happy we could walk through our first year as Idol Pretty Cure singers together." Holding back tears, she said to Ishii, "Every time we stood on stage together, I could see you growing by my side, which made me happy and always enjoyable. Thank you for standing on stage with me." She expressed her wish for the work and music to continue, and sent a message: "I love you all! We will definitely meet again!"

Next was the message time for the voice actors. First was Hanai, who voices Cure Kurenai / Mebuki. She read from a prepared letter, speaking as if addressing the "Shining Brilliant 'You'." Choked with tears and struggling to speak, warm shouts of "You can do it!" came from the audience, and she spoke word by word under their gentle gaze.

Looking back on the year, she said, "It was a year full of challenges for me," honestly confessing her initial confusion and lack of confidence as a first-time participant in a "Pretty Cure" production. However, supported by the warm words of the voice actors, staff, and "You," her own mindset changed. She also recalled it as "a year full of emotion," mentioning a small anecdote about feeling the work's presence on the street, and how she carried Cure Kurenai merchandise as a "good luck charm." She described Cure Kurenai as "my strongest partner and irreplaceable best friend." She said that meeting "You and Idol Pretty Cure ♪" and meeting "You" were treasures of her life.

Listening to this, Nanjo couldn't hold back her tears. "I am Nanjo Yoshino, voicing Cure Wink / Purirun. I had so many things I wanted to say, but I've forgotten them all." She smiled wryly, then recalled the memory of watching the "Wonderful Pretty Cure! Thanksgiving Festival" in the same venue a year ago, and revealed the promise she made with Matsuoka, who was sitting next to her, as they "cried messily, absolutely determined to do our best." She mentioned the "baton" she had received from the previous series, expressing her determination to pour her heart into the work and character. She also spoke of the feelings passed down through generations in the "Pretty Cure" series. "I think the前辈(senpais) must have passed the baton to the next generation with feelings like 'I love it so much I want to continue,' 'I don't want to leave,' 'I want to go to the recording studio,' 'I want to see the script,' 'I want to see the new version of the character I play.'" She continued, "I hope everyone in 'Pretty Cure Detective Club!' can also experience this wonderful, magical year," entrusting her words to the future.

Furthermore, she mentioned that this year also marked the 20th anniversary of her voice acting career, and revealed that Atsumi Tanezaki, who voiced Cure Friendy / Inukai Komugi in "Wonderful Pretty Cure!," had told her, "Misato (Matsuoka) is someone who tries too hard, so please support her well." Therefore, she had been supporting Matsuoka from the closest distance, both as Purirun and as a senior. She recalled, "Tane-chan (Atsumi Tanezaki) contacted me later, but (her worry) was unnecessary, saying she's a wonderful lead," praising Matsuoka.

"Rather than 20 years of voice acting, this has been the happiest year of my life! Everyone in 'Pretty Cure Detective Club!', please enjoy it too. (In Cure Wink's voice) I'll support you! (In Purirun's voice) Ganbare Puri~!"

Next was Takamori Natsumi, who voices Cure Kyun / Shijin Kokoro. She opened with "This moment has finally come," and revealed that after the previous day's performance, she was so overwhelmed with emotion that "after going home, thinking about what to convey the next day, I cried myself to sleep." She said she was standing here without having fully organized her thoughts, conveying her most honest feelings of the moment.

She mentioned that one of the themes of this work is "The you who works hard will surely be someone's idol," and that this applies not only between the characters but also to every single "You" watching the work through the venue and the live stream.

"If 'Idol Pretty Cure You and Me ♪' can become your idol, your motivation to work hard, I would be happy; and if you, who work hard after watching 'Idol Pretty Cure You and Me ♪,' can in turn become someone else's idol, and this chain reaction continues, I would be delighted. That is my greatest joy."

Having previously voiced Mimi in "Delicious Party♡Pretty Cure," she said, "I honestly thought I would never have the chance to become a Pretty Cure again, but Kokoro was born into this world, and thanks to Director Kon and many staff members, I was able to meet Kokoro. Being able to run at full speed this year, truly... because Cure Kyun was there, I could do my best at the concerts and today." With tears in her eyes, she expressed the joy of being able to stand on stage as Cure Kyun in this work.

She also said, "Today, I decided I would become Cure Kyun's biggest fan. Because liking something is the strongest!" She sent a message: "I hope everyone will continue to cherish the feeling of 'liking' from now on."

