The PreCure franchise prepares its 23rd main entry with Star Detective Precure! (Meitantei Precure!), which has just had its main cast, technical team, theme song artists, and premiere date revealed. The new series, which promises to blend investigation and magic, arrives in Japan on February 1, 2026, airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi. Meanwhile, Brazilian fans eagerly await news about international distribution, as the franchise’s previous anime, You and Idol Precure♪, is available on Crunchyroll.
The plot revolves around Anna Akechi, a second-year high school student living in Makoto Mirai City. On her birthday, her fairy companion, Pochitan, takes her on a time-traveling journey, transporting her from the year 2027 directly to 1999. In this past, she meets Mikuru Kobayashi, another young girl who dreams of becoming a great detective. Together, they witness the problems caused by the “Phantom Thieves,” who steal people’s precious belongings. Because of this, the girls transform into the powerful Pretty Cure detectives, using their deductive reasoning to protect everyone’s smiles.
Cast, Staff, and Production Details
The voices of the protagonists are provided by Hikari Senga, as Cure Answer/Anna Akechi, and Kaede Hondo, as Cure Mystic/Mikuru Kobayashi. In addition to them, Nao Tōyama will bring to life the mysterious Cure Arcana Shadow, a Pretty Cure who, for some reason, works for the Phantom Thieves. The series is directed by Kōji Kawasaki, known for his work on Hugtto! PreCure, while the scripts are handled by Isao Murayama, from Witchy Precure!. Thus, the team promises a narrative full of twists and the franchise’s characteristic charm.
To accompany the adventures, the opening theme “Heart ni Hint! Detective Precure!” will be performed by Ami Ishii. The ending theme, “Naze? Nazo?! ANSWER,” will be handled by Akane Kumada and Yūka Masui. With this combination of talents, the expectation is for catchy songs that complement the series’ investigative atmosphere. The production is a collaboration between ABC TV, ABC Animation, ADK Emotions, and the renowned Toei Animation, ensuring the visual quality fans expect.
The Current State of the PreCure Franchise
This new title arrives at a busy time for the PreCure universe. The second season of the short-form spinoff, Petitcure ~Precure Fairies~, premiered in October last year, focusing on the heroines’ cute mascots. Furthermore, the feature film Eiga Kimi to Idol Precure♪ (You and Idol Precure♪ the Movie) was released in Japanese theaters in September 2025. The TV series You and Idol Precure♪, which began in February 2025, continues to air and is available for streaming. Therefore, Star Detective Precure! arrives to expand an already vibrant universe, betting on a brand-new premise with time travel and mystery, which may attract both long-time fans and new viewers curious about this mix of genres.