Next, the microphone was passed to Takahashi, who voices Cure Koi / Aokaze Nana. Although she showed a composed demeanor on stage, it was because she believed "an idol is someone who brings smiles to everyone, and I wanted to keep smiling until the very end." However, she revealed that when she received the bouquet from Cure Koi, her emotions overflowed, and she recalled, "I truly felt that my dream had come true." Takahashi's dream was to participate in the "Pretty Cure" series. She mentioned the many uncertainties and struggles she had faced on this path. It was because she didn't give up and kept moving forward that she could reach this point. "In the future of my dream, Cure Koi was waiting for me. I'm really glad," she recalled, truly feeling that existence was on the path she had walked.

Furthermore, when she learned that children admired Cure Koi, she said, "I realized that my own dream becomes the next person's dream, and continues on." She expressed that this dream would now be passed on to the cast of "Pretty Cure Detective Club!" and to the Pretty Cures beyond, continuing the legacy. While expressing gratitude to "You," she sincerely addressed her "destined Pretty Cure": "Cure Koi and Aokaze Nana. Thank you for meeting me!"

Finally, we have Matsuoka Misato, who plays the role of Idol Angel / Sakura Uta. She has consistently been described by fellow voice actors and staff as "Uta herself," and true to that description, she stood on stage with a smile throughout the day. "Right now, looking at everyone's (the cast's) backs as they talk, I feel once again that it is because of all of you that I have been able to enjoy myself and come this far." She conveyed this message to each and every voice actor and to every single "you" in the audience.

She reflected that, despite bearing responsibility and nervousness, "when I played Sakura Uta, I was simply happy and could forget everything," and that behind this feeling were the staff, the cast, and the presence of "you."

Furthermore, Matsuoka mentioned that in the previous series *Wonderful Precure!*, she played the role of Sparkle Bunny. In the final episode, the senior cast members, though filled with a desire for the story not to end, still welcomed the new Precure with smiles. "A year ago, I was anxious, wondering if I could become a Precure like my seniors. I don't know if I managed to do so, but in any case, this past year has become a treasure-like year in my life! It's so hard to let go! But the world of *Idol Precure You & Me♪* will continue, and I am also very much looking forward to *Detective Precure!*" "From now on, Idol Angel and Sakura Uta will always be by my side." She spoke these words cheerfully, even as she became emotional.

She then proposed, "There's something I want to do!" and engaged in a call-and-response with the audience. The voices of "With you," "Forever together," "Idol Precure," and "I love you the most!" resounded throughout the venue. She said to every single "you," "I love you all the most too! I love you the mostーー!" and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for meeting me!"

Finally, all the performers performed *Idol Precure You & Me♪ Light Up!*. As countless smiles were illuminated and the audience seats were warmly lit, the performers offered the words, "Thank you so much!"

At this moment, the first "encore" call of the Thanksgiving Festival rang out. "This is truly the last song!" The Idol Precure presented *We are! You & IDOL PRECURE♪*. In the latter half, everyone gathered on stage, and amidst falling cherry blossoms, they sang, "Meeting you was so happy and joyful," "We are with you, Idol Precure You & Me♪ Precure♪ Precure♪." There was no moment more fitting for these lyrics, bringing the event to a close that felt like a union of the work and "you." They once again conveyed their "gratitude for this past year" and struck their final pose, signaling "This is truly the end!" Just as everyone thought it was over, the voice actors surprised the Idol Precure by presenting them with bouquets of flowers.

"Thank you for everything! Idol Precure, you are our saviors who illuminate darkness into dazzling brilliance! Thank you for your hard work!" "Thank you for meeting us!" "We love you the most!" "Let's meet again!"

As these words were conveyed one after another, overlapping with the memorable image from the event's key visual of figures holding bouquets, perhaps that visual captured this very moment—such was the closing scene. Fans chanted in unison, "We are! YOU & IDOL PRECURE♪," and the Idol Precure, leaving behind the words, "Take care, thank you!" departed from the stage.

The venue played an ending theme set to *You & Lulala*. While there was a sense of reluctance, it was also accompanied by a refreshing afterglow. Tanaka's announcement signaling the end rang out, and words of "Thank you!" flooded not only the venue but also the live stream's chat.

The "Idol Precure You & Me♪ Thanksgiving Festival" was filled with delicate performances and heartfelt touches throughout. Following the concert in October, it was impressive to see not only the voice actors and theme song singers but also the Idol Precure themselves appear in many scenes. The Idol Precure, who have been highly active both within the story and on real-world stages over this past year. This might be said to be a sight unique to this work themed around idols.

And to you who came to the venue, to you who watched via the stream, and to you who could not attend. Please be sure to watch the footage of the "Idol Precure You & Me♪ Thanksgiving Festival" on Blu-ray or the main anime episodes, and once again feel the brilliance of every single moment.

[Interview & Text / Sakasai Mari　Photography / Eto Hanna (SHERPA+), Tomita Miga]